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Breweries, brew bars, pubs and dives devoted to serving Michigan-made and craft beers are serious business across Michigan. Some on our short (non-inclusive) list have just opened for biz; others are long-standing. Visit them all and enjoy the finest Michigan-made brew. These breweries have dedicated tap or tasting rooms:
Atwater Brewery, Detroit (DD)
Housed in a 1919 factory warehouse in Detroit’s historic Rivertown district, Atwater literally imported a German brew house to brew traditional German lagers. Year-round favorites include Grand Circus Pale Ale, Dirty Blonde and Vanilla Java Porter, among others. Seasonal and single-batch brews vary. Psst … Atwater was the Michigan pick on AOL Travel’s list of “50 places to drink local brews in the 50 States.”
New in 2014, Atwater in the Park opened in renovated church, now a restuarant and biergarten featuring over 40 taps.
The Detroit Beer Company, Detroit (DD)A full food menu complements a cast of brewed-on-site, rotating beers like The Detroit Dwarf and People Mover Porter. Just steps from Grand Circus Park, Detroit Opera House, theaters, sports arenas and the People Mover.
Hopcat, Detroit (DD)
HopCat Detroit opened on December 13, 2014 (yes, that was 12/13/14!) in a historic building at the corner of Woodward and Canfield. They offer Michigan's largest tap selection -- 130 craft beer taps -- and some pretty excellent food made from scratch in their kitchen. The second floor features the Huma Room, a music and entertainment venue featuring a variety of music and other performances.
Motor City Brewing Works, Detroit (DD)
Taste seasonal brews in the taproom or gobble up thin-crust pizzas fired in a brick oven as you lounge on the rooftop deck. Flagship beers like Ghettoblaster are complemented by seasonal and special series beers like Summer Brew, Corktown Stout and Hard Cider. Motor City brews wines and sodas, too.
Traffic Jam and Snug, Detroit (DD)
A Midtown fixture, TJs restaurant has been serving up a fresh, house-made menu since 1965 and has the distinction of being the first brewpub in Michigan, adding “microbrewery” to the list of what they do in 1992. Watch their brewing (or cheese making — they use the same equipment for both) from the observation balcony. Or better yet, settle into a cozy table and sample a Grand Theft Pilsner or India Pale Ale with your meal. Save room for dessert.
Woodward Avenue Brewers, Ferndale (O)
WAB puts the “ALE” in Ferndale and serves seven varieties of beer as well as seasonal and specialty brews and rotating guest taps from Michigan and beyond. An eclectic menu includes pizzas, panini sandwiches, candied bacon and a vegan chocolate mousse.
Brew Tours
Here's a fun way to enjoy Michigan craft beers. Motor City Brew Tours (O) offers guided bus, bike and walking tours to Michigan breweries. There are four different history themed brew tours that focus on downtown Detroit, including brew history, prohibition, automotive and Cork-Mex Town.
