A Healthier Michigan

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A-Z List of Michigan Breweries by Lauren King on August 16, 2011 Many people who are 21 and older like to indulge in a few beers every once in a while. Some, though, don’t know what their options are.

Fortunately, there are breweries spread out across the state that present their customers with beer, food, and pleasant atmospheres.

Here’s a list of all the breweries in Michigan that you might want to check out:

A

Arbor Brewing Company (Ann Arbor): “Arbor Brewing Company is a full service restaurant, brewery & banquet facility in downtown Ann Arbor. Our game room has darts, shuffleboard and TVs, & we have patio seating in the summer.” Arcadia Ales (Battle Creek): “Arcadia Brewing Company was established in 1996 as a microbrewery specializing in handcrafted British-style ales.” Atwater Block Brewery (Detroit): “Located in Detroit’s historic Rivertown district, and housed in a 1919 factory warehouse, Atwater Brewery was founded in March of 1997 with the purpose of carrying on the rich history of breweries in Detroit.”

B

B.O.B’s House of Brews (Grand Rapids): “Its casual appeal, large size and historic charm have given The B.O.B. landmark/destination status in downtown Grand Rapids.” BARTS Brewery (Bay City): “Ice cold beer served from ten 15 barrel serving vessels.” Bastone Brewery (Royal Oak): “Our beers are hand-crafted on-site with the finest malt, fresh hops and unique Belgian-style yeast strains for delicious flavor and character.” Bell’s Brewery (Kalamazoo): “Our ongoing goal is to brew thoughtfully, creatively and artistically. We strive to bring an authentic and pleasant experience to all of our customers through our unique ales and beers.” Big Buck Brewery and Steakhouse (Gaylord): “Each of Brewmaster Doug’s creations are brewed with meticulous attention to detail; he takes great pride in offering “tap fresh” beer. Stop in and discover your new favorite brew!” Big Rapids Brewing Co. (Big Rapids): “The menu contains a little of everything for everyone. There is also a full bar, and a selection of 25 Michigan Brewed beers available for purchase in bottles.” Big Rock Chophouse Brewery (Birmingham): “Adjoining the restaurant is a 1,950-square-foot brew house that features four signature beers along with seasonal specialty brews to compliment the restaurant’s distinctive American fare.” Bilbo’s Pizza in a Pan (Kalamazoo): “One of our driving forces from the beginning was the intention for ourselves to have a pleasant and indeed fun environment in which to work and make a living.” Black Lotus Brewery (Clawson): “Black Lotus is committed to providing quality-handcrafted products to each and every one of its customers. Furthermore, these products are to be served to the customer with timeliness, friendliness and individualized care.” Blackrocks Brewery (Marquette): “We offer you a wide variety of beers and rotate them regularly. The Blackrocks experience is: local, unique, and diverse.” Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery (Ann Arbor): “A mix of bourbons and craft-brewed beers crown the drink menu, although ‘retro’ canned beer, like Pabst Blue Ribbon and Schlitz are sold, too.” Bo’s Brewery & Bistro (Pontiac): “Salads, pastas, sandwiches, burgers and pizza round out the fare. House-brewed ales take center stage.” Bravo! Restaurant & Cafe (Portage): “Our beers have refreshing and crisp flavors which our Chef’s enjoy pairing with our menu offerings.” Brewery Vivant (Grand Rapids): “We operate a cozy neighborhood pub on-site at our brewery. If you are able to make the journey to visit us, our goal is to create an exciting beer experience for you.”

C

Cheboygan Brewing Company (Cheboygan): “Our old world brewing method brings out a light toasted-bread flavor you’ll want to savor again and again. It’s a mouthwatering and thirst quenching delight.” CJ’s Brewing Company (Commerce Township): “Enjoy our great brews and ales along with a delicious meal. Watch the brewmaster as he prepares some of the six fresh brews we have on tap daily in the brewing room.” Copper Canyon Brewery (Southfield): Features a new cigar bar in a separate room and a fireplace in the middle of the dining room. Corner Brewery (Ypsilanti): “Our public space is a sunny bar and tasting room with a big outdoor beer garden and a covered deck. Behind the scenes, we are a production brewery producing and bottling Arbor Brewing Company brand beers for distribution throughout the state.”

