Ann Arbor, Michigan. Home of the University of Michigan Wolverines, known for its museums, beautiful parks, shopping, and of course its beer scene. Do you like beer? If the answer is yes, then Ann Arbor is the perfect city to take yourself on a beer tour. I mean, is there any better way to explore a city than brewery hopping? And if your answer in no, go anyways, because each brewery has a different vibe that is a good time for everyone!
Arbor Brewing Company
This brewpub in Ann Arbor was started in 1995 by a wife and husband team who had a passion for beer. A fun fact about this brewpub is that its sour program was the first of its kind in Michigan! And let me tell you, the beer is yummy! They have a variety of different types of beer. I suggest getting a flight of beer so you can try more than one (So I don’t repeat myself later on, I suggest getting flights at all the breweries in this post). Arbor Brewing also has good food, great service, and even better company. Go with a group and you can even play the board games they have…can you say game night?!
Blue Tractor BBQ and Brewery
At Blue Tractor, not only do they have tasty craft beer (award-winning craft beer to be exact), they also have BBQ. So if you’re one of those people you don’t enjoy beer, then you can at least enjoy the food! Plus, the food is locally sourced which earns this place some brownie points. If you are feeling bold, you can also become a Mug Club member which gives you many discounts and perks. You even get a special Mug Club glass!
Jolly Pumpkin Cafe and Brewery
If your favorite style of beer are sours, then this is the brewery for you! All of their beers are sours. Jolly Pumpkin also has a Mug Club where you get your very own hand blown glass mug to drink from every time you visit (see picture below). I loved looking at all the designs of the cups, if I lived in Michigan, I probably would have joined. Not only does this establishment serve beer, they also have a variety of food options if you need some food on your brewery hopping journey.
HOMES Brewery
HOMES is a newer brewery and has become one of my favorites! I love the vibe and chill atmosphere of this place. Their beer is delicious! I even rated one of the beers 5 bottle caps on Untappd (for those of you who don’t know what that is, Untappd is an awesome app where you can log and rate your beers). And it takes a lot to get a 5 bottle cap rating, that’s how good it was. If I could rate the food it would also be a 5/5. I enjoy eating healthy and this place makes healthy food taste unbelievably good. Probably some of the best “bar food” I’ve had. I highly recommend getting the baos and the bibimbap bowls. My mouth is watering just typing about it.
HopCat
HopCat is a chain and can be found in other states other than Michigan, but it has a HUGE selection of beer (100 draft beers to be exact). So have a beer frenzy and try as many as you’d like! They also have really good fries…their fries are considered one of the top 10 fries in America. So get some, eat them, and love them.
If you went on your brewery hop and decided not to eat any of the food, you are probably starving by now. And I have the best place to recommend:
Zingerman’s Deli
Zingerman’s Deli is a famous sandwich shop that can’t be passed up when in Ann Arbor. The line is typically out the door because it is that good. The variety of sandwiches they have is overwhelming, but in a good way. They even have sandwiches for vegetarians and vegans, I got one of the vegetarian ones and it did not disappoint. The best part in my opinion is you get a choice of two different types of pickles! I mean come on, what other place gives you a choice of what kind of pickle you want!?
And if you wake up and your head is pounding because someone drank all the beer and not enough water, then I have the place for you:
RoosRoast Coffee
RoosRoast Coffee is the cutest local coffee place that also serves a good breakfast. I got the avocado toast with an egg added and it was scrumptious! Their coffee is also nice and strong, just the way I like it. One other unique thing this shop does is certain tables have a sign that say “Laptop free Sunday program”. Basically they want you to unplug and talk to other humans. Crazy concept, I know.
Ann Arbor is a gorgeous city with a lot to offer. There is a lot to do and see that doesn’t involve beer or food, but it is definitely one of the perks of Ann Arbor!
