20 Michigan breweries that are worth the drive from metro Detroit

By Metro Times editorial staff on Sat, Jul 10, 2021 at 10:24 am

There is just something about a beer by a lake or fire pit that screams Pure Michigan. With a growing number of craft breweries throughout the state, we've compiled a list of taprooms we think are absolutely worth the drive. (Just don't, y'know, drive after having one too many.)

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Biere de Mac Brew Works

14277 Mackinaw Hwy., Mackinaw City; 231-42707007; bieredemac.com

Biere de Mac Brew Works had to close its kitchen this spring, but that didn’t stop the beer from flowing at this Mackinaw City microbrewery. Its tap list changes regularly, so might want to call ahead if there’s a particular brew you’re looking for.

Photo via Google Maps

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe

355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo; 269-382-2338; bellsbeer.com

Is it even a Michigan summer if you don’t have at least one of Bell’s Oberon Ale? Probably not. As Michigan-famous as its signature beer is, Bell’s Eccentric Cafe taproom offers more than 20 brews on tap, with rotating seasonal flavors, as well as live entertainment — including upcoming shows by big-name acts like KT Tunstall and Bob Mould. Bell’s is also set to host the 2021 Bell’s Homebrew Competition later this month.

Photo via Bell's Brewery/Instagram

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Saugatuck Brewing Company

2948 Blue Star Hwy., Douglas; 269-857-7222; saugatuckbrewing.com

Lakes and beer are two things that go together, don’t argue with us, they just do. The Saugatuck Brewing Company’s location in Douglas is not too far from Kalamazoo Lake. Won’t get to experience Disney World this summer? That’s OK. You can get a taste of Disney without ever leaving home: Saugatuck’s Bonfire Brown is being featured this year at Disney World’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

Photo via Google Maps

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One Well Brewing

4213 Portage St., Kalamazoo; 269-459-9240; onewellbrewing.com

This family-friendly brewery not only serves up craft beer on tap, it also offers hard ciders and seltzers. If you really want to flex some muscle, enjoy a game of pinball or sign up for One Well’s pinball league. (It starts next month!)

Photo via Google Maps

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New Holland Brewing Co.

66 E. 8th St., Holland; 616-355-6422; newhollandbrew.com

After a facility fire halted production earlier this year, New Holland Brewing Co. reopened doors in April, just in time for the warm weather season. While the Watermelon Spritz sounds like a great way to cool down this summer, if you’re looking for a harder punch, they offer a variety of other spirits, too.

Photo via New Holland Brewing/Instagram

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Greyline Brewing Company

1727 Alpine Ave. NW, Grand Rapids; greylinebrewing.com

This brew spot is only for adults ages 21 and older, and is quite different from some of the others on this list. There’s no phone number, all inquiries have to be emailed, and it operates strictly on a first come, first served basis. It sells growlers and cans and offers limited snacks (but you CAN bring in outside food). It all sounds strange, but each week, Greyline offers a variety of live entertainment from local bands — think cool coffee hangout, but make it beer.

Photo via Greyline Brewing Co./Instagram

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Thornapple Brewing Company

6262 28th St. E., Grand Rapids; 616-288-6907; thornapplebrewing.com

This Grand Rapids brewery offers a variety of ciders, mead, seltzer, and of course, beer. Aside from serving Brown Eyed Girls and 6 Foot Blondes (their ales), the bar menu serves typical pub food with gluten-free and vegan options.

Photo via Google Maps

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Five Shores Brewing

163 S. Benzie Blvd., Beulah; 231-383-4400; fiveshoresbrewing.com

The name isn’t just for shits and giggles, Five Shores Brewing is located right off Crystal Lake (not to be confused with the camp in Friday the 13th). The brewery updates its tap list daily so you never have to guess what they have on hand.

Photo via Five Shores Brewing/Instagram

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Stormcloud Brewing Company

366 Parkview Ln., Frankfort; 231-352-0118; stormcloudbrewing.com

The name might sound gloomy, but it’s quite fitting for a brewery whose most famous beer is its Rainmaker ale.This brewing company specializes in Belgian-inspired brews you can enjoy in their taproom, no umbrellas required.

Photo via Google Maps

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Mackinaw Brewing Company

161 E. Front St, Traverse City; 231-933-1100; mackinawbrewing.com

In a serious plot twist, the Mackinaw Brewing Company is not in Mackinaw, but in downtown Traverse City. The family-friendly brewpub has a Mug Club that allows you to get discounted food, special 22 oz. mugs to chug from, and a nice bronze plaque displayed in the restaurant with your name. Immortality might be the best way to drink beer.

