Michigan road trip stops

That's going to depend on your timing for lunch and planned itinerary. I was going to recommend Bell's, but if you are traveling with children, the 21+ requirement will keep you away from Bell's.

Founders is open with COVID-19 rules (https://foundersbrewing.com/latest-news/2020/taproom-reopening-guidelines/) so that's my next recommendation. Taking US-131 up north is a direct route before you have to use lesser roads to Bellaire.

 

Founders is a better recommendation from a route perspective as well. It’s on the way, whereas Bell’s would be out of the way. Having made that trip many times with the wife and kids, I know that making the trip longer is never something anyone wants.

We’ve also stopped at Brewery Vivant and Perrin for breweries with food - would recommend Vivant over Perrin. Also stopped at The Green Well for a spot with good food and solid beer list, and it’s right across the street from Vivant. I have no idea what these places are operating like in the Covid era, though.

 

Yeah, I'm gonna say Founders as well. Good food, plenty of space, even with the capacity caps, and lots on tap. Besides beer to go, you can pick up the latest Mothership Series at the attached general store.

 

Was just at Green Well last weekend. I'm not really down for eating indoors anywhere, and they have a nice patio and good food menu (and indoors service if you're comfortable with that). Vivant has a patio, but I'm not sure if they're seating inside. If you're interested in sours/wild ales, Speciation opened a small taproom reasonably nearby (walking distance) from Vivant/Green Well. The building has big roll up garage doors, plus they converted some of their parking lot to an outdoor seating area.

 

Also, @sellout49, you'll want to check online once decide where to go. A lot of places are doing online reservations or call ahead seating because of the seating caps. If you want to avoid a wait (or not being able to get in at all) please check ahead!

 

Vivant is indeed seating inside, albeit with a smaller menu assortment. Reservation highly encouraged. New Holland is closer to the lake shore and they have a GR location named Knickerbocker which may be a good option. Hop Cat got its start in Grand rapids and it's a great place to visit, and they have a very good beer selection at all times. But if you've not stopped at Founders before, it really is something you want to get to at least once.

 

Let me bump this thread, don’t mean to hijack... but thoughts on same question but NOT Grand Rapids area? I love GR just trying to check out someplace new.

Any spot with good beer, food, outdoor seating is primo. Any cool scenic spots in southwestern or southern MI heading east? Dont have to be this area but I was just looking for somewhere new to me (have been to traverse city and GR areas, also the lake side a little but I am open to Suggestions there. We are just making a day trip so don’t need a ton of amenities as we’re willing to drive a bit for lunch and then something else to do (outdoor related event, not sure what?).

Thanks all!

 

SW and West Michigan have many places with great beer that also have food, but to throw in a scenic surrounding makes it impossible. Michigan is scenic as long as you're viewing the lakeshore (or a few other places) but I can't think of any brewery that has a lake view. There may be restaurants that will fit, but I don't look for those places since I like to support breweries first.

A recent visit to South Haven (where I've already visited their 3 breweries) had me looking for a restaurant to satisfy my needs, but I couldn't come up with anything great. I finally settled on Black River Tavern, but it was just okay. (Only 6-7 craft beers.) They have a small outdoor sidewalk area but I didn't notice if it was heated.

Have you been to Bell's? They only have mostly-heated outdoor seating for now (21+ age requirement) and good food (obviously great beer) are about to open the indoor café seating using strict Covid distancing rules (put you mask on when the server is at your table), but I don't know about the 21+ requirement.

Being a day trip, New Holland Brewing in Holland might fit your needs without driving too far, and Grand River Brewing in Marshall might also be within reasonable driving distance. (You also have Dark Horse in Marshall.)

Battle Creek has Territorial Brewing which is very good German-inspired beers and food (some non-German too) and they have some outdoor seating with various service levels depending on day of the week. (Best burgers in town!)

Just thinking off the top of my head for more places, Latitude 42 in Portage and Otsego is good (Otsego location may be closed until further notice?); Arclight Brewing in Watervliet (food trucks?); The Livery in Benton Harbor has food and very good beers; and a new brewery that has a food-to-table approach is River St. Joe Brewing that impressed me (see my review https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/59587/?view=ratings might work too.

The Buck Burgers and Brew in Saint Joseph is a good restaurant with a large tap list. Silver Harbor Brewing, also in St. Joe, does a good job.

Check social media for hours for any place that looks good to you. Many places that normally have long hours have restricted them and open only at 4 pm many days.

 

@PapaGoose03 thanks for your reply! I should have just omitted scenic as the drive and changing leaves will be scenic enough for us :-).

I did see Latitude 42 in research, gotta look if they have patio dining. The Territorial Brewing in battle creek also sounds interesting. Also I saw great river brewing, will look into these more!! :-)

Thanks a bunch!

edit: i have been to bells - loved it.

 

Both of the Latitude 42 locations have patio dining but I don't know if they're heated or might close with colder weather.

Territorial just got the license and opened their beer garden a couple weeks ago so they're still working out kinks. Their building has the pub at the parking lot level but there is a walk-out lower level where the beer garden is located at the back of the building. (Check out a few pics on FB and IG.) I sat out there 10 days ago and I'm pretty sure there were heaters available. Their beer wagon is parked there on weekends, but other times you may have to get your beers from upstairs . I think the same is true for food (no interior public stairway). There is a scenic view of a small creek and the former golf course which is now used for disc golf that isn't very well established yet.