[Doc Jae]

I also agree with the above posts in that Shorts is a really great place. Their restaurant is awesome; good food, live music, and something like 15 beers on tap. They have also just recently started distributing a few of their beers (unfortunately not the Magician's Ale).

I also agree that New Holland is a good one, specifically their brown ale Cabin Fever. Bell's is certainly the most famous brewer in Michigan, but I've found many of their beers to be just OK (with the exception of the Expedition Stout and the Two Hearted Ale)

I stumbled on this article that really surprised me:
Michigan's beer industry generated $4.9 billion last year, study says - KalamaBrew: Beer making, brewing and microbrews - Kalamazoo Gazette - MLive.com

$4.9 Billion? If that's true, I say we gut out some of those old abandoned factories and warehouses around Detroit and start brewing up some more quality beer!

[Nephler]

Lake Superior Brewing Company in Grand Marais.
This was always my favorite!

Lake Superior Brewing Company

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Doc Jae

I also agree with the above posts in that Shorts is a really great place. Their restaurant is awesome; good food, live music, and something like 15 beers on tap. They have also just recently started distributing a few of their beers (unfortunately not the Magician's Ale).

I also agree that New Holland is a good one, specifically their brown ale Cabin Fever. Bell's is certainly the most famous brewer in Michigan, but I've found many of their beers to be just OK (with the exception of the Expedition Stout and the Two Hearted Ale)

I stumbled on this article that really surprised me:
Michigan's beer industry generated $4.9 billion last year, study says - KalamaBrew: Beer making, brewing and microbrews - Kalamazoo Gazette - MLive.com

$4.9 Billion? If that's true, I say we gut out some of those old abandoned factories and warehouses around Detroit and start brewing up some more quality beer!

If you've ever been to Founders, they gutted an old truck shipping depot and turned it into their brewhouse, and added a big warehouse off of the back. Sorta the same concept.

[bluebird39]

Originally Posted by magellan

New Holland is good, forgot about that one.

Have you been to Hopcat yet in Grand Rapids? I have some nutty beer fiend friends who rave about it. It was rated World Class by Beer Advocate:

HopCat - Reviews - BeerAdvocate

Cool! Love the name. 3 hours is a long beer run, but we do have some friends who live there, although they don't drink Is it near the freeway? We're going to Chicago soon, is it a good lunch place?

Fletcher Street is also a place where they took an old paper mill and revamped it. I wish it were doing better, because the beer there is really pretty good.

We try to keep a keg on tap at our house, and try to get local kegs, but have to do so through the distributors, and up here at least they act like you're asking them to get tampons at the grocery store for you when you ask them to bring you a keg of micro brew. It can take weeks too! But I must say it's generally much less than what we were paying for them in Oregon. We've given up asking local bars if they have micro brews, because they look at us like we're aliens. We just ask what's on tap now and hope for the best. DH also started brewing again.

OK yes, I'm a beer snob, but that's what living in Oregon will do for you! Michigan is the furthest East I've ever lived, so I'll have to take your word on the beer situation there.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by bluebird39

Cool! Love the name. 3 hours is a long beer run, but we do have some friends who live there, although they don't drink Is it near the freeway? We're going to Chicago soon, is it a good lunch place?

Fletcher Street is also a place where they took an old paper mill and revamped it. I wish it were doing better, because the beer there is really pretty good.

We try to keep a keg on tap at our house, and try to get local kegs, but have to do so through the distributors, and up here at least they act like you're asking them to get tampons at the grocery store for you when you ask them to bring you a keg of micro brew. It can take weeks too! But I must say it's generally much less than what we were paying for them in Oregon. We've given up asking local bars if they have micro brews, because they look at us like we're aliens. We just ask what's on tap now and hope for the best. DH also started brewing again.

OK yes, I'm a beer snob, but that's what living in Oregon will do for you! Michigan is the furthest East I've ever lived, so I'll have to take your word on the beer situation there.

Yes, it's actually right off of 131 right near downtown, and they do have good sandwiches for lunch. You could hop off of I-196, grab a beer and a bite.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...9&z=16&iwloc=A

The Michigan Winter Beer Fest was moved to Grand Rapids (from Lansing) a couple of years ago, and is a lot of fun. I'm sure they'll have it again this coming Winter.

http://www.thebrewsite.com/2008/01/2...and-rapids.php

[HighlandsGal]

I miss my Bell's Oberon! Wah!!

Love Founder's too. Will hit up both for sure when I go home to visit in June.

[uggabugga]

Originally Posted by Doc Jae

I stumbled on this article that really surprised me:
Michigan's beer industry generated $4.9 billion last year, study says - KalamaBrew: Beer making, brewing and microbrews - Kalamazoo Gazette - MLive.com

wow. i would never have guessed that.

i like old hat in lawton. kraftbrau in kalamazoo was very good but i guess they shut down.

[allbusiness]

Saugatuck Brewing Company opened a brand new facility last year, added a cool Irish Pub and a giant beer hall over the winter and introduced local wines to the menu just recently.

Their Boathouse Stout and Oval Beach Blonde are good choices.

[jeanniepep]

I have to give a shout-out to IMHO, the best beer ever!!! Dark Horse Brewery in Marshall - tiny operation, absolutely amazing brew. You can find them in lots of places around Battle Creek, but their distribution is growing...check the map on their website.

Dark Horse Brewing Co.

But, you have to actually go to Marshall to get the really fresh seasonal stuff, or Aaron's latest experiments. He makes amazing pizza too!

[Michigansnowflake]

I will second Dark Horse!