Hey all, I know this thread is partially outside great lakes region, but this seemed to be the best place for it. I live in Raleigh, NC and will be heading back to visit my parents in Michigan(Macomb County). I will be driving from Raleigh to Buffalo, NY(where my gf's parents live) and over to Michigan. Taking the same way back home... First off, I will be spending the most time in Michigan, so where can I get some craft beers that I can't get in NC. I get Founders and Bells, but not their limited release stuff. I'd like to get some Short's, Kuhnnhen, Greenbush, and any others you guys might deem worth grabbing. Also, any suggestions for the Buffalo or western PA would also be helpful. Any ideas? I know you'd think I should know where to go, but I didn't get into craft beer until I left Michigan... Thanks for any suggestions.
Oh boy, Merry early Christmas, and welcome back to the Wolverine State and the Michigan cornucopia of beer. Short's beers are found in many places, but the specialty releases that they have been rolling out with frequency this year are smaller distributions that sell out quickly and generally only available at the better bottle shops, so you'll have to watch this GL forum to see when and where you might get a score. The threads get active when something new is released. (See the two current threads on Captain Fantasy and Bludgeon in yer Eye.) If you like Belgian-inspired beers then pick up anything you can find from Brewery Vivant. (16 oz. cans) All of their stuff is very good. You might still find some of Arcadia's Shipwreck Porter on the shelves if you like BBA beers. Odd Side Ales has been putting out some good stuff, and most of them are still found on the shelves of most good bottle shops. Greenbush Brewing has been putting out some good stuff too, so look for their bottles. If you like funky beers then Jolly Pumpkin stuff should be on your shopping list. If you already get Bell's and Founders in NC then you're probably getting everything that they put into distro here in Michigan too. However, I've read a lot of threads about Backwoods Bastard being in short supply outside of Michigan, but you might see some of that still hanging around. Edit: Kuhnhenn stuff is likely to be found only at the brewery, but all reports are that there is nothing to be found there until they have their winter solstice party, so you're probably out of luck to take any of their stuff home with you.
When I did my road trip earlier this year these were good bottle shops: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/3117/view=beerfly http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/23167/view=beerfly This one was horrible (very old beer): http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/14424/view=beerfly This is a great place in Buffalo: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1081/?view=beerfly Don't know what your favorite styles are but on the drive from Buffalo you should stop at Willoughby and Brew Kettle along the way.
Thanks for the ideas guys...Mothergoose- Great call on Brewery Vivant as my brother has mentioned the brewery in the past. I'd love to get some Arcadia Shipwreck porter too. I haven't had anything from Oddside so I'll have to go hunting for it. Appreciate it! fredmugs- I've heard great things about Beer Baron so I'll definitely hit that place up since it's pretty close by. The others are on the other side of the state. My gf lives near that amherst store so I'll check that place out as well. I can't believe Willoughby is right by the I-90- that is great news. This is definitely a start...
I should have also added a couple other Arcadia beers to my suggestions (and not only because they are my local brewery): their Loch Down Scotch Ale and their London Porter are both very tasty beers and are easily found on store shelves now. Arcadia's Imperial Stout is also available now, and you might find their Cereal Killer Barleywine (very good English-style offering). If you might be interested in the Greenbush beers then I suggest that you look at their website (or their BA page) to match their beer names up with the beer style for that beer. Some of their labels that I've recently looked at did not describe the style. Enjoy your trip.
Love barleywines and scotch ales so I'll check em out! I hear Greenbush Benjamin Brothers is like a hopslam light...hoping to snag a few. Thanks again
I would suggest Dark Horse beers, not sure if they distribute in NC. Dragonmead is another suggestion to bring back also.
All the Michigan places have been pretty well covered, Shorts just released Captain Fantasy which I havent had but heard its wonderful... In Buffalo, I had some success at Consumer Beverages in Orchard Park. I was able to get a ton of beer that I am not able to get in the state, both because of lack of distribution and extremely high demand. Great folks in there too.
Something to look for is Griffin Claw, they are in Birmingham, MI. They package in bottles, and have a tasting room. In Macomb Co. I would go to Kuhnhenns.
Yeah, I was able to get Founders Doom, Founders Imperial Stout, and Double Trouble, along with some New York Goodies.
