So I'm driving from Wilson, NY (about 25 mins from Niagara Falls) to Spring Lake for a wedding in August. My girlfriend and I plan on driving through Detroit to check out Schramms and B Nektar, but what else is near Spring Lake (within 30 mins roughly any way). looking for stores or breweries I guess. Side note- will taking beer and meads through canada and back to the US be a problem? Any help is much appreciated!
Can't help much on boarder crossing questions, but bring clean pants and check out The Corner Market in Spring Lake. Vander Mill brewing is also just across the street, and Odd Side Ales brew pub is maybe 10 miles from there in Grand Haven. Good luck and celebrate!
Beer City USA (Grand Rapids) is about 30 minutes away. Founders, Brewery Vivant, Harmony Brewing, HopCat and Perrin are all worth checking out.
I've crossed the border with beer into Canada and then back into the US (eastbound), but I can't recall whether it was a one or a two case per person limit. You'll want to research it a bit more to be sure, but don't try to bend the rules whatever they are. I've heard that the border police can make your life miserable for a day if they discover any untruths.
Been to Grand Haven/Holland many times as I have family there and lived in Grand Rapids for a few years. Grand Haven is the next town over from Spring Lake, while Holland is 20 miles or so. In Grand Haven, definitely check out Odd Side. Great beer, awesome staff, and a pub in downtown Grand Haven. Their Citra Pale Ale is great and Mayan Mocha Stout is good too. Can get a growler to go and/or bottles from the pub. Holland has New Holland Brewery and the brew pub. The pub has awesome food and a good selection of their beers. If you haven't had Dragons Milk, its worth a pint. The actual brewery does tours on the weekends which are quite good. Grand Rapids is a bit of a hike from there, but as @BRZvice said, its Beer City USA, so it'd be worth it. Check out Brewery Vivant. Its in a cool neighborhood outside of Downtown, but well worth it. Made a brewery in an old church. Very cool and underrated spot in GR. Enjoy! Western Michigan is my favorite spot for beer in the country.
From downtown Spring Lake to Founders it is 27min door to door as I have done it many times over the past few years. Quick drive and well worth it IMO. But Odd Side is an absolute must to visit in Grand Haven as well.
I forgot to mention earlier that you've got Old Boys' Brew House in Spring Lake too, and I've heard that their beers are much better than what they used to be, which weren't really too bad when I was there last. The food is good too, and a nice location overlooking the river. http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/5501/
The corner market just bought the place across from Miss Lisa's.. ie the best soft serve and chili dog in the area.. I'd stop at both as well as oddside, holland etc..
