Spring break trip

On your way to Greenbush, hit The Livery in Benton Harbor.
Stop at Shoreline on your way to Chicago.
In Chi, hit Half Acre.

 

Cleveland....Jolly Pumpkin in Ann Arbor, Perhaps Ashleys as well...Darkhorse....Arcadia....Bells....My house in GR

Saugatuck...Livery...Revolution....Half Acre...Map Room...and so many others in Chicago.

 

I did a similar trip last fall with my cousin and we were coming from Chi and going through SW MI. All of ur stops r good but the only thing I would change would b the order you do them in. Def Dark Horse first then I would go to Grand Rapids and either end the night there or if anyone in ur group is capable of driving after that drive down to Kalamazoo, enjoy Bells and end the night there (I know that can b a lot for 1 day seeing as how u can easily do a handful of breweries in Grand Rapids alone. However, from a traveling aspect it makes sense). Wake up the next day do Bells (if u didn't hit it up the previous night), Greenbush then Chi. I'd throw Shoreline in there too but to hit up 2-3 breweries then drive to Chi might b a stretch. Hope that helps and wasn't too confusing.

 

Agree with Dark Horse-Marshall, then Belll Eccentric Cafe-Kazzo, and end up in GR (Founders, Vivant, and Hopcat....and other stuff). Next day's drive to Chicago depends on timing, but options include New Holland-Holland, Livery-Benton Harbor, definately Greenbush-Swayer, why would you think about skipping FFFs-Munster. In Chicago, definately Revolution, I'd go to Haymarket, possibly Piece. Not sure why you are skipping Goose Island, just be sure it's Clybourne...not Wrigleyville. Half Acre just a retail store for now (Tap Room coming later this summer). Pipeworks does not have retail nor tasting room at this point. The list of beer bars is endless, almost another subject. Retail stops are Binnys Lincoln Park or South Loop, and West Lakeview Liqours. Not to be negative, but I'd skip Acadia and Shoreline.

 

If you can extend the trip a little bit, you should make Kuhnhenn in Warren your first stop before heading west across Michigan (it might be tough to end the day in Grand Rapids if you do this). If you can spare the time, Kuhnhenn is more than worth going out of your way

 

Agree on Kuhnhenns. Last night I got a taste of a growler of Dripa, from a buddy who was on the "D" over the weekend. They had BBA 4D on tap and bottles to take-out. He bought a growler, a 6-pack, and had two beers and spend almost $100....with no complaints...lol.

 

Only suggestion I have is beware of time. There has been many a time when I have been sucked into the time void known as Dark Horse. An hour stop over frequently turns into 2-3 hours. I prefer Dark Horse over Bell's, not to say Bell's isn't worth it cause it definitely is. You can easily spend 5-6 hours in Grand Rapids alone between Vivant, Founders, HopCat, Stella's and Pyramid Scheme. While in Grand Rapids I would hit Vivant first, then stay at ether the Holiday Inn downtown or Courtyard. That way you can drop the car and both are walking distance to Founders, HopCat, Stella's and Pyramid Scheme. If I had to suggest an order I would do Founders, then Stella's or Pyramid Scheme then end at HopCat. Stella's focuses on whiskey with a few Craft offerings, Pyramid Scheme has 10 Short's beers on tap and both have vintage arcade games and tons of pinball (if that is your thing).

 

Graydon's Crossing is pretty solid in GR as well. If you find yourself there in the morning... Red Ball Jet is a great place for breakfast.

 

If you end up anywhere near Walldorff in Hastings (dead center of Dark horse, Founders, Arcadia, and Bells) hit me up....I would love to meet you and buy you and your crew a round!

 

There are several great suggestions above, and I can get behind nearly all of them. The one I will throw my weight behind here is The Livery. Take nothing away from the other breweries and the people that work there, they are all great, but I love The Livery and the people there. Definitely check it out, very close to Greenbush and convenient stop off of 94.

 

If it were me, I would skip Goose Island. I stopped out to the Clybourn location during my last visit to Chicago, and they closed earlier than the website posted. (It was only like 11pm, but they were having a slow night) They still served me one beer, but it was kind of a bummer because I thought they were going to be open till 1am. Luckily, a staff member suggested the Map Room as being the next closest beer bar, so my party ended the night there and it ended up being one of our favorite stops of the weekend.