AS THE QUALITY AND REPUTATION of Michigan craft beer grow, an increasing number of people are visiting the state specifically to take “beercations.” And while Grand Rapids may have been crowned Beer City USA in 2013, a growing diversity and volume of award-winning breweries are right here in metro Detroit.
What better way to enjoy some great beer and discover new favorites than to create a customized beer tour?
We put together this handy guide to help recent craft beer converts as well as seasoned beer-destination travelers plan a tour. Since metro Detroit is a sprawling area, we’ve compiled the list by region (so you don’t have to waste any precious time in transit). We also recommend gathering a group and renting a party bus, designating a driver, or finding another safe method of transportation. Cheers!
/// MACOMB COUNTY
DRAGONMEAD MICROBREWERY
With multiple awards and around 50 beers on their roster, Dragonmead covers the globe in brewing styles. Award-winning mead and wine round out the bar offerings. The kitchen offers a small menu of pub favorites, ribs, and house-made root beer and soda. Beer flights and growlers are available.
14600 E. 11 Mile Rd., Warren, MI 48089
586-776-9428, dragonmead.com
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FALLING DOWN BEER CO.
Just over a year old, Falling Down is finding their stride in the local brewing world. They offer a limited rotating beer menu that covers the basics while pushing a few style boundaries. The kitchen offers a small but solid sandwich and pub food lineup, including a few options for vegetarians. Growlers are available.
2270 E. 10 Mile Rd., Warren, MI 48091
586-799-2739, fallingdownbeer.com
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GREAT BARABOO BREWING CO.
Celebrating its 19th birthday in July, Great Baraboo offers seven rotating taps plus four craft beer guest taps, primarily featuring other Michigan brews. The recipes remain true to their style profiles and provide a launching point for new craft beer converts. The extensive menu provides something for everyone in the large family-friendly taproom. Flights and growlers are available.
35905 Utica Rd., Clinton Township, MI 48035
586-792-7397, greatbaraboo.com
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KUHNHENN BREWING CO.
The home to many award-winning beers, meads, and wines, Kuhnhenn is in the midst of expanding operations with a second Macomb County taproom and production facility. Regularly offering around 20 taps, the always-busy original location offers little in the way of food, but allows patrons to call for delivery from local restaurants. The opening date for the second facility has yet to be announced. Flights and growlers are available.
Original Brewery, 5919 Chicago Rd., Warren, MI 48092
Production Facility and Tasting Room, 
36000 Groesbeck Hwy., Clinton Township, MI 48035
586-979-8361, kbrewery.com
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SHERWOOD BREWING CO.
Ten selections are in the regular rotation from Sherwood’s diverse roster of beer. Wine, Birch Beer (Signature Root Beer), and two rotating soda flavors round out the beverage selections. An ample menu — including pizzas, burgers, and sandwiches — provides a solid foundation on which to drink. Growlers are available.
45689 Hayes Rd., Shelby Township, MI 48315
586-532-9669, sherwoodbrewing.com
/// OAKLAND COUNTY
51 NORTH BREWING COMPANY
Opening its doors in Lake Orion in 2013, 51 North offers a selection of award-winning beer, mead, and wine. Six standard beers are always on tap; there’s also a rotating selection of specialties and seasonals. A hearty menu with kid-friendly selections rounds out the offerings. Flights and growlers are available.
51 N. Broadway St., Lake Orion, MI 48362
248-690-7367, 51northbrewing.com
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BASTONE BREWERY
Bastone recently had their 10-year anniversary and has six award-winning beers in the regular selection with a monthly rotation of seasonals. The focus is on Belgium in both the beer and many of the menu offerings. Growlers are available.
419 S. Main St., Royal Oak, MI 48067
248-544-6250, bastone.net/br/bastone-brewery
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GRIFFIN CLAW BREWING CO.
The award-winning Griffin Claw regularly pours eight beers and has a large variety of seasonal and limited edition offerings. A solid bar menu complements the beer and includes kids selections. Flights and growlers are available.
575 S. Eton St., Birmingham, MI 48009
248-712-4050, griffinclawbrewingcompany.com
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LILY’S SEAFOOD & BREWERY
Lily’s, in business since 1999, offers four regular beer selections plus seasonals and house-made root beer. On the menu, seafood is the primary fare with kids offerings and weekend brunch available. Growlers are available.
