Traverse City, MI

She's going to TC or Cadillac?

Depending on where she's going (I understand distro is slightly different between the two), I would do Short's, Odd Side Ales, and in bomber format Right Brain. Right Brain MAY be in TC, but I don't think it's in Cadillac. Any of the newer Short's are worth trying. Ginger in the Rye, Anniversary Ale, Spirit of 78, Beard of Zeus, etc. Odd Side is bottling Citra and Simco Sensation, both are good.

 

Any of the recent Shorts offerings (Dan's Pink Skirt, Anniversary Ale, Beard of Zeus, etc).

To be honest, I don't know what else is out now. I've been out of MI for a few months and have lost touch with the releases. Anything else I'd suggest you already get.

I've heard good things about Saugatuck's Neapolitan Stout. *shrugs shoulders*

Only other thing I can suggest is bottles from Right Brain (I'm partial to Dead Kettle and Looping Owl).

 

She should get you some Shorts beers then. Shorts Brewery is about 30 minutes away from Traverse City if she is willing to make the short trip for you.

 

this.

Plus they have everything available by the bottle. According to their site, they have the following available (price is per six pack, of course):

• Good Humans – $6.99
• Controversiale – $9.99
• Prolonged Enjoyment – $7.99
• Bourbon Sustenance Black Beer – $14.99
• Anniversary Ale – $14.99
• Controversius Maximus – $14.99
• Beard of Zeus – $9.99
• Beach Wheat – $6.99
• Dan’s Pink Skirt – $9.99
• Nicie Spicie – $9.99

 

Based on this information, she should pick up a case of Bourbon Sustenance, Controversius Maximus, and Beard of Zeus. Bribe her if you must (sex, money, drugs, etc), it will be worth it.

 

Indeed.

I'll be there tomorrow to do much the same. Living in Indy is nice and all, but I need my Shorts fix.

 

No Freedom? :-(

Thanks for posting this though. I am going up to the Traverse City area this weekend myself, but I'm planning on skipping Short's this trip (I am going back up in a couple weeks and will hit it then) but was considering changing my plans if they had Freedom in bottles.

I will be heading to Right Brain this trip for sure though, and OP you should have your buddy get you some Mangalitsa Pig Porter if they have any. I could send an update Sat night or Sunday with what RBB has available.

 

If you are looking for Freedom, try these places:

-Bayside Market
-Burritts
-Tilly's Part Store
-...um, whatever is on the corner of Front and Maple. Used to be Maxbauers After Hours
-Franciscos

 

Thanks! I don't know the TC area at all yet, but will be spending a lot of time up there from now on, and I struck out on my second search for Freedom in Kalamazoo a few days after it hit stores, so your help is much appreciated! I would like to stock up a little. For me, it's the perfect summer beer, but my first case didn't make it past mid-May. :-)

 

Bayside is on the west side of town on 31 when heading north. They are out of the way so their selection tends to stick around a bit longer.

Burritts is downtown, but Shawn who works there is good friends with a couple people at Shorts, so he tends to get a good allotment. Also, Burritts is known as a specialty food store, not a beer/bottle store, so it flies under the radar.

Tilly's is a party store on the west side of town about two blocks off the bay. Their product moves, but they are off the beaten path so you can score some gems. I was able to get BCBS for a couple weeks there after it was gone from other places.

Those are my three top spots. BevCo off of Garfield is the major store, and they have the best selection by far, but anything special like Freedom will sell out fast.

On a food note, I HIGHLY suggest going to Frencie's Famous for a pastrami sammich if you go to Tilly's (Frechie's is next door), and grabbing a pie from the original Grand Traverse Pie Company (in the same parking lot as Burritts).

 

Looked around, and Freedom was nowhere to be found. Beard of Zeus was sold out almost everywhere as well, though Burritts still had some six packs left. Dan's Pink Skirt is not on shelves yet.

 

So you're saying I should hit up Burritts and BevCo when I'm in TC for a couple weeks in a month.

 

I would. Also, Right Brain has bottles of their asparagus beer (you know, if that's your thing) at their pub right now, and Brewery Ferment has a couple of their stouts in bottles at their location if you are looking for something new. Also, go to Tilly's as they have a good selection, and then grab breakfast and/or lunch at Frenchie's next door (and, while you're at it, go to Bay Bread on the other side and get a cinnamon roll or some fresh bread for breakfast the next day. I love their french bread.).

 

If she's from Cadillac then I'd tell her to stop by Willow market first. They have a pretty good selection of raft beers from Michigan in there. Decent prices too.

 

Can't wait to try Right Brain. When I was there last summer Right Brain was closed because they were moving to their new location

 

I like their new location. It's MUCH larger.

When in town, check out Bravo Zulu Brewing in Acme on 31. They should be open some time in June.

http://www.bravozulubrewing.com/

 

I would have to push for Short's when she's in TC. It is a little hike, but close enough to justify. I always swing by Shorts on my way to TC. They have the beers listed, but they also do growlers of whatever they have on tap, and there are typically beers they don't bottle there, so....

Closer to TC though, she should hit up Jolly Pumpkin, not just to score some beer but bc the restaurant is amazing. It is my favorite place in TC. It is out on mission point, though, so it can be a drive depending on where in TC she is.

 

Is it that close? I'll be up in TC (well, Kingsley) about six or seven times this summer, but every time I map out a trip to Bellaire, it tells me it's about 1:15. From Seven Monks, Google Maps is showing an hour.