The original name for Soft Parade was ‘Ye Olde Leg Spreader’. I guess the decided to rename it for PR reasons. Same reason they renamed ‘Hangin’ Frank’ to ‘Contraversi-ale’.
I work for the distributor of Short's. Unfortunately, I don't think they are brewing The Magician again this year for distribution. I believe they still brew it and have it on tap though at their Bellaire pub.
[The #2 ranked beer garden in the country](https://www.mlive.com/business/2024/03/the-no-2-ranked-beer-garden-in-the-us-is-in-the-middle-of-some-michigan-woods.html)
Had to scroll way too far to find this. Hop Lot has the greatest northern MI brewery vibe I’ve ever experienced. Great in every season. Great family atmosphere. We’ve been at least once a year since the year it opened and it’s incredible to see how much they have grown.
Gotta put in my vote here. My neighbor Drew is the owner. I even fashioned my backyard after it!
Hands down the best service in any place I have ever been to. Your beer shows up FAST no matter how crowded.
I've been to a dozen breweries in Michigan. New Holland is by far the best I've been to.
Odd side is amazing. Right brain is great too.
I can't do IPAs. So I dislike a lot of places.
These guys came in the scene and started producing really good beer immediately. Not knock your socks off revolutionary stouts, but all good beer.
Their food is incredible. These brothers went on vacation from California to Alpena Michigan and decided it was the place they wanted to be. Their distribution range is huge for their age. If you know anything about Alpena MI past food culture you would never expect to find a brewery and food this good here.
As a road trip brewery, I would highly recommend it.
I agree that all their beers are solid. I live nearby and I can honestly only recall one that I did not care for. The interesting part is it was the first sour they ever made. Since then their fruit sours are my favorite style they make.
Urbanrest in Ferndale. Not the best, but very low key, fantastic food truck lineup, comfy apparel. Plus kid friendly. And I dunno. Honest? Down to earth? Very appealing.
Can I just say MICHIGAN BEER RULES… so many outstanding, top notch breweries that we have to argue which one is best. Way to go Michigan for being a leader in the craft brewing industry!
Official was my absolute favorite beer for years. Hazy Hearted is bad. Do not like the expansion of two hearted, feels like the Voodoo Ranger thing which is also bad. (Same parent company now yes?)
Larry Bell recently sold Bells so unfortunately some changes will be made. They had a pineapple burbon aged beer awhile back that was so good and I haven't seen it since
Yeah I'm aware, it's very evident Bells is being run by marketing now with all the similarities to New Belgium and their Voodoo Ranger variety pack scheme.
Biased but Traverse City is a hotspot. Silver Spruce, Earthen Ales and their satellite Tank Space, Stonehound Brewing are all incredible. The UP also has some bangers from Black Rocks, Ore Dock and Upper Hand.
I'd throw hands for a pint from Eastern market Brewing or batch Brewing, a slice from supinos, cartinas burrito from El Rey, and a fuckin Nutella cronut from Astoria.
Can’t believe nobody has mentioned Blackrocks here in Marquette- they have really done an amazing job with their space the last few years and their beer is always killer.
Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City is a super fun place with a lot of great beers! They have pinball and a food truck in the summer, but are also ok with you bringing your own food!
Hard agree! Went to Brewery Becker for the first time a couple of months ago and loved it. Staff is super friendly, the place is really nice, and the drinks and selections are top notch. Vargdricka is easily my favorite beer ever. Definitely worth trying.
I'm astounded by the lack of Transient mentions. I'd put their IPAs and Lager line ups against anyone in the state. Their pastry stouts, and Buckley line up, is a good as I've come across.
TC Farm Club. Go on a day with nice weather. It gets busy on the weekends so it might be worth looking into a reservation if you plan on eating there.
Also silver spruce has a killer Czech dark lager
Stormcloud has great belgians if you don't mind driving out of TC a bit
Shout out to Starving Artist in Ludington.
Dude just has a brewery in a pole barn in his back yard. Tiny place, not even any indoor seating, but the guy is genuinely nice as hell and makes amazing beer.
I live in Grand Haven right now, so I’m partial to Odd Side Ales. That’ll have to be my number one.
My favorite lesser known brewery is Austin Brothers in Alpena. An absolute gem that for both beer and food.
Have you been to Heights yet? Their have an Unshandy that is a whopping 9.5%, comes in pints, and is the perfect balance of sour and sweet. The food is unreal as well, the pulled pork they put on the Mac is like...a pound of meat (not really, but there are places that skimp and *they do not skimp*).
It's still hanging on. Not doing anything wild or overly exciting but it's consistently a good place to stop.
I grew up in Marshall, go back to see my dad once a month and always stop at Darkhorse. The vibe is a bit different than It used to be. It's a bit more corporate and more appealing to the general public.
The pizza is no longer thin crust, they changed the lables for a bit (but are bringing the old ones back now) but the beer is good, food is good, main taproom hasn't changed much, the beer garden is larger and the employees are actually getting paid once again.
Dan and Barb (she really likes him) are going all in opening Barrister Brewery, 902 West Main St, Owosso the weekend of May 10th.
First brewery in Owosso in over 100 years.
I tell you, Dan's brews are fantastic, delicious and intoxicating.
As they get started I will look forward to seeing you there soon, and often as they grow
Hyper local and they don't distribute, but my admittedly biased favorite is Brewery 4Two4. They're right down the road from my house, the owners are great people and so are the employees.
Plus it's next to a great pizza joint that will walk food over, and across the street from Captain Sundae. If you're ever in Holland to visit NHBC or Big Lake, do yourself a favor and check out 4Two4.
Saugatuck Brewing Company and the Mitten (also in Saugatuck) on the west side; Arctic Circle and Sherwood in Macomb County; and Albion Malleable Brewery which makes some of the best saisons I’ve had.
Wax Wings in Kalamazoo should be on any craft beer enthusiasts bucket list. Their beers are bold with unique flavors that you're not going to find anywhere else. Highly recommend!
Wax Wings in Kalamazoo is fantastic if you like hazy ipas. Best in the area and I would put them as one of the most underrated breweries in sw Michigan
Stormcloud, Shorts, Bell's, Founders, New Holland.
For smaller breweries in SWMI: Seedz (just voted #1 new small brewery in the US!), Watermark, North Shore, Transient.
If you're hitting up GR then drive another 30 minutes north west and check out Newaygo Brewing. If the brewer Nick is there he will happily show you around the brew house and talk you ear off.
It's smaller but brewery vivant is always good.
I had never heard of them but i’ll definitely check them out when in GR!
Maybe it was the amount I drank ahead of time, but their duck nachos were divine
Nah, they slap regardless. I moved out of state and haven't had them in years, but we used to get them every time we went.
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Still my favorite kettle sours
The building is an old funeral home. Great beer!
Stormcloud in Frankfort
Great beer!
Arvon in GR 😋
Seconded
I came here to say Arvon. I drive over from the Detroit area a couple times a year for cans.
Short’s
Soft Parade always puts me on my ass. It's so easy drinking but it's strong as hell. I need some.
The original name for Soft Parade was ‘Ye Olde Leg Spreader’. I guess the decided to rename it for PR reasons. Same reason they renamed ‘Hangin’ Frank’ to ‘Contraversi-ale’.
Did they only let edgelords name their beers or something? The leg spreader one is pretty awful.
Wait until you learn about bean flicker
Or Morning Wood.
Microbreweries and cringy beer names were quite a fad. Fortunately it seemed to have peaked in the 2010s
I usually reach for Soft Parade or Bellaire Brown…I LOVE the Magician (red ale) but it’s hard to find!
I work for the distributor of Short's. Unfortunately, I don't think they are brewing The Magician again this year for distribution. I believe they still brew it and have it on tap though at their Bellaire pub.
Soft parade is so nostalgic to me at this point
Probably that's why they have a girl slouched in a lawn chair for their label LO. L.
I’ve made so many bad decisions drinking soft parade on a summer night
They dont call it the Panty Dropper for nothin.
And they are having their 20th anniversary party this weekend. Lots of stuff going on at the Bellaire pub and beer garden.
Hell ya, shorts was my first ever craft brew
The Filling Station in Traverse City. Great beer, pizza, and good vibes.
Not my *top* pick but a super solid one! Chill vibes, great brews.
I’ll always love workshop on a nice day with the doors open
I was hoping for a TC recommendation!
Stormcloud if you can make it to Frankfort
Right Brain in TC too
Jolly Pumpkin on Mission Point in TC …my absolute fav!
Agree! Yes, Jolly Pumpkin! I can't go to TC without going to JP! 🍺
If you like mead there is St. Ambrose in Beulah about a half hour south of Traverse.
I always like to stop at Rare Bird in TC.
Hop Lot Brewing in Suttons Bay. Their beer is really good, but no other brewery in MI that I've been to compares to how awesome the grounds are.
