Hey guys, I (along with with two of my sons) are planning to come up in September for the OU - Michigan game. The current plan for breweries is to fly into Grand Rapids, hit founders, bells and maybe 1 other brewery. Saturday will mostly be driving to Ann Arbor for the game and hanging out around campus. Is there anything else we need to make sure we checkout while there? I’m also kicking around the idea of spending some time near Saugutuck (dune rides, ???), but wanted to see if you guys had any suggestions for beer, food or activities that would be fun for a family. Should I be looking at another option on the coast instead? Thanks in advance. edit: what’s a better option if I can swing more brewries? New Holland, Perrin, Wax Wings? Something else?
Noble Twist in Saugatuck is phenomenal. Just won a medal at WBC for their helles. The owner used to work at Founders. Excellent pizza and good family option. Highly recommend. The Mitten is also a great Saugatuck stop, especially if you like baseball. Small place that fills up quickly, though. If you like wine, I can't recommend Modeles enough. I have had a fair amount of MI wine and they're by far my favorite. All (almost all?) estate grown, as well. Not sure on the kid vibe. I highly recommend Saugatuck, but you'll want to check accommodations ASAP. September is probably more chill than peak of summer, but I expect it will still be very busy.
Awesome. Yeah, we love baseball. I’ll definitely try and check out the mitten. We probably won’t be staying in Saugutuk, just spending a few hours there.
It sounds like Grand Rapids is where your hotel will be and your base of operations. Founders is always a good choice, but good second choices would be Arvon, Brewery Vivant, City Built, and Speciation Artisan Ales. If you're into English styles with hand pumps, Brass Ring is the place to go. Bell's is about an hour from GR. Good second choices there would be One Well, Brewery Outre, and Wax Wings. If you do go to the coast, New Holland in Holland is good but I like Big Lake better, also in Holland. I think Saugatuck does have some sort of a dune ride operation but I don't know anything about it.. The Noble Twist mentioned above is new and I haven't been there yet. But I'm interested based on the comments above. If you're staying in GR and traveling to AA for the game, I presume you'll be driving I-96. About halfway between these two cities is Williamston which is where Old Nation Brewing is located, so depending on the time the game ends, this may be a good option once you escape AA.. They do every style very well but they're mostly known for their NEIPAs, specifically M-43 and Boss Tweed. (Even haters of NEIPAs like these beers.) Come back with questions if you have any more.
Good stuff. Thank you. Yeah, we are planning to stay in GR and just make the drive over to AA as well as Saugutuk. Founders and Bell’s are my “must stops” just because of how iconic they are (at least in my mind). I want to hit as many stops as possible, but also want to make sure my boys have a good time and don’t spend the entire trip watching me drink beer. Old nation on the way back to GR could be a good stop though. Thanks again.
New Holland and Perrin are both excellent choices, you will find something that you like at either place and they do good eats. Enjoy your trip!
If you're on the west side you definitely need to see Lake Michigan, and some of the lighthouses. You can do that in Holland. You could hit Holland then up to Grand Haven where Odd Side is, then back to GR hitting Lost Art and a couple others. I love the drive along the coast, it's scenic. Never been dune racing but have climbed up a couple. You could spend an entire day driving all the way up the coast sampling beers. Arvon is a must visit. They make other styles other than hazies and they're all really good. Brass Ring is a must visit as well. Kusterer makes all German styles, and really well. City Built is good as is Greyline. Archival is interesting and unique. As the name suggests, they brew older recipes you wont find anywhere else. And the setting is cool. When you go to AA stop off at HOMES on the west side and also Arbor Farms Market for 4-packs if you need some beer for tailgating. There's Ashleys downtown, its a good beer bar. Also Mothfire is good, that's south of AA a bit. And if you like a certain magic fungus it's legal in AA.
It's nice to see Archival mentioned. I like that place, and their historical beers that I've had have been good and educational. One of the stores that I frequent carries 4-5 of their brands, so I like keeping one on hand to help support them. The one I have now is The Duke Says Nein, a kotbusser style. Very tasty.
Best dunes and riding options are a bit over an hour northwest of Grand Rapids in Silver Lake. Much bigger and higher than the ones to the south and between Lake Michigan and Silver Lake. Unfortunately not many (or any) brewpubs to visit on the way, but can head south to Grand Haven when done for Oddside, etc., then 20 minutes or so south to holland for more.
Brewery Vivant in GR is worth the visit. great Belgian styles. Surprised nobody mentioned Saugatuck Brewing in Saugatuck. My wife & I have been going there for many years. Decent beer & great food. Besides, one of the best beaches (Blue Oval) is right around the corner. Odd Side Ales is kool, too. Luv their Citra Ale. It's in a neat building that used to be a piano factory. We luv that area! Go Buckeyes!!
Thanks for the info. It’ll be a quick weekend trip, but I’m hoping to jam a lot into it. I’ll look into Arvon and the others as well. yeah, I heard the dunes up near silver lake are a lot better, but I just won’t have the time to get that far north. I’m mainly just looking for something fun my sons near the coast. I figure they should get to have some fun as well since I’m going to drag them to a bunch of breweries while we are in town. Nice. I’ll check that out and see if I can find time to add Vivant. And while I am no Buckeye fan, I will be pulling for you that weekend to beat Texas.
Many great suggestions, and I'll merely add that Brewery Vivant has (or at least had last time we ate there a couple years ago) really good food. Stopped there on a Sunday late morning on the way back to the Region, and had a breakfast feast. The sun shone through the 2nd floor window like the light that set the Blues Brothers on their quest - it was beautiful. I think that brewery was a former Jewish (I think?) funeral parlor? Anyway, loved that place and vibe, and kid friendly
I agree that Brewery Vivant has excellent food to go with their excellent Belgian-style beers. If you do go there for a meal, order the Duck Confit off the appetizer section of the menu. It's a meal alone. Very good.!