410 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak, MI 48067
248-591-5459, lilysseafood.com
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ROCHESTER MILLS BEER CO.
Rochester Mills offers four year-round selections, adds in a rotation of seasonals, and then ups the ante with as many as 11 pub-only beers. The large menu includes a variety of entrees, sandwiches, and pizza. Growlers are available.
400 Water St., Rochester, MI 48307
248-650-5080, facebook.com/RochesterMills
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ROYAL OAK BREWERY
Six or seven beers are always on tap, including regular and seasonal/specialty beers. The large menu covers pub favorites plus a variety of unique dishes. Growlers are available.
215 E. Fourth St., Royal Oak, MI 48067
248-544-1141, royaloakbrewery.com
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WOODWARD AVENUE BREWERS
The WAB has seven rotating selections and three guest taps with a primary focus on Michigan. A new menu has wood-stone oven-fired pizzas and kids selections. Flights and growlers are available.
22646 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, MI 48220
248-546-3696, wabferndale.com
/// WAYNE COUNTY/DOWNRIVER
ATWATER BREWERY
Rivertown mainstay Atwater has been growing their production facilities over the last few years and will be opening Atwater in the Park — a pilot brewery, restaurant, and distillery — later this year. The original taproom is in the brewery space in Detroit and offers 14 taps. Atwater in the Park will occupy a renovated church in Grosse Pointe Park and will offer 40 taps. The opening date, menu, and hours of operation for Atwater in the Park have not yet been announced. Growlers are available.
Detroit Taproom, 237 Joseph Campau Ave., Detroit, MI 48207
Atwater in the Park, 1175 Lakepointe St., Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230
313-877-9205, atwaterbeer.com
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DETROIT BEER CO.
The Detroit Beer Company offers up to eight rotating draft selections on a regular basis. The diverse menu includes pub favorites, brick-oven pizzas, and seasonal entrees. Growlers are available.
1529 Broadway St., Detroit, MI 48226
313-692-1529, detroitbeerco.com
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FORT STREET BREWERY
Fort Street opened its doors in 2005 and offers seven regular beer selections and a special cask-conditioned ale every Thursday. The large menu offers something for everyone, including pizza and a wide variety of sandwiches.
1660 Fort St., Lincoln Park, MI 48146
313-389-9620, fortstreetbeer.com
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MOTOR CITY BREWING WORKS
Motor City offers six flagship beers, plus seasonal/specialty beers, cider, wine, and a variety of house-made sodas. Brick-oven pizzas are the order of the day and include a wide selection of specialty pies and build your own toppings. Growlers are available.
470 W. Canfield St., Detroit, MI 48201
313-832-2700, motorcitybeer.com
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TRAFFIC JAM & SNUG
Michigan’s first licensed brewpub continues to make its own beer, cheese, and bread. The beer selections are somewhat limited, but the entire menu is created in-house on a daily basis, providing a fresh, flavorful meal. Kids selections are available as well. Flights are available.
511 W. Canfield St., Detroit, MI 48201
313-831-9470, trafficjamdetroit.com
/// WEST
CJ’S BREWING CO.
CJ’s boasts multiple locations and offers six beer varieties on a daily basis. Their large menu provides enough selection for everyone’s tastes and provides kids options. Growlers are available.
Commerce Location, 8115 Richardson Rd., Commerce Township, MI 48382
248-366-7979
Plymouth Location, 14900 Beck Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170
734-453-4455, cjsbrewery.com
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LIBERTY STREET BREWING CO.
Currently offering 13 selections on tap, Liberty Street has been brewing a diverse roster of small-batch beers since 2008. A small selection of snacks are available, and food delivery from local restaurants is allowed. Flights and growlers are available.
149 W. Liberty St., Plymouth, MI 48170
734-207-9600, libertystreetbeer.com
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WITCH’S HAT BREWING CO.
Six year-round beers are available with another six seasonal/specialty beers on rotation. Popcorn is the only food available, but food delivery from local restaurants is allowed. Witch’s Hat will be relocating to a larger facility later this year, so be sure to confirm the address before visiting. Growlers are available.
22235 Pontiac Trail, South Lyon, MI 48178
248-486-2595, witchshatbrewing.com
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