Brewery tour in south MI?

The forum search feature is pretty local and definitely should not be missed - over in the top right corner to be precise. This subject comes up once every week or two... check out the past threads.

 

(not in geographic or preference order) Dark Horse, Jolly Pumpkin, Founder's, Brewery Vivant, Dragonmead...so many choices. If I were making the trip I would start in Metro Detroit and stay for a night (with a designated driver, no public transportation), then head to Dark Horse, Bell's, Founder's, and Brewery Vivant and stay in Grand Rapids for a night (even though Grand Rapids isn't exactly South Michigan).

Good luck in your planning. Feel free to msg me if you need any more recommendations.

 

You might want to stop at some shops as well, as a tour of South MI may not include Short's. Champane's near Kuhnhenn and Siciliano's near Founder's should help with breweries you might miss on your trip.

 

If you have family in Taylor you may want to hit the Oak Cafe in Wyandotte if you have a spare night. Kuhnhenn isn't that far though, and Dragonmead is right by it. Kuhnhenn has no food, so don't expect to eat there unless you bring food, which is OK.

 

If you can, swing by Witches Hat in South Lyon. Small place making some good beer.

There are now probably 124 or so breweries in MI.

 

That is not true. They have some food, but not meals per se. I very much enjoy the cream cheese soft pretzel.

 

You should hit up Dark Horse and Arcadia.

 

OK, true. Sometimes they have some stuff. I have never asked to dip into the crock pot of chilli or whatever it is, and I have only been asked if I want food when they bring someone else in. I would not plan on a nice dinner out there. If you are starving you could possibly be fed something.

 

IF you have to let one slide, let Bells slide for Dark horse, arcadia, new holland, dragonmead. Bells is more mainstream.

 

Bells is cool, though. Arcadia beer is more rare, but having been to both, if I'd had to miss one, I'd have missed Arcadia. Definitely don't miss Dark Horse.

 

If you go east to west, Definitely Hit Kuhnhenn, Dragonmeade,Jolly Pumpkin, Witches Hat, Darkhorse,Bells...IF you do Grand Rapids hit Founders, Vivant, Perrin.

 

This will help with your planning. http://www.michiganbeerguide.com/

It has a directory and a plotted map online. Take time to browse the online version of the current issue. When you come to Michigan (if you are driving) the current issue is generally available at the roadside Welcome Centers near the state border on the Interstate highways. Many breweries have them available too. Best of all they're free.

 

The guide is awesome, and handily at the welcome stop. Hi, welcome to Michigan, we have great beer.

 

As of late the Cafe only offerings at Bell's justify the stop regardless if they are mainstream or not.

 

The Livery, Greenbush and Paw Paw are all off of 94, south of Kalamazoo and worthy of stops.