Grand Rapids in April.

No chance, neither one sees distro but I would look to set up some IP trades if you are interested in finding them

 

I hear RUMORS of No Rules being released again sometime in April, but nothing official from Perrin yet on that so don't hold your breath. Hazel's and Hipster will need to be traded for as they both sold out at OddSide the day of release. If you've got some good local limited releases to trade you'll have no problem getting some. Good luck and enjoy the trip!

 

@TravisT did a similar trip last fall and used insight from the locals, maybe he can forward you to his thread. Good luck! and enjoy some of the smaller places as well as the large ones!

 

Echoing the others, most of your list would have to be traded for (Unless something was rereleased, and at that point nopne of us really know what could be).

Set up a few IP trades for sure. Most BAs would be happy to meet you at a brewery Last time I went to Chicago I sent up an IP trade and it was so easy and we both got something we couldn't otherwise obtain.

Another option is to find a GR person now, and set up kind of a futures trade with them. List what kind of beers you'd want, have them do the same, and pick up your regional releases to match. We have some breweries like Shorts (even though they will be out of state soon) that release a new beer pretty much every week, and they disappear fast, so the only way would be to have someone snagging them for you.

 

It can't hurt to see what Odd Side has on tap while you are here. While its 40 minutes, or so, from Grand Rapids they may have some of their BBA stuff on tap, and have a crowler machine.

 

I'd definitely put up an IP trade like a few others have suggested; quite a few BA's in West Michigan who have all of the beers you mentioned (and a willingness to trade them for some IL goodies). The drive usually takes around 40 minutes due to Spring Lake / Grand Haven speed limits (see: slow as shit).

I'd definitely recommend stopping in to Odd Side Ales, as they seem to always have some great options available on draft. Unlike a lot of breweries that refuse specialty (BA beers) crowler/growler fills, Odd Side Ales will fill just about anything that you see on the menu (I'm sure there are exceptions to this rule). Not only that, but it's a pretty laid back atmosphere.

 

THIS is what makes me so excited to hit them up this Summer. Crowlers for the beach and bike are a no brainer.

 

Many locals have hoarded those particular beers (No Rule, Hipster, Hazels)...so setting up a trade with a local should be fairly easy

 

Go during Founders' Black Party. You're welcome. You'll get to drink some of the best beers Founders kicks out all year and are not seen anywhere else. Best party of the year.

 

$120 for a case of Hazels, 5 case limit. No limit on Hipster and $100/case. Both sold out day of release (with limits like that are you surprised?)
Hazel's was the real shit show where a lot of people left empty handed (like the back half the line). Check out the Hazel's Nuts release thread for more. Also, bummer on missing the Black Party. Always great beer to be had and I'm certain that they'll have CBS on tap for it.

 

hipster no limts and $100 a case, and hazels had a 5 case limit at $120 a case

 

They were $5 and $6 a bottles though unless you bought in bulk, just FYI. It is also OTD pricing.

 

Have they posted a date yet for the black party?

 

April 16

 

@Robdiesel21 thanks for looping me in. My wife and I came up in August. Here is a link to the thread with some good advice. It was an incredible trip.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/michigan-beer-trip.339128/#post-4158984

 

A little thread-bump here, as I'm going to be spending ... quite possibly more time in Grand Rapids over the next month (April) than I have in my entire life. I'm originally from Kalamazoo, although I've only been back for holidays/visits, so it's not like I'm entirely unfamiliar with things. However, in the past I've pretty much stuck exclusively with visits to Founders. Hopefully this trip I'll be branching out and trying new and familiar places around town. Taking all suggestions with an open mind, because that's the spirit of things. Salud!