Angola area recommendations

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse, Jun 24, 2020.

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  1. Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse

    Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse Zealot (744) Jul 20, 2016 Indiana

    I’ll be up in the Angola, IN area soon and was wondering if there’s anywhere decent beer-wise. Looks like most of the Northern Indiana beer attention is focused on Chicagoland and the South Bend/ Elkhart area. I’d be interested in breweries, beer bars, bottle shops, even grocery stores with good craft selections, whatever. Preferably places that carry things I can’t get easily in central Indiana.

    I may be willing to drive a bit. Anything of interest in the extreme Northeast IN, central South MI, or Northwest OH areas?
     
    #1 Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse, Jun 24, 2020
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  2. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I don't know if you have searched the BA Places database yet, but here's a link to it if you haven't: https://www.beeradvocate.com/place/...name=&city=angola&s_id=IN&c_id=&submit=Search

    I've been to Mad Anthony's Lakeview Alehouse a couple times and it's pretty decent for beer and food. A nice patio has a lake view.

    I've shopped Gay's Hops-N-Schnapps and always thought they had a good selection for their location. Don't use the map link on their BA page because it places the store in Ohio. Gay's is just about a mile east of I-69 on US-20 at the corner of S 200 W Rd.

    I spoke to a guy once who has been to Chapman's Brewing and he was not impressed, and I don't know anything about the other places on the list.

    There's nothing in southern Michigan along I-69 until you get to Marshall, which is about 40 miles into Michigan. Dark Horse Brewing and Grand River Brewing are there along with one of the MegaBev store locations. Hillsdale Brewing is a small place that is decent, but that's probably too far to drive for the experience.
     
    #2 PapaGoose03, Jun 25, 2020
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  3. GuyFawkes

    GuyFawkes Grand Pooh-Bah (5,630) Apr 7, 2011 Illinois
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    My deepest condolences.
     
    #3 GuyFawkes, Jun 25, 2020
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  4. Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse

    Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse Zealot (744) Jul 20, 2016 Indiana

    :joy:
     
    #4 Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse, Jun 25, 2020
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  5. Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse

    Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse Zealot (744) Jul 20, 2016 Indiana

    Thanks for the info. Last time I was up there I swung around the long way through South Bend and ventured through Kalamazoo and Battle Creek before heading back down. Lots of good beer that way, but we were pressed for time. Ended up at both Bell’s locations and hit the Mega-Bev and Meijer in BC. Likely won’t have the time for this this time, so I’ll have to rely on whatever’s near the I-69 corridor (which is apparently very little.

    Likely will give Chapman’s a try anyway, since it’s right there. Plus, it looks like they recently released a schwarzbier, which I love and rarely see. Will report back. Looks like they brew lots of classic styles, which I really appreciate if done well, but could also be a red flag that a brewery is a bit behind the times. I have been to Gay’s. Pretty good selection, so will likely end up there too.

    Good to know there’s a Mega-Bev in Marshall as well, a bit closer than the one I’ve been to before. Is Dark Horse worth a stop? I know they used to be well-regraded, but have seen some not-so-good things posted about them lately.
     
    #5 Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse, Jun 25, 2020
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  6. Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse

    Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse Zealot (744) Jul 20, 2016 Indiana

    Does anyone have any experience with Auburn Brewing? I’ll be driving right though there and some of their beers on Instagram look intriguing. Not a lot of feedback for them on Places.
     
    #6 Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse, Jun 25, 2020
  7. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    Dark Horse is trying to revitalize themselves since the take-over by Roak Brewing (suburban Detroit), so I don't know what to predict for you. But if you've never been there, it's worth a visit just to see the mug club mugs hanging on the walls and from the rafters and to enjoy the beer garden.

    The majority of the beers on tap is usually what is also available in bottles in stores, but the taproom seems to be having pub-only beers more often. The last time I was there they had three of them but they were not listed on the beer menu that is on the table. I only discovered them when I was leaving and glanced at the chalkboard menu behind the bar and saw them listed. Some of Roak's beers are now being served, and the few I've had have been very good.

    Grand River Brewing is located in downtown Marshall, and they are very much worth a visit. They have great food, and a nice variety of beer styles that are well done.
     
    #7 PapaGoose03, Jun 25, 2020
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  8. mbockstruck30

    mbockstruck30 Pooh-Bah (1,800) Dec 31, 2010 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I stopped by there a couple years ago. I thought it was a nice little spot. Nothing great, but much better than the Mad Anthony mentioned by PoppaGoose above (I thought that place was abysmal, outside of the lake view). Based on their pictures, Auburn looks much nicer now. I’d give it a solid recommendation, simply because of the lack of quality breweries in that direct area.

    I’ve never actually been to Chapman’s, but have had a good amount of their stuff. Again, nothing mind blowing, but everything I’ve had has been consistently decent, at least with their traditional styles.
     
    #8 mbockstruck30, Jun 25, 2020
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