Michigan has some excellent breweries, especially on the west side of the state. Detroit's got some good stuff but West Michigan wins, hands down.
seeing as i'm in the bay area now, any local brews i should be looking out for outside of the well knowns? i will definitely miss the local washington state and oregon scene.
Sorry, rest of mesg got cut. Normally, I love recomendations from people - as lists like this are hard to manage. Its like jazz. You need some kind of starting point (bebop? try Dexter Gordon). Plus, that site sucks. 21st Amendment. Speakeasy. They're good. But I would love to hear about the smaller places that don't distibute to the East Coast. It would be like me telling you how good Kane is from NJ, but that doesnt do you any good. But its nice to make a list in case I ever get out there again.
Anyone familiar with Summit Brewing Company out of St. Paul, MN? They started distributing down here in NW Illinois recently and I picked up a sample pack with some friends last week. I really liked the Pilsener and Summer Ale, but didn't think the EPA and Horizon Red IPA were as good. Just wondering if there were any others from them I should be on the lookout for... As for Bay Area stuff I've only had Anchor Summer Wheat by Anchor Brewing Company (good, but not good enough to go out of my way to find it again). I've never been out there before so I don't know if that's one of the big breweries in the area, but based on what I've seen on Untappd I'm guessing that it is.
Oh yea anchor is everywhere. And rightfully so, it's a solid brewery. But not really unique either. I've heard of summit but don't know the beers unfortunately. I'm just kind of perplexed so far that I haven't been punched in the face by microbrews like I was in Seattle and the area. I know it's here, I just don't know where to look yet I think. For example, in Seattle, any generic market had some unique options, so far here it's mostly stuff I'm familiar with. I just need to hit the specialty shops more.
which statement? 21st amendment is close to my office so i'll check it out. i've had one already but i need to see what else they have.
Never ventured here before, but I'd just like to add that I'm about 10 minutes away from Bell's and my brother is about 10 minutes from Founders. Appreciate all the West Michigan love. Highly recommend Founders Breakfast Stout to any stout lovers out there. Personal favorite of mine
It's just been me on here! Seriously though, I don't know how West Michigan does it. There's some good stuff here, Short's and Atwater, for instance.
i've actually had a couple of great IPAs lately. from a non IPA drinker who usually doesn't enjoy them. everything in moderation, but some of the more balanced ones i've tried can be good. 3 flowers IPA by Marin Brewing was one of them.
Good standby! I've got a two hearted ale. I just learned that Shorts, a Michigan brewer, sells their old labels prints.
I never heard of Shorts. What beers do they make? I love New Belgium. KDB isn't crazy about it but the beer choices in SoCal vs Pittsburgh aren't comparable.
Favorite of mine is 600 lbs of sin from there but I have t had any luck finding it. You need to check out Founders, though. Dirty Bastard, Porter, and the Kentucky Breakfast Stout.
Fair enough. Grand Rapids Michigan has some great breweries that I never knew about. Brewery Vivant is one of them. They're in an old church.