A Healthier Michigan’s A-Z Guide to Michigan Breweries: 2013 East Michigan edition
Mike Miller
| 10 min read
For the next several weeks ahealthiermichigan.org will be bringing you an all new series of posts featuring the breweries and wineries of Michigan. Our previous beer and wine lists posted over the last couple of years have been very popular, so we felt it was time to refresh our list.
As the popularity of craft beer and wine continues to grow, new companies continue to sprout up, making this years’ lists even bigger. With that in mind, we are breaking each list up into different regions to make it easier to find, locate, and explore the world of Michigan beer and wine.
Be sure to check out our other posts regarding the Facts About Beer and the Health Benefits of Wine, and as always, enjoy your favorite beverage in moderation!
Let’s get started by taking a look at the breweries of eastern Michigan:
#
- 51 North Brewing Company – Lake Orion: Offers an amazing lineup of 6 house-made core beers, seasonal beers, as well as wine and mead. A diverse menu has been devised to compliment the libation of your choice, while the environment is often enhanced with live entertainment. Brewery tours are offered.
A
- Arbor Brewing Company – Ann Arbor: A well known name in Michigan brewing, with a reputation for award-winning beer, an unpretentious menu, great service in a casual family friendly environment, and energetic nightlife. Tours and tastings are available by appointment.
- Atwater Brewery – Detroit: Situated in Detroit’s historic Rivertown district in a 1919 factory warehouse, Atwater Brewery employs a 200 year old brewing process intent on keeping the city’s rich brewing history alive. 8 regular beers and several seasonal and small batch brews are avaialable.
B
- B. Nektar Meadery – Ferndale: Mead is an alcoholic beverage made using honey. Through this ancient tradition B. Nektar creates some of the most unique and wildly creative meads you’ll ever see. They offer many varieties of meads ranging from Dry to Sweet with staples and seasonal offerings alike.
- Bad Brewing Company – Mason: BAD Brewing opened in the summer of 2012 indowntown Mason. They have four regular beers always on tap and offer several other rotating small batch and seasonal beers. Some snacks are available for purchase, but outside food is always welcome.
- Bastone Brewery – Royal Oak: A Belgian inspired brewery and restaurant, Bastone’s beers are made in house with the finest malt, fresh hops and unique Belgian-style yeast strains for delicious flavor and character. Their staples include Blonde, Pilsner, Wit, IPA, Dubbel, and seasonal brews.
- Bella Casa di Vino – St. Clair: Bella Casa di Vino serves 9 different beer varieties. The relaxed atmosphere makes it a great place to meet friends over a great glass of wine or beer.
- Big Rock Chop & Brewhouse – Birmingham: Gold and Bronze medal winners at the World Beer Championship, Big Rock offers four signature beers to complement the restaurant’s distinctive American fare: Norm’s Raggedy Ass Ale, Raymondo El Rojo, Flying Buffalo Stout and Weizenheimer Hefe Weizen. Seasonal and specialty brews are available too.
- Black Lotus Brewing Company – Clawson: “Think Global, Drink Local“ is the philosophy under which Black Lotus operates. They are committed to providing quality handcrafted beer and Michigan made wines to each and every one of its customers with fast, friendly care.
- Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery – Ann Arbor: The Blue Tractor specializes in hoppier, more astringent lagers and pilsners brewed in their own basement. The handcrafted American-style brews are served at around 38 degrees, and stay there thanks to the long concrete bar’s built-in ice rail.
C
- Chelsea Alehouse Brewery – Chelsea: Chelsea Alehouse offers beer for the sophisticated and casual drinker alike with the English and American style ales. Cozy up in a booth or in their outdoor beer garden while snacking on deli style foods, house-made salsa or hummus
- CJ’s Brewing Company – Commerce Township: It’s all about the beer at CJ’s Brewing Company. Six brews are always on tap, plus the occasional seasonal offering. Paired with CJ’s beer friendly menu, this place is always a great stop.
- Copper Canyon Brewery – Southfield: Copper Canyon Brewery, Southfield’s original brewpub, has been serving their handcrafted beers with fresh food made from local ingredients since 1999.
- Corner Brewery – Ypsilanti: Corner Brewery is an exclusive brewer and distributor of Arbor Brewing Co. beers. Enjoy the beer and any of their menu items in the beer garden in the summer months, or next to the fireplace in cooler seasons.
D
- Detroit Beer Company – Detroit: Located just steps from Comerica Park and Ford Field, the Detroit Beer Co. serves a wide selection of handcrafted brews are made fresh on site. In addition, the brewmaster is always trying new recipes and offering seasonal beers.
- Dragonmead Microbrewery – Warren: Dragonmead sits unassumingly in plain sight in an industrial park setting. They have a rotating cast of over 26 different beer recipes, including five American-style ales, eight English-style ales, three German-style ales, a German-style lager, six Belgian-style ales, two Scottish-style ales, and a Russian-style ale. They boast a family friendly, no frills atmosphere with pub-style food (outside food is welcomed).
F
- Fenton Winery & Brewery – Fenton: Fenton Winery & Brewery is often described as being like a coffee house, except with wine & beer. Eight regular brews are always on tap and are supported with five rotating and seasonal beers.
- Fort Street Brewery – Lincoln Park: Fort Street Brewery releases a new beer each week in addition to the seven regularly rotating beers offered. May of their beers are cask-conditioned ales. Fort Street strives to be your affordable, clean, relaxed place to unwind with a cold beer.
- Frog Island Brewing Co. – Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti: Dave French and his small crew strive to make exceptional craft ales.
G
- Grand River Marketplace – Jackson: Grand River is proud to be a part of the growth of the craft beer movement in Michigan. Their Ales, Porters, Stouts, and Lagers, are brewed for those who truly enjoy and appreciate a well made beer.
- Great Baraboo Brewing Company – Clinton Township: Great Baraboo keeps their five signature beers available on tap, plus seasonal offerings. The menu features everything from pizza to steaks and salads. All sports, including several pay-per-view events, live on 27 large screen TVs.
- Grizzly Peak Brewing Company – Ann Arbor: A fixture in Ann Arbor since 1995, Grizzly Peak creates a warm, casual atmosphere with its wood floors, tin ceilings and exposed brick walls. The brick-sided, copper-topped brew kettle can be seen from inside and outside the building, allowing patrons and passersby to watch the brewing process.
H
- Harper’s Restaurant and Brew Pub – East Lansing: Harper’s is the only microbrewery in East Lansing. Their original variety of beers include from Grove St. Pale Ale and Harper’s Wheat, Blackstrap Porter, and of course Spartan Wheat.
J
- Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales – Dexter: Beyond the traditions of old-world craftsmanship, Jolly Pumpkin strives to craft beers of outstanding art and flavor. “Beer for the betterment of mankind!”
- Jolly Pumpkin Cafe & Brewery – Ann Arbor: The Jolly Pumpkin Ann Arbor Café & Brewery pairs its artisan menu with the inspired ales they’re already famous for. The menu features savory vegetarian options coexisting with artisanal granite baked pizzas all made with seasonal, local ingredients.
K
- Kuhnhenn Brewing Company – Warren: “Beer with distinct personality.” Kuhnhenn Brewing Company offers varieties varieties of beer, mead and wine. The rustic beer hall and exposed brew kettle area add to the quaint charm. The attached home brew shop lets the inspired try their hand at beer making at home with supplies and equipment for sale.
L
- Liberty Street Brewing Company – Plymouth: Located in Plymouth’s historic Old Village, Liberty Street Brewing Company provides a large variety of small-batch craft ales and lagers. Six regular brews are always on tap with seasonal and small run brews rotating in and out.
