Michigan Breweries, Bars, Eateries (2025)

Bottles of 40th Anniversary BBA Expedition at Bells starting tomorrow, August 29. Limited package sales throughout Michigan only.

https://www.facebook.com/BellsEccentricCafe

 

We were up there in May this year. Had a stout at Keweenaw brewing in Houghton then headed slowly to copper harbor. Was looking forward to a brew there but brickside was closed. Didn’t look like it was operating back then.

 

I saw they posted this on their sign when I passed by. I’ll empty my wallet next week, assuming there’s any left.

 

Does anyone know when we may see the 40th anni stout in Michigan stores?

 

Their facebook post said limited bottle distribution in Michigan only. Some kegs will get out to other states but the post read like no bottles would leave Michigan.

 

Smokey and the Bandit, but for Expedition XL.

 

Looks like Draught Horses last day open will be September 13th. New ownership is taking over, only visited twice years ago, sounds like new owners are going to turn it into more of a restaurant.

 

Fwiw I’m seeing another Other Half can drop on the east side again this week.

 

A metric shit ton of 40th Anny is still at Bells as of today

 

Stopped in for a beer not that long ago. I can understand this news.

Beer tasted musty and old. Service, as seems to be my usual experience, not great. People standing around gossiping rather than trying to make money.

I used to work in nightclubs and all the waitstaff cared about was getting money out of people's wallets. There was one very attractive cocktail waitress who was exceedingly good at doing that.

 

Stopped by a few new places to me.

Stumblebum in Troy. Beer is really good. Too much loud banjo on the sound system.

Unexpected Craft in Oak Park. Beer is really good. Old school industrial feel inside.

Dog and Pony in Oak Park. Also has great beer. Only had IPAs and pilsner at these places, all were well made and tasty.

Glad I stopped at these places today.

 

I too liked Stumblebum despite the odd location. Haven’t been to Dog and Pony but the beers I’ve had from them were excellent.

 

Of course a place called Stumblebum would have a banjo player!

 

So meant to get back about the trip for a few weeks now, but its been HELL at work.

Flew into Detroit and headed to our friends house in Ann Arbor. Had some M-43 right when I got to the house that night with some pizza, and that beer is really, really good. Ive seen the hype over the years, but it lives up to it.

Sunday bbq at their place, but early in the day was able to sneak over to Jolly Pumpkin and get some of their beers in. The sours were awesome, and enjoyed that they sold 4oz pours of everything as well. Arbor Farms was a great rec! The beer aisle was stocked well and had some fun picking out some things there.

Spent the next few days north of Muskegon on the lake coast. Stopped by Atwater Brewing on the way over. Had the WCIPA and the Pale they did. The WC was nothing to write home about, but the Pale was good. Muskegon grocery stores we for a sure a beer wasteland, but was able to grab some Shorts beers which were great. Had some Unruley beers while we were there which we fine.

Stayed in grand Rapids for a night on the way back. Founders was great. Not too many options that were brewery exclusive, but fresh Mortal Bloom and Breakfast Stout on NITRO were awesome. Ended up hitting The Mitten Brewing Co as well, and the pizzas were great and the beers were very good! Would for sure go back.

Ended up taking a slight detour home from Grand Rapids and hit Old Nation. LOVED the area that Old Nation was in. The homes were unreal. The brewery itself was super welcoming, and liked the fact it ran more like a restaurant. Had an awesome WCIPA called Easy Tiger there. The variants of M-43 were awesome too.

Back to Ann Arbor and stopped at HOMES for dinner. Easily the best brewery we visited on the trip. Every beer was solid.

Detroit the next day. Started at Slows BBQ and the tap list there was solid. The food was good! Stopped by Collect Beer Bar before hitting the Tigers game, and the best way to describe it was "small, but mighty" haha. Such a cool little beer bar, with nice owners and a solid selection.

Ended the trip heading to Blakes during the last day and letting the fam apple pick and having some ciders. That night, walked from their place to Bills Beer Garden and that was a blast.

Overall, I LOVED Detroit and Ann Arbor. Could see myself moving there, if we didnt have kids haha.

Thanks for all the recs earlier in this thread! Brought home as much HOMES and M-43 as I could in my suitcase haha

 

I’m not sure where you’re based—California—but with comments like these, a few more trips to the Great Lakes state might just seal it! Glad you had a fantastic visit.

 

Trip to Traverse City next week. Have time for 2-3 breweries. Looking for quality and variety. Prefer stouts, IPAs, sours and BA offerings. Bonus for great, local food offerings. Any recommendations appreciated!

 

Go to Farm Club: https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/60611/

 

I'd recommend Stone Hound, Loco Boys, and Rare Bird. If you can venture out a ways, then I'd say Shorts in Bellaire and Hop Lot in Suttons Bay.