Michigan beer experts share their favorite drinks
LANSING - There are nearly 300 breweries in Michigan, producing well over 1,000 different craft beers.
To save you from having to try them all, we asked experts in the craft beer scene to pick their favorites. Read on for their recommendations.
Rex Halfpenny
Publisher, Michigan Beer Guide
1. Expedition Stout, 10.5% ABV, Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo - One of the very first beers I found in Michigan when I first came here in 1988, and it has been in my cellar ever since. Rich complex aromas and flavors, ages well, never disappoints.
2. Final Absolution, 10% ABV, Belgian Trippel, Dragonmead Microbrewery, Warren, - Rich golden liquid with complex layers of Belgian-yeast-derived esters (fruity) and phenolics (spicy), great seafood beer.
3. Dirty Bastard, Scotch ale, 8.5% ABV, Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids - This is a firm, malt-driven brew with rich hop complexity.
Rick Coates
Editor, MiBrew Enthusiast Magazine
1. Black Cherry Porter, 7% ABV, Short’s Brewing Co., Bellaire - I bought the very first barrel of this beer over 12 years ago and have been a fan ever since. I love cherries and porters, and this beer celebrates both exceptionally well.
2. Va Ja Ha, Blonde Ale, 5% ABV, Rare Bird Brewing Company, Traverse City - Any beer that Matthew McConaughey is drinking, I am going to drink. He was in Traverse City this past March and stopped into Rare Bird and ordered this beer! When they ask to take your order, just say, "Alright, Alright, Alright," and they will know what to bring
3. The Nightswimmer, Stout, 8% ABV, Stormcloud Brewing Co., Frankfort - There is something magic when a full moon is shining over Lake Michigan. This stout celebrates that magic, and the tap room is just a short walk to Lake Michigan. Another highlight is northern Michigan hops are used!
Robert Allen
Spirits of Detroit columnist, Detroit Free Press
1. Two Hearted Ale, IPA, 7% ABV, Bell's Brewery - Every time I taste this beer, it seems better than the last time I had it. The citrus-floral-piney notes from 100% Centennial hops are bountiful but not overwhelming, balanced masterfully with bready malts that add some caramel sweetness. The bitterness doesn't stick out the way it can in other IPAs of similar alcohol content, and I think this helps make it appealing to an especially wide audience -- from people just dipping their toes into craft beer, to seasoned beer-tasters. Even better: It's available year-round.
2. Backwoods Bastard, bourbon barrel-aged Scotch ale, 11.2% ABV, Founders Brewing Co. - I love the way a mix of distinct flavors, with some extra aging, unite to make this one sing: the complex malts and subtle peaty-ness of Founders' Dirty Bastard scotch ale, stored for months in barrels that previously held bourbon. The result: Notes of caramel, toffee, dates, plums, earthy spice, vanilla and that boozy, woody finish that lingers with a tingly warmth. This beer releases in October, but in my experience, it doesn’t reach excellence for a good 6-12 months. The time seems to smooth it out and coalesce the flavors. Savor this one with small sips, and give it time to warm up in the glass a bit.
3. Plead the 5th, Russian imperial stout, 11% ABV, Dark Horse Brewing Co., Marshall - Big and bold, this beer looks black as spent motor oil. It's velvety smooth and incredibly satisfying. The roasty, dark-chocolate and coffee flavors one would expect from an imperial stout are in there, along with some molasses and cherry notes, and a little alcohol warmth. Sometimes they release a bourbon-barrel-aged version, but this beer stands firm on its own. Plead the 5th releases in December but can be enjoyed not-so-fresh, and well-stocked craft beer stores sometimes have it on their shelves for months -- until I get at it.
Kim Schneider
Brewer, River's Edge Brewing, Milford
1. The one in my hand, sometimes brewed by me.
2. The one with friends and family, often brewed by a friend
3. The one on the water probably in a kayak with a fishing pole.
My answers aren't meant to be funny. They're genuine and how I feel about the industry that I'm so proud to be a part of. Michigan brewers make some phenomenal beers, and it's about the experience shared with this art that I feel is so memorable. Beer for me is about experience, enjoying good company, conversation, outdoors and being in the moment.
Alexander Alusheff is a reporter at the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at (517) 388-5973 or aalusheff@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexalusheff.