MiBrew Trail: How to Plan the Ultimate Beer Tour

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For Michigan’s settlers, alcohol was an integral part of daily life. They washed down breakfast with hard cider, drank beer with lunch, and sipped wine and liquor late into the evening. They did so out of necessity — water wasn’t safe to consume back then — but the practice of crafting alcoholic beverages with local ingredients like apples, berries, pumpkins, and honey created strong brewing, winemaking, and distilling traditions that endure here to this day. Now there are more than 100 breweries in the Great Lake State preserving old methods and experimenting with exciting new ingredients and recipes to quench your thirst. There has never been a better time to take a daylong road trip, hop from spot to scenic spot, and get a taste of vintage Michigan. On your personal Michigan drinking tour, you can pay homage to your epicurean forebearers and raise a glass to your health. And then you can raise a few more just for fun.

With so many possible drinking destinations across the state, the best bet for a successful tour is to plan ahead. Researching these places and their unique offerings and then mapping out the perfect day is half the fun of any trip. Here are some tips to getting every last drop out of the experience:

Pick your team: Find friends who share your passion for revelry, and pick out a day that works for everyone — and a day after that’s clear for recovery. Safety first!: Pick out a designated driver, or hire a shuttle service that can ferry you safely from place to place. Call ahead: Find out which places have tours, which places have food, and which places take reservations so you’re not surprised upon arrival. Don’t overdo it: Not just good drinking advice, but you also don’t want too many stops crammed into one day. Leave yourselves time to relax and not feel rushed. Spice it up: If you want to branch out beyond just conversation, set up some extracurricular activities like a fun scavenger hunt, board games, or drinking games. Provide disposable cameras so everyone can document the day.

Party Planner

Once you’ve done your research, you can start laying out the big day. There are plenty of conveniently located Michigan breweries, wineries, and distilleries to fill a day with just one type of libation for specialists. But if you’re more of a generalist drinker or are traveling with a group that has diverse tastes, there’s no reason you can’t get a taste of everything the state has to offer. Just remember to be flexible and responsible. Here’s a sample itinerary to build on:

The Night Before: Like any race or vacation, preparation is key. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated, and get plenty of sleep. This is a marathon, not a sprint. And you want to be sure you can make it to the finish line.

8 a.m.: Stick to your morning routine. Eat a big breakfast with coffee or tea for an extra boost. Drink plenty of water.

10 a.m.: Game time. Stock the van or party bus with water and snacks to keep you going throughout the day. Load up the party playlist to provide the soundtrack. Then meet up or pick up your friends, and get the trip rolling.

*Pro tip: Arranging to pick everyone up at home or stay over in one location limits the possibility of someone having to drive themselves somewhere at the end of the day. Just in case, it’s always good to have a ride-share app or the phone number of a local cab company handy.

*Pro tip: Don’t overload your palate, but try as many styles as you can instead of diving into a full glass. Remember, you can take home a bottle of any vintage you want to spend more time with.

11:30 a.m.: First stop. Because wineries tend to be largely rural outdoor affairs, with patio tables overlooking lush, vast vineyards, they can be the perfect place to start a beautiful day. You can also get a walk in with a tour of the grounds. Then dive into the tastings.

1 p.m.: Second stop. With their robust and hardy menus or on-site food trucks, brewpubs and taprooms tend to be great spots for lunch. Try a flight (a sampling of four-ounce pours) of ales, lagers, sours, or stouts to pace yourself and get a real sense of the brewmaster’s entire menu.

Itinerary

HOW TO Plan the ultimate BEER TOUR

*Pro tip: Consider sneaking in a workout. In addition to giving you energy, it’ll make you feel like you’ve earned the extra calories that are coming.

*Pro tip: Many breweries resemble a bar and grill, where wall-mounted TVs are tuned to the day’s big sporting events. So if you want to catch (or avoid) the big game and the accompanying crowds of fanatics, plan accordingly.

2:30 p.m.: Third stop. This one is dealer’s choice. If the weather is too good to resist, you can find another winery with outdoor seating. If you want to catch the end of the game, you can race to another brewpub. Or if you’re finally ready for something stronger, a distillery is never far away.

*Pro tip: Many places, particularly breweries, also offer drinks other than beer, including local wines and spirits, so if you plan ahead, everyone can follow their own tastes.

4 p.m.: Fourth stop. If you haven’t already (or even if you have), the onset of evening is the perfect time to take a cool indoor tour of a distillery and partake in a pre-dinner cocktail (or two).

*Pro tip: Many distilleries offer several kinds of spirits — from rum to gin to vodka to whiskey. Be careful mixing it up. And remember: Just like at the winery, you can take a bottle or more home for further research.

5:30 p.m.: Last stop. Dinnertime. Spend a beautiful night under the stars at a winery with a full farm menu. Find a brewpub with a slightly upscale board of fare. Or pop into one last distillery for a Michigan-made nightcap. You can’t go wrong.