Michigan Trip Friday

Well, if you are going to stop at Founder's, you should definitely head just a few blocks over to the HopCat...also Brewery Vivant is a great stop in Grand Rapids, maybe a ten minute drive from Founders.

 

Dark Horse is in Marshall which is about a 20 min drive from Kzoo to the east also

 

GREENBUSH! It's literally on the way there (or back) (or both) in Sawyer. Livery is also a great spot in Benton Harbor on the way back (or the way there) (or both).

 

I'd check out HopCat and Dark Horse. I'm going up tomorrow and Wednesday, but won't get over to Dark Horse unfortunately.

Bells left a lot to be desired when I visited

 

I felt the same about Bell's (although I love most of what they make). Given a choice of Bell's or Dark Horse for a visit, I'd take Dark Horse every time.

Also, as previously mentioned, I would recommend Greenbush right off of exit 12 in Sawyer and The Livery in Benton Harbor. And if coming back by way of Kalamazoo or Marshall, I think Paw Paw (in Paw Paw) is worth a stop, but not if it means not having time to hit Greenbush.

 

I have a personal affinity for Bells, being from kzoo, but they have that great tap cam, that shows what is on. If its a nice day, the beer garden is just the tops. BUT you will not be disappointed by Dark Horse its like choosing btw 2 banging hot chicks to take home. So, like the chicks, DO BOTH! haHA!

 

If you like pinball to go with your beer, check out The Pyramid Scheme, Stella's Lounge, and The Meanwhile. The Meanwhile gets all sorts of goodie kegs from Founders, they just tapped a KBS keg the other night, although it was gone in 15 minutes.

 

I'd skip Bell's, HopCat, et all and just camp out at Greenbush... I mean it's that good.. They haven't been in business a year and they're making beers that'll blow your mind away.

 

Initiate echo chamber: Vivant, Livery, HopCat, Greenbush.
If you're a vegetarian like me Vivant has the best food options of the bunch. Their goat cheese and figs salad & grilled cheese is delightful. If you eat meat they have a burger that's a beef patty w/ bacon that my fiance enjoys. Vivant has an excellent farmhouse for hot days.

While in Grand Rapids Siciliano's is the best bottle shop. http://www.beermenus.com/places/3884-siciliano-s-market

If you're looking to get your sandworm on the dunes by Greenbush and The Livery are out of this world. *rimshot*

 

Bell's is definitely hit or miss. I've been there twice and the first time in 2010 the tap list was fantastic. They had 2009 Eccentric Ale, The Wild One, 2008 Expedition Stout and Batch 10,000. The second time I think they had 2 beers that they don't bottle, Q-Falls and Rye Stout. Right now it looks to be kind of in between, they've got some experimental beers on tap. But I'd say if you're crunched for time skip Bell's and head to The Livery or Greenbush instead.

I'll echo the HopCat and Brewery Vivant recommendations as well. The tap-list at HopCat usually has some hard to find stuff on it and they've got good food too. The duck confit nachos at Brewery Vivant are out of this world.

 

In GR, I highly recommend The Hideout also.
New Holland is only 30min west of GR, and there's a new brewery on the way, White Flame.
Oh, and don't miss Harmony Brewing in GR.

 

I can't believe I forgot about The Hideout. Great little brewery.

 

Harmony doesn't have much for beers yet, but they do have delicious wood-fired pizzas. Vivant just released their Zaison, and has it in cans available to go at the Brewery. I may be biased being a "monk" member, but they are always my favorite stop in town besides Founders. (Especially for meeting people - they have long tables set up and you never know who you may end up sitting next to. Makes for interesting conversations with people you may not have otherwise conversed with.) I second the recommendation for duck nachos, but even just the regular garlic frites are top notch. The menu is constantly getting new tasty additions. If I had to choose between Dark Horse and Bell's, I would probably pick Dark Horse but for me its more of an atmosphere choice rather than quality of beer. Then again, if the weather is nice, Bell's garden is a wonderful place to enjoy a brew.

Also, I hear good reviews about Waldorff in Hastings, but I've only ever been there once.

 

Oh, on a side note, if you do end up at Bell's, you could walk over to the Kalamazoo Beer Exchange. Menu works like the stock market, so you can get great deals on beer if you watch the menu and order in time. Best time is when the market crashes, and all beers go to the lowest price.

 

I was just up there for a visit, definitely stop by Vivant. Not only are their beers awesome but the duck nachos are out of this world! Founders is always good and the Hop Cat is a great place for dinner. As far as Bell's goes, I would check the tap list beforehand and find out what bottles are in the shop. There may be some wild one left.

 

It was slim pickings for bottles at the Bell's store this weekend. The "Jazz Series" should be coming out soon, but I'm not sure when. If you have never been to Bell's, it is worth stopping in. The tap list hasn't been all that great lately, but that might just be because I go there so much. The experimental beers that have been on draft are interesting and unique.
Vivant is a great place to stop. I have been going there more than Founder's lately. HopCat doesn't usually let me down either. Dark Horse is a bit of a drive from Kalamazoo, but definitely worth checking out if you have time. As many others have said, I would definitely stop at Greenbush. Enjoy your weekend!

 

I'm a big fan of Dark Horse, but it's not exactly on the path from GR to Chicago. The Livery is on the way, and worth checking out.