Michigan Trip (Suggestions encouraged)

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by cdb636, Jun 13, 2012.

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  1. cdb636

    cdb636 Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2012 Illinois

    Traveling through Michigan for 2 days, with various stops at breweries (JP, Dark Horse, Founders, HopCat, Greenbush, then back through 3 Floyds before Chicago). Already did Bells and OddSide last time and left it out for this trip. I am considering Kuhnhenn, but it would tack on a bit of driving as it stands now. Knowing that they don't have 4d on is it worth the time, or should I try to find their beer at bars/stores closer to my route? Looking for opinions on where else I should go, but that does not limit it to breweries exclusively (bottle shops, bars, decent restaurants as well will be considered), but I am looking to focus on the Grand Rapids area, with some time in Ann Arbor. Sicilianos Market is already planned in, so where else to get bottles (perhaps Ann Arbor).
     
    #1 cdb636, Jun 13, 2012
  2. kzoobrew

    kzoobrew Initiate (0) May 8, 2006 Michigan

    If you are going to Greenbush make sure you hit The Livery. If you hit Hopcat and Founders be sure to hit Brewery Vivant.
     
    #2 kzoobrew, Jun 13, 2012
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  3. mtrog313

    mtrog313 Initiate (0) Feb 28, 2012 Michigan

    I don't think that Kuhnhenn's current tap list is worth the extra 5 plus hours of drive time. Plan a trip there in the winter, it will be much more rewarding.
     
    #3 mtrog313, Jun 13, 2012
  4. raymo55

    raymo55 Initiate (0) Oct 3, 2011 Michigan

    Do you just copy and paste this when others are looking for Michigan advice? :wink:

    EDIT: cause it is good advice! (See what I did there?)
     
    #4 raymo55, Jun 13, 2012
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  5. cdb636

    cdb636 Initiate (0) Apr 2, 2012 Illinois

    I've been considering The Livery. Anything specific that I need to try from them if I go? Brewery Vivant was in there too, just forgot to write it in.
     
    #5 cdb636, Jun 13, 2012
  6. raymo55

    raymo55 Initiate (0) Oct 3, 2011 Michigan

    Come visit Walldorff in Hastings...dead center of Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. Great beer and some of the best food and best looking waitresses you will find in the state! :grinning:
     
    #6 raymo55, Jun 13, 2012
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  7. kzoobrew

    kzoobrew Initiate (0) May 8, 2006 Michigan

    If the advice is good, I'll keep on giving it.

    All depends on what is on tap. The hand pull options are always worthwhile, the barrel aged offerings are musts. They are all great people down there, they will take care of you.
     
    #7 kzoobrew, Jun 13, 2012
  8. mike409

    mike409 Initiate (0) Jan 25, 2012 Michigan

    if your going to jolly pumpkin in a2 you should stop by wolverine.
     
    #8 mike409, Jun 13, 2012
  9. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,647) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah

    Wolverine is excellent, they make some fine lagers.
     
    #9 hopfenunmaltz, Jun 13, 2012
  10. Jips

    Jips Pundit (757) Nov 29, 2007 Illinois

    I always try to hit Saugatuck brewing when I go to Michigan. It is right off I-196 if you go that route to/from Founder's. Nice taproom and gorgeous (and gigantic) dining hall right behind it. Neapolitan stout is a must, but they also have 13 other solid to really good offerings.

    New Holland is not too far N of Saugatuck and S of Grand Rapids on I-196. I'm not crazy about most of their beers, but it's a in a nice little downtown area with a great ice cream/sweets shop across the street.

    Greenbush is also practically next to I-94, really no excuse not to visit.

    Arcadia is not terribly far off I-94 right before you get to Dark Horse. I'm not a huge fan, but you might be!

    If you decide to go Ann Arbor/Detroit area, definitely hit Jolly Pumpkin and Kuhnhen (they got normal 4D bottles) as as suggested. I also dug nearby-to-Jolly-Pumpkin Arbor Brewing in Ann Arbor (nothing mind blowing, just lots of super solid offerings) and Dragonmead in Warren, MI for their sheer number of beers on tap and their medieval tavern theme. Also, right off of I-696.

    Ouuu, one more, Pyramid Scheme (a bar) in Grand Rapids has tons of Shorts beers and pinball machines.
     
    #10 Jips, Jun 13, 2012
  11. DrDoitchbig

    DrDoitchbig Initiate (0) Jun 6, 2009 Michigan

    5 hour drive time? The OP is going to be in Ann Arbor, that's 50 minutes from Kuhnhenn unless you're taking a horse and buggy.
     
    #11 DrDoitchbig, Jun 13, 2012
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  12. trginter

    trginter Pundit (755) Dec 1, 2008 Michigan

    Do they only have beer they brew on draft?
     
    #12 trginter, Jun 13, 2012
  13. LiquidTable

    LiquidTable Initiate (0) May 3, 2011 Michigan

    50min max from a2...in non-rush hour traffic you can make Jolly P in aa to Kuhnhenn in 35 to 40min. Plus you won't find much for Kuhnhenn beer outside of the brewery. Not to mention they have DRIPA on right now - come taste why it won a GABF Gold! 1/2mile down is Champane's-excellent bottle shop, and Dragonmead is only 5min down the freeway. Hell, if you go to Dmead, go another 3 miles to Fairway Drugs for one of the best collection of singles you've ever seen.
     
    #13 LiquidTable, Jun 13, 2012
  14. raymo55

    raymo55 Initiate (0) Oct 3, 2011 Michigan

    Yes....they run 9 taps of their own beers plus a rootbeer. Also have growler fills and take home bottles....and may have some Lambics left!
     
    #14 raymo55, Jun 13, 2012
  15. Steimie

    Steimie Maven (1,428) Jan 7, 2012 Michigan

    Go to Kuhnhenn. Order Creme Brulee Java Stout. Drink it.

    You're welcome.
     
    #15 Steimie, Jun 13, 2012
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