In a state like Michigan where excellent craftiness beer flows as plentifully as the fresh water rivers that line our terrain , it can be a daunting job to sort out out the caliber hop from the noisy hype . There are , of course , the mighty masters of the secret plan ( thinkBell ’s Breweryand the IPA pride of Grand Rapids , Founders ) and the hipster hotspot ( here ’s looking at you , Batch ) . But what about the mythical local breweries , where the regulars keep etched mugs on the wall , and the small batch of beer are fresh , innovative , and dare we say , a well - kept secret ? It ’s time you checked out some of the smaller , underrated breweries you may have look out on in your ongoing quest for the consummate brew . Who knows ? possibly your new favorite is right in your own backyard .
Farmington Brewing Company
The parentage Orange Wheat , a " non - received wheat beer " that ’s made with profligate orange juice , is how Farmington Brewery made a name for itself – and it ’s a beer that ’s rightly as tantalizing and refreshing as it sounds . Situated right on Grand River in Downtown Farmington , the brewery is a comforting favorite among locals . gild in your favourite takeout – the smear allow outside delivery – and casually dine at one of the cosy tables inside , while sip on a signature tune 4C’z Slam ( " The four coulomb ’s stand for Chinook , Cascade , Centennial , and Crystal . The zed stands for Zeus . " ABV : 6.9 % ) or tipping back a Dirtbag Brown , which is smooth , sweet , and a little roasty at a 4.4 % ABV .
Cellermen’s
Beards , a cellar , and brew – if you had to sum up Cellermen ’s in Hazel Park in three words , that would just about do it . But there ’s so much more loom below the surface of this Elks Lodge - meet - VFW hall - meet - high - falutin ' meadery , you simply have to get it for yourself . For newcomers feel a spot overwhelmed by the ambience , try the Moscow Miel ( 6 % ABV ) made using Michigan wildflower dearest with novel gingerroot and basswood , or the Pineapple Cider ( 6 % ABV ) , which match pineapple from the Philippines and Star Thistle honey . If you ’re ready to cut into into the experiment , Cellerman ’s urinate curious small - peck beers , too : try Lady Boy , a Thai jasmine Elmer Reizenstein IPA at 6.5 % ABV , or El Hefe , a rye - found hefeweizen with peppery notes of orange . Then do as one does , in one ’s basement : chill .
North Center Brewing Company
With far-out and quirky name for its brewage – causa in point the Nice Bloobs Blueberry Ale ( “ The bloobs bring you the flavor ” ) and the 8.3 % ABV All hop Up – the entire staff at North Center exude an effervescent sensation of humor . Ignore theOffice Space - vibe outside and drop in for shovelboard , the sweet gustatory sensation of Bloobs , and a sociable chat with the mixologist – her day job is as a kindergarten instructor . Or if Charles Edward Berry beers do n’t whet your appetite , make your entrée into North Center ’s selections with a taste flight . verify the Bobby English E.S.B. ( 6.3 % ABV ) and the True North Wheat ( 5.5 % ABV ) finds its way in there .
Witch’s Hat Brewing Company
The dusky wall of Witch ’s Hat Brewing Co are lined high with the private soft touch of its regulars – those multitude who crush on the brews SO MUCH that they give $ 50 a year just for that privilege . Of of course , there are other perks to the rank – among them , drink the noteworthy beer that Witch ’s Hat press up day by day . The Train Hopper IPA is the Hat ’s flagship beer , and perfectly worth the trip out to the center of nowhere ( sorry , South Lyonites ) ; it ’s a unusually well - equilibrate , dry - hopped IPA . But if IPAs are not your suitcase , just hold back in and require the bartender to advocate something more in your wheelhouse . The stave at Witch ’s Hat are some of the most knowledgeable , patient , and friendly of any brewery in any townsfolk – pull up a seat and sit down a spell .
Drafting Table Brewing Company
Drafting Table , with its extensive - open interior , downcast - bricked backsplash , and oblong wooden spigot radiate charm and quiet on a Saturday afternoon . It ’s the staring locale to grab a Rezolute IPA ( West Coast expressive style , with citrus and pine tree , 7.7 % ABV ) , its flagship beer . But come Saturday dark , when the small town of Wixom is all dressed up and looking for somewhere drinkish to go , the joint is likely to be standing - room - only . The Mug Club – you get a hand-crafted ceramic mug that exist on the wall of Drafting tabular array when you ’re not around – betray out within the first month of operation ; after taste the Hefeweizen ( a German flair beer with hints of clove tree and banana ) or the Proud Lake Porter ( earthy and oaky , 6.0 % ABV ) , you ’ll be ready to add your name to the list of ale - full-blooded wannabe when the club reopen later this class .
Kuhnhenn Brewing Co.
Kuhnhenn set out to do craft beer a full decade before many of the other destinations on this list – and as the new , showy breweries have appeared on the view , the cub over in Warren have move the way of Rodney Dangerfield : they ca n’t get no respectfulness . But if you channelise over to the taproom on Chicago Rd , or to its second emplacement on Groesbeck in Clinton Township , you ’ll find oneself over 26 beers on draft , including the Double Rice IPA ( DRIPA ) , which took home a atomic number 79 medal in the IPA category at the 2012 World Beer Cup , which is essentially the biggest beer challenger out there . According to the Kuhnhenn comrade , the DRIPA finds its unique flavor from “ huge citrous fruit hop fiber in the scent , follow by a intermediate - in high spirits resentment , balanced amazingly well with cereal malty notes . ” concord to the locals signaling the mixologist for their third pint of the eve , it ’s just damn good .
Ascension Brewery
The tap at Ascension rotate oft , and as a small batch brewery , that Four Udders nitro milk stout that had you swooning today might just be all dry out up tomorrow . afford for just over a yr , Ascension brings an atmosphere of bumpkinly sophistication to its little corner of Novi ; recall less " hipster business " and more " incorporated hobnobbers and mediate - aged duet canoodling on dinner dates . " But the food for thought at Ascension is good ( it has a full restaurant carte ; do n’t slumber on the street tacos ) , and the beers are better – so do n’t pick apart it until you ’ve tried it . And you really oughta try it .
Liberty Street
Hidden away in Plymouth ’s Old Town , Liberty Street is the sort of no - frills brewery that will enamour the ale - love purist . It ’s a wistfully inner setting , with tall mirrors elongating the oaky measure ; just the sort of place you could envision some of Michigan ’s former settlers adjudicate a heady dispute over cattle long ago while raising a dry pint of Eagle Eye IPA ( that ’s Michigan - grown Cascade hops you ’re smack ) . papa in for trivia night , stay for the popcorn , and finalise in with a dry pint of the coffee flavored and chocolate scented Starkweather Stout ( 6.1 % ABV ) . The rest is history .
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Laurie Lynn Photography
Cellarmen’s
MI-SBDC
Drafting Table Brewing Company
Ascension Brewing Company
