How about that Odd Side, huh?

Odd Side has been in my Michigan Top 3 for years. This year's offerings cemented them as my personal #1.

 

I will add a couple that are in my top five but not already listed by someone...

Arclight Brewing - They are killing it. Try Citropolis, BBA Hail to the Darkness and Opus Framboise!!
The Livery - Solid BA beers and sours!

 

Odd Side are making some great beers. Definitely pushing themselves into a position to be very successful. The Hipster Brunch release showed a lot of people how popular they have become. I'll say their Citra Pale Ale is a solid flagship type offering right up there with many from other MI breweries, especially in the West (Two Hearted, Centennial, Farm Hand, Crooked Tree)

 

I'm still waiting to try some of Odd Side's stouts, and haven't quite cared for a couple of the other BA beers I've had from them, but I think they're pretty clear top 3 for me (although I'd like to try Stormcloud more - only had one beer of theirs, which I loved) due to beers such as CPA and HTV. I go with Bell's & Founder's first (in no particular order) and there isn't anything else I'd consider for 3rd. Short's has always been a mystery to me as to why people like it and the same goes for Kuhnhenn. I've had some good stuff from Vivant, but would definitely prefer Odd Side. Now if I could just get over there sometime.

 

What???????
You may want to abstain from "voting" if you can't come up with a clear number three other than a vote for one based on 2 beers. There are a ridiculous number of breweries in MI that make a ton of great beer

 

Odd Side makes great stouts, but I'd put Bell's, Perrin, and Dark Horse, among others, above them. Founders is by far my top MI brewery.

 

I've had many other Odd Side beers, but CPA and HTV are the ones that have stood out to me as ones I'd go for on a regular basis. To me, considering the glut of other options in the market, that's a pretty impressive thing.

Based on what I've had, I haven't had much "great" beer outside of Founder's/Bell's - perhaps it's just that I haven't tried the right ones, or maybe they're just not for me. I'm originally from MI and am back there a decent amount, so I'd love to tout them a bit more, but I haven't had the same experience as you. Short's is definitely out for me - tried too many of their beers and have only really cared for one of them (Sticky Icky Icky). I've had a few from Dark Horse, but have had mixed results - same with Greenbush. I'd like to give Perrin, Witch's Hat, Livery, and others a try, as well as more from Stormcloud, but despite coming back to MI a lot, I don't get to breweries much due to family obligations. One thing I won't do is stop trying, that's for sure.