Hop Happenings: 12 Places to Celebrate the Great Beer State in West/SW Michigan
Julie Bitely
| 2 min read
Michigan’s beer economy continues to grow and flourish, with new breweries popping up and established breweries expanding or opening second locations. Here’s a quick guide for some options you may not have tried yet in West Michigan, which will open or have opened in the past year or so.
Big Lake Brewing(Holland): Specializing in handcrafted beer and wine, this Holland offering was opened in summer 2013 by three engineers.
Boatyard Brewing Company(Kalamazoo): Just a few blocks north of beer granddaddy Bell’s, Boatyard Brewing Co. opened in late 2013. “Boatyard Brewing Company is on a journey to create superb craft beers through the exploration of artistic fermentations.”
Gonzo’s Biggdog Brewing(Kalamazoo): Opened by an experienced brewer and restaurant and hospitality manager in fall 2013, Gonzo’s offers a wide variety of beer and grub in a relaxed, casual atmosphere.
Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery & Supply(Ada): Combining craft brews on tap and supplies for homebrewers to purchase in one building is the idea behind this brewery, which opened in 2013.
Harmony Brewing (Grand Rapids): This Eastown institution isn’t new (it opened in 2012), but its second location, planned at the former site of Little Mexico Café in NW Grand Rapids, will be a welcome business for the neighborhood with its expected opening in November.
Latitude 42(Portage): Portage’s first microbrewery opened summer 2013. “Change your attitude. Drink some Latitude.”
Pigeon Hill Brewing Company(Muskegon): “We sell craft beer of the highest quality proudly brewed in downtown Muskegon, Michigan.” The brewery, which pays homage to the city’s history, opened March 2014.
Pleasant House Brewing Company(Three Oaks): Family restaurant and microbrewery specializing in award-winning savory pies opened summer 2013. “We handcraft all of our own beers on the premises.”
Rupert’s Brew House(Kalamazoo): This K-zoo microbrewery opened October 2013 in the historic Oakland Pharmacy building. “We feature hand-crafted beers, entertainment 5 nights a week, and a laid back attitude not found anywhere else.”
Tapistry Brewing Company(Bridgman): An accountant and homebrewer opened up Tapistry in 2013.
Tibbs Brewing Company(Kalamazoo): This small nano-brewery opened late December 2013. “We are dedicated to providing quality customer service and finely crafted ales. In addition to our traditional style beers, we will be offering seasonal flavors and experimental new styles, with an innovative twist.”
Unruly Brewing Company(Muskegon): This brewery opened late 2013 and invites you to be a little unruly. “We join other Michigan brewers in crafting flavor-filled aromatic craft beer that Michigan is famous for. We hope that it will help put our hometown of Muskegon on the craft beer map soon.”
Photo credit: Luke Boote
Quotes gathered from brewery websites and/or Facebook pages.
