Best of the Breweries in West Michigan

West Michigan (WMTA) – The market for craft beer has been steadily increasing for well over a decade, and West Michigan is home to a plethora of fantastic breweries and each has a unique lineup of their signature craft beers. Having beer brewed so close to home gives West Michigan the luxury of drinking fresh and local.

So what is craft beer? According to the Brewers Association, craft beer is three things: small, independent, and local. These breweries are small in the sense that they make less than 6 million barrels of beer annually. They are independent if less than 25 percent of the company is owned by an alcohol industry member that is not a craft brewer and traditional if the majority of total beverage alcohol volume in the brews are traditional or innovative ingredients or fermentation methods.

What does West Michigan have to offer? Craft beer is brewed all over West Michigan. Make sure to check out one or all of these great breweries!

Southern Michigan Breweries

Saugatuck Brewing Co.

Saugatuck Brewing Co. is dedicated to the entire experience of craft; from their creative food menu to their unique beers. The adventure started with creating a perfect beer, and they have kept that focus since their opening in 2005 with 15 rotating taps plus hard cider and a variety of wines.

Fun Fact: Saugatuck Brewing Co. is the only microbrewery in the state of Michigan to feature a Brew On Premise System where you can go brew your own beer in about four hours! Return in two to three weeks to bottle and sample your own beer!

Round Barn Brewery

With more than 30 years of fermentation experience and an award-winning reputation in the industry, Round Barn Brewery’s line of hand-crafted brews embody the satisfying bold taste you’ve come to expect from The Round Barn.

Fun Fact: In addition to being a brewery, Round Barn also has their own winery and distillery!

Dark Horse Brewing Company

Dark Horse Brewing Company is located in Marshall, Michigan and takes pride in serving great food and great beer using only the highest quality ingredients. All of their breads is made fresh locally, utilizing their own spent grain.

Fun Fact: Dark Horse Brewing Co. has a wicked sense of humor! Don’t forget to look around the pub, read the six-pack and holder your beers come in, and even the back of your growler!

Bell’s Brewery

Bell’s Brewery began in 1985 with a quest for better beer and a 15 gallon soup kettle. They currently brew over 20 beers for distribution as well as many other small batch beers that are served at their pub, the Eccentric Cafe in downtown Kalamazoo.

Fun Fact: On June 11, 1993, Bell’s Brewery became the first Michigan brewery to serve beer by the glass to the public.

Boatyard Brewing Company

Boatyard Brewing Company is on a journey to create superb craft beers through the exploration of artistic fermentations while also making a positive impact on their community!

Fun Fact: Boatyard Brewing Company has discount nights for those who come in on two wheels! Come in Tuesdays on your motorcycle or Wednesdays on pedal bicycles to get your discount! Founders Dan and Brian have spent countless hours developing some of the best traditional ale recipes, as well as their own unique offerings!

Beerfest at the Ballpark Fall – On The Field

Beerfest at the Ballpark is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th at Cooley Law School Stadium. Festival gates will be open from 5pm-10pm with a special VIP entry starting at 4pm. The fall festival will be held on the Jackson Field and will provide attendees the opportunity to taste more than 200 craft beers, and ciders from over 50 Michigan Breweries while enjoying the ballpark’s atmosphere. The fall event will also include 50 different German and Belgian beers. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door and include entry, a logoed tasting glass, and 10 tasting tickets. Special VIP Tickets may be purchased for $40 in advance and include early entry to the festival at 4pm, a logoed tasting glass, and 15 tasting tickets.

Fun Fact: The fall event will also include 50 of the best German and Belgian beers so you do not want to miss this great festival!

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Central Michigan Breweries

Founders Brewing Company

Founders Brewing Company has built its brewery on the exploration of recipe development and brewing techniques. Carving a niche out of the craft industry, they have built their reputation on producing very unique beer and have been recognized by beer enthusiasts around the world.

Fun Fact: Founders has won six World Beer Cup medals, four European Beer Star medals, and three Great American Beer Festival medals across eight different beers.

Brewery Vivant

Brewery Vivant is a fantastic East Hills Neighborhood microbrewery and pub located in a sustainably renovated historical chapel. They combine their passion for great beer and food, environmental sustainability, service, and a focus on community.

Fun Fact: Much of the inspiration behind Brewery Vivant comes from the small breweries that dot the countryside in Southern Belgium and Northern France.

Cellar Brewing Company

Cellar Brewing Company is a Microbrewery, Winery and Distillery located in Sparta MI and provide their guests with a relaxed casual atmosphere. They have 16 beers on tap and always keep them filled for your consumption!

Fun Fact: Cellar Brewing Company’s Mug Club program gets your great discounts and you even get to drink out of your own mug every time you go in! Mugs are personalized with your name and number!

Perrin Brewing Company

Located in a small farming community just 10 miles north of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, Perrin Brewing Company isa microbrewery and taproom which strives to bring a world class experience to every person who walks through their doors.

Fun Fact: Perrin does a Yoga + Beer summer series! $5 at the door gets you one hour of yoga and a beer!

Rockford Brewing Company

Rockford Brewing Company produces world class beers using traditional and innovative brewing techniques and ingredients. They strive to create unique beers with influences from countries around the world including the newest emerging craft beer location that has the world watching; Michigan.

Fun Fact: Rockford Brewing Co.’s flagship beer is Paradigm MPA, which is a Michigan Pale Ale produced with 100% Michigan grown ingredients!

New Holland Brewing Company

New Holland Brewing Company’s deep roots in the craft industry go all the way back to 1997. Their beer and spirits are served alongside fresh-made food in their Restaurant & Pub in downtown Holland. Their beer-centric food menu complements all of their beers!