Photo via Mackinaw Brewing Company/Instagram

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Wax Wings Brewing Co.

3480 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo; 269-459-9494; waxwingsbrewing.square.site

The pandemic hit a lot of smaller businesses hard, and Wax Wings was no different. Due to the size of the small taproom, Wax Wings adjusted its hours to curbside pickup only and currently the taproom is only open on the weekends. Still, the brewing company is pushing out IPAs and recently dropped a fruited sour for the summer.

Photo via Wax Wings Brewing Co./Instagram

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Latitude 42 Brewing Company

7842 Portage Rd., Portage; 269-259-4242; latitude42brewingco.com

Latitude 42 might just be the perfect brew spot to hit this summer. Aside from offering more than 20 beers on tap, they also have adult juice boxes and ice pops that can be ordered to-go.

Photo via Google Maps

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Gull Lake Distilling Company

92 E. Michigan Ave., Galesburg; 269-200-5329; gldistilling.com

This distilling company had plans to open last March, but COVID-19 pushed it back to last June. Barely a year old, Gull Lake Distilling Company is operating out of an old movie theater and bowling alley in Galesburg. It actually didn’t intend to rely heavily on beer, but when the pandemic hit, it initially couldn’t offer liquor to-go, so beer it was. When there aren’t food trucks parked outside, Gull Lake offers hot dogs and hamburgers for sale.

Photo via Gull Lake Distilling/Instagram

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Cheboygan Brewing Company

101 N. Main St., Cheboygan; 231-268-3218; cheboyganbrewing.com

Cheboygan Brewing Company has a long history in Michigan. It originally opened in 1872, but closed in 1911 as Cheyboygan’s lumber industry started to dwindle. Fast forward 100 years — literally, 100 years, and Cheboygan Brewing Company reopened to the public. Maybe the century was worth the wait, because the Blueberry Cream Ale and Blood Orange Honey the brewing company has on tap sound pretty awesome.

Photo via Google Maps

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Rusted Spoke Brewing

810 S. Huron Ave., Mackinaw City; 231-436-5773; rustedspoke.com

Not going to lie, “Michigangster” might be our new favorite word, and it just so happens to be a cherry and peach wheat ale that’s on tap at Rusted Spoke. While most pubs only offer their in-house craft beers, this spot pours up some other local favorites, too.

Photo via Google Maps

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Great Turtle Brewery and Distillery

7452 Main St., Mackinac Island; 906-847-0260; greatturtlebrewing.com

Priding itself as Mackinac Island’s first brewery and distillery, Great Turtle only operates from May through October. The pub has a pretty full menu, including gluten-free food options, and has super-local seasonal brews (like their Mackinac Summer Sour).

Photo via Google Maps

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Blackrocks Brewery

424 N. Third St., Marquette; blackrocksbrewery.com

There’s a brew named Drunk Yoda here, why wouldn’t you want to stop by? What started with a basement hobby turned into a U.P. favorite, with a cozy taproom in a converted house in downtown Marquette. The brewery just released its new 2021 Hiawatha Ale, a yearly tradition to celebrate the city’s Hiawatha Music Festival.

Photo via Google Maps

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Beards Brewery

215 E. Lake St., Petoskey; 231-753-2221; beardsbrewery.com

Beards Brewery serves a wide variety of beers on tap. While most are brewed right in the basement of the Petoskey pub, they also have a 15-barrel production facility in Charlevoix.

Photo via Google Maps

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Odd Side Ales

41 Washington Ave., Grand Haven; 616-935-7326; oddsideales.com

Faygo isn’t the only one riding the Bomb Pop wave — this brewery dropped a Red, White, and Boom hard seltzer just in time for summer. If hard seltzers aren’t your thing, you can still enjoy one of more than 20 beers on tap. They don’t serve food here, but they have partnered with some restaurants that will deliver food right to your table.

Photo via Odd Side Ales/Instagram

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Paddle Hard Brewing

227 E. Michigan Ave., Grayling; 989-745-6388; paddlehardbrewing.com

Open on a first come, first served basis (and closed on Wednesdays), this brewpub has quite a bit to offer, with more than 25 beers on tap and a food menu with gluten-free options.

Photo via Paddle Hard Brewing/Instagram

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