D

Dark Horse Brewing Co. (Marshall): “This interior with the mugs on the ceilings and walls is quite a site and the outside garden, complete with stage and view (and smell) of the brewery is awesome!” Detroit Beer Co. (Detroit): “Opened in September 2003, the Detroit Beer Co. occupies the first two floors of the restored Hartz Building on Broadway in Downtown Detroit just steps from Comerica Park and Ford Field making it the best spot for pre & post event.” Dewey Cannon Winery & Brewery (Three Oaks): “Dewey Cannon is a boutique Winery & Brewery featuring a superb selection of Artisanal Wines & Hand Crafted Beers produced by Dewey Cannon, paired with an assortment of fine Harbor Country cuisine.” Dragonmead Microbrewery (Warren): “Just like their surrounding neighbors, Dragonmead uses their hard labor and skill to create a quality product from raw materials. They brew a panoply of beer styles representing the participants of WWII rather than a beer menu.”

F

Fenton Winery & Brewery (Fenton): “The Fenton Winery & Brewery is a relaxing and quaint getaway for a couple hours. A local nightspot offering wines, and 7 beers all handcrafted on site.” Fletcher Street Brewing Company (Alpena): “Fletcher Street Brewing Company strives to carry the legacy of yesterday into the future. Five percent of all profits from the sale of Fletcher Street Brewing Company products will be given to local charities.” Fort Street Brewery (Lincoln Park): “Fort Street Brewery prides itself on having affordable food and drinks in an immaculately clean environment where you can feel comfortable by yourself or with a large group.” Founders Brewing Company (Grand Rapids): “In 2010, Ratebeer.com ranked us as the 4th best brewery in the world, and we have several beers listed in the top one hundred beers of the world on Beeradvocate.com.” Frankenmuth Brewery (Frankenmuth): “Founded in 1862, The Frankenmuth Brewery is the second oldest brewery in the country and is proud to be known as Michigan’s Original Craft Beer.”

G

Grand Rapids Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids): “In December of 1993, exactly one hundred years from the time of its original inception, the doors were open to the historically themed Grand Rapids Brewing Co. Now over a decade old, you can say that the Grand Rapids Brewing Co. has existed in three centuries: 1800s, 1900s, and the current century.” Great Baraboo Brewing Company (Clinton Township): “At Great Baraboo, the Brew Master has developed several distinct flavors sure to excite your palate.” Greenbush Brewing Company (Sawyer): “You’ll be able to taste and buy there year-round beers, seasonal offerings, specialty beers and high-gravity offerings as well as “lab beers”, which are beers they’re experimenting with on a regular basis for possible future larger-scale production.” Grizzly Peak Brewing Company (Ann Arbor): “The recipient of many awards over the past years, Grizzly Peak Brewing Company is one of a kind, and was recently referred to by the Ann Arbor News as ‘a legend in its own time.’”

H

Hereford & Hops Steakhouse & Brewpub (Escanaba): “The microbrewery is right on the premises. Have fun and enjoy trying our very own ‘award-winning’ handcrafted beer where you may see our brewmasters in action as they make the freshest beer.” Hopcat (Grand Rapids): “We specialize in Michigan brews, but also offer a wide range of regional craft brew, global beer, and a large Belgian selection.”

J

Jaden James Brewery (Kentwood): “This brewery is located in the tap room of Cascade Winery. You can buy bottles to try on site.” Jamesport Brewing Company (Ludington): “The beers are darn good, in fact awesome. Great selection and truly top-notch.” Jasper Ridge Brewery (Ishpeming): “Established in 1996, the Jasper Ridge Brewery produces beer made from all natural ingredients such as malts, hops, yeast, and water and creates beer that is bursting with individual flavor, color, and aroma.” Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales (Dexter): “Focusing on traditional rustic country style beers brought to life through labor and love, we strive to create beers to lighten the spirit, and soothe the soul.” Jolly Pumpkin Cafe & Brewery (Ann Arbor): “The most important thing to realize about our beer is that it is an all natural agricultural product. Everything in all our beers comes from the earth. Barley, wheat, hops, yeast, water.” Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant, Brewery, and Distillery (Traverse City): “Artisan pizzas, sandwiches, entrees, and of course, wine and beer, are ripe with a variety of fresh herbs, native spices, meats, and produce, harvested seasonally from our own backyard, coming together on every plate for a uniquely local culinary experience.”

K

Keweenaw Brewing Company (Houghton): “The KBC taproom is located smack in the middle of historic downtown Houghton. Its rustic barn-wood interior welcomes all with cozy, homey comfort. A large fireplace area, outfitted with couches and footrests, completes the inviting scene.” Kilkenny’s Irish Public House (Traverse City): “Our house ales and lagers are craft-brewed on-site with great care. They are fresh, unique and satisfying, in the Irish style.” Kuhnhenn Brewing Co. (Warren): “The beer and wine menu reads like a manual. The place is not fancy. Think beer hall, a place to gather with friends and just catch up and have a great time.”

L

Lake Superior Brewing Company (Grand Marais): “Steeped in the history of a harsh environment and life in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the LSBC reflects bygone days while blending in its own contemporary identity.” Liberty Street Brewing Company (Plymouth): “We provide an elegant atmosphere where people can enjoy a fine, hand crafted beer in Plymouth, Michigan’s historic Old Village.” Lily’s Seafood Grill & Brewery (Royal Oak): “Lily’s is proud to offer their award winning, hand crafted ales lagers and soda. Brew Master Scott Morton specially selects only the freshest malted grains, hops, yeast and water.” M

Mackinaw Brewing Company (Traverse City): “The beer is cold, the food is good and their bartenders make sure you are well cared for.” Malty Dog Brewery (Southfield): “Come have a pint or a glass of wine while enjoying the relaxed setting at our bar. If any of our beer or wine strikes your fancy, we’ll give you the recipe and show you how to make it at home.” Michigan Beer Cellar (Sparta): “The prices were reasonable and the menu showed signs of enough variety and care to make it interesting. The owners/employees were friendly and accommodating.” Michigan Brewing Co. (Webberville): “This is a great low key brewpub. Beer selection is always pretty good, as there is usually a wide variety of styles.” Middle Villa Inn & Micro Brewery (Middleville): “Many styles of beer are available to be brewed, from the lightest lagers through pilsners, ales, wheat beers to stouts and porters.” Midland Brewing Company (Midland): “The walls are glass from waist high up so that the brewing area is almost totally exposed. The area is very clean looking.” MillKing It Productions (Royal Oak): “MIP was founded in 2010 with a singular mission: To strip down all pretensions and preconceived notions of the craft brewing industry and create a truly memorable and focused catalog of fine beers.” Motor City Brewing Works (Detroit): “Since our beginning in 1994, MCBW has been committed to producing hand-crafted superior quality beer. Our beer is unfiltered, unpasteurized assuring maximum freshness & delicious flavor naturally!” Mountain Town Station (Mt. Pleasant): “Mountain Town Station proudly serves central Michigan the highest quality hand crafted brews made from specially selected hops and organic grains.” Mt. Pleasant Brewing Company (Mt. Pleasant): “This new brewery operation is strictly manufacturing and packaging using the same recipes that have been successfully developed for years at the brewpub.”

N

New Holland Brew Company (Holland): “The pub is a great place for us to explore new ideas, meet our customers in a comfortable setting and provide a place of community for all who visit.” North Peak Brewing Company (Traverse City): “North Peak Brewing Company is located in a historic building which was formerly the Big Daylight Candy Factory, a handsome imposing brick edifice of three floors and a basement.”

O

Odd Side Ales (Grand Haven): “Being a tiny brewery allows us to produce some truly unique crafted beers more often.” Old Boys’ Brewhouse (Spring Lake): “Located on the Shore of Spring Lake, Michigan, is dedicated to producing only the finest hand-crafted ales using the freshest ingredients.” Old Hat Brewery & Grill (Lawton): “The microbrews are excellent and the atmosphere is very fun and friendly.” Olde Peninsula Brewpub & Restaurant (Kalamazoo): “Kalamazoo’s first brewpub, opened to the public on St. Patrick’s Day in 1996.” Original Gravity Brewing Company (Milan): “This brewpub features unique handcrafted beers and pub sandwiches and snacks. Great atmosphere with an outdoor beer garden in the warmer months.”

P

Paw Paw Brewing Company (Paw Paw): “Putting people and community above all others Paw Paw Brewing Company will strive to integrate culture and local products while developing hand crafted brews. “

Q

Quay Street Brewing Company (Port Huron): “A unique restaurant, bar and brewery, Quay St. provides a family, friendly, casual dining experience.”

R

Red Jacket Brewing Company (Calumet): “Red Jacket Brewing is now the proud, furthest north (and perhaps smallest) brewpub in Michigan.” Right Brain Brewery (Traverse City): “We only serve our own northern Michigan beers, because that’s what we do well. We usually have 12 beers on tap, but it depends on the day and the thirst of the people.” Rochester Mills Beer Co. (Rochester): “Preserving the original character of the building, the brewery features original hardwood floors, columns, beams and exposed brick walls.” Royal Oak Brewery (Royal Oak): “The comfortable atmosphere and hometown feel make it a destination for locals and visitors alike.”

