Michigan BAs

Well, Dark Horse is right off 94 and Bells pretty close to the highway as well. Greenbush is also right off 94 as is the Livery.

 

If you're stopping at Bell's definitely hit up Drake's Party Center and Tiffany's (both in Kalamazoo, about 3-4 miles apart). Combined, they have probably the best selection in SW Michigan, albeit slightly more expensive than other stores.

 

Drakes in Kzoo, Merchants in Dearborn Heights are ones that come to mind. Will have to ask metro detroiter's re: stores in Detroit. Don't know ones on the West coast and I can't imagine there is much in Marshall, Jackson, or Battle Creek that you can't find at those places. Depending on where you are in Detroit, Holiday Market in Royal Oak is worth a visit.

 

If you stop off in Ypsi (off 94 on the way to Detroit from Chicago) there is a store on EMU campus that only sells products made in Michigan. Founders, Short's, Bells, Dragonmead, Milking it, etc.

Store is called "MI General Store". Google it and you can get directions. Selection isn't huge, but again, it's only MI brews and there is some good options. The owners seem to know their beer.

 

Assuming you're taking 94 or 14 past Ann Arbor, yet another bottle shop option is Plum Market, which is right between where 94 and 14 split. You could also swing by the Jolly Pumpkin brewpub, which I highly recommend for both beer and food.

Also, if you're gonna be at all in the area, you should visit Kuhnhenn in Warren.

 

Swinging buy the Jolly Pumpkin is a must imho.

Haven't checked out Plum Market. How are their prices? I'm not that far away.

If you did stop in Ypsi for the MI General Store (to the OP), there is a Brewery half a mile away that sells Ann Arbor Brewing Company Beers. Not the greatest beers, imho, but it's a pretty unique place to check out.

 

you might want to hit greenbush again they just released rage in bottles

 

Plum Market has good prices. It's one of the cheapest places to buy good beer in Ann Arbor (more or less tied with the Wine Seller, I think) -- I don't know how they compare to places in Ypsi; I haven't been there much.

 

I second making a point to hit Kuhnhenn's when you get to Detroit. Also Champanes is a bottle shop right down the road. Good selection and great prices. I'd hit Greenbush again as well, thinking that will be a stop for us on the way to chicago every time.

 

+1 to Kuhnhenn. Any of the stores mentioned will have the same or similar selection and there won't be a whole lot of difference overall. But Kuhnhenn is sort of it's own monster and after you have a glass of Creme Brulee Java Stout you'll be damn tempted to shell out $28 for a growler of it to take back with you.

 

This^^^^^^....also might as well hit Champanes if your going to be at Kuhnhenn.

 

Exit 98B and your 5 minutes from Arcadia off I-94....worth the stop!