So, I have a friend who's driving back from school in Montana to Massachusetts for the holidays. He's going to stop and snag beers from different areas on his trip. My question: what are the can't miss breweries he should get beers from? Looks like he'll be going through Montana, ND, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Penn, and New York. We've already told him we want some Big Sky Brewing, Three Floyds, and Bells Two Hearted. What else would you suggest (given limited space and not much time to go searching around). Everything should be pretty easily found.
Surly in MN New Glarus in WI 3 Floyds in Indiana. Go directly to the brewery - they sell Zombie Dust for $35 a case.
Great Lakes for sure. Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh for a more local beer, and Troegs near Harrisburgh PA
Long story short - just found out my friend is flying, so no go. BUT, the guy he was going to drive with is leaving from Utah. So, he'll be going through Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa before hitting the Great Lakes. Given that info, I'm looking for new suggestions! I'm still looking for some of the brews mentioned from Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, but I'm pumped that he's hitting CO.
In Colorado the two I think of right away are Breckenridge and Great Divide, since they aren't as widely distributed as say New Belgium. Left Hand is a good one as well, their Milk Stout is delicious.
Thoughts on Odell and Dry Dock in CO? Easy to come by? I'm also interested in some Russian River. How difficult is it to find in the Denver area?
Here's a map of what I would do If I had like 3 weeks free and a ton of cash (I have neither). Large map: http://oi45.tinypic.com/2cs75o6.jpg If I was going through a little quicker - I'd probably cut it down to Surly, New Glarus, Three Floyds, Bells, Founders, Jolly Pumpkin (if you like sours), Ommegang - and then he probably wouldn't drive all the way through VT if he was heading to MA.
Depending on your mule's being agreeable to a 15 mile detour, he can hop off of I-80 in northern Indiana and stop in New Buffalo, Michigan in the SW corner of the state, and he'll find Short's beers there at Bud & Elsie's gas station/c-store or at the grocery store behind the New Buffalo Pharmacy, both places are in the center of town. Scan the Great Lakes Regional forum to see which seasonals are on the shelves now, or go to the Short's website He'll also be able to get the Bell's Two Hearted that is on your list.
Just so you know, you want the Jolly Pumlin address on Main in Ann Arbor. The Dexter facility is production only.
The toll road in Indiana will take him very close to the FFF brewpub. He can pick up some Founders and Bell's stuff at a liquor store between the toll road and FFF.
