With over 400 craft breweries in Michigan, it’s not easy to pick four to represent a state whose beer is as diverse as its population. But in celebration of National American Beer Day, here are four beers, past and present, that have earned a spot on our Mount Rushmore of Michigan beer.
Bohemian-Style Pilsner from Stroh’s
Stroh’s was founded in 1850 by Bernard Stroh, a German immigrant, who began brewing on Detroit’s east side off Gratiot Avenue. Originally created to help quench the thirsts of Stroh’s countrymen who had settled around Detroit, the brand quickly grew in popularity. Stroh’s eventually became the largest beer manufacturer in the city, producing 300,000 barrels annually. In 1999, the company was sold to Pabst Brewing Company and Miller Brewing Company, shuttering operations until its 2016 revival in partnership with Brew Detroit.
When Stroh’s returned to selling beer in Michigan, they revived their classic Bohemian-Style Pilsner. Based on the original Stroh family recipe, it’s brewed using Saaz and Magnum hops and Vienna malt. This gives the beer a smoother, fuller maltiness while still maintaining a lighter finish. The 5.5% ABV pilsner is a perfect Michigan fall beer, combining rich flavor with refreshing drinkability.
Two Hearted IPA from Bell’s Brewery
No other beverage has managed to capture the tastebuds and sensibilities of Michigan beer drinkers quite like Bell’s Two Hearted IPA. Named after the 23-mile river in the Upper Peninsula, it shares a namesake with Ernest Hemingway’s short-story, Big Two-Hearted River. Founded in 1983 and brewed primarily in Comstock, Michigan, Bell’s is the oldest craft brewery east of Colorado. Initially started as a homebrewing supply shop, the brand quickly emerged as a leader in the national craft brew world.
Known for its unmistakable river-trout branding and orange label, it’s a perfect introduction into the world of IPAs. Clocking in with a 7% ABV makes Two Hearted accessible without sacrificing taste. It’s filled with all the hops expected from an IPA and finishing with crisp citrus notes. Its use of only Centennial hops adds to the ale’s bright, piney flavor profile. This is a classic example of an American IPA, and can be easily enjoyed through every Michigan season.
Related to Mount Rushmore of Michigan Beer: Detroit Beer Over the Years
Altes Original Detroit Lager from Altes Beer
Known as the “beer that bewitches”, Altes Beer dates back to 1910 on Detroit’s eastside. The brand weathered the Prohibition storm and was the official beer of the Detroit Lions and Tigers in the 1960s. By 1974, the beer was no longer brewed in Detroit and later discontinued in the 1990s. But in 2019, three lifelong Detroiters and MSU graduates decided to bring back the beer of their college days. Since then, Altes Beer can be found on the shelves and beer lists at stores and bars around the state.
Their classic Original Detroit Lager is made with 100% barley malt and 100% German imported hops to capture the original flavor profile. It’s 5.2% ABV is in the mid-range for a lager, but the tasting notes punch above its weight class. It’s light, but not watery, and is reminiscent of a time before the ultra-lights and session IPAs dominated the beer world.
The Hef from Frankenmuth Brewery
One of America’s oldest microbreweries, the Frankenmuth Brewery has been pumping out beers from its original location since 1862. When the founder, John Matthias Falliers, immigrated from his native Bavaria, he brought his thirst for beer with him. Although the brewery has gone through multiple name changes, its commitment to making great beer never did.
The Hef is an ideal representative for this storied brewer. The hefeweizen is a quintessential German ale — top fermented and unfiltered. Frankenmuth Brewery’s creation earned a gold medal at the 2016 World Expo of Beer Competition for Best German Wheat. Lightly hopped, The Hef is a smooth, yeast-driven beer that refreshes the palate. The 5.2% ABV beer packs hints of clove and banana, providing a one-two punch of fruit and spice.
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