Fun Fact: Many of New Holland’s draught only specialties are brewed on their nine barrel pub system!

Grand Rapids Brewing Company

The beer Grand Rapids Brewing Company produces includes a recreation of the iconic Silver Foam, along with several other beers brewed to honor their Grand Rapids heritage, leaders, landmarks as well as their Grand Rapids Brewing Company family.

Fun Fact: Grand Rapids Brewing Co. is Michigan’s only USDA certified organic brewery.

Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery & Supply

Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery & Supply was established in 2013 in Ada, Michigan. They have crossed the country with stacks of recipes kept in journals, sketched business plans on scrap paper, and enjoyed their evolving product along the way.

Fun Fact: Gravel Bottom offers a huge selection of the freshest brewing supplies and classes for every level. They’ll help you get started on your own brewing adventure!

Our Brewing Company

Our Brewing Company is a quaint craft brewery in Downtown Holland. They pride themselves on small batches, mad scientists, and neighbors on every stool. They’re always coming up with new and different beers like their Pickle Tickle Smash IPA and Pecan Pie Porter.

Fun Fact: Our Brewing Co. will have awesome live music the month of August including The Whiskey Charmers, Matt Plessner, Big Brother Jon, and Brotha James and they’re all free to attend!

JW Marriott Grand Rapids

While the JW Marriott Grand Rapids is not a brewery, they do have an awesome Beer City USA package which is perfect for craft beer enthusiasts! Your hotel is your headquarters with so many breweries within walking distance and many more only a few miles away!

Fun Fact: Upon your arrival, four local Grand Rapids craft beers will be served to your room! This is in addition to some other great perks such as your Beer City Passport and breakfast vouchers for six.one.six!

Jamesport Brewing Co.

Jamesport is brewpub that brews their own beer onsite, as well as having a full-service bar, a great wine list and an assortment of domestic beers. Their full dining menu includes appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches & burgers, lunch entrees, desserts, wraps, dinner entrees, pasta, a kids menu, and both hot & cold drinks.

Fun Fact: Hoppy Hour at Jamesport Brewing Co. is Monday-Friday, 4pm-6pm.

Fun Fact: Old Boys’ Brewhouse has a canine-oriented theme to the influence and memory of a Chocolate Labrador!

Northern Michigan Breweries

Brewery Terra Firma

Brewery Terra Firma, is located on the historic 10-acre Dracka Farm just south of the Grand Traverse Mall. Brewmaster John Niedermaier grows most of the hops, herbs, fruits, vegetables, and honey that flavor his beers and ales.

Fun Fact: Brewery Terra Firma was Traverse City’s first “farm-to-mug” brewery when it opened in May of 2013.

Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant, Brewery & Distillery

Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant, Brewery & Distillery combines a brewery and small batch distillery to produce most of beers and all of the spirits served on premise. They are located on historic Old Mission Peninsula’s West Bay in a 19th century mansion.

Fun Fact: Don’t miss the artisan pizzas, unique sandwiches, house smoked ribs, and local fish at the restaurant when you visit this brewery/distillery combination!

Short’s Brewing Company

Short’s Brewing Company is located near Shanty Creek Resorts in the village of Bellaire. Short’s has some of the most imaginative and adventurous brews on the market, from down-to-earth brews like Locals Light and Bellaire Brown to the intensely hopped Huma Lupa Licious.

Fun Fact: Short’s Brewing Company prides themselves on being a Michigan Only brewery distributing only in Michigan to ensure their investment in their local community!

The Lake Charlevoix Brewing Company

Lake Charlevoix Brewing Company brews 8 flagship beers, with names hailing from iconic Northern Michigan sights, using the best water in the world from the Great Lakes. They also brew several seasonal and experimental beers for their guests to enjoy.

Fun Fact: The brewery is located in the former storage area for the 180 foot US Coast Guard vessel named the Acacia.

Stormcloud Brewing Company

Stormcloud Brewing Company is a northern Michigan brewery crafting Belgian inspired beer and locally inspired food. They are located only two blocks from Lake Michigan in downtown Frankfort.

Fun Fact: Stormcloud Brewing Co. loves giving back to the community! Every month during the summer season and quarterly thereafter, they select one charitable organization that they believe is making a difference in northern Michigan to share its message with their Stormcloud network.

Michigan BrewVine

The Michigan BrewVine Passport is the best way to experience local wineries and breweries in Northern Michigan. 9&10 News and local businesses have teamed up to create this amazing passport that is full of deals. Each passport is valid for ONE person and costs just $25. This passport will give you access to 17 wineries and 16 breweries, each one offering unique deals and discounts.

Fun Fact: The Michigan BrewVine Passport is valid for the entire year so that you can relax and enjoy each location at your own pace.

Statewide

West Michigan Beer Tours

West Michigan Beer Tours is proud to promote all Michigan breweries and Michigan beer-friendly bars and restaurants. This is a great way to see what the area has to offer and explore various breweries!

Fun Fact: West Michigan Beer Tours was created during a conversation about the growing West Michigan beer industry while the founders were out for a pint. It was truly started on a bar napkin!

Michigan Brewers Guild

The Michigan Brewers Guild exists to unify the Michigan brewing community. They strive to increase sales of Michigan-brewed beer through promotions, marketing, public awareness and consumer education and to monitor and assure a healthy beer industry within the state.

Fun Fact: The Michigan Brewers Guild has their own magazine which comes out annually! It’s available digitally on their website for free!