Have a family trip planned in mid-July to travel from Columbus up to Traverse City for a week. Looking for insight into two questions in advance of the trip; 1) I’ve been given the green light that we can stop at either Bells or Founders on the drive up for lunch (either one adds about 30/40 minutes). Which is recommended considering we’ll have a two year old and wanting lunch? Grandma has offered to drive after so I would probably enjoy a beer or two while there. 2) what are the good brewery options up in the Traverse area? Anything worth seeking out and taking back to Ohio? Any insight greatly appreciated - thanks in advance!
Jolly Pumpkin is my favorite. They have a nice restaurant and it is near a lot of wineries. I thought Right Brain was good too. They have a porter brewed with actual smoked pigs heads. I'm sure there are some more good places that others can recommend.
Old Nation M43 is all over the place. I was just there last week and I was able to pick up multiple 4 packs at Meijer. The Filling Station is a really unique place to get some brews and pizza as well. Stopped at founders on the way home and they had a ton of brewery only beers.
For shame, I still haven’t been to Bells but as a seasoned Founder’s visitor with my twins since they were about a year old, I’d say go there. Go any afternoon and you’ll see plenty of kids and babies. Fair warning though, it can get busy quickly on weekends. I just got back from TC and our group was extremely impressed and surprised by Hop Lot Brewing in Sutton’s Bay. The atmosphere is top notch. Solid beers too. Seriously look at them. Right Brain is off the beaten path but still with a stop. Workshop Brewing was solid (this one was at the end of my night so don’t remember much), 7 Monks Taproom was great, The Little Fleat was cool with some limited beers on tap. We stopped at Tandem Ciders too. I’m not a big cider guy but was impressed with the offerings and it’s quaint location. We hit the 2 distilleries as well (if you’re into that). Avoid Mackinaw Brewing, their beer was horrible. I missed the other breweries, our group wanted to “class it up” with some wineries but TC is a great destination for brewery hopping.
I personally like Bell's Eccentric Cafe better than Founders' taproom. Let the tap list at Bell's help your decision. http://www.bellsbeer.com/cafe/tap-cam I don't think Founders has a tap list that is online anywhere, but maybe someone can chime in if there is one.
Good to hear. I’m staying in Sutton’s Bay in September so this should be a close option. I think shorts is within an hour of TC as well.
Shorts has really good food and a nice 45 min scenic drive, I will be up there in 2 weeks myself. If you are looking for bottle shops, Beverage Company pretty much is the go to, friendly dudes and by far best selection in town.
Same here. Founders seemed a bit loud and industrial. Bells Eccentric cafe much more warm and inviting.....personal preference I guess, both had great Michigan beer, don't get me wrong.
Completely forget about M43! Is it going to require hunting or should I be able to find it pretty easily? I’m in a local group with about five other dudes so I know they’d love if I could bring some home.
M-43 is all over the state right now and with minimal effort you an get your hands on this. I personally feel like Founders has a broader selection than Bell’s but the environment can be a bit more intense. If you have some freedom Stormcloud in Frankfort is solid and the brewery is just a complement to the town. They have a great “alcohol allowed” beach - maybe the best in Michigan....
Agree. My favorite Traverse city brewpub( if you can call a restored train depot a pub) is the Filling Station. Jolly Pumpkin is also worth a visit. North Peak is good but a similar experience could be had in about any place in America. The Filling Staion is, as you said, unique.
Kayak Bike and Brew has a really nice tour. Rare bird has some solid beer and darn good fries if you like a truffle dip (it's no hopcat crack fries though). Old Nation has a couple other newer beers to me (beyond M43 as others have recommended) at least popping up in Michigan too (Green Stone and Full Earth). Get Full Earth if you can (pun intended). Oh yeah, get to Hop Lot too (ideal for a nice weather dinner evening outside)! Cheers!
Founders has a tap list online. https://foundersbrewing.com/brewery/grand-rapids/whats-on-tap/ But, I would agree that I think Bell's is a better, inviting experience with better food...especially with kids and a Grandma. But, I enjoy Founders as well (and have taken my kids there for early dinner on a weekend and the scene starts to get a bit louder as we've left), so I agree that letting the tap list make the decision is a good idea. As for other general comments, definitely go to 7 Monks - I am a big fan of that place, and my kids do OK there, too, when we go for lunch. Hop Lot is a cool vibe and setting, but I have yet to be too impressed with the beer (I'm staying in Suttons Bay in August, so I will definitely revisit). I'd also echo the comments of @BWichmann74 regarding Stormcloud. Frankfort is one of my favorite towns up there, with their brewery right there and being able to walk to a really nice beach. The beer isn't out of this world, but I think it's really solid. I've stopped going to North Peak, and don't even consider going to Mackinaw Brewing anymore.