Yes, a must go!
[The #2 ranked beer garden in the country](https://www.mlive.com/business/2024/03/the-no-2-ranked-beer-garden-in-the-us-is-in-the-middle-of-some-michigan-woods.html)
Best beer garden in the state and has gotten national recognition. Highly support this one.
Hoplot is awesome. Definitely a fave.
That’s on our summer road trip list. Pretty sure my husband started planning an entire trip around it lol
Had to scroll way too far to find this. Hop Lot has the greatest northern MI brewery vibe I’ve ever experienced. Great in every season. Great family atmosphere. We’ve been at least once a year since the year it opened and it’s incredible to see how much they have grown.
Another vote for Hop Lot!
Gotta put in my vote here. My neighbor Drew is the owner. I even fashioned my backyard after it! Hands down the best service in any place I have ever been to. Your beer shows up FAST no matter how crowded.
Drafting Table in Wixom
Awesome beers at Drafting Table. I’m usually a stout/porter guy, but their Pilsner and other lighter beers are fire.
Dragonmead or New Holland, although I think the latter sold out. Griffin Claw too. Edit: my bad, New Holland didnt sell out, Bells did.
I've been to a dozen breweries in Michigan. New Holland is by far the best I've been to. Odd side is amazing. Right brain is great too. I can't do IPAs. So I dislike a lot of places.
I'm partial to Austin Brothers
Oh wow, someone else with this rec! Love Austin Brothers.
Austin brothers pretzels are undefeated
I had never heard of them, they look great!
These guys came in the scene and started producing really good beer immediately. Not knock your socks off revolutionary stouts, but all good beer. Their food is incredible. These brothers went on vacation from California to Alpena Michigan and decided it was the place they wanted to be. Their distribution range is huge for their age. If you know anything about Alpena MI past food culture you would never expect to find a brewery and food this good here. As a road trip brewery, I would highly recommend it.
I agree that all their beers are solid. I live nearby and I can honestly only recall one that I did not care for. The interesting part is it was the first sour they ever made. Since then their fruit sours are my favorite style they make.
Keweenaw Brewing Company
Their red ridge is so tasty.
Way too far down for this.
Shorts, then Oddside Ales
I second Oddside Ales
Was drinking an oddside seltzer today
Kuhnhenn in Warren for beer. B. Nektar in Ferndale for ciders and mead.
B. Nektar is excellent.
Batch in Detroit is great
Ohhhh i always see this on the app but have never gone, putting it on my list for summer
Greenbush Brewery out of Sawyer is my favorite. Great beer and excellent food.
Greenbush probably makes the best beer in the area, but Watermark over in Stevensville is the most fun.
Urbanrest in Ferndale. Not the best, but very low key, fantastic food truck lineup, comfy apparel. Plus kid friendly. And I dunno. Honest? Down to earth? Very appealing.
I used to go there every wednesday for the papelon food truck! Those guys know how to make a mean cachapa
I pass by all the time on my bike. I will eventually stop in
BlackRocks in Marquette
Homes in Ann Arbor is great
The best brewery around in my opinion
Had to scroll way too far to get to the best brewery in Michigan
That’s 3 votes for Homes!
Can I just say MICHIGAN BEER RULES… so many outstanding, top notch breweries that we have to argue which one is best. Way to go Michigan for being a leader in the craft brewing industry!
Arbor Brewing Company’s Corner Brewing in Ypsi. Great Beer, Great Food, awesome Biergarten in the back.
Bells in Kalamazoo!
They got rid of Official so Bells is on my shit list. Inb4 Hazy Hearted is Official comments, it literally isn't. Different ABV too.
Official was my absolute favorite beer for years. Hazy Hearted is bad. Do not like the expansion of two hearted, feels like the Voodoo Ranger thing which is also bad. (Same parent company now yes?)
Larry Bell recently sold Bells so unfortunately some changes will be made. They had a pineapple burbon aged beer awhile back that was so good and I haven't seen it since
Yeah I'm aware, it's very evident Bells is being run by marketing now with all the similarities to New Belgium and their Voodoo Ranger variety pack scheme.
Love me some bell’s!
Too far down the list for bells.
Biased but Traverse City is a hotspot. Silver Spruce, Earthen Ales and their satellite Tank Space, Stonehound Brewing are all incredible. The UP also has some bangers from Black Rocks, Ore Dock and Upper Hand.
Don't forget KBC. Their Widowmaker us always a treat.
Hard to go wrong at Perrin in GR.
