Top 10 Breweries in Michigan
Michigan is one of America's most significant craft beer states, built on a dense cluster of quality independent breweries in the western part of the state — the Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Holland corridor is sometimes called the "Beer City" zone — and a supporting scene that extends across the Lower Peninsula. The state's large manufacturing base, strong local loyalty traditions, and historically significant hop and barley agriculture have created conditions for brewing culture to deepen over three decades of continuous craft development.
1. Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo
Bell's is the brewery that built Michigan craft beer. Founded in 1985 by Larry Bell — who started as a homebrew supply shop and began commercial production in 1985 — Bell's has grown from a single tank to one of America's largest independent craft breweries while maintaining quality, independence, and a specific sense of character that distinguishes it from the nationals. Two Hearted Ale, consistently one of the highest-rated American pale ales, uses Centennial hops exclusively in late additions for a clean, citrusy-floral character that has served as a reference for the style for two decades. Oberon Wheat Ale, released seasonally in late April, marks Michigan's entry into summer with a fervor that approaches the level of a regional holiday. Expedition Stout (a Russian imperial stout) and Hopslam (a double IPA released in January) are annual limited releases that sell out within days. Bell's was acquired by New Belgium in 2021, ending 35+ years of complete independence — an event that provoked genuine mourning in the Michigan craft community.
2. Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids
Founders is Grand Rapids's most celebrated brewery and the producer of All Day IPA (one of America's most widely distributed session IPAs), CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout — a maple syrup barrel-aged stout that was among the original celebrated American limited-release beers), and KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout — a bourbon barrel-aged coffee imperial stout that pioneered the genre). Founded in 1997 and rebuilt after near-bankruptcy in the early 2000s, Founders' second act produced some of the most acclaimed beers in the country. The brewery was partially acquired by Mahou San Miguel in 2014, with full acquisition following in 2020. The Grand Rapids flagship brewery and taproom remains one of the most visited craft beer destinations in the Midwest.
3. Short's Brewing, Elk Rapids and Bellaire
Short's, based in northern Lower Michigan, is known for the most eccentric and experimental range in the state: Bloody Beer (brewed with tomato juice and spices in the Bloody Mary tradition), Soft Parade (a fruit-forward session ale with strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry), and hundreds of seasonal and one-off releases that reflect founder Joe Short's conviction that brewing should be unlimited by convention. The Bellaire brewpub and Elk Rapids production facility serve northern Michigan's resort and lake culture.
4. Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Dexter
Jolly Pumpkin is Michigan's most technically serious wild ale producer, specializing in barrel-aged, mixed-fermentation, and Brettanomyces-influenced beers that draw on Belgian farmhouse traditions. La Roja (an amber ale refermented in wood), Bam Bière (a session farmhouse ale), and various Noel de Calabaza winter editions are regularly cited among the best American examples of Belgian-inspired brewing. The Dexter production facility and multiple taproom locations make Jolly Pumpkin Michigan's most geographically accessible destination for serious craft beer.
5. New Holland Brewing, Holland
New Holland was founded in 1997 in Holland, Michigan — a city with strong Dutch heritage that provides natural context for the brewery's European-influenced ethos. Dragon's Milk, a bourbon barrel-aged stout, has become one of America's most widely distributed barrel-aged beers; the core range covers wheat beer, pale ale, and the Mad Hatter IPA. New Holland also produces spirits under the same roof — a dual-production model that has become increasingly common in the American craft industry.
6. Atwater Brewery, Detroit
Atwater operates from Detroit's Rivertown District and has been a fixture of Detroit's beer culture since 1997, predating the city's recent revival by over a decade. The Vanilla Java Porter and Dirty Blonde Ale are the most widely distributed products; the Decadent Imperial IPA series is the enthusiast offering. Atwater's Detroit identity — rooted in the city's industrial heritage — gives it a character distinct from the western Michigan breweries.
7. Dark Horse Brewing, Marshall
Dark Horse, based in Marshall, Michigan, produces a range of irreverently named beers (Plead the 5th Imperial Stout, Crooked Tree IPA, Tres Blueberry Stout) with genuine technical quality beneath the irreverent branding. The Marshall location and the brewery's commitment to regional distribution rather than national expansion have kept it from wider recognition, but the quality of the core range is substantial.
8. Greenbush Brewing, Sawyer
Greenbush operates from Sawyer in Berrien County on Michigan's western lakefront and has developed a following for hop-forward IPAs and creative dark ales. The Anger Black IPA and Distorter Porter are among the most discussed products. Sawyer's position in Michigan's "Harbor Country" lake resort area provides a natural summer tourist base.
9. Brewery Vivant, Grand Rapids
Brewery Vivant occupies a converted funeral chapel in Grand Rapids — an extraordinarily atmospheric space — and produces Belgian-influenced ales that stand apart from the hop-forward mainstream of Michigan craft. The Triomphe Belgian IPA, Farm Hand Saison, and seasonal strong ales demonstrate a commitment to yeast-driven complexity. Vivant has been certified by the Green Restaurant Association and operates with an emphasis on sustainability alongside quality.
10. Perrin Brewing, Comstock Park
Perrin, based near Grand Rapids, has grown from a small startup to one of western Michigan's larger independent craft operations. The Perrin Black IPA and seasonal IPA releases have been the most discussed products. Perrin's proximity to the Grand Rapids craft cluster means it operates within one of America's most competitive brewing markets, which has driven consistent quality improvement.
Explore on the map
Michigan's brewery cluster runs from Kalamazoo through Holland to Grand Rapids in the west, with additional operations in Detroit and scattered across the Lower Peninsula. Open the map to plan your Michigan beer itinerary and find the taprooms open on your travel days.