Michigan Breweries/Stores (2021)

I really enjoy their brussel sprouts… Does that count?

I dig Old Nation. The problem I have is as the hype for M-43 died down over the years the cans on the shelf in GR are significantly less fresh than they used to be. Becomes more and more difficult to find anything within a couple weeks of canning which is the sweet for M-43 in my mind. It’s still the beer I have checked in the most on Untappd but I definitely drink less M-43 than I used to.

 

If you still see the pics in your post on your phone, I can't explain that. But, yeah, Imgur is only a hosting site for BA pics and the behind-the-scenes link needs to pull it into the BA posts.

 

Yup! Some tasty cans for you to work through this weekend Cheers!

 

Yep I see it now. Thanks and enjoy.

 

I’ve started following this thread and a few others, as it looks like I will be visiting Michigan again this summer. (Yay to second shots!)

I’ve tempered my expectations, and honestly I don’t think I’m personally ready to drink/eat in person—but I will be on the hunt for Michigan beers!

 

What is new in Marquette and Traverse City? It has been 5 years since I have been to either city and want to get back. I was planning on a late September or early October trip (please no Covid wave and shutdown).

 

I have been to Black Rocks. Looking at the listings for the two cities, not much has changed in Marquette but a lot of new breweries in Traverse City that I didn't get to or have since open since my last visit.

 

In Marquette is a newish brewery called Barrel + Beam which appears to specialize in Farmhouse Ales and Saisons. I think most have been soured, and I'm guessing in oak barrels rather than kettle soured. I haven't been there but I've picked up several of their beers in bottles in one of my local stores and I've been impressed.

Another new one in Marquette that I hadn't heard of until just now when I searched the Places feature for this post is Drifa Brewing. It looks like they brew a good variety of beers, and the $4.50 per pint is a good price, but I hope that doesn't mean you get what you pay for.

I've been to most of the places in Traverse City, except that I see a couple in the Places list that I haven't been yet. (Farm Club and Silver Spruce) Most are worthy of a visit, except Mackinaw Brewing needs another visit by me before I can put them into that category. I still mostly enjoy Jolly Pumpkin when I'm in town. If you have time, I'll suggest driving over to Frankfort and visit Stormcloud Brewing. They do many Belgian styles very well. The food at the downtown location is very good too. (I haven't been to the production facility.)

 

I'm not really a smoothie fan but that's because my perception is that too many attempts at that style aren't all that great. However, when I hear a strong recommendation such as yours, I'm all ears and will give it a try when I have the opportunity.

 

If things come together I’ll be in southwest Michigan, Kalamazoo/GR/beaches of Lake Michigan, and maybe A2. I’ve wanted to take another trip around the lakes again, and track down some of the more out-of-the-way spots, but I don’t think any of that is happening on this trip. Feels like ages since I’ve been back!

 

[QUOTE="If you have time, I'll suggest driving over to Frankfort and visit Stormcloud Brewing. They do many Belgian styles very well. The food at the downtown location is very good too. (I haven't been to the production facility.)[/QUOTE]

If you do make it over to Stormcloud in Frankfort, I'd suggest a short trip around Crystal Lake (you won't regret that in and of itself) to downtown Beulah and Five Shores Brewery. Been open a year or so, they are putting out some really good stuff!

 

Was able to try Doozie Noche a couple weeks ago and it was pretty fantastic. Cinnamon forward for sure but really well balanced.