S

Sanford Lake Bar & Grill (Sanford): “Besides the food, drinks and service, we are famous for a variety of surprises that truly aim to please.” Saugatuck Brewing Company (Douglas): “Customers can enjoy snacks or libations while watching the beer, similar to the style they are drinking, being produced on the Brew On Premise system less than ten feet away!” Schmohz Brewing Company (Grand Rapids): “The brewery offers its beers in growlers and six-packs. The refreshing and flavorful cream ale is well worth seeking.” Sherwood Brewing Company (Shelby Township): “We serve only the finest hand-crafted beer, wine, and sodas, all made in our on-site brewing facility.” Short’s Brewing Company (Bellaire): “Our goal is to get to a comfortable production volume, enjoy what we do and love life in Northern Michigan.” Soo Brewing Company (Sault Sainte Marie): “It is the mission of Soo Brewing Company to produce beer that the people of Sault Ste. Marie can be proud of – beer that meets and exceeds the highest standard, our own.” Sports Brew Pub (Wyandotte): “16 years of good eats, good times, good brews.” Sue’s Coffee House (Saint Clair): “On most occasions it’s not overly packed, and the quality of the drinks are very good.” Sullivan’s Black Forest Brew Haus & Grill (Frankenmuth): “Continuing the legacy of great breweries in Frankenmuth Michigan Sullivan’s Black Forest Brew Haus and grill features a dozen hand crafted beers.”

T

Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub (Paradise): “The beautiful Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub invites you to come and see what many have described as a spectacular brewery with fine dining and rustic charm.” The Hideout Brewing Company (Grand Rapids): “Menu beers available year round are Purple Gang Pilsner, Crusaders’ Weizen, Gangster IPA, and Smuggler’s Hazelnut Stout. Other offerings varied throughout the year include Wine, Seasonal and Specialty Beers, Hard Cider, and Mead.” The Library Restaurant & Brew Pub (Houghton): “The big plus is this is also a brewpub and they have some very good beer and usually a good variety.” The Livery (Benton Harbor): “the Livery features 12 taps of microbrew, 3 Real Ale taps, an outdoor beer garden, WIFI, and a Cafe serving great food.” The Round Barn Winery, Distillery & Brewery (Baroda): “With more than 30 years of fermentation experience and an award-winning reputation in the industry, our line of hand-crafted brews embody the satisfying bold taste you’ve come to expect from The Round Barn.” The Vierling Restaurant & Marquette Harbor Brewery (Marquette): “The brew equipment, direct from Budapest, Hungary is configured to produce some of the finest ales and lagers in 155 gallon hand-crafted batches.” Thunder Bay Brewing Company (Auburn Hills): “The beer menu is pretty decent for such a small place.” Traffic Jam and Snug (Detroit): “Known throughout Midtown for our in-house bakery, microbrewery, and dairy, our curiously intimate multi-level dining rooms, and an eclectic menu of made-from-scratch dishes, there is simply nothing quite like The Traffic Jam.” Travelers Club International Restaurant & Tuba Museum (Okemos): “A place with a creative, ever-changing menu and one of the widest selection of beers in the area.” Tri-City Brewing Company (Bay City): “As the official microbrewery of The Great Lakes Loons baseball team, our beers are available through Dow Diamond on draft and in bottles.”

W

Walldorff Brew Pub & Bistro (Hastings): “Fresh, cold, handcrafted beer from the hands of one of the truly great brewers in our fine beer state, Sam Sherwood.” Wiltse’s Brew Pub & Family Restaurant (Oscoda): “Their beer is pretty good. Each has a quite distinct taste, and full of flavor.” Wolverine State Brewing Co. (Ann Arbor): “We are the only microbrewery in Michigan that specializes in making lagers for everyone.” Woodward Avenue Brewers (Ferndale): “The WAB has become a landmark along Woodward Avenue in Ferndale and has welcomed visitors – those in the neighborhood and those far and wide – for more than 13 years.” Did I forget any? What are your favorite breweries?

Photo credit: bunchofpants

Lauren King

Lauren King is an intern in Corporate Communications at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. She is a sophomore at the University of Michigan, where she is studying English and French.