Interesting New Great Lakes Breweries

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by unlikelyspiderperson, Dec 21, 2019.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Hey all I'll be visiting family in the southern lake michigan area for a couple weeks around the holidays. I love trying all the great stuff midwest brewers are doing and I'm looking for a general update on what newer brewers are available in off premise retail. I grew up in michigan and learned about good beer from Bell's, Short's, New Glarus etc... I think it's been about 2 years since I was in the area and probably 5 since I really tried to find anything but old favorites. What are you all's favorite breweries that have started putting things on shelves in the last few years?
     
    #1 unlikelyspiderperson, Dec 21, 2019
  2. PapaGoose03

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

    Not new breweries, but Kuhnhenn's DRIPA has been showing up on store shelves in Western Michigan this year along with one or two other beers that I don't recall if they are hyped.

    Pigeon Hill is gaining a favorable reputation for their beers. Most seem to be dessert stouts.
     
    #2 PapaGoose03, Dec 21, 2019
    unlikelyspiderperson likes this.
  3. archiebunkerjr

    archiebunkerjr Pundit (910) Oct 25, 2010 Michigan
    Trader

    If you like NE IPAs, you definitely want to check out Old Nation's M-43 and Boss Tweed. They are the gold standard for NE IPAs in Michigan.

    After that, check out Transient and Arvon for NE IPAs. Both are smaller players on the west side of Michigan so finding their cans is not the easiest but they can be found.
     
    #3 archiebunkerjr, Dec 21, 2019
    unlikelyspiderperson and PapaGoose03 like this.
  4. RickBelgique

    RickBelgique Crusader (447) Jul 16, 2014 Illinois

    Try looking at these threads. Some of the places may not be new, but if it's been a couple of years since you've been in the area, they may be new to you. The last 2 threads have been closed for some time, so they may not be of much help at this point.

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/south-bend-in-craft-scene.626703/#post-6695424

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/around-lake-michigan-2019.617046/#post-6551319

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/southwest-michigan.586893/#post-6162576

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/chicago-beercation-questions.399297/#post-4655641

    https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/michigan-city-in.308846/#post-3821314
     
    #4 RickBelgique, Dec 21, 2019
    Beer_Economicus, unlikelyspiderperson and archiebunkerjr like this.
  5. sculls65

    sculls65 Pundit (769) Dec 15, 2008 Michigan

    As far as things readily available and maybe new to you. Black Rocks,. Big Lake,. Ellison. I think someone already mentioned arvon. Speciation if you want to head in the sour/wild end of things.
     
    #5 sculls65, Dec 21, 2019
    unlikelyspiderperson and archiebunkerjr like this.
  6. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Thanks all, appreciate the tips. I know Old Nation well, it's about 2 miles from my parents house and I agree with the consensus that M-43 and Boss Tweed are excellent beers, I actually prefer their belgian inspired selections and their rye pale ale (I think it was called red cedar rye) is one of my favorite beers. And Ellison impressed me the first time I visited them but last time I stopped in there (maybe 2 years ago?) it seemed like they were on the monotonous hazy release train, are they still focused on that style?
    Transient, Arvon, and Speciation are definitely ones I'll look for though. Oh and Black Rocks is the bomb diggidy
     
    #6 unlikelyspiderperson, Dec 22, 2019
  7. Junior

    Junior Pooh-Bah (1,883) May 23, 2015 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Ellison is definitely in on on the haze craze. Two that they have available in the tap room now are Citra Evolution and You Can Get with that Juice. Both are very good, IMO. A little different than what you get from Old Nation, not as murky. They've had their Gravity Series on tap for the last few weeks (cans were released and sold out at their anniversary party). These are excellent. They also have Tiramisu Stout and Big Black Stout available in cans to go.
     
    #7 Junior, Dec 23, 2019
    archiebunkerjr and unlikelyspiderperson like this.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.