My wife and I are heading up next week and were curious if there were any brewpubs near Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo that perhaps don't distribute out of state which are worth visiting. So far we've planned for Bell's, Founders, Jolly Pumpkin, and hopefully New Holland. Thanks !
are you staying around the Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo area? If so Jolly Pumpkin is going to be about a 2.5 hour drive to Ann Arbor and about a 3 hour drive to the Old Mission location.
I would recommend stopping into Grand Rapids Brewing Company since you're going to be in the area. They've been open 6-ish months and brew with entirely organic ingredients. Pretty good guest taps there, too. Also, HopCat is a 2 minute walk from there and is usually on the must-try list for a lot of beer fans from outside the GR area (as well as those from GR). If you make it there, have some crack fries Hope you and your lady have an amazing time!
Oh god yes. Vivant's beer is pretty good, particularly the sours that they don't distribute, but their food is AMAZING.
Perrin Brewing, just north of GR, is a worthy stop for their beer and food, and Walldorff, about 20 miles southeast of GR in Hastings, is also good for their beer and food. If at Bell's, go east 20 miles to Arcadia, or 12 miles farther east to Dark Horse. Both distribute, but both are worthy visits if you have the time.
The Hideout Brewing Co. on the NE side of Grand Rapids is exceptional. Try to find it. Also, The Mitten Brewing Co. on the west side is fantastic. Neither (that I know of) distribute anything.
Hotel booked in Grand Rapids, we agreed on Dark Horse, Bell's, Founders, Vivant, Hopcat, and Jolly Pumpkin on the way back home. Before I finished typing Hop Cat on google crack fries came up. Would really like to visit New Holland, but not enough time.
Just a reminder that the JP location that you want to visit is the one in Ann Arbor, not Dexter (production facility only). I see that you are from Ohio, so before you get to AA you'll want to make sure that your immunization records are up to date -- they'll stop you at the city limits to check as soon as they see your car tags. Have a great trip. (Wishes from a former Buckeye.)
After watching this I'm really looking forward to visiting here and having a food coma from the Duck Nachos. The Jolly Pumpkin in Ann Arbor is the one we'll be visiting. Will be starting the Michigan theme off right watching the Tribe beat the Tigers at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario tomorrow night
Vivant has some of the best food I've ever had. Anywhere, not just at a brewery. Steak frites, hamburger, duck nachos, all absolutely phenomenal.
