Michigan Trip

Definitely check out Short's in Bellaire. Love their beer, and they have a pretty big tap list. Also Hop Cat in Grand Rapids. I love the one here in downtown Detroit. HUGE beer selection, and good food too in my opinion.

 

In West Michigan we could set you up with a week's wort of pub stops, but besides the ones that you mention and the post above, I'll add Stormcloud Brewing in Frankfort to the suggestions. https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/32991/ This brewery just took first place in a statewide 'media investigation' to determine the best new breweries. The brewery tends to specialize in Belgian-inspired beers, but not everything on their beer menu will fit that description.

 

Assuming you'll be on 31 most of the way Shorts is the must stop destination. Ive also enjoyed Petoskey Brewing, Lake Ann Brewing, and Storm cloud, which should be on your route or not far off. Every year I go to Jamesport Brewing in Ludington, which doesn't get a lot of BA love since they just do solid classic styles, which is great with me, but they also have great fresh seafood

 

You didn't say where in the UP. Ore Dock and Blackrocks in Marquette. Brickside in Copper Harbor. Upper Hand in Escanaba. Those are worth a stop, but spread out. Was at all in July.

Hop Lot in the Lelanau is fun, plenty of places in Traverse City.

Food? We like the Ambassador in Houghton for lunch. Had a great meal at Spiros in Iron Mountain. Have a Pasty in the UP.

 

I realize this may not be a particularly helpful comment, but you can't really go wrong in Michigan. I have been to relatively very few breweries in MI that have disappointed me. Even the ones with average beer have made the difference with freshness and the people that I met. The Michigan beer community is awesome! It really is the Great Beer State!

 

Big fan of storm cloud and Frankfort in general.

 

You do realize the SS Badger leaves from Ludington, making stops at Bells, Founders, and Dark Horse about 5-6 hours out of your way?

 

That sounds like a really fun trip.

Here is my Upper Peninsula advice:
I would definitely recommend a stop at Upper Hand, in Escanaba, if you happen to pass through there on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday. The Southern half of the UP is kind of a beer wasteland. You'll have better luck If you make the hour detour to Marquette (@ Rapid River).In Marquette I'd highly recommend Blackrocks & Ore Dock, and I hear good things about Cognition but have never been there. You could then shoot across M-28 and hang a right at Sault St. Marie and make for the bridge or make a right just east of Munising (at Wetmore) and take Federal Forest Highway 13 (NFH-13) back to US2 and be St. Ignace bound. #lifelongyoopertips

have a great trip and I hope you have great weather.

For food along the way I'll just say stop at Mickey Lu's, in Marinette, WI.

 

This is a really good point. With the trip as described I think it would be a big mistake to make the trek all the way to K-Zoo. There are plenty of good breweries to be had in the UP and northern MI to make it a worthwhile trip. I see no reason to venture any further south than Ludington. Do the GR and K-Zoo stuff on a different trip. You're already looking at a 1300 mi 30+ hour trip on a trail bike. I see no reason to add another 300mi and 7 hours on the bike for those 3 breweries. You'll likely already have visited 8-10 breweries before getting that far.

 

As others have mentioned about the U.P., it depends on what route you're taking.

The only brewery in Marquette that has food is The Vierling. I feel like they're underrated, as their beers are solid. I'll jump in line with the recommendations of Cognition (best U.P. brewery IMO), Ore Dock, and Blackrocks as well. Other great food options are Lagniappe (outstanding Cajun) or the Dia de Los taco truck (often parked outside of Blackrocks on the weekend).

If you're not going that far north, I'll second the recommendation for Upper Hand in Escanaba. There's also Hereford & Hops, which can be hit or miss. For food I'd recommend Bobaloon's for lunch and Pacino's for dinner.

There's also a tasting room in Manistique, but I haven't been super impressed with their beers so far unfortunately. Then there's nothing brewery-wise east of there until you hit the bridge, unless you go north to Sault Ste Marie. There is, however, a new kick butt barbecue joint right on US2 in Gould City.

Let me know what route you're thinking of and I can provide some more #lifelongyoopertips

 

One could park the bike at their hotel/motel (or State Park campsite) and spend a day walking around Traverse City, eating and drinking. After a drive up Old Mission Peninsula to Jolly Pumpkin, of course.

 

The SS Badger makes stops at Bells, Founders and Dark Horse!?

 

Commas are tough to see

 

I'd say save the bottom half of the Lower Peninsula (Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids/Marshall) for another trip and follow this advice. Beautiful part of the state, especially in the summer.

 

Shorts is a must visit. Also some good beer stops in Petoskey and Charlevoix.
Traverse City region stops should include....
Breweries: Hop Lot, Workshop, Jolly Pumpkin, Stormcloud(in Frankfort on your way out of TC), Lake Ann Brewing is also on your way out of town and on the way to Stormcloud. Going by way of motorcycle I'd take Long Lake rd into Lake Ann and then 610/Fowler west to M-22 south to Frankfort, simply beautiful ride. I always like meeting fellow BA's so if that is your thing then hit me up. Lake Ann Brewing is making some great beer and is a great little spot to visit. They have no food but there is a restaurant next door that serves killer food right there in the brewery. All the other breweries mentioned have some awesome food as well.
other beer spots: 7 Monks! Best beer bar in Michigan. Food is awesome, beer selection is awesome, staff is awesome. Little Fleet, more of a food spot but very fun and unique with many food trucks onsite and also a small but quality craft beer selection.

Plenty of other really great spots(Terra Firma, Ferment, Right Brain, Filling Station, Rare Bird) but the ones above are the ones I would focus on given limited time. Ferment and Rare Bird are worth checking out if you are spending the day walking around TC. Right Brain and and Filling Station are long walks and Terra Firma is a short drive just south of town. Feel free to ask any other questions about this area. There are some amazing food options in town as well but you can enjoy some pretty damn good food at most of the breweries.