Just getting back from our trip to Michigan. It was nearly perfect weather with trees turning red and yellow all over the state.
I had some really good beers, but did not make any notes on them. Every beer I had at Shorts in Bellaire was a winner - Pontius Road Pilsner, The Village Reserve (Pale Ale w/ Perle and Centennial), Autumn Ale (ESB), Huma-Lupa-Licious IPA, and Asphasia (old ale on bourbon) plus the sandwiches were awesome.
In Traverse City we hit North Peak (not too impressed), Mackinaw Brewing (nice double IPA), Right Brain Brewing (several IPAs on tap - I had the Rye IPA), and up the peninsula we found what appeared to be a production brewery for Jolly Pumpkin and North Peak. Nice lunch with Bam Noire and Oro de Calabaza.
I had a Saison from Brewery Vivant at 7 Monks that smelled and tasted of gym socks (isovoleric acid). Not my favorite.
In Holland we stayed a half block away from New Holland's brew pub, which had some interesting stuff - another Rye IPA and something dark and Belgian, plus they sell bombers to go, so I got a chance to try their Saison and a tart raspberry pear beer, both delicious.
In Grand Rapids we went to HopCat, thanks to Jeff for the recommendation. Nice bar! I had a delicious Citra Pale ale and a Black Rye IPA, one of which was from Arcadia (and mussels). Then we went to Founders for yet another Rye IPA and a sample of their Breakfast Stout on Bourbon.
We had lunch and another Rye IPA (I think this was the theme of the trip) at Arcadia in Battle Creek.
In Ann Arbor we had a cople of cask ales at Grizzly Peak, which were OK, then met up with Jeff Renner at Arbor Brewing for a cask IPA and a Scotch Ale.
I am now at home, drinking a home brew, which happens to be a Rye IPA with Belgian yeast.
I would recommend Michigan as a beer travel destination. There is a lot going on.