Michigan has a large volume of microbreweries throughout the state. While some of these are just retail establishments with private brewing facilities, others allow guests to tour the brewery and view the brewing process. Brewery tour companies offer advantages to customers such as finding out which of these breweries are open for tours, and sometimes arranging tours for their tour groups that may not be available for others that are not part of an organized tour group.
According to Michigan.org, "Brew Pub" magazine has labeled Arbor Brewing Company as "Best Brewing in the Midwest" for Michigan Microbrewing. Tours here are not held for the public, but can be arranged for groups. Along with the tours, private tastings can be arranged with the experts at Arbor Brewing Company. The Arbor Brewing Company's website offers notes for those who are new to beer tasting for how to evaluate a beer and characteristics of different types of import and microbrews. Arbor Brewing Company brews more than 10 different beers, concentrating on Belgian styles as well as stouts. Arbor Brewing Company also offers beer tastings on a monthly basis, not only of their own beers, but favorites of theirs from around the world.
Arbor Brewing Company
114 East Washington Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1905
734-213-1393
arborbrewing.com
Tours of the Arcadia Brewing Company are held each Saturday of the year, as well as other times with private reservations. Tours are free, with the starting times varying on Saturdays, so guests should call ahead to make a reservation and find out the time for the Saturday they are interested in touring the brewery. Seven brews are available year-round from Arcadia Brewing Company, including a port, stout, rye and scotch ale. Nine others are brewed seasonally, with a schedule listed on the brewery's website. Arcadia's beers are distributed throughout the Midwest as well as Kentucky, Missouri, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Arcadia Brewing Company
103 West Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-963-9520
arcadiaales.com
If you are interested in touring several breweries in Michigan in the same day, Motor City Brew Tours can make the arrangements for you. Motor City Brew Tours arranges for the tour to visit three different breweries in the area during a 5-hour period. The cost varies, but is approximately $50 as of 2010. This includes four samples at each of the breweries, as well as a tour of each of the breweries, with questions answered by the brewmaster of the brewery or another member of his team. Lunch is also included at one of the breweries. Discounts are offered on growlers and bottles at the breweries for carry-out, and Motor City Brew Tours offers a cooler on the bus to store them.
Motor City Brew Tours
248-840-2370
motorcitybrewtours.com
