Anyone take this trip recently? Putting aside Chicago (and it’s vicinity) what’s your trip like? What are some must-stops for beer, and where are the hidden gems along the way as you go around the lake, through Wisconsin and the UP, and back again?
You may want to try the mapping feature on Beer mapping. I believe it still functioning. https://beermapping.com/blog/ There is so much to do on that drive around the lake you will have a great time. Did you consider returning via the lower peninsula of MI and IN instead of retracing your steps?
Seems like there was a thread a few years ago on this topic, but the only one that I can find is from 2013 and it's yours. A few things have changed since that thread with new breweries opening in Michigan. Going clockwise around the lake: I haven't been there yet, but it's on my list to go to Upper Hand Brewing in Escanaba. It carries a very good overall 4.54 BA rating, and it's owned by Bell's, so it must be good. Ore Dock and Black Rocks are still the best in Marquette, although Barrel & Beam is new and has a 4.14 BA rating (however, only 2 ratings, but not mine yet). Most of the breweries in Traverse City are worthy except for 1 or 2. Let the BA ratings be your guide there. North Peak, The Workshop and Jolly Pumpkin are my favorites (not in that order). The Filling Station is good too.Rare Bird is good, and they have guest taps if none of their beers are attractive to you. A very good bar is 7 Monks Taproom. I think a must-stop is Stormcloud in Frankfort. It was voted the best new brewery in Michigan a few years ago. Its beers are mostly Belgian-inspired along with a couple sours/saisons, plus some standard styles, but everything there is great. Frankfort is very touristy, so stopping at Stormcloud at a time when you think it might not be crowded is advisable. Going south along the coast, many places are worthy visits. Odd Sides in Grand Haven, New Holland Brewing and BAD Brewing in Holland are my faves in those two cities. NH and BAD are next to each other in downtown Holland. Big Lake Brewing in Holland gets some good talk, but they were only average to me when I was there not long after they opened their doors. In the southwest area of Michigan you should have The Livery, Transient Artisan Ales, and Greenbush on your itinerary. Tapistry is across the street from Transient, and it's pretty good too, although not many members here talk about them as much since Transient opened their doors. Haymarket Brewery is about a mile away from those two and is a worthy stop. Enjoy your trip.
I would add Pidgeon Hill in Muskegon to your coastal stops. Unruly Brewing is a couple of blocks away too, but if I had to choose between the two for time or other reasons, I'd definitely stop at Pidgeon Hill.
Yes, that was me! Seems like a lifetime ago in dog years, considering how much has changed (for the better) in brewing. I appreciate the recs. Upper Hand has been on my radar since Larry first announced it. I think the biggest stretch of uncertainty is really between north north of Chicago (Wisconsin along the coast) through the UP. Is there a separate thread somewhere for just discussing Michigan?
Here's a link to threads that have Michigan in the title: https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/search/113521125/?q=Michigan&o=date&c[title_only]=1&c[node]=9
I stopped at upper hand last December. Really tasty beers. Kingsford is a ways away from the lake, but 51st State Brewery had opened there. Haven't been. There more in the UP, but most are closer to Lake Superior.
If you're going to cover southern LM in Indiana, recommended stops would be (east to west) Burn 'em and Shoreline in Michigan City. 18th Street has locations in Miller and Hammond. I would recommend Miller because everyone needs to experience Gary Indiana at least once (seriously easy off of 65 and either 90 or 94 and safe). Then hit up Three Floyds in Munster if you haven't been before.
If you're gonna come back down through lower Michigan/Traverse City, you gotta be sure to take a couple hours to visit Sleeping Bear Dunes. The 500 foot tall sand dunes are remarkable. Walking/sliding down to the lake is easy. The walk back up can be grueling. You'll have earned your beer after that!
My better half and I have done some beer tripping around a good portion of the lake of the years and this is the list we've come up. Note: This starts at Traverse City and heads South clockwise around the lake. Michigan Right Brain, Traverse City Jolly Pumpkin, Traverse City Shorts, Bellaire (Not right along the lake but worth your time to go there) Stormcloud, Frankfort North Channel, Manistee (As someone who grew up in the area I couldn't believe there'd ever be a brewery there. But they did it, and it's pretty good.) Fetch Brewing Company, Whitehall Pidgeon Hill, Muskegon Unruly Brewing, Muskegon Odd Side, Grand Haven New Holland Brewing Company, Holland Our Brewing Company, Holland Saugatuck Brewing Company, Saugatuck/Douglas Arclight, Watervilet (Also a little inland but definitely worth your time) Greenbush, Sawyer Livery, Benton harbor Round Barn, Baroda Tapistry, Bridgeman Indiana Burn Em Brewing, Michigan City 18th St, Gary Illinois Revolution Brewing, Chicago Goose Island, Chicago Lake Bluff Brewing Company, Lake Bluff (This is by no means definitive but we're going to someplace downtown we drive the hell around Chicago) Wisconsin Rustic Road, Kenosha Ale Asylum, Milwaukee Water Street, Milwaukee Company Brewing, Milwaukee (Only been as far north along the coastline as Milwaukee in Wisconsin) By no means definitive but there's a lot of good beer around the lake. Hope this helps. Cheers!
Great list from Gunslinger. I would second his recommendation of Short's. Personally I would scratch Tapistry in Bridgman and definitely add Transient Artisan Ales across the street. Also Haymarket in Bridgman is worth a visit, and in my opinion also trumps Tapistry. In Indiana I would add Three Floyds if you've never been there. If you're driving around, and not through Chicago anyway, I would add a stop at Imperial Oak in Willow Springs too. If you drive through Chicago there are too many options to list but high on my list would be Spiteful and Half Acre (next to each other). I've never made it past Green Bay so I have nothing to add on Wisconsin or the UP. Enjoy your trip and let us know where you go and what you find.
Wouldn't this trip be better served by stocking an RV with your whales and then touring all the magnificent natural wonders along the way?
This is very good, thank you. Any place closer to New Buffalo good for NEIPAs? Also, how about food? I'm looking for recommendations as to best of local fares (Meat pies? Cherry pies? Etc.?). Thanks!
Ghost Isle Brewing recently opened in New Buffalo. https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/56059/?view=beers., and they had one NEIPA on tap when I was there. It was pretty good. I've read of good things about Beer Church Brewing, but they were not open on a Monday when we were in town.
If you're looking specifically for NE style further north at exit 16 is Transient Artisan Ales. They almost always have at least one NE style on tap and usually a few available for carryout. His stuff across the board is generally very good to world class. Check his website or facebook for current taplist.
