Stuff to do in South Bend?

Greenbush across the border in Sawyer, Mi has some of the best beers I've ever had. Going there will allow you to try a lot of the beers you can't get anywhere else. They also have good food.

18th Street Brewery in Gary, In has opened recently (founded by one of the gentleman from Pipeworks).

Roundbarn in Baroda, Mi is also a good time. (Plenty more wineries in SW Michigan)

Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, MI is awesome too!

 

Bare Hands brewery in granger which is minutes from south bend. You can get fff stuff at just about any local bottle shop but dust is a crap shoot. City wide liquors would be your first choice based on selection & location. Best restaurant options in the downtown area would be fiddlers hearth which has a nice beer selection or cafe navarre which has a decent beer selection but excellent food. Admittedly these two suggestions couldnt be more different in terms of clientele, menu and atmosphere. Chicago has some amazing bottle shops; binnys beverage depot is more than solid and the craft beer temple will blow your mind.

 

Want me to bring your 16 down for you?

Anyway, if you are going to be in Chicago on Sunday night I could probably swing a drive down for a beer or two

 

If you want to binge on craft and don't mind a smoky bar, hit Bleachers in Mishawaka (maybe a 10-15min drive from downtown SB). They sell PITCHERS of craft for $6. Watch this site as the draft lineup changes almost daily.

http://www.beermenus.com/places/11000-bleachers-bar

If you are staying downtown, hit City Wide Liquors for bottles and ask for Dan. If you are looking for something special (like ZD), ask. There are lots of things that aren't visible in the case but that are available.

I second Bare Hands in Granger as well. Very cool vibe and the friendliest bartenders ever. Also enjoy fiddlers if you are downtown. I was there a week or so ago and had hopslam, dirtwolf and bells double cream on cask.

 

I echo the sentiments on Bare Hands in Granger and Fiddlers in downtown SB. I can't recall if Bleachers has gone smoke free or not, but they would be a must if they are smoke free....and for $6 pitchers of craft it's probably worth dealing with smoke.

I'd also highly recommend traveling a little east to Iechyd Da in Elkhart. Arguably one of the best brewpubs in the state. There are some decent spots in Elkhart as well....Chubby Trout, Miles Lab....and just a tad south in Goshen is Constant Spring and Pizzeria Venturi.