Vacation Day 6: On the move again

We got up early and headed south. We were going to Three Floyds Brewing in Munster, Indiana. Before we left Michigan we found a campground where we would spend the night. There was no one working at the entrance so we drove on in and selected a site. We took showers and were ready to continue our journey. We stopped at the park entrance expecting to pay for our campsite but again it was unmanned. We made our way to Three Floyds. The brewery is located in a small business park. They are in the business of good beer, good food and good fun. We enjoyed a couple of beers that are only available at the brewery along with an order of frogs legs, that is not something you find everywhere. It was all very good. We left with 4-22 oz bombers and a couple of shirts and headed back to Michigan.

Once back in Michigan we stopped at a small brewery in Benton Harbor called The Livery. Of all the breweries we stopped at this is the only one I considered disappointing. It wasn't going to be the biggest disappointment of the day however.

Vacation Day 5, Part 2: Holland, MI

Lake Michigan

It was mid-afternoon when we got back to Holland. We were both a little worn out from all of the driving of the last few days. We took a few hours of down time for a nap and a little reading. After that we headed in to downtown Holland and the New Holland Brew Pub. The place was very busy but the people at the bar made room for us to squeeze in. The first thing we did, of course, was order a couple of beers. With a couple of beers in front of us we perused the menu. A friend from Michigan had told us we had to have perch while we were there and it was onthe menu. The decision was made.

Cask beer

Beeeeer

New Holland beer at home

Vacation Day 5, Part 1: Grand Rapids

After leaving Ann Arbor on Monday we drove to Holland which is located South of Grand Rapids along Lake Michigan. Tuesday morning we had breakfast at the Parkway Inn, a local diner, then we were off to Grand Rapids. After spending so much time in the car we needed to move around a little. It was a beautiful sunny day so we went to the Frederik Meijer Gardens. We spent several hours walking the grounds enjoying the gardens and sculptures. We worked up a thirst so decided to see if Founders Brewing could help us out. By the time we got to the brewery we were also getting hungry so the first thing we did was order some food. Food is both ordered and paid for directly at the kitchen separately from your beverage purchase. The food was okay but not great. The bread on my sandwich was toasted to the point that it was like eating a giant crouton. It was such a nice day that the overhead garage doors, much like those at the Kansas City Flying Saucer, were opened. Unfortunately the garage doors were downwind of the trash bins so it smelled like we were drinking at the city dump. The beer was good but the aroma wasn't. We finished our lunch and headed back to Holland.

Vacation Day 4: Ann Arbor

We knew there was good beer being made in Michigan but until we got there we really had no idea how many breweries there really were there. Ann Arbor was no different, there are four or five breweries that were recommended. However, our main reason for going to Ann Arbor was to visit the Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales Cafe so that is were we started. Jolly Pumpkin may not be making beer for the masses but they are making some great beer.  If you like beer a little wild, a little unpredictable, you will like Jolly Pumpkin. They ferment with wild yeast and most of the beers are also barrel aged.

Cask ale

After leaving Jolly Pumpkin we wondered around the streets taking in the sites and sounds of Ann Arbor. We also did a little shopping where we picked up a couple on non-beer related items. Ann Arbor, at least the part we saw, is a cluster of small specialty shops and restaurants. The lack of national chain stores and eateries allows the area to have a unique character and identity. Our final stop in Ann Arbor was at the Arbor Brewing Company. Like many brew pubs their brewery is on site and you can watch the brew operation from inside the pub. We tried a couple of their beers including a nice cask IPA. We left with a 750ml bottle of Brasserie Greff barrel aged sour brown ale that we brought home.





Barrel aged sour brown ale

Vacation Day 3: Bell's & Dark Horse

Before they changed the name to Bell's

Barrel aging

There's nothing quite like coffe by the campfire on a late September Michigan morning. After a breakfast of scrambled eggs and sausage cooked on the camp stove we cleaned up the campsite and reorganzied our gear before heading off to Bell's Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo.  We ordered a couple of beers while we waited for the brewery tour. Bell's still operates a 15 bbl. brew system in Kalamazoo where they brew beers they serve at the cafe along with beers from the production facility. Thiswas previously their production facility location and it looks like they still run it with the same mindset. Everything is as clean and organized as any brewery I have seen. After the tour we went back to the cafe for lunch and another beer. We also stoppped by the General Store before we left. I picked up a new fermenation pail with a lid.

The General Store

On tap today

After leaving Bell's Brewery we were on our way to Dark Horse Brewing about 45 minutes away in Marshall. We did make a stop along the way to pick up a few supplies and food for dinner back at camp. Upon arriving at the brewery we went in and found our spots at the bar. The entire ceiling in the brew pub is covered in hand thrown mugs. Each one starts with an equal weight of clay but beyond that no two are alike. They don't offer tours but since it was Sunday not much was going on in the bewery. We were fortunate enough to get invited to have a look around. It was a great time. We don't get Dark Horse beers in KC so we picked up a couple of sixers to enjoy later before we left to head back to camp.

Dark Horse Brewing

Vacation Day 2, Part 2: Michigan State Parks

Campsite number 86

We decided to stay at Fort Custer State Park for a couple of nights. We were met at the park entrance by a Park Ranger who told us what we needed to know to find a campsite. The campground was busier than I expected but we found a site we liked. We then went back to pay our fees. There is an out of state resident car tag required along with a daily fee to drive into the park and of course the campsite fee. We also bought two $5 bundles of wood so we could have a fire and get the full camping experience.  We went back to our campsite ready to settle in, start a fire and cook the steaks we brought for our first night. There was just one problem. Having done most all of my camping in Missouri State Parks where the fire enclosures include a hinged grill I never considered it would be different in Michigan, but it is. We got back in the truck and headed to the nearest Wal-Mart, about 30 minutes away in Kalamazoo, to look for a grill. A grill in hand we went back to camp. The lost time meant we were eating in the dark.

Michigan fire pit

Our new grill

Vacation Day 2, Part 1: Welcome to Michigan

Arcadia Brewing Company

The drive from Indianapolis to Battle Creek seemed short compared to the previous day's drive. We went straight to Arcadia Brewing for lunch and a beer. They offer a varied selection of beers on tap. We wanted to try them all so we shared a sampler. We also shared an order of hummus and a smoked brisket sandwich. They smoke the meats they serve on site and also bake their bread in a wood fired oven.  Maybe I was just really hungry, but that was a really good brisket sandwich. Having lived all my life in the Kansas City area I've eaten some brisket before. While we were there we talked to a couple of guys about local breweries. They told us we should go to Dark Horse Brewing . It would turn out to be good advice.

What's on tap

Sample platter