Since today is Black Friday, and many of us are not working, we figured it was a great excuse to put together a list of big, bold and beautiful Michigan beers to drink this weekend.
We reached out to three of our favorite people in the beer industry -- Ciaran Leask of Pike 51 Brewing Co., Ben Darcie of Speciation Artisan Ales and Edwin Collazo of City Built Brewery -- to help us out.
We asked them to select Michigan beers that are available now, either at the taproom or at your favorite bottleshop, and to offer tasting and food pairing notes, too.
While this list favors big, boozy beers, we also recognize that sometimes you need to balance out those high ABVs with something more sessionable. You’ll find a few of those in their picks as well. The only requirement is that each beer be bold.
We also asked our friends to recommend a beer from their brewery. All three are known for their quality liquid.
If you want to see just the list, scroll to the bottom.
17 bold Michigan beers to drink now
Ciaran Leask is the head brewer at Pike 51 Brewing Co. in Hudsonville, Michigan, and a graduate of Grand Rapids Community College's craft brewing program.Ciaran Leask
Picks from Ciaran Leask of Pike 51 Brewing Co.
Lascaux - Oak-Aged Ale
Brewery: Barrel + Beam, Marquette
ABV: 6.2%
Tasting notes: A tart fruitiness greets the nose, aromas of white grape and oak mingle with a light funk in this straw-yellow wild ale. Moderate acidity strikes prominent on the palate with light white grape and citrus flavors suggesting an ester-driven profile and a moderately high carbonation that gives it a mouthfeel of sparkling wine. The drying tannins of French oak bring about a finish that leaves one salivating for more.
Why I recommend it: In a time where “less is more” has been lost, and beers are being weighed down by adjuncts and purees, this simple beauty was an absolute pleasure to consume with its yeast-driven flavor profile and complimentary oak characters. Lascaux is bold in its display of honest ingredients and the flavors they can produce.
Food pairing: Fruit and cheese platter with fresh fruits such as grapes, pineapple, green apples, berries, and pears and cheeses ranging from sharp aged cheddar to soft, smooth brie and goat cheese. For a contrasting pairing, try this oak-aged ale with a rich, creamy soup or seafood dish.
Learn more at barrelandbeam.com.
Small Step - New England IPA
Brewery: Ferndale Project, Ferndale
ABV: 6.4%
Tasting notes: Bring your glass of golden, thick looking beer to your nose and you know immediately that this ale is loaded with dank, piney, citrusy hops. While the aroma suggests a strong hop bitterness, this is not the case; Small Step brings forward strong flavors of sweet orange peel, mango, peaches, and pine with very low bitterness and a smooth mouthfeel that gives the impression of a moderately sweet finish.
Why I recommend it: This NEIPA surprised me with its restraint and balance. The body was thick and creamy without the presence of surplus hop material in suspension and the sweet orange peel hop profile was impressively bold, but well balanced with a piney hop profile.
Food pairing: A good, hot sandwich with a big side of French fries or breakfast food would pair well with Small Step NEIPA -- just trust me. Eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, and potatoes in some form would make this beer seem like the perfect glass of OJ to go with brunch.
Learn more at ferndaleproject.com.
Scottish Moor - Heather Ale
Brewery: Brewery Terra Firma, Traverse City
ABV: 6.5%
Tasting notes The aroma has big honey and heather notes backed up by fig, date, and caramel malt characters that carry over into the flavor of this copper colored ale. The sweetness from the malt and honey is well balanced with the herbal bitterness from the heather, giving it a complex layering of flavors and a mouthfeel that reminds one of Scotland.
Why I recommend it: I recommend this beer for its big, bold flavor and tribute to historical Scottish brewing. Heather has beautiful bittering properties with some of the same herbal, floral, earthy, spicy characters of British hops available today and this ale is a great example of its use.
Food pairing: Think of this ale as a pinot noir or light bodied cabernet when pairing with foods -- it pairs well with steak, lamb, tomato based pasta dishes, or even a slice of chocolate cake. For the full Scottish experience, I recommend pairing this heather ale with a traditional shepherds pie.
Learn more at breweryterrafirma.com.
Triple Barrel Aged Sweet Potato Soufflé Rye Ale
Brewery: Odd Side Ales, Grand Haven
ABV: 11%
Tasting notes: This beer smells like dessert; sweet, bread, caramel, cinnamon, booze, and brown sugar are just a handful of the aromas jammed into this high clarity, brown colored ale. The triple barrel aging is even more apparent in the flavor. Booze strikes the tongue first, followed by the sweet, cinnamon dessert-like flavor, slight earthiness of sweet potato, and a toasty, rye spice malt character lingers as this heavy bodied beer coats your mouth.
