The 1st microbrewery we went to together was Sanford Lake Bar, Grill & Brew Pub - hey, it's the closest. This was actually about 2 months before we decided "Let's go to every microbrewery in Michigan!". Not yet being connoisseurs, just thirsty travelers, we didn't really pay much attention to the varieties we tried, but, if we remember correctly, all were pretty good - but we were very thirsty. 

They had no growlers available so we couldn't take home any samples. We'll have to revisit this one again in order to give fair comments. We also would like to sample the food. 

UPDATE: A year later, fall of 2002, we took another trip with friends. The food was great! But, not being as thirsty as last time, we realized the brews weren't that great, although, we heard they aren't always consistent.

UPDATE - Sept. 10, 2005:  Click here to see our latest trip and some ratings.

In July of 2001 we went to Mt. Pleasant to Mountain Town Station. Todd had a growler from Big Buck and we thought, "Let's go get a growler of microbrew". This is the 2nd closest place to us, about 30 minutes, so we hit the road. 

We bought a sampler and quickly decided we did NOT like the weizen or fruit brews. The Hobo's Breath Brown Ale was tasty, the Golden Ale was alright, light as usual. Most of the microbrews we've visited have a good light beer. Todd liked the Steam Engine Stout, but, a little too thick for Cheryl. 

For a snack we ordered the Potato Skins and they hit the spot. Now, time for our main objective - GET A GROWLER! They were out... :-( We had the waitresses checking every nook and cranny for one, but, they couldn't locate one for us. Saddened, we went home with our tails between our legs.

We did make a second trip here about 8 months later to see if they had the growlers in and they did, so we got our growler and had if filled with the brown.  Don't have any notes from that trip.

Check out our September 10, 2005 trip with some ratings by clicking here.

  Home  

  Sanford Lake & Mountain Town (June, 2001)  

  Big Buck & Alcatraz (Aug, 2001)  

  Jamesport, Lighthouse, Mackinaw, Northpeak, Brewzone, Boyne River (Sep, 2001)  

  Wiltse's (Nov, 2001) & Tawas Point (May, 2004)  

  King, Big Rock, & WAB (July, 2001)  

  Hereford and Hops (starting Dec, 2001, several trips)  

  Harpers, Tuba, & MBC (Mar, 2002)  

  Tahquamenon, Lake Superior, Jasper Ridge, Library brewpub (Aug, 2002)  

  Quay Street, Dragonmead, Great Baraboo (Apr, 2003)  

  Hair of the Frog, Robert Thomas, Grand Rapids, B.O.B.'S, Founders (July, 2003)  

  Grizzly, Arbor, Leopolds (Aug 6, 2004)  

  Sports, Traffic, Stoney, Kuhnhenn (Aug 7, 2004)  

  Thunder Bay, Belle Isle (Aug 8, 2004)  

  Jamesport, Salmon fishing (Aug 29, 2004)  

  Rochester, Big Rock, King, Bo's, WAB, Bastone, Copper (Sep 11, 2004)  

  Black Forest, Frankenmuth (Oct 1, 2004)  

  Old Hat, Bilbos, Olde Peninsula, Bells, Kraftbrau (Oct 8, 2004)  

  Arcadia, Dark Horse, Harpers (Oct 9, 2004)  

  Midland St. Ale Tour, Bay City, 2004  

  Old Boys, New Holland, Via Maria, Grand Rapids Brewing (Nov 12, 2004)  

  The B.O.B., Founders (Nov 13, 2004)  

  Thunder Bay, Kings, Bo's, CJ's (Feb 5, 2005)  

  Great Baraboo, Dragonmead, Belle River (Feb 26, 2005)  

  Boyne River, Shorts (Apr 30, 2005)  

  2nd U.P. Trip - Part 1, Tahquamenon, Lake Superior, Vierling, Jasper (Aug 24,25, 2005)  

  2nd U.P. Trip - Part 2, Red Jacket, Keweenaw, Library, Hereford & Hops (Aug 26,27, 2005)  

  Mountain Town, Sanford - 2nd Trip (Sept 10, 2005)  

  Michigan Brewing, Jolly Pumpkin, Redwood Lodge, (Sept 24, 2005)  

  Livery, Saugatuck, New Holland, Via Maria (Sept 30, 2005)  

  Middle Villa, Schmohz, Hideout (Oct 1, 2005)  

  Redwood Lodge (Sep, 2004), Redwood Lodge (Oct 8, 2005)  

  Kuhnhenn, Bastone, Lilys (Oct. 21, 2005)  

  Bonfire, Etouffee (Oct. 22, 2005)  

  Cork 'N' Ale 11th Annual Fall Beer Tasting (Nov. 3, 2005)  

  Traverse City, North Peak (Dec. 2, 2005)  

  Mackinaw, Shorts (Dec. 3, 2005)  

  Lumber Barons' Charcoal Grill & Brewpub (Dec. 9 & 10, 2005)