- Lily’s Seafood Grill and Brewery – Royal Oak: Since 1999 Lilly’s has offeredfFine dining in a casual atmosphere. The pair their handcrafted ales and sodas along with a with an extensive menu featuring lots of unique seafood dishes and nightly specials.
M
- Mash – Ann Arbor: Brewed in their own cellar, Mash beers are “fresh, tasty, and cold.” They offer their unique Craft Beer Cocktails: creative mixtures like no other, and serve up a nice assortment of beer & bourbon drinks.
- Midtown Beer Company – Lansing: Michigan’s premier brewery offers a rotating selection of their own beers as well as beers from around the state. You can enjoy the brews, events and entertainment seven days a week.
- Motor City Brewing Works – Detroit: Established in 1994, Motor City Brewing has been pouring its craft beer, including the well renowned Ghettoblaster, wine, cider, and soda for the better parts of two decades. They also often feature local artists works with weekly gallery style shows.
O
- Original Gravity Brewing Company – Milan: Housed in a repurposed old auto parts warehouse, Original Gravity keeps a half dozen or so regular beers on tap at all times, plus an alternating set of seasonal and small run beers and their own micro-brewed sodas.
Q
- Quay Street Brewing Company – Port Huron: Located on the banks of the Black River, you can dock the boat and stroll right in. Six different brews are available, including their Michigan Cream Ale. Try ’em all with the sampler flight. Homemade rootbeer is always available too!
R
- Redwood Lodge & Brewing Company – Flint: The Redwood Brewing Co. brews with the finest all natural ingredients to create unique beer styles enjoyed by beer fans near and far. Stop in for some of their award winning beer.
- Rochester Mills Beer Company – Rochester: The menu features house-made handcrafted ales and lagers, plus a diverse selection of eclectic American fare including appetizers, fresh salads, pizzas, pastas, entrees and unique sandwiches with something for everyone.
- Royal Oak Brewery – Royal Oak: Just a block off of Main Street in trendy downtown Royal Oak, the excellent beer and comfortable, hometown atmosphere have made the Roayal Brewery a local institution. Six or seven house made brews are available daily.
S
- Sherwood Brewing Company – Shelby Twp.: Sherwood opened their doors in 2006 with a deication to serving the finest beer, wine and soda, all of which is made on site. Casual, family friendly, smoke free dining. Voted “Best Brewpub” by WDIV from 2007-2012.
- Sports Brew Pub – Wyandotte: Running strong since 1990, Sports is (obviuosly) a sports bar & grill, but their 1950s theme keeps things fun. Here you’ll find eight handcrafted beers always on tap, along with an excellent array of pub foods.
T
- Traffic Jam & Snug Restaurant – Detroit: Michigan’s first licensed brewpub, Traffic Jam & Snug makes their own dairy (cheese and ice cream), baked goods (breads and famous deserts), and of course award-winning craft beer. The diverse menu and charming atmosphere make the Traffic Jam & Snug a great place to relax.
V
- Vinomondo Wine Bar and Brew Pub – Port Huron: Located at Vantage Point on the Black River, Vinomondo serves up its homemade wines and beers with a unique selection of foods featuring specialty meats and cheeses.
W
- Witch’s Hat Brewing Company – South Lyon: A small family run microbrewery, The Witch’s Hat Brewing Company keeps over a dozen craft brews on tap, including several standard and seasonal styles that rotate regularly.
- Wolverine State Brewing Co. – Ann Arbor: Staking their claim as the makers of “Michigan’s Most Drinkable Beers,” Wolverine State Brewing Co. makes a lager, from light to dark, for everyone.
- Woodward Avenue Brewers – Ferndale: The “WAB” as they’re affectionately known is a youthful, buzzing, slightly arty and absolutely comfortable place. The upstairs space is the perfect loft style place to enjoy any of their excellent beers with one of their massive burritos. The vanilla porter is awesome!
Photo credit: betsyweber
