Road Trip Suggestions

On the way back from Chicago, go through Michigan - I had a great time last summer when we drove to Michigan for a friends wedding. We hit up Dark Horse, Bell's, Founders, and Brewery Vivant. All have great beer, and a great place to drink said beer.

 

Three Floyds is in Indiana right? I'd see if I could make a stop there.

 

CCB in Tampa

 

If u go thru michigan go to Hopcat in Grand Rapids great food and beer options.

 

I wouldn't spend too much time on the in-between areas. Spend more time in Chicago, for example. Yes. Cheers.

 

yes, Chicago suburbs.

 

Being beer-minded specific:

Leaving Chicago and heading east on 90, I would certainly make Munster, Indiana and Three Floyds my first stop. Its 30min southeast and essentially on your way.
94 will take you northeast and out of your way (but still east) to Bells and Dark Horse, only and further out of your way north is Founders and New Holland. All roads east lead to Detroit and a Yardbird at Slow's BBQ.

If you skip Michigan and continue to drive 90/80 East, Toledo has Maumee Brewing, thats a nice spot for a beer and lunch, but I wouldn't argue against skipping it either. Onwards on 90/80 to Cleveland, Melt is a great spot to eat, Fatheads is in Cleveland, as is Great Lakes. Great Lakes is in a lively spot locals call Ohio City and they usually serve taproom exclusive. I'd go Willoughby Brewing Company for a Peanut Butter Cup Coffee Porter, east of Cleveland. This is a gem, and they don't bottle.

35 minutes south of Cleveland in Akron, across from the airdock that holds the Goodyear Blimp fleet is Hoppin Frog that recently opened a taproom (Thirsty Dog is also in Akron, but I think they still have not opened a taproom, but could be wrong). If you planning on going mostly directly home, you'd stay on (or get back on from Akron) 90/80 which they call the turnpike as it turns southeast passing Pittsburgh. I enjoy Church Brew works, a converted church, but their is no chance I'd miss a Primanti Bros sandwich, the strip restaurant (original) is only a couple miles at most from the church. Further along the turnpike is Troeg's then Victory, and the craftbeer abundance of Philadelphia (but i'm sure you know that being from New Jersey).

Got time to head to Vermont?

 

If you've never been to Charleston the restaurants alone are worth a visit.

 

If you are looking for one off the beaten path. I would try making the trip out Devils Backbone Brewing in Roseland, VA which is about 2 hours west of Richmond. I have ever been to this brewery or tried any of their beers but I do know the have won a ton of awards and won Small Brewpub of year the last 2 years at GABF so they must be doing something right. This would be one I would like to check out if I was passing by...

Can anyone give thieir first hand experience to help the OP?

 

if you possibly go through the QC (queen city: charlotte, NC) since you will most likely go through NC to get to GA, there is Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, NoDa, and Birdsong breweries which all have some good stuff especially OMB and i dont think any of their stuff is outside the carolinas. its always nice to try local beer from other places i think.

 

If you're looking for a great up and coming brewery, check out Solemn Oath on your way into Chicago. Check out their website, they have some truly unique things going on.
http://solemnoathbrewery.com/

 

Take a route through St Louis. You have to visit Schlafly Tap Room.

 

Haul ass down to FL and spend as much time as you can between Funky Buddha, Peg's Cantina, and CCB.

 

Check out rapp too while in Tampa area

 

If you're going to stop on Savannah, you might as well stop in Charleston on the way down. Great beer and unbelievable food and history. Westbrook, Holy City, and COAST are just a few of the breweries where you can grab some bottles and keep on trucking. The Charleston Beer Exchange in the heart of the city is a great little store with some high-end stuff. Let me warn you...you stay in Charleston a few days, you won't want to leave!!

 

If you do swing over to Devils Backbone then hid on west and south to Asheville NC. Lots of local breweries, great restaurants and just a great small city. You could then swing on over to Charleston SC for more great food.