Michigan trip

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by rturkaly, Apr 6, 2013.

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  1. rturkaly

    rturkaly Zealot (557) Jan 3, 2010 Pennsylvania

    My friends and I will be heading up to Michigan in early July to catch a couple of baseball games and sample some of the finer beers from the area. The 2 areas we will be in is Lansing/East Lansing, followed by Grand Rapids. I've done some research and have found quite a few places to check out. My only problem is that time may become a factor. So I just wanted to get some feedback from people who either live in the area or have frequented some of the places at one time or another.

    For Lansing/East Lansing I have Nuthouse Sports Grill, Tin Can Bar, Waterfront Bar and Grill, Taps 25, Tavern on the Square, Harpers Restaurant and Brewpub, Beggars Banquet, Crunchy's, and Harrison Roadhouse.

    For Grand Rapids I have Hideout Brewing, Harmony Brewing, Brewery Vivant, Founders, Hopcat, grand Rapids Brewing, Bob's House of Brews, Logan's Alley, Graydon's Crossing, Mitten Brewing, and Perrin Brewing.

    So as you can see, too many bars, too little time. Especially in Grand Rapids. So which places are must stops? Which ones are worth skipping if there is a time issue? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
     
    #1 rturkaly, Apr 6, 2013
  2. Michigan

    Michigan Initiate (0) Oct 24, 2012 Michigan

    Must go: HopCat, Vivant, Founders (yes, even after the KBS shit)

    If you're coming from PA you must be stopping through the east side? It'd be a shame to miss Kuhnhenn!
     
    #2 Michigan, Apr 6, 2013
  3. Cotton_27

    Cotton_27 Maven (1,486) Feb 22, 2013 Michigan
    Trader

    Crunchy's and taps 25 for sure.
     
    #3 Cotton_27, Apr 6, 2013
  4. Steimie

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

    Do a quick search of this forum and you'll find all sorts of suggestions. This is covered fairly often here and folks have given some good advice. Enjoy your trip
     
    #4 Steimie, Apr 6, 2013
  5. MarcatGSB

    MarcatGSB Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2011 Michigan

    Damn, you are cordial this morning. :wink:
     
    #5 MarcatGSB, Apr 6, 2013
  6. Steimie

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

    Just meant that if you want the info, it is already there and there is lots of it that is worth seeking out
     
    #6 Steimie, Apr 6, 2013
  7. cates1tg

    cates1tg Initiate (0) Jul 18, 2010 Michigan

    Grand Rapids:
    If you're going to visit a bar it's between HopCat and Graydon's for me. HopCat is the superior beer bar, no argument but it can be busy as hell sometimes which can throw a wrench into plans as it comes to eating. Check it out, but if it's really busy and you don't feel like waiting I highly recommend Graydon's Crossing. Awesome menu and a really good beer selection.

    As far as breweries go, I would say Founders, Vivant, Harmony, Perrin, and GRBC in that order. GRBC is alleged to have more interesting beers coming out soon but thus far they've been pretty run of the mill as far as creativity goes so when the time comes, check the taplist and adjust priority accordingly.

    Cheers!
     
    #7 cates1tg, Apr 6, 2013
  8. PapaGoose03

    PapaGoose03 Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,057) May 30, 2005 Michigan
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    For Lansing/East Lansing I can tell you that Crunchy's would be a must-stop (for the tap list as well as the cheeseburger), and Harper's would be a pass. I'm not familiar with any of the rest of them to make a comment.
     
    #8 PapaGoose03, Apr 6, 2013
  9. rturkaly

    rturkaly Zealot (557) Jan 3, 2010 Pennsylvania

    Thanks for the info. This will help out tremendously. I wish there was more than just 1 day in each city, but what can you do.
     
    #9 rturkaly, Apr 6, 2013
  10. riemster

    riemster Initiate (0) Mar 17, 2011 Ohio

    I hope you have fun! I made a thread about a trip about 2 weeks ago. Sadly, my trip was postponed from early May to late May/early June, but I'm still extremely excited!!!
     
    #10 riemster, Apr 6, 2013
  11. Irishize75

    Irishize75 Initiate (0) Nov 4, 2012 California

    Vivant is quickly becoming The House. What they distribute is good, but their draft offerings on any given day are superb.
     
    #11 Irishize75, Apr 6, 2013
    cates1tg likes this.
  12. rturkaly

    rturkaly Zealot (557) Jan 3, 2010 Pennsylvania

    Vivant has gotten some great reviews on this site as well as others. After all the talk, I sure wish me trip was sooner.
     
    #12 rturkaly, Apr 7, 2013
  13. rturkaly

    rturkaly Zealot (557) Jan 3, 2010 Pennsylvania

    Let me know how it goes.
     
    #13 rturkaly, Apr 7, 2013
  14. BeyondDescription

    BeyondDescription Initiate (0) Feb 9, 2009 Vermont
    Trader

    My top 5 picks for both areas:

    Grand Rapids -- Logan's Alley, HopCat, Founders, Pyramid Scheme, The Meanwhile

    Lansing Area -- Beggar's Banquet, Crunchy's, Harrison Roadhouse, Taps 25, Woody's Oasis
     
    #14 BeyondDescription, Apr 7, 2013
  15. rturkaly

    rturkaly Zealot (557) Jan 3, 2010 Pennsylvania

    One other question which I should have mentioned in my original post, Graydons Crossing has 2 different addresses: 1223 Plainfield Ave NE and 2337 Wealthy St Ste 130. Are these owned by the same people? Is one better than the other? Thanks.
     
    #15 rturkaly, Apr 7, 2013
  16. BeyondDescription

    BeyondDescription Initiate (0) Feb 9, 2009 Vermont
    Trader

    You want the Plainfield address. The other may just be an office.
     
    #16 BeyondDescription, Apr 7, 2013
  17. Irishize75

    Irishize75 Initiate (0) Nov 4, 2012 California

    Just don't bring Sidney Crosby with you. 3/4 of the state would just as soon break a bottle over his head than look him in the eye. You might catch a beatdown by proximity :wink:
     
    #17 Irishize75, Apr 7, 2013
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  18. rturkaly

    rturkaly Zealot (557) Jan 3, 2010 Pennsylvania

    I'll be sure to bring Brook Orpik and Douglas Murray along for the trip too allow me drink in peace. :wink: Red Wing lost a tough one today, but are still a lock for the playoffs. It is weird not seeing Lidstrom on D.
     
    #18 rturkaly, Apr 7, 2013
  19. Irishize75

    Irishize75 Initiate (0) Nov 4, 2012 California

    It's weird seeing them this mediocre. They will slink into the playoffs, but it was touch and go for awhile there..
     
    #19 Irishize75, Apr 7, 2013
  20. jamvt

    jamvt Savant (1,150) Aug 5, 2005 Massachusetts
    Trader

    Sorry to high-jack the thread, but I'll be in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids tomorrow and Wednesday and plan on stopping at Bell's Tap Room to have some beers. Is it safe to assume that Hopslam 6'ers are long gone? Looking to bring some beer home.
     
    #20 jamvt, Apr 8, 2013
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