OT: Michigan Beer
Since, it's the bye week I felt that this thread is okay. If not, delete.
But next week, for the Maryland game, I will be making my first trip to Ann Arbor. Lately, when I travel to a new area or state, I have been trying to grab a six (or 4)-pack of the best beer from the area and bring it back home with me.
With the large amounts of drinking threads that flood this website weekly, I know that you all know your beer. So I've come here to make it easier on myself and ask for some of your help.
If I could grab one six (or 4)-pack to bring back home with me to MD, what should I get?
I don't have any preferences, anything is fine with me.
November 15th, 2014 at 11:48 AM ^
This guy knows what he is talking about. Clearly evident by the avatar. Wish i could get that of the shelf in Michigan.
November 15th, 2014 at 10:56 AM ^
I know that this is sort of random, but does anybody know where to get michigan hockey jerseys with the B1G logo on them? I always think they look really cool when i'm watching them, but i either can't find a jersey with the B1G patch, or the jersey i find isn't a laced up one
November 15th, 2014 at 11:03 AM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 11:18 AM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 11:57 AM ^
That state down south (where I live) has some really great breweries, too. Great Lakes (Cleveland) probably makes the best "family" of beers of any microbrewery I've ever tried -- I don't think there's a single one I don't like. And where I am, in Cincy, it has exploded with some really fantastic places in the past 5-10 years: Listermann, Rhinegeist, Mad Tree, Blank Slate, Fifty West...just to name a few. Definitely worth checking out.
But yes, I think on the whole, Michigan is one of THE best states in the country for craft beers/microbrews, for sure.
November 15th, 2014 at 11:15 AM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 11:31 AM ^
Wolverine State Brewing Co., on Stadium near Pauline. Best brewery in Ann Arbor.Get a 4-pak of Massacre Imperial Dark Bourbon-Barrel Aged Lager. 11.5% ABV, and one of the finest beers I've tasted anywhere ever. 
November 15th, 2014 at 12:00 PM ^
Looks amazing. Nice bottle, too. Next trip to Ann Arbor, next weekend, I'm looking for this...
Hmmm.
Given the name of his beer, would it be appropriate to indulge in this one (quite heavily), on November 29? Methinks...yes. Yes indeed.
November 15th, 2014 at 6:57 PM ^
Yes, I'm saving some for that very occasion. Better get it quick... it's seasonal. Go to the brewery/tap room at 2019 W. Stadium. It's a seasonal beer, and it'll be gone very soon.
This is the first year they've sold it in stores. Here's a list of where it's being sold (or was...most have probably sold out of it at this point). http://wolverinebeer.com/?s=massacre
November 15th, 2014 at 1:19 PM ^
around the Battle Creek area! The good thing is that there are several different stores here that have pledged to start finding great beers. They have mentioned to ask them to search for a beer and they will get it. I am looking forward to this one.
Go Blue!
November 15th, 2014 at 8:31 PM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 11:41 PM ^
Caramel and coffee notes, with a pretty solid bourbon-ness about it. Obviously strong... but honestly, not as strong an alcohol taste as you might think. Pours a beautiful deep brown. It is incredibly tasty... has a real warmth about it that I love.
November 15th, 2014 at 11:34 AM ^
If you like stouts or pick up some Carhartt Woodsman, which is a barreled APA from New Holland. Both are fantastic.
November 15th, 2014 at 8:33 PM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 11:36 AM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 11:39 AM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 11:57 AM ^
Grab some Backwoods Bastard! Have a great time at the Big House!
Go Blue!
November 15th, 2014 at 6:05 PM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 12:12 PM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 1:03 PM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 12:14 PM ^
A couple smaller breweries I really enjoy are Keweenaw Brewing Co. and Schmohz. You won't find either outside of MI (well, maybe KBC is in northern Wisconsin, I dunno) but they make really great flavorful, drinkable beers. Hopknocker from Schmohz and Old Ore Dock from KBC are probably my standouts.
Of course you can't go wrong with Founders, Shorts, Bell's, New Holland, Dark Horse etc. The east side of the state seems a little weaker for beer...Arbor Brewing is hit and miss for me, same with Atwater, Wolverine is pretty good but selection is limited outside of the taproom. Dragonmead in Warren is awesome.
I love Arcadia beers too, they might be my favorites. Loch Down is awesome. But it's Michigan, you can't really go wrong. Best beer in the country.
November 15th, 2014 at 12:31 PM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 12:37 PM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 12:53 PM ^
I can't believe it hasn't been mentioned yet. You all are missing out if you haven't tried Cheboygan Brewing Company's Lighthouse Amber Ale. I love almost all of Bell's beers, but I'd choose this one over any of them.
November 15th, 2014 at 1:11 PM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 1:44 PM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 1:58 PM ^
It may have already been talked about here at MGoBlog, but Michigan was recently ranked #4 in th U.S. (only behind Oregon, Colorado, and California) for it's quality of craft beer.
You, Tate, have a problem on your hands, as will need more than 6 beers.
November 15th, 2014 at 3:48 PM ^
seekabrew.com indicates that both Bell's and Founders both distribute to PA and VA (although not MD). So you may be able to pick up stuff from those two excellent breweries closer to home. On my next trip to Michigan, I want to pick up some brews from a brewery like Shorts that doesn't distribute outside of MI, and some of the others people have been mentioning.
November 15th, 2014 at 4:26 PM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 7:54 PM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 8:28 PM ^
November 15th, 2014 at 11:10 PM ^
Kuhnhenn brewry in Warren earlier. I live 2 miles from the place, and it is unbelievable how every time I drive by it, no matter the time of day, how packed it is. You're not likely to find any of their stuff outside of the brewery itself, but if you have time for a 45 minute trek, you won't be disappointed. I'm an IPA guy, and their "Dripa" (a double IPA) is legendary.
Also, if you make it to Kuhnhenns, I would advise you to also visit a store called Champanes that is no more than a mile away. Its a wine/beer specialty store, and their selection of craft beers is impressive. They claim over 500 different selections, and while I can't say that isn't an exaggeration, it isn't far off if it is. Their beer section is broken up into Michigan breweries, national breweries, and international stuff. On top of that, they recently opened a "pub" in one corner of the store (its a large building). Its basically an area with some tables and chairs, and a bar with a row of 24(!) taps with generally hard to find craft beers from Michigan and beyond that changes monthly.
As far as grabbing something to take home, I'll add a couple of local (Metro Detroit) selections: Griffin Claw's 'Norm's Raggedy Ass IPA" and Rochester Mill's 'Cornerstone IPA.' Both are available in 4 packs of 16 oz cans, I believe.
And one more seasonal selection: Bell's Christmas Ale is not one of their more well renowned brews, but it is one I look forward to this time of year.
November 15th, 2014 at 11:46 PM ^
Love Bell's Christmas Ale. Of all the Christmas beers that come out each year, I find Bell's to be as good as any. Also reallllly fond of Delirium Noel (same Belgian brewery as Delirium Tremens)... although that's kinda a different animal.
November 16th, 2014 at 12:18 AM ^
Tried out Atwater Winter Bock tonight and am enjoying it a little too much. I do wish the local breweries would produce more lagers.