Grand Rapids To-Do List

Don't forget to post a thread bitching about Founders tap offerings after you are done... and maybe bitch about bolt cutter and doom.

 

If you go to Holland, hit up 8th st Grill for lunch, and they have a great craft selection too.

 

I'm not sure how good it is when it's not winter beer fest weekend but last year after the beer fest my buddies and I migrated to Stella's Lounge. They had Darkhorse BBA Plead the 5th and Double Crooked Tree on tap. I couldn't really see straight when we finally left but hey, that's what a hotel is for.

 

For beer shopping, go to Siciliano's for sure. Lots of stores in GR, Siciliano's included allow you to break any 4-6 pack which is nice to try things you might not ordinarily.

For breakfast, Wolfgang's is crazy good. My ATF is "The Missad," english muffin toast topped with potatoes, cheese, and an omelette with chicken and andouille sausage, all covered in hollandaise sauce. No hangover stands a chance.

For lunch, Schnitzelstein deli, where a "half sandwich" is just less meat, and a "whole sandwich" is ridiculous.

For a nice dinner, The Green Well gastropub (right by Brewery Vivant) or San Chez tapas (right around the corner from Hop Cat).

Perrin brewing makes some great beers if you can find them on draft, but the brewery itself is kind of out in the sticks.

Odd Side Citra is a beer to look out for.

 

Black Citra Pale Ale from OddSide is out right now and it might be my favorite Black Pale Ale.

 

If I'm making the trek, I'd hit Kuhnhenn, and take I-96 to GR. I think Kuhnhenn is the best brewery in MI. They do not have food worth eating, so plan to each your lunch prior. You'll drive right by a BW3 (if that's your thing) on your way to Kuhnhenn.

Consider stopping by either Crunchy's, Reno's East or West in Lansing as they have some of the better tap lists in the state. Here's a quick list for the Lansing area:

Horrocks for bottles of beer. It's close enough to walk to from your hotel.
http://shophorrocks.com/

Big Ten Oades is the one of the best beer stores in mid-Michigan to buy bottles:
http://bigtenpartystores.com/index.php?page=locations&sub=oades#oades

Reno's West is the closest bar with the best selection:
http://renossportsbar.com/whats-on-tap/renos-west-tap-list.html

You can access Reno's East tap list from that site. Both bars have solid tap lists.

Crunchy's in East Lansing is usually the best place for tapped beers:
http://www.crunchyseastlansing.com/?cat=4

Plead the 5th and Founders Breakfast Stout are currently tapped.

Taps 25 is a cool spot in downtown Lansing, but the tap list is hit and miss:
http://taps25.com/whats-on-tap/

Zoobies is a cool spot, but not at the top of my list:
http://zoobiesoldtowntavern.com/Beer.html

If you're driving I-94, stop by Dark Horse. Their tap list is never impressive, but it's worth the stop b/c you'll drive right by it.

Definitely stop by Bell's in K-Zoo on the way to GR. 2nd best brewery in the state, and the food is fun.

I would almost avoid Founders. Their tap list is shit, and it has been for a long time. However, it's a decent place for food. Everyone else already weighed in on the GR spots to hit.

Cheers!

 

By the time that you get off the plane, get a car, etc. you won't be having an early lunch because there isn't anything close to the airport without heading in toward Detroit or the suburbs. I suggest that the best place that is on your way and shortly after leaving the airport would be one of the brewpubs in Ann Arbor. Jolly Pumpkin is the most popular, but Arbor Brewing, Grizzly Peak and Blue Tractor (in that order of my preference) are all within 3 blocks of each other. There is a city parking garage right across the street fro Arbor Brewing. Then you can catch either I-94 to Kzoo and Bell's, or you can catch US-23 north to I-96 and then west to GR.

Joromiller has some good recommendations above if you want to wait to have a late lunch in the Lansing area. Mid-town Brewing Co. in downtown Lansing is also a good recommendation that is convenient to I-496, and the Horrock's store is only a quarter mile off of I-96/I-69 on the NW side of town.

Enjoy your stay in Michigan.

 

With another person dying there last night, the fourth in about three years, you might want to avoid the BOB

 

When in GR the westsider has an awesome breakfast. Since your going to be leaving the airport I'd stick to 94 the whole time since you want to hit dark horse and bells. I would stop in AA and go to jolly pumpkin they have very good food and the brew pub is pretty cool (check there bottle list too sometimes some limited offerings).

 

I could host a bottle share unless it is the weekend of FoBAB. Either way. I'm right downtown. Within a mile of the majority of places mentioned in this thread in any direction. Glad to help out during your visit in some fashion.

Cheers.

 

You will not find any places here that will let you open outside bottles.

 

If you are hitting Dark Horse, Arcadia is not too far from there and right on your way to Kzoo. They have great beers too.

 

I can tell you it is my business to know this so you can rest assured I am right. Are there places where it takes place? I'm sure there are but it is illegal to bring outside alcohol into a licensed premise and consume it. The only exception is for a homebrew club having a meeting. Now, if you brought something like a BA Huna into a beer bar or brewery that knew what it was I am sure the staff would open it with you. They will not let you set up a bottle share at one of their tables.

 

No worries. Hope I didn't come off like a prick. Keep me in the loop on the bottle share.

Edit: Also, I'm heading down to Florida next week. Any places in Naples/Ft Myers you can recommend or on the drive from Tampa down the coast? Hitting Cigar City right after we get off the plane.

 

Not sure if it was mentioned but Harmony Brewing had amazing pizza. Their beers weren't bad also.