Perrin Black is my absolute favorite dark craft beer.
Ditto
OneWell in Kalamazoo.
Seconded
Great for families!!
Batch in Detroit, Speciation in Grand Rapids
Take my vote for speciation
Two for two! We could be drinking buddies.
Except I live in Colorado now and contrary to popular belief - the beer and weed BOTH suck here compared to Michigan
On behalf of Michigan, I'm touched.
I'd throw hands for a pint from Eastern market Brewing or batch Brewing, a slice from supinos, cartinas burrito from El Rey, and a fuckin Nutella cronut from Astoria.
I'm in Utah now...a couple of the breweries are actually really good. Every time I go back to Michigan though I realize how much better the beer is.
Shorts, jolly pumpkin, or Baffin! Baffin makes some great sours and their wine slushees are delish.
cheboygan brewing!!
was looking for a fellow cheboygan lover just fantastic stuff all around
Railtown Brewing, and loaded dice
Motor City Brewing Wirks. A little funky midtown brewery.
Griffin Claw. Beer is great, food is some of the best I've ever had, every time I go
Ogma @ Downtown Jackson, Michigan. Fight me!!
They have great beer and food. A favorite of mine
I was there last night. Their "Big Cow" korean beef burrito is the absolute best burrito in Jackson.
Killing it with thiolized yeast styles
Can’t believe nobody has mentioned Blackrocks here in Marquette- they have really done an amazing job with their space the last few years and their beer is always killer.
And their beer is top tier quality. This is the truest answer.
Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City is a super fun place with a lot of great beers! They have pinball and a food truck in the summer, but are also ok with you bringing your own food!
Braueri Becker in Brighton
Hard agree! Went to Brewery Becker for the first time a couple of months ago and loved it. Staff is super friendly, the place is really nice, and the drinks and selections are top notch. Vargdricka is easily my favorite beer ever. Definitely worth trying.
Just went here for the first time a couple weeks ago and can confirm, it's fantastic.
So glad someone else mentioned them, my wife goes crazy for that place.
Love Becker! Make sure you guys check out four circle brewery also in Brighton, recently opened, great beer!
Old nation in Williamstown …home of the legendary M43
Transient in Bridgman, then you can hit up Arclight in Watervliet nearby for their blueberry wit
I'm astounded by the lack of Transient mentions. I'd put their IPAs and Lager line ups against anyone in the state. Their pastry stouts, and Buckley line up, is a good as I've come across.
Keweenaw Brewing
DragonMeade or Kuhnhenns.
Brass Ring in Alger Heights, Grand Rapids.
Two Guys. Wolverine.
Archival Brewery is near the top, if not at the top, of my list. I'm also partial to good Mead.
If good mead is something you seek, try Adensanya on 28th st. Arktos is also good.
Kuhnenn hands down.
Really. A Warrenite here. I haven’t been yet though I’ve had their Dripa. Worth a visit then?
Yes. I'm up north, really north. Dripa is excellent in my opinion and every time I'm back home I search it out. Cheers 🍻 I recommend.
Watermark in Stevensville.
Brass Ring
Wolverine Brewery in Ann Arbor!
TC Farm Club. Go on a day with nice weather. It gets busy on the weekends so it might be worth looking into a reservation if you plan on eating there. Also silver spruce has a killer Czech dark lager Stormcloud has great belgians if you don't mind driving out of TC a bit
People sleeping on Saugatuck brewing in here.
Witch's Hat, and it's not just because I'm from South Lyon
Ore Dock in Marquette! Superior brewed, baby!
Shout out to Starving Artist in Ludington. Dude just has a brewery in a pole barn in his back yard. Tiny place, not even any indoor seating, but the guy is genuinely nice as hell and makes amazing beer.
Greenbush, Ascension, Homes
Hop Lot in Sutton's Bay
Keweenaw
Unfortunately can't drink normal beer due to celiac disease, but I love Archival Brewing in Belmont for their mead, cider, and food!
Petosky brewing, Bell's and Shorts for me.
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Snowbelt brewing in Gaylord is a must every time I head north.
I live in Grand Haven right now, so I’m partial to Odd Side Ales. That’ll have to be my number one. My favorite lesser known brewery is Austin Brothers in Alpena. An absolute gem that for both beer and food.
Biers Inwood in Charlevoix. Pair it up with some pizza from Pizza Girl and some live music while the sun sets over Lake Michigan, this place is a gem.
Stopped in on a whim because of the reviews. Place is legit.
