Breweries are a West Michigan staple. From bustling breweries in Grand Rapids, known as Beer City USA, to charming small-town gems dotting the coastline, West Michigan offers a diverse and exciting beer scene. Immerse yourself in a tapestry of flavors where innovative craftsmanship, local ingredients, and a passion for brewing converge to create a truly remarkable beer experience. Whether you’re a connoisseur or a casual beer lover, West Michigan invites you to savor its rich traditions, unique flavors, and warm camaraderie that comes with every pint raised.
Check out our Carefree Travel Guide for more local brews.
South West Michigan Brews
Saugatuck is full of local breweries that are a haven for beer enthusiasts. Brew your own beer at the Saugatuck Brew Company! The brewery also features a creative food menu and unique beers. Guardian Brew Company is another Saugatuck favorite with modern and classical draft beers. Waypost Brew Company, located in Fennville, is a little farm brewery on the shore on a 58-acre tender fruit farm. The fields provide both the ingredients and the inspiration for their beers.
The Round Barn Brewery & Public House in Baroda is the perfect place to experience a selection of craft beers, award-winning wines, and locally crafted spirits. Enjoy their 2023 “Beers and Beats” and “Jammin in the Vineyard” and enjoy live music and a cold brew.
Quench your thirst with a stop into downtown Coldwater’s Two Bandits Brewing Co. Home to a variety of crowd-pleasing beer and mouth-watering pub grub, this brewery is known for brews like ‘Killer Bee IPA,’ ‘Razzmanian Devil’ wheat beer, and ‘Book Em Bob-O-Porter’ as well as a lineup of seasonal beers made with locally sourced honey, berries and other ingredients.
South Haven is home to several great breweries, including Three Blondes Brewing, which recently took the title of #1 Michigan Brewery in the Hop Passports Brewsanity Contest!
Explore “The Give a Craft Beer Trail,” which is a unique and fun way to explore breweries around Southwest Michigan in the 269 area code. The fun free trial starting in Kalamazoo also has opportunities to earn prizes along the way! The trail is free to participate.
Dark Horse Brewing Company in Marshall has a full calendar of unique events in 2023. Behind-the-scenes Brew Tours are also available on Saturdays from noon-5 pm. The new Beer Garden is open, and the edgy taproom continues to provide the best brews. Families and dogs are encouraged to stop by.
Michigan’s capital region has launched the Lansing Craft Beverage Experience Pass! Sign up online and check in to 20+ craft breweries, artisan distilleries, and boutique wineries. Gather points for each check-in and redeem them for awesome swag.
River St. Joe in Buchanan is located on the beautiful certified organic Flatwater Farms. The brewery has a variety of summer events, including live music and Yoga on Fridays. With ingredients grown right on their farm, the brews from River St. Joe are excellent.
Check out the Makers Trail Festival on June 10th on Weko Beach to experience Michigan’s premier wine, beer, cider, and spirit makers all in one place. This festival will have live music, great food, and new brews! A few of the great breweries at the festival include The Livery, Tabor Hill Winery, Round Barn Winery & Estate, River Saint Joe, and 12 Corners Vineyards.
Central West Michigan Brews
Grand Rapids is deemed Beer City, USA, the perfect place to enjoy breweries and events centered around beer. Enjoy the animals at the Zoo and some classic brews at John Ball Zoo’s 21 and up concert series, Roaring Nights! Guests can stroll through the Zoo to see animal activities while enjoying live music, craft beer and wines, specialty food, and no kids! Each Roaring Night will feature a different live band every other week throughout the summer. Earth Radio, known for its futuristic sound, will play at the Zoo on Thursday, June 15th!
Harmony Brewing Company in Grand Rapids boasts excellent brews as well as specially-themed nights. Stop in during Yappy Hour with dog-themed cocktails or quiz or trivia night for a good time!
Founders Classic Brewhouse in Grand Rapids sits in the heart of the city. From a delectable menu to excellent brews, Founders is a must-visit. The brewery has a variety of events such as open mics, live music performances, the “Thirsty Standup Comedy Tour” on June 7th, and more!
The Great Lakes Pub Cruiser in Grand Rapids is a fun-filled, 16-person party bike for riders age 21+ that is powered with pedals! 2, 2.5, and 3-hour tours are offered with stops to riders’ favorite restaurants and pubs along the way! Enjoy the outdoors while experiencing a fun and safe event with friends or colleagues.
The Holland area has several breweries that pride themselves on creating fantastic craft beer using the finest locally-grown ingredients. Get a taste of Holland’s handcrafted beverage scene with the free Handcrafted Passport. Pick one up at the Holland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, or give them a call, and they’ll mail one to you. Collect ten stamps from area establishments and return the passport to the visitor bureau to receive a custom-made “Handcrafted in Holland” bar blade. Visit July 8th for Big Lake Brewing’s 10th-anniversary party in downtown Holland! Join this classic backyard barbecue celebration featuring live music acts from favorite local bands, backyard games, and both staple and limited-edition beers to sip, toast, and celebrate.
