Michigan Breweries and Beer are Dominating Latest 10best.com Reader’s Choice Polls
Last year saw Michigan cities and attractions regularly finished at or near the top in last year’s Reader’s Choice Awards from 10best.com, and this year looks like it will start with more of the same. A new batch of five polls opened this week, and the focus of those polls in on beer. Grand Rapids is in the finals for “Best Beer Scene,” Founders Brewing Co (Grand Rapids) is in the finals with its Breakfast Stout in the “Best Beer Label” poll, Brewery Vivant and Founders Brewing Co.’s Taproom (Grand Rapids) in the running to be named “Best Brewpub” and Hopcat (multiple MI locations) and Grand Trunk Pub (Detroit) are finalists for “Best Beer Bar.” We’ll look at the cases for each, and give you links to vote and help these finalists show that Michigan is not just the Great Lakes State, but a great beer state as well! Help these Michigan breweries and beer out by voting once a day now through February 29th.
Grand Rapids is no stranger to accolades for its numerous breweries, and it is known as “Beer City USA” after winning top honors in the “Best Beer Town” poll in 2014. 10best makes a case for Grand Rapids by noting it is the home of Founders and Brewery Vivant, has a robust list of festivals, and features top notch beer stores like Siciliano’s Market and Rishi’s International Beverage. We suggest grabbing a Beer City Brewsader passport and checking out the more than 20 participating breweries in the area. You can vote at: http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-beer-scene/grand-rapids-mich/. As of our writing, Grand Rapids was in 1st place out of 20 finalists. Other finalists include Chicago, Cleveland, Tampa, Asheville (North Carolina), Atlanta, and Austin. Voting runs through Monday, February 29th.
Brewery Vivant recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, and continues to be a must-visit location for visitors to Grand Rapids. 10best.com notes that this is the first LEED-certified commercial microbrewery and a pub with great atmosphere. Located in a former funeral chapel, Brewery Vivant has created a great place to enjoy their French and Belgian style beers. Long wooden tables bring everyone together in a similar fashion to an old monastery, and the food menu is fresh, innovative and focused on locally sourced ingredients. Other finalists include Schlafly Tap Room (St. Louis), 3 Floyds Brewpub (Munster, IN), Founders Brewing Co. Taproom (see below), and Revolution Brewing Brewpub (Chicago). You can vote for Brewery Vivant at: http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-brewpub/brewery-vivant-grand-rapids-mich/. At the time of our writing, Brewery Vivant was in 2nd place out of 20 finalists. Voting runs through Monday, February 29th.
Founders Brewing Co. has gained worldwide acclaim for its beers, which include KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout), All Day IPA, Rubaeus, and Centennial IPA. Their taproom is located in downtown Grand Rapids and is the go-to destination for beer travelers from Michigan, the Midwest and beyond. You’ll find all of the year round staples, a large company store, and a food menu that includes sandwiches and more. Founders frequently hosts live music and this is the only spot you’ll find rare and one-off brews that will make your friends jealous. We recently stopped by during “Cellar Raid 2016″ and saw a packed house on hand to enjoy tappings of the elusive and highly regarded CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout). Last year, Founders’ taproom was the Untappd venue with the most check-ins. As of this writing, Founders was in 6th place out of 20 finalists. You can help change that by voting at: http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-brewpub/founders-brewing-co-taproom-grand-rapids-mich/. Voting runs through Monday, February 29th.
Founders also finds itself in the running for “Best Beer Label” for their Breakfast Stout. This double chocolate oatmeal stout is a delicious beer with Kona and Sumatra coffee added. It clocks in with an 8.3% ABV, and is available from September to December each year. The label features a baby, which has been a point of controversy and contention in Vermont and in Michigan. Last year the labels featured an empty chair with a note that said, “Left the crib for a bit, call me if you need me 616-522-2720″ but bottles with the baby on the label have been showing up back on shelves here in the mitten recently. Breakfast Stout sat in 4th as of this writing, trailing Cream Ale (Newburgh Brewing Company), Ninja vs. Unicorn Double IPA (Pipeworks Brewing Co.), and 8-Bit Pale Ale (Tallgrass Brewing Co. Through Monday, February 29th you can vote once a day at: http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-beer-label/breakfast-stout-founders-brewing-co/.
Finally, two Michigan bars are in the finals for “Best Beer Bar.” HopCat started in Grand Rapids in 2008, and has since added locations in Ann Arbor, Detroit, and East Lansing (and more out of state). They are frequently honored with national and worldwide beer bar awards for their large selection of beers on tap and in bottles, as well as their legendary crack fries. HopCat was holing down the top spot in polling at the time of this writing, and you can help extend that lead by voting once a day at: http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-beer-bar/hopcat-grand-rapids-mich/. Detroit’s Grand Trunk Pub is described by 10best: “located in the heart of downtown Detroit, Grand Trunk was once a grand railway station. Patrons can enjoy more than 20 draft beers and 50+ bottles amid vaulted ceilings, brass chandeliers, hardwood floors and exposed brick.” Michigan beers are prominently featured and tap takeovers are a frequent occurrence. Currently sitting in 12th, they could use your vote: http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-beer-bar/grand-trunk-pub-detroit/. Other frontrunners in this category include the Cloverleaf Tavern (Caldwell, NJ), Mekong Restaurant (Richmond, VA), and Max’s Taphouse in Baltimore, MD. Voting continues until Monday, February 29th.
