Did you go to Mad Anthony's in Ft. Wayne? Pretty good stuff there. They have a brew name Harry Baals, pronounced "balls." Not all that memorable of a beer, but who cares with a name like that!

I'm from the Chicago area and can get Goose Island all the time. Most of their stuff is top notch, even if they are in bed with InBev. I really like their Nut Brown, IPA, and 312. The 312 is available in cans and is perfect for smuggling on the commuter train to booze it up before you get to the city.

I'm taking a little Beerventure this June, visiting some places in New York. Right now I think I'll be going to Southern Tier and Ommegang, with a stop at a big liquor store to get all sorts of stuff I can't get here.

Oh, and I will be bringing home 3 or 4 cases on Yeungling. Best cheap beer ever.

OP, that's funny. MY BF and I did pretty much the same "beerventure" at the end of April for "Dark Lord Day" (Drove from Columbus, OH) minus the Coach Outlet (I was banned from shopping, LOL) and adding in a brewery in Indianapolis instead. It was a great weekend!

We've got plans to drink our way around OH this summer with trips to Cleveland, Cincinnati and Athens, OH. We also have long term plans to do a "beerventure" around Michigan in a year or 2. We are assuming we'll need 5-7 days to do everything and we both just started new jobs and vacation time is limited.

We also have long term plans to do a "beerventure" around Michigan in a year or 2. We are assuming we'll need 5-7 days to do everything and we both just started new jobs and vacation time is limited.

kristen6022...

When you get close to coming to Michigan, (especially if you plan on making it to West Michigan) let me know, and I will point you in the right direction. You won't be disappointed. Michigan has some awesome brews!

If your ever near Shelby, OH stop down at the Parrot Head. Its our local pub , and the hubby works there. They have over 200 craft beers

Your from Cbus ? Cool,,We go there alot for beer shopping..We tried a new place the other day called Savor , it was nice . I scored a Zombie Dust necklace

We have yet to try Savor, but I think we might hit it up tomorrow since we have a coupon Glad you enjoyed it. Because of my BF's love of high gravity beers, we cross into Kentucky and go to Party Source. It is an every 6 months excursion in our house! We will definitely hit up Parrot Head - we are heading to Akron/Cleveland in July and will take a little detour to Shelby!

Couple of years ago we took a Beercation to Colorado. We went to eleven breweries/brewpubs in six days and managed to squeeze in two Widespread Panic shows at Red Rocks.
Here's what we were lucky enought to get to:
Breckenridge Brew Pub (Breckenridge)
Back Contry Brewery (Frisco)
Dillon Damn Brewery (Dillon)
Great Divide Brewing Company (Denver)
Wynkoop Brewing Company (Denver)
Golden City Brewery (the 2nd largest brewery in Golden, Colorado - the guy literally brews out of his garage and the beer garden is his back yard)
Yard House (Lakewood)
Iron Works (Lakewood)
Hops Grill House (Golden)
Avery Brewing Company (Boulder)
Mountain Sun Pub and Brewery (Boulder)

As far as experiences and quality of beers Avery and Great Divide are forces to be reconed with. Mountain Sun in Boulder - great range of brews, cool vibe, and excellent food.

An absolutely amazing time, met some awesome people, drank some rare, unusual and tasty brews.

I will definitely do that. New Holland, Dark Horse, Bells and Founders are our biggest places we want to visit but we are always up for those hole in the wall jems...

Don't cut yourself too short with those plans. Bells is a cool place to visit. Their food is phenomenal! Founders is nothing but a hippy-joint at this point. Go there just to see it, enjoy a beer in the tap-room, but honestly, it is nothing special. They're way too big for their own britches, but they are trying to make adjustments. New Holland is a must, especially for Dragon's Milk. Try adding a shot of Espresso Vodka to it. YUM!!!

Now, as far as "hole in the wall", there really aren't ANY in Grand Rapids that are holes in the wall at this point, except maybe The Hideout, which I don't suggest. Since a recent purchase of the business, beers have REALLY fallen there. They lost their 3 best brewers in a matter of 6 months.

I would suggest you check out Harmony, their beer is on the up-and-up, but stay away from Black Squirrel Smoked Porter. It's peat-smoked, and they use too much. Then hit up Brewery Vivant, which is right around the corner. Excellent for Belgian style, but quite expensive. I would skip Schmohz. Their beer isn't all that special. It's not horrible, just not great. Then I'd hit Founders, to get it out of the way. Skip HopCat, since most of the beers on tap there are not their own, and they really aren't a brewery. Hit up Grand Rapids Brewing Company to try some good "Organic Beers", since all of their beers are "Organic".

To wrap up the city of Grand Rapids, your last stop is the best stop... The Mitten Brewing Company. They, in my opinion, are making some of the BEST beer in West Michigan, if not the best. My buddy Wob is the head brewer there, and he makes some great beer, including some great cider and mead, if they have any on tap.

By the time you make it, there'll probably be a few more to hit up! Also, head out to Hudsonville and hit up Pike 51 and White Flame, and if you are a "light beer drinker", hit up Perrin Brewing Company, in Comstock Park. They make quality brew, just really light on the malt and flavor. Haven't found a beer I like there consistently yet, but it's worth checking out!!! You can also check out Rockford Brewing Company which is about 10 minutes away from Downtown Grand Rapids. I think I got all of the breweries in Grand Rapids.

I will definitely do that. New Holland, Dark Horse, Bells and Founders are our biggest places we want to visit but we are always up for those hole in the wall jems...

Don't cut yourself too short with those plans. Bells is a cool place to visit. Their food is phenomenal! Founders is nothing but a hippy-joint at this point. Go there just to see it, enjoy a beer in the tap-room, but honestly, it is nothing special. They're way too big for their own britches, but they are trying to make adjustments. New Holland is a must, especially for Dragon's Milk. Try adding a shot of Espresso Vodka to it. YUM!!!

Now, as far as "hole in the wall", there really aren't ANY in Grand Rapids that are holes in the wall at this point, except maybe The Hideout, which I don't suggest. Since a recent purchase of the business, beers have REALLY fallen there. They lost their 3 best brewers in a matter of 6 months.

I would suggest you check out Harmony, their beer is on the up-and-up, but stay away from Black Squirrel Smoked Porter. It's peat-smoked, and they use too much. Then hit up Brewery Vivant, which is right around the corner. Excellent for Belgian style, but quite expensive. I would skip Schmohz. Their beer isn't all that special. It's not horrible, just not great. Then I'd hit Founders, to get it out of the way. Skip HopCat, since most of the beers on tap there are not their own, and they really aren't a brewery. Hit up Grand Rapids Brewing Company to try some good "Organic Beers", since all of their beers are "Organic".

To wrap up the city of Grand Rapids, your last stop is the best stop... The Mitten Brewing Company. They, in my opinion, are making some of the BEST beer in West Michigan, if not the best. My buddy Wob is the head brewer there, and he makes some great beer, including some great cider and mead, if they have any on tap.

By the time you make it, there'll probably be a few more to hit up! Also, head out to Hudsonville and hit up Pike 51 and White Flame, and if you are a "light beer drinker", hit up Perrin Brewing Company, in Comstock Park. They make quality brew, just really light on the malt and flavor. Haven't found a beer I like there consistently yet, but it's worth checking out!!! You can also check out Rockford Brewing Company which is about 10 minutes away from Downtown Grand Rapids. I think I got all of the breweries in Grand Rapids.

WOW. In all those breweries, Bells, Founders, New Holland and HopCat were the only ones I had ever heard of so you've given me a reason to spend one more day in Grand Rapids! Before I know it this trip will be 2 weeks long! Thanks so much for your suggestions.

WOW. In all those breweries, Bells, Founders, New Holland and HopCat were the only ones I had ever heard of so you've given me a reason to spend one more day in Grand Rapids! Before I know it this trip will be 2 weeks long! Thanks so much for your suggestions.

I also forgot Crankers Brewery and Jaden James brewery. So, to recap, this is the route I would take if you want to hit all of Greater Grand Rapids:

Crankers, Jaden James, Schmohz Brewing, Harmony Brewing Company, Brewery Vivant, The Hideout Brewing Company, Founders, HopCat, Grand Rapids Brewing Company, Mitten Brewing Company, Rockford Brewing, Perrin Brewing Company, White Flame, and Pike 51.


You should be good, 2-3 days and you'll hit them all.