Trip to Michigan: which side trip?

If you're looking for growler fills, Bells will only fill their growlers and only offer 4 beers at that. They do use a counter-pressure system, though, so they should last quite a while. Founders will fill any growler, and their selection is greater. Plus, you're really close to a number of other great breweries in Grand Rapids. Admittedly, I haven't explored Kalamazoo as much as GR, but there are a few other breweries in Kalamazoo as well.

Also, Dark Horse, Arcadia, and the Ann Arbor area (Jolly Pumpkin/North Peak, Arbor, and Wolverine) are all on the way if you're coming from south of Detroit.

 

Why do just one? The two are less than an hour apart, just a quick drive down US 31.

 

if i was going for Growler fills I'd say Founders. Personally though i prefer the Bells taproom because they usually have a better selection of non distro stuff on tap. you also have the slim chance that something interesting may be available in bottles. both places are great though for both food and beer. I would absolutely do both if i had all day.

 

Hard to go wrong with either, although I personally wouldn't do both in the same trip. Even though Kzoo and GR are an easy drive apart, there are enough other cool spots near each to make the big circle tour a bit of overkill (unless you just really want to specifically hit Bell's AND Founders). I like the food better at Founders, better options for growlers, and there are several other good breweries in GR, but I agree with a previous post that Founders doesn't always have the best draft variety/selection. Sometimes I've gotten CBS or something, other times it's almost limited to just what you could get in a random grocery store. Bell's usually has a superior selection of specialty taps, but you won't have as much opportunity to get any of it to-go. You could also hit up Arcadia's Kzoo location, a little place called One Well, and Dark Horse on your way back on 94. Finally, if you take 94 out of Detroit instead of 96, then you'd have the option of stopping in Ann Arbor at Jolly Pumpkin and such.

 

Actually US-131. U.S.-31 runs along Lake Michigan.

 

I would say bells, they always got a nice tap list on and the pork tacos are worth the trip alone

 

I'd say Founders and Kuhnhenn (in Warren) have the best stuff available on tap and for growler fills right now.

 

Yep - my mistake.

 

I have made similar, no problem.

 

Bells has a tremendous tap list, one off stuff you'll never see bottled.

Founders has incredible atmosphere and food is decent, all sandwiches.

Honestly you can't go wrong with either. Shorts is a place I've yet to visit but plan to this summer. Three youngsters and two baseball teams tend to get in the way of my beer drinking hobby

 

I'd say look at the online tap lists right before you are going to go. Bells has a webcam of their tapboard and founders has it listed on their website as well as an app (sometime one will be more updated than the other), see what is on, and decide based on what you want.

Both have a good selection of things not in bottles.

If going to founders, they have multiple bars inside of it, with slight varriations of their taps. So if you do't see it at one of them, try the other.

If I had to pick right now, I'd go with Bells, just based on the taps. And I was at Founders a few weeks ago. Mango Habenero Oberon has been calling my name, and I haven't made it over to see my sister in awhile. Also noticed they have venus on tap right now...ha.

 

Bell's. Then you can hit the other 11 breweries within 20 miles, that most have equal quality beers. Kalamazoo is loaded with great beer.

 

I was disappointed to find that Founders had about 90% distro beers when I stopped by, and the one offs weren't very good. Bell's was more unique experience.

 

If a visit to Bell's and/or Founders is a rare event for you, you should go to both. They are about 30 to 45 minutes apart from each other. I think if you are going to drive from south of Detroit, you should definitely go to both. And you should definitely get a room near your last stop of the day. It will be a very long drive back to south of Detroit if you go to both and knock back a beer or two at both locations. Also, if you get a room that night, you may have a chance to check out another brewery or two.

 

I'd go for Bell's, fresh Two Hearted Ale is pretty hard to beat. They have some great Lagers too.

 

Bell's to Founders in 30-45 minutes is maybe a bit ambitious...
I'd say you'll be lucky to get from Bell's to the highway along W. Main in 15 minutes, then the 50 mile drive.

 

Thats what business 131 is for! Screw W. Main. Still 45 minimum though.

I'd still pick one, and not do both. So you can actually enjoy the one you are at, try a bunch of beers, etc, rather then worry about getting to the next one.

 

Google says 48 minutes. It is 50 miles. Making that in 30 minutes? 100 mph average speed required.

 

After a few tonight, 30 minutes seems legit. Goodnight everyone!