Michigan Brewery Road Trip

You can search this forum and tons of threads regarding Michigan brewery trips will pop up.

Your first stop is going to be rather uneventful, may want to change that to Short's pub in Bellaire instead.

I would add a stop at Kuhnhenn's if you come up north on 75 on the way to Shorts.

 

That Elk Rapids address is the production brewery. The pub is in Bellaire.

 

I've done the Michigan brewery tour a couple of times... you're going to have a great time.

Looks like you're driving right past Marshall Michigan. I'd definitely say it's worth making a stop at Dark Horse.

Also if you continue driving West from Kalamazoo there are a whole bunch of awesome breweries (most have food/drink available) including Greenbush, The Livery, Saugatuck, New Holland, Odd Side (one of my favorites), and more.

Just a thought, and a cool drive.

 

Kuhnhenn
Jolly Pumpkin
Frankenmuth
Shorts
Odd Sides
Perrin
Founders
HopCat
Brewery Vivant
Mitten
Walldorff
New Holland
Livery
Greenbush
Bells
Arcadia
Dark Horse

Good luck!!!

Cue the "Hey, you forgot _________!" posts

 

hey you forgot white flame and pike 51

 

On that route, I would make Dark Horse in Marshall a must stop, and then don't be surprised if it's up near your favorites.

In Traverse City, North Peak and Jolly Pumpkin are easy stops, but I personally wouldn't call them must stops.

There are a lot of others mentioned here but they are probably too far west and out of the way. These would include Odd Side Ales (Grand Haven), The Livery (Benton Harbor) and Greenbush (Sawyer). All three are great stops.

 

If you're looking for more, Perrin Brewing in Comstock Park has some good beer (head brewer is former head brewer at Founder's) and a great taproom. Also, Grand Rapids Brewing Company (down the street from and owned by the same people as HopCat) is opening December 4th!

And I definitely echo the sentiment about Dark Horse. Add it as a must stop!

 

Here you go: Updated Trip

 

You want the Shorts Brewpub in Bellaire, not the production facility.

 

Why is Kuhnhenn not there? A must stop.

 

There are 115 breweries/brewpubs in Michigan. Your route has you missing many of them

 

Travis, I'd keep Vivant and Livery on your list regardless. Both are cranking out some good stuff.

 

Livery seems good from what I've tried, and Vivant (with the exception of the food at the brewpub, which is outstanding) is completely skippable. Beers are completely mediocre.

 

Just did a trip a few weeks ago...I-94/US 131 is a great path of beer stops....Kuhnhenn, Jolly Pumpkin Ann Arbor, Dark Horse, Arcadia, Bells, New Holland, Brewery Vivant, Founders, Hop Cat

 

NP, I can't read.
I don't know about dropping Vivant, but you should definitely add Dark Horse and Kuhnhenn.

 

You still have the Short's production facility address. You want the Bellaire address.