What Should I Get From Michigan?

Three Rivers is about 20 miles south of Kzoo so the easiest store to hit would be Drake Party Center. They allow singles on almost everything so I'd suggest 4 sixers of whatever Michigan breweries you choose. All of the suggestions above have been right-on for what to get without favoring one beer or brewery over another, so it may be your choice to decide what styles are your favs and start there. Bells, Founders, Shorts, Arcadia, and Dark Horse would be my recommended breweries, and Drake will have a good selection of their beers. I think all of the current seasonals from these breweries were mentions above, and all of them are great beers.

 

I think some are yanking your chain. I have yet to see Old Curmudgeon and I live 15mins from the brewery. Short's, Freedom of 78 has been gone a long time unless you see it in some very out of town, stellar bottle shop somehow. Your best bet, like someone said, is to go right to Founders Brewery. You should be able to pick up some Imperial Stout and not sure if they have Double Trouble or not, but Sicilianos on Lake Michigan Drive had some just a few days ago. Bell's in K-zoo may have some Expedition stout left, I'm not sure, but that is a GREAT stout worth picking up. I second the recommendation of "Drakes Party Store" in K-Zoo. They buy so much of the big names, they may have some gems left right on the shelf. They are a little pricey though...
Have Fun!

 

http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/1199/24905

I believe they were talking about this. If so and not Better Half I assure you it is out.

 

They should be able to pick you up Two Hearted, Double Trouble, Cerise (maybe), and Huma. Hopslam is long gone, Black Note and Wild One were only released at the Bell's Store. KBS was sold off a waiting list at Drake, and gone from every where else 15 minutes after the shipment arrived. Key Lime Pie usually hits later in the summer. Short's Anniversary Ale should be around, and Drake might have a few Freedom of '78 six packs still. They still had Founder's Breakfast and Imperial stouts, Dark Horse Plead the Fifth, and Double Crooked Tree. Most of the guys at Drake are helpful, so just have them ask for some suggestions.

 

The Founders regular menu beers are in 6-packs, but the special beers referenced above are in 4-packs. Breakfast Stout and Imperial Stout I think are in the 14-16 dollar range plus 10 cents deposit per bottle and 6% tax. Only Founders and Bells put their BBA stuff in 750ml format and none of them are on store shelves (Bell's 750 releases are only in their store).

 

I have gotten my FBS and FIS for around 10-11 per four pack, for what it's worth.

 

I can't think of any Michigan BBA items that are likely to be found. Someone else above reported that Arcadia's Shipwreck Porter is long gone from the shelves, and that would have been the only one that I would have suggested that still had a chance of being there.

 

New Holland has Dragons Milk as a BBA offering. I didn't really care for it, but you could pick up some of that. I think they come in 22oz bottles or something. Oh hey, previously I reported that Curmudgeon Old Ale was not found around these parts yet, but I did find it today at Sicilianos. So sorry for that bad info. I did call Founders and they didn't have it in the store at all, but I guess it is out. Sorry all!

 

Graviz,

I can vouch for all the suggestions.

I was visiting Sterling Heights MI from Ontario and picked up most of what everyone said to. Possibly the only mistake was not picking up some Old Curmudgeon, that for sure is top of my list when we go again.

You will not be disappointed in anything that is brought back for you, since like me probably none of it is available in your area.

So far my favs,

Founders Red Rye
Shorts ContraversiALE
Bells Oberon - hope the mini kegs are out

Picked up most at Nino Salvaggios - Who else is good?

 

Oberon 5L kegs should be around the week of the 21st.

 

If any of your friends are Stout fans, see if you can pick up some Dark Horse Plead the Fifth from Drakes. It is honestly one of the best out there! Competes with Founders around here as far as stouts go IMO.

 

Horrock's in Lansing had 2.5 cases of shipwreck porter at $6.99 at 12oz bottle as of a week and a half ago so there is still hope of spotting it. It may be worth mentioning to them to keep an eye out for. They may see a "Bourbon Barrel Aged Shaman's Porter" from Atwater, but don't bother because it really has no bourbon notes whatsoever.

 

That is super bizarre. All beer stores should know Short's. Curious where they went.

 

You must not have went to "Drake's Party Center" in K-Zoo. If you didn't, you really missed out. Everyone in Michigan should know Shorts. These bottle shops must have been tapping into their own bottles a little too much that day...
Now that I know of it, you should go to "Odd Side Ales" in Grand Haven Michigan and get some "Citra Pale Ale". Very good!