The Grand Haven Area is home to several local breweries. So a beer, cider, seltzer, or whatever suits your fancy is calling your name, and you deserve to treat yourself.
You will want to attend the 7th Annual Barry County BrewFest in Middleville on Saturday, August 19th! The event features a fantastic selection of beers from 30 of Michigan’s best and most unique craft breweries, wineries, meaderies, and distilleries. Select brews are one of a kind and will not be found anywhere else, so be prepared to discover some terrific new favorites! Enjoy the live music and great food and drink, and take in the charm of Middleville as the Barry County BrewFest takes center stage! This event is presented by the Barry County Chamber & EDA.
Tap into some of the best Michigan beer at three popular places in Downtown Ludington: Ludington Bay Brewing Company, Jamesport Brewing Company, and The Mitten Bar. In addition, Ludington features numerous breweries, pubs, and festivals such as “Suds on the Shore” that celebrate beer with seasonal specials that will make you return for more.
Pike 51 Brewing Co. in Hudsonville is the perfect place to enjoy craft beers. Those that visit will find all-time favorites, seasonal brews, and of course, special concoctions their brewers are known for.
North West Michigan & Upper Peninsula Brews
Stormcloud Brewing Company in Frankfort is an award-winning brewery and pub on Lake Michigan’s Gold Coast. Crowned Brewery of the Year 2022, they’re known for their twist on Belgian-inspired beers. Their lineup includes Belgian-style brews, IPAs, lagers, experimental beers, and the emerging Lakehouse Ales Project soar program. They also serve local cider, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. The Parkview Taproom offers indoor/outdoor seating, a food truck, and live music. In addition, the downtown pub has an open-air beer garden. Close to the beach, they offer “beach-friendly” to-go options like stainless steel growlers, crowlers, and cans. The downtown pub is a must-visit for exceptional dining with locally-sourced ingredients.
Brewery Terra Firma, in Traverse City, is a sustainable production brewery and tap room. This brewery is located on a historic farm is only ten minutes from downtown Traverse City. The brewery lives and breathes sustainability with a water capture system which has allowed the brewery to reclaim over 500,000 gallons of water to reuse for their farm crops.
A trip to Northern Michigan is only complete with a stop at Short’s Brewing Company in downtown Bellaire. This iconic Michigan pub offers twenty beers on tap, all made in-house, ranging from well-known beers like Locals Light and Huma Lupa Licious IPA to seasonal beers and passion projects (some of the weird, wacky, and innovative brews at Short’s).
Shanty Creek Resort is the natural place to stay while enjoying a trip to Shorts. Remember to take advantage of the shuttle running from the resort to Short and other downtown Bellaire destinations.
Cadillac’s Downtown Social District boasts an impressive array of craft breweries waiting to be discovered. With each step, you’ll find yourself immersed in a world of flavors, from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts and everything in between. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or simply enjoy exploring new brews, Cadillac’s Downtown Social District is the perfect destination to raise a glass and indulge in the thriving craft beer scene.
Charlevoix, nestled in scenic Northern Michigan, includes an exceptional beer, wine, and spirits scene. From unique and flavorful brews to exquisite wines and expertly crafted spirits, there’s something to satisfy every palate. So prepare to indulge in the rich flavors and warm hospitality of Charlevoix as you discover the true essence of the region through its remarkable craft beverages.
From hoppy ales to smooth lagers, there’s a beer for every taste waiting to be enjoyed in the Petoskey Area. Brews like: Cranium Crush – Raspberry Waffle Cone Cream Ale at Petoskey Brewing and Stiggs Brewing Company’s Red Wagon Lager – classic American lager. These breweries can be enjoyed in Petoskey, Harbor Springs, and Boyne City. Don’t forget to check out area tap houses that offer local and national craft beers too! The area has a unique beer and wine tour operator opportunity where visitors can have a safe ride from tasting all the area offers.
Sip on summertime and enjoy some of the best beers and breweries Marquette offers. Whether it’s a local happy hour, a bar crawl, or checking out a live comedy or music show, The breweries in Marquette County offer a wealth of programming to enjoy. And the official Marquette Brew Pass invites visitors to check out multiple distilleries and receive tiered prizes for a day of well-spent sampling brews.
Plan a trip up north to the Keweenaw to experience four craft breweries and several historic watering holes. Not only that, but this August, the Houghton Waterfront Pier will host Keweenaw Brewfest. Visitors can expect up to 300 different kinds of beer from over 50 breweries! Adventure North to the Keweenaw this summer and get sippin’!
Statewide
West Michigan Beer Tours are your backstage pass to one of the fastest-growing and inventive industries in the state. Visitors can either take a public or private tour. The private tours include bus tours to various breweries who distribute around the country to the small-town brewpub. Those that attend will have unique experiences, such as brewer meet-and-greets, exclusive tastings, and perhaps even lending a hand in brewing or packaging.