Why I recommend it: This beer is the perfect example of big, bold and beautiful by all standards. At 11% ABV, this is a BIG beer with bold flavors that achieve exactly what Odd Side set out to do--put sweet potato souffle in a glass. Try it and taste their success for yourself. Anyone looking for something to sip on by the fire this winter or a liquid dessert, this is the beer.
Food pairing: While this beer feels like a meal itself, a small pour would pair nicely with some cheese and nuts after dinner. The cheese helps cut the sweetness and elevate the rye malt spice, while the nuts compliment the sweet, caramel, and cinnamon flavors. Different cheeses and nuts prepared in various ways will accentuate different parts of the beer’s flavor profile. Get experimental with it!
Learn more at oddsideales.com.
Big Black Stout
Brewery: Ellison Brewery + Spirits, East Lansing
ABV: 11%
Tasting notes: Aromas of a classic stout--high levels of roasty, chocolatey, burnt malt aromas with little hop presence--reign as this truly black beer cascades into the glass, creating a small, brown head. The flavors are beautifully balanced with the mouthfeel of this big stout to give impressions of smooth dark-chocolate, low acidity coffee beans, and slightly burnt bread. A moderate to low sweet finish is accompanied by a lingering bitterness likely due to both dark malt and hops.
Why I recommend it: This is a great example of an imperial stout without any of the frills that have come to dominate stout choices today. Big Black Stout’s bold malt profile is an excellent illustration of the power of malts and what flavors can be coaxed out of these kilned grains. Its velvety mouthfeel, without the impression of unfermented sugars, with moderately low acidity is what sets it apart from other stouts of its kind.
Food pairing: Anything chocolate would be an easy winner paired with this stout--chocolate fondue, chocolate cake, chocolate truffles, and chocolate covered strawberries. Beyond the obvious “anything chocolate,” Big Black Stout would be interesting with a spicy, chili pepper forward dish. The spice and acidity of the chili would change your perception of the sweetness and body of the beer, making different malt profiles pop and others disappear.
Learn more at ellisonbrewing.com.
Sensual Bean
Brewery: Pike 51 Brewing Co., Hudsonville
ABV: 11.2%
Tasting notes: Although there are slight variations in bourbon barrel, coffee bean, vanilla, and cocoa from one annual release to the next, Sensual Bean is big, bold and beautiful from year to year. Sweetness and body from an addition of lactose in the kettle, help support roasty, chocolatey, coffee-like malt characters that flow seamlessly into the steeped coffee, cocoa, and vanilla bean flavors from which the stout gets its name. Bourbon heat and char, due to a years aging, add a layer of complexity that balances the sweetness and heavy body of Sensual Bean.
Why I recommend it: As the brewer of this beer, I am biased. Of course, I think you should give it a try. However, beyond that, I think it is an excellent example of a barrel aged milk stout like we can get from the big breweries in the state, but from a small brewery with little distribution. I would recommend that Sensual Bean be the first of many offerings you get from small, local breweries to help us survive the uncertainties of this pandemic.
Food pairing: Replace the espresso paired with your dessert with Sensual Bean! Anything from raspberry cheesecake to tiramisu to chocolate lava cake would easily compliment the thick, dessert-like stout. Get creative! Try baking with Sensual Bean and pairing a glass with your finished product.
Learn more at hudsonvillewinery.com.
Ben Darcie of Speciation Artisan Ales in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a known for his craft beer expertise, and great taste!Ben Darcie
Picks from Ben Darcie of Speciation Artisan Ales
Expedition Stout
Brewery: Bell’s Brewing Company, Kalamazoo
ABV: 10.5%
Tasting notes: A huge, bombastic body full of bready chocolate, coffee and roast.
Why I recommend it: I really couldn’t think of any other option to start off for Black Friday than this. It’s simply one of the very best stouts the state of Michigan has to offer. It released in September, but odds are, you’ll be able to find some kicking around your local bottle shop through the winter. Don’t sleep on this one.
Food pairing: This one is an adventure all it’s own, but try it with an unsweetened cheesecake topped with raspberry or cherry.
BA Flying Buffalo Russian Imperial Stout
Brewery: Griffin Claw Brewing Company, Birmingham
ABV: 12%
Tasting notes: Another huge RIS, this one brings a superb balance right from packaging, boasting big supporting caramel, chocolate, coffee, roast and a wonderfully balanced barrel presence.
Why I recommend it: Extreme flavor presentations in balance is the name of this game, and the Barrel Aged version of their classic Flying Buffalo preaches this principle even harder. Take your time with it, let it warm up and enjoy!
Food pairing: Try this beauty with some blackened chicken and a rich side, like sweet potato mash.
Learn more at griffinclawbrewingcompany.com/beer.
Wizard Burial Ground
Brewery: Brewery Vivant, Grand Rapids
ABV: 10%ish
Tasting notes: A slightly Americanized Belgian Quadrupel, this beer is full of burnt caramel, fig, plum and raisin, all while boasting a dynamic, supporting barrel presence that doesn’t overpower the malt and signature yeast flavors.
Why I recommend it: Another great example of extremes in balance, a Belgian Quad is a unique choice for the season, and brings wonderful, complementary flavors to vibrant, expressive holiday dishes.
Food pairing: Try this beauty with a slow roasted duck breast with a plum glaze, and roasted root vegetables.
Learn more at breweryvivant.com.
Superfluid DIPA
Brewery: Short’s Brewing Company, Bellaire
ABV: 9.1%
Tasting notes: This DIPA has a quite solid malt backbone to it, rather than being super dry like most - which allows the intense bitterness to shine through along with the tropical hop profile.
Why I recommend it: It’s always nice to change things up during the holidays, and Superfluid is a great way to do it, especially if you’re inclined to bitterness.
Food pairing: High levels of bitterness are particularly difficult to pair with, but try a complementary route with an arugula salad topped with pears, raisins and chevre. Bonus points for a frambroise vinaigrette!
Learn more at shortsbrewing.com.
BBA Cold Brew Imperial Stout
Brewery: Brew Detroit
ABV: 12.5%
Tasting notes: This recently fashionable style is blended with cold-brew coffee for a huge coffee flavor. Not as conventionally malty as a standard stout, this new trend still retains all the classic stout flavors with coffee screaming out front. They say, you can replace your mornin’ cuppa’ joe with this newcomer to the beer scene.
Why I recommend it: Something new and interesting that’s sure to be a major player over the next few years, especially over the colder months.
Food pairing: Seems to me this beer would do very well with a pile of flapjacks, personally. Or, if you want to get fancy, I’d recommend pairing this beauty up with a bacon wrapped pork tenderloin, finished with jerk seasoning and brown sugar.
Learn more at brewdetroit.com.
Udryddelse
Brewery: Speciation Artisan Ales
ABV: 9.5%
Tasting notes: Big funk and tight malty, biscuity tones accompanied by bright grapefruit rind and tropical notes from the sabro dry hop, with lingering smoked sea salt through the finish. A tequila barrel age is present throughout, but shines through the finish.
Why I recommend it: Definitely a showstopper for your holiday table, this one is sure to turn heads and titillate palates in all the right places. Gose lovers beware, this is an advanced sour that will surely pack a punch for those not accustomed to such levels of sourness and complexity!
Food pairing: Try this one with some breaded chicken breast, stuffed with sun dried tomatoes and pepperjack. Roast potatoes and root vegetables on the side, simply seasoned. Great, now I’m hungry.
Learn more at speciationartisanales.com.
Edwin Collazo is the owner of City Built Brewing in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is known as an innovator in the craft beer industry.Edwin Collazo
Picks from Edwin Collazo of City Built Brewery
Waypost Schwarzbier
Brewery: Waypost Brewing Co., Fennville
ABV: 5.6%
Tasting notes: This black lager is packed with carmalized roasty notes and drinks light enough to have a few.
Why I recommend it: It’s a great opportunity to visit a new brewery in your neighborhood, but also available in select stores throughout the SW and SE.
Food pairing: Pairs well with salty snacks and cured meats.
Learn more waypostbeer.com.
Good Mooed
Brewery: Railtown Brewing Company, Caledonia
ABV: 4.5%
Tasting notes: A milk stout with a strong aroma of chocolate and roast followed by a full bodied, creamy profile with light sweetness.
Why I recommend it: It makes for an all day stout drinker.
Food pairing: Pairs well with milk chocolate and cheese cake.
Learn more at railtownbrewing.com.
Expedition Stout
Brewery: Bell’s Brewery, Kalamazoo
ABV: 10.5%
Tasting notes: A Russian Imperial Stout that is roasty with a huge body.
Why I recommend it: It is for the ages.
Food pairing: Pairs well with salty cheese and raspberry/chocolate.
Learn more at bellsbeer.com
Peanut Butter Marshmallow Gorilla Juice
Brewery: Ascension Brewing Company, Novi
ABV: 16.%
Tasting notes: A rich Imperial Stout - sweet, vanilla, creamy peanut butter with toasted marshmallow.
Why I recommend it: They are great brewers with an awesome vision for their beer!
Food pairing: Funnel Cake!
Learn more at ascension.beer.
Canal Street Porter
Brewery: City Built Brewing
ABV: 6%
Tasting notes: Stout-like body with a robust coconut coffee subtle sweetness.
Why I recommend it: It’s an easy drinker that goes well with both the grey skies and the warmth of family.
Food pairing: Pairs well with a glass and fatty meats and cheeses.
Learn more at citybuiltbrewing.com.
THE LIST
17 bold Michigan beers to drink now