So I'm heading up to St. Joseph, MI next weekend with the kids and in-laws. I've got the beer portion of the trip pretty well planned out but wanted to see if I was missing anything: Virtue Cider in Fennville (father-in-law is a big cider guy and it's on the way to the ranch) St. Julian Winery in Paw Paw (the ladies will find something to drink there) Bell's (i'm not overly excited since the tap list can be found on shelves here but fresh Two Hearted is a must) Dark Horse (other side of K-zoo so why not) New Holland (on the way up to Grand Rapids. father-in-law loves Dragon's Milk) Founders (most excited for this. food looks damn good and tap list looks even better) Anything I'm missing on that side of the state? If Brewery Vivant worth a stop? I've dug their bourbon barrel quad the few times I've had it. Also, any recommendations for the kids? Cool donut shops or pizza places? I've got the Binder Park Zoo lined up in K-zoo along with Martini's Pizza, Sweetwater's Donut Mill. I'm open to anything and everything.
In Fennville you'll also find Fenn Winery. Actually wineries are all over SW Michigan, so pick the one that is convenient for your travels and check to see if they have a tasting room. (Most do.) I can guarantee you that you'll find stuff on Bell's tap list that is not in bottles, so it is a must-visit if you have not been there before. The food is also very good, so plan on being there for a meal. Brewery Vivant is a must-visit in GR. It does help to have an appreciation for Belgian styles as well as some farmhouse and sour ales, but it's very easy to enjoy that experience. Their food is excellent too. Order the duck nachos. If Sweetwaters Donuts is on your list to visit, if convenience puts you in Battle Creek for Binder Park Zoo, there is a Sweetwaters just off I-94 there that may be more convenient. There are many other west Michigan breweries that are very worthy visits, but I don't know how much time you have. Look up Tapistry, Transient Artisan Ales and Haymarket (all three in Bridgman @ Exit 16); Greenbush (less than a mile off I-94 @ Exit 12); or Latitude 42 in Portage (about 7-8 miles south of Bell's). If you like German-inspired beers, Territorial Brewing in Battle Creek is a worthy stop for the beer and the food. These are my picks for the best of the bunch. Many other threads on visiting SW Michigan will have other recommendations too.
not to get all donut snob in here, but the battle creek location has maybe 60-75% of the selection that the stadium dr and sprinkle rd location has. and currently bells has 8 beers on the tap list that you can't get in stores. regardless of the beer, the garden and café are worth the visit.
New Holland has a Grand Rapids location now called "The Nickerbocker" You may want to skip Holland and hit that up while in GR. It's within 10 minutes of Founders. Perrin and Greyline are also within 10 minutes. Right by Nickerbocker is Butchers Union (one block away) if you are interested in Bourbon, they have a ton.
Not to be argumentative, but the BC selection was recently expanded, so it will require a ROAD TRIP to figure this out. Are you up for it? I've never been in the Stadium Drive location, but thinking back to the last time I was in the Sprinkle Road store, I'd say BC is equal to it now. But it does require research to know for sure.
There are always beers that are Cafe only. Are any new to you? https://www.bellsbeer.com/cafe/tap-cam
Skip New Holland altogether. In GR, def Founders and Vivant. Also recommend City Built for solid beers, great ethnic food and kid friendly (play area...Vivant does too). Pizza at Mitten Brewing Co is incredible. Across the street is Long Road Distillery. Greyline is solid, top to bottom. Perrin only if you are a Perrin fan.
Skip Paw Paw and go to Fenn Valley winery since it is 200 yards from Virtual Cider to the east. @Mothergoose03 . You have an ambitious itinerary planned. My advice is to stick close to I94/I196 to cut down your travel time. Enjoy!
Lots of great recommendations in this post, as usual. Definitely make a trip to Bell's, especially if you have never been there before. Fresh Roundhouse and Expedition on tap. They sometimes sell aged Expedition bottles in the General Store. I wouldn't be surprised if they were doing this right now to coincide with the recent (or upcoming???) 2017 release of Expedition. Not to mention, Hopcat-Kalamazoo is right across the street from Bell's. And Arcadia is just a half mile to the east of Bell's as well. A lot of people don't care for Arcadia but I think they have good beer, a very nice facility and their food is fantastic. It just dawned on me. ArtPrize is due to start soon in Grand Rapids although I'm not sure if it will start by the weekend you are in GR. That could be something for you to entertain the kids with. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of art pieces that are located around the downtown Grand Rapids area. Darn you guys. Got me jonesing Sweetwater's.
I agree with much of this; HOWEVER...there's no way I would recommend City Built over New Holland. I didn't find much of interest at City Built; New Holland has the Dragon's Milk that your father-in-law likes, and often a variety of non-bottled beers. Their GR Knickerbocker location is centrally located. As for the kids, Meijer Gardens is a great place for all ages. The fish ladder is interesting. There's also a children's museum that's good for younger kids.