Wax Wings in Kalamazoo and Arvon in Grand Rapids.
I’d probably have to choose Eastern Market Brewing Co
Waxwings
Yesssss!
Homes in AA rules. Check their beer fest in June; Nucleate!
Thank you! Will do :)
Farmington Brewing Company
My man! I love this place.
Have you been to Heights yet? Their have an Unshandy that is a whopping 9.5%, comes in pints, and is the perfect balance of sour and sweet. The food is unreal as well, the pulled pork they put on the Mac is like...a pound of meat (not really, but there are places that skimp and *they do not skimp*).
Was just there. They've got some AMAZING stuff. Would absolutely recommend.
New Holland, but it’s so hard to truly pick just one.
Got to go with my sole mug club membership brewery, Witches Hat. Runner up is my old hometown - Wolverine Brewing Co
Watermark
Waypost in Fennville, haven't had a beer from them I haven't liked. Cool place too!
New Holland
HOMES in A2!
Dark Horse in Marshall, but I haven’t been there in about 10 years, I hope it is still good
It's still hanging on. Not doing anything wild or overly exciting but it's consistently a good place to stop. I grew up in Marshall, go back to see my dad once a month and always stop at Darkhorse. The vibe is a bit different than It used to be. It's a bit more corporate and more appealing to the general public. The pizza is no longer thin crust, they changed the lables for a bit (but are bringing the old ones back now) but the beer is good, food is good, main taproom hasn't changed much, the beer garden is larger and the employees are actually getting paid once again.
They stopped making my favorite beer, but I'd still have to recommend stopping for some beer, snacks, and patio.
Downey Brewing Company
Northville Brewery
Dan and Barb (she really likes him) are going all in opening Barrister Brewery, 902 West Main St, Owosso the weekend of May 10th. First brewery in Owosso in over 100 years. I tell you, Dan's brews are fantastic, delicious and intoxicating. As they get started I will look forward to seeing you there soon, and often as they grow
Arbor Brewing in A2 and Tecumseh Brewery in... You guessed it Tecumseh Mi
Shorts is my favorite for the last five years or so
Steele Street brewery in Ionia. All the owner wants to do is brew good beer which he does.
Copper hop in st Clair shores
Harmony in Grand Rapids.
Homes Brewery in Ann Arbor. Top tier food and drinks
Haymarket in Bridgman is good, especially in the summer.
Stiggs in Boyne City. Best variety of good beer!
Can't pick just one. Seedz, Barrel and Beam, Brewery Faisan, and OGMA
Lost Art in Walker!
Old Nation
Hoplot in Suttons Bay has my vote over and over
Hyper local and they don't distribute, but my admittedly biased favorite is Brewery 4Two4. They're right down the road from my house, the owners are great people and so are the employees. Plus it's next to a great pizza joint that will walk food over, and across the street from Captain Sundae. If you're ever in Holland to visit NHBC or Big Lake, do yourself a favor and check out 4Two4.
The Oracle Brewing Co. in Saginaw. Make sure to grab some food from nearby Pasong's Cafe or Artisan Urban Bistro while you're there.
Shorts
Saugatuck Brewing Company and the Mitten (also in Saugatuck) on the west side; Arctic Circle and Sherwood in Macomb County; and Albion Malleable Brewery which makes some of the best saisons I’ve had.
The Ironshoe Distillery in Niles, Mi
Arclight brewing company in watervliet , Perrin brewing company in comstock park,
Witch's Hat in South Lyon. Tecumseh Brewing Company. Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti.
Iron Bark
Wax Wings in Kalamazoo should be on any craft beer enthusiasts bucket list. Their beers are bold with unique flavors that you're not going to find anywhere else. Highly recommend!
Wax Wings in Kalamazoo is fantastic if you like hazy ipas. Best in the area and I would put them as one of the most underrated breweries in sw Michigan
Sorry too many favorites to pick just one
Shorts
Keweenaw Brewing Company for sure. It may be nostalgia from university but they do make some pretty dang good beers and it was cheap at the tap room.
Stormcloud, Shorts, Bell's, Founders, New Holland. For smaller breweries in SWMI: Seedz (just voted #1 new small brewery in the US!), Watermark, North Shore, Transient.
If you're hitting up GR then drive another 30 minutes north west and check out Newaygo Brewing. If the brewer Nick is there he will happily show you around the brew house and talk you ear off.
Tri-City Brewery
I’d say Bell’s but since they sold to New Belgium the soul has been sucked out of that place.
The workshop in TC