Beer City
I had always believed that Milwaukee was the best city for beer anywhere. As I started to learn more about beer I learned that Milwaukee is the brew city because we love our beer and can probably out drink just about anyone. In Milwaukee, before you head to a concert or a sporting event, you have a drink. Just about any event someone tries to figure out how to relate it to having a tasty brew. After heading to Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, Michigan. I realized that we may be the brew city, but Grand Rapids is the Beer City. It is simply just part of their culture there, and man, do they do it well.
Kalamazoo has the largest brewery in Michigan, Bell's Brewery and it makes some great tasting beer. If you head to Kalamazoo make sure you pick up a Craft Passport. This will send you to 12 different breweries in Kalamazoo. Once you attend all of them you get a stamp. It never expires so you don't have to do it all in one lump-some. We tried to do them all in one day, but we only made it to 7 (next morning was rough). Although it is not a brewery you must attend Kalamazoo Beer Exchange. It is awesome be sure to plan your visit there after 6 as they don't open to stocks until then. That is all I am going to explain about the Exchange. Just simply go there and experience it.
Grand Rapids was next. We attended a few breweries, as we had to watch the Packer game and just enjoyed seeing the small but great city.
Anyways here are my top 5 Breweries in Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids:
5. Brewery Vivant: This place is awesome. It originally was a funeral home and then a few other places. Eventually it was transformed into a brewery, that focuses on sustainability and provided an amazing work environment for their employees.
4. Grand Rapids Brewery: Centrally located in Grand Rapids, there wasn't much to say about their restaurant and brewery space, however their beer was delicious.
3. Tibbs: This place was awesome. It was so small, and was only a 2 barrel system. The beer was fantastic and it was just my type of place to hang out and have a few tasty beers.
2. Founders: Along with their great beer, they have an unbelievable brew pub. The space was designed amazingly. There is a large outside area along with heaters when it gets cold. Founders just knows how to brew great beer, and bring a lot of people to their brew pub. However, their merch was outrageously expensive.
1. Bells: Bells is just the best. I have not had a beer their I have not enjoyed. They are continually expanding, and do a lot for their Kalamazoo community. Be sure to take a tour of their ever expanding brewery and head to their Eccentric Cafe in downtown Kalamazoo.
There are so many other good breweries in the area so spend a long weekend their and find your top 5 breweries.
Oh yea here are a few pictures: