I couldn't found any threads about this area, so I apologize if there is another thread. I'll be going to a wedding in Rogers City the 8th and 9th. I'll be driving back to Columbus on the 11th and want to get some Shorts beer on my way back. Would there be some good bottle shops along this route (http://goo.gl/maps/dSbgI) that would have good selections? In an ideal world, I'd like to visit the brewery but with an 8 hour trip ahead, I would like to save time where I can and minimize the drinking and driving. Any must hit bottle shops on this route? (looking for nothing specific in particular apart from Shorts, but stuff I might not be able to get in Ohio like Oddside) Any tips/suggestions would be appreciated! Also I will be putting up a IP trade thread when it gets closer but if anyone along the way up or down wants to set up a trade, that would be awesome. ISO- Atrial, Nocturn, Bramble, Backyard Rye, any BA Kuhnhenn, BBPt5, open to other things along these lines FT- Jackie O's BA Dark App, Cellar Cuvee 8, Brick Kiln, Paw Paw Wheat, Jackie O's growlers, Bodhi growlers, FFF Apoloclypse Cow, Doughnut Break, BA Doris, other stuff in Ohio not distributed up your way.
Short's stuff can be found at almost any good supermarket, but once you get north of Bay City the beer scene is like a wasteland. A stop in Ann Arbor may be your best option. Plum Market is out on the west side of town (with a little detour or some back-tracking) and would be my recommendation. Other stores are closer to downtown and generally have a reputation of higher prices, and are not as easy to get to from your intended route.
If you are stopping in AA, I'd recommend the Wine Seller which is only like 3 miles off of US 23. It is buried in the back of a strip mall but generally worth the stop (check their rating on BA if curious). Also, if you happen to go into Alpena for any reason, make sure you stop by Jimmie's. They have a surprisingly large selection for the area (especially Shorts and Founders) and almost always have some good stuff just hanging around that should be long gone.
Do you guys think Strawberry Shorts Cake or MMMkay would be available in AA or along the way? Or would I need to hit the brewery store? It seems like the drive from Alpena to Rogers city is only about a 20 mile detour and looks to be a lot more scenic. So if you think it might be worth a stop, we might have to check it out. Thanks for the suggestions!
I don't think Strawberry Shorts Cake is in bottles or released yet for distro. You might find some MMMKay in bottles in AA, but you might have to stop at multiple stores for a score. (It's still on the shelf in Battle Creek, but that's 75 miles west.) I'm not following your logic on your driving stops to get either of these beers at the pub. Short's in in Bellaire, and that's more than 20 miles from Rogers City, and in the opposite direction from Alpena. EDIT: Oops, I missed seeing the release posting from HopHeadHerman about the Short's Cake release. Maybe it will be in AA. But it's rare to find these specialty beers at a supermarket. Check Plum Market or other good bottle shops.
Sorry for the confusion, if I could only get those bottles at the brewery I was willing to drive in the opposite direction to the brewery either on the way up or back home. If I could find it along the way I was already going, that would be preferable.
If you are not successful in AA, then another option that is close to your route is The Lager Mill in Frankenmuth. http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/23819/?view=ratings It is about a half hour detour off of I-75, but they have a great selection there. You can always call them before you get off of the highway to ask if they have either beer.
You could visit Oliver T's in Grand Blanc. http://www.oliverts.com/ It is off 23 ( Hill Rd exit, take a right, down about 3-4 miles) before you get into Flint. You then could hop on I-475 through Flint to get back to I-75. They have a nice selection and they will allow you to mix your 6-packs. You won't find Shortscake sitting on the shelf but MMMkay is possible.
I am not sure I read your post correctly but Shorts is not in Alpena, it is in Bellaire, MI. About 2 hours away.
IMHO, if I'm making the trip and not in a major hurry, I'd take US 23 all the way up the Lake Huron waterfront. Might cost you 20-30 minutes in total, but it will be a lot more scenic than M-33 (also more cities to stop in for food/bathroom, etc).
Sometimes what I'm thinking doesn't' always translate well when I type lol. Yes I am aware they are on opposite ends. I figured if I needed to hit the brewery I could hit it on the way up or down and I could take the detour through Alpena up to Rogers City on the other. It seems like it goes along the coast and would be more of a fun drive than the route that goes straight up 65 while not being a huge detour. I think I'll only hit Short's in Bellaire on the way back if I strike out everywhere on the way up. I'd like to say I'd go there for sure but I know that will take me more west than I'd like to go on a tight timeline on the way back. When my buddies and I plan a weekend in Michigan for beer only purposes it will be a definite place to hit. Thanks for the input guys!
Beverage Cellar in Brighton has some MMMKay for sure. They had about a case left as of last night. They also have a few Odd Sides - Grapefruit Wheat and Lolly Catcher are the ones I remember. He also has some nice bombers on the shelf.
Had a lot less time to search for beer than I'd like, damn wedding and 8hr trip but I was able to snag Short's cake at Plum in AA on the way up. Thanks for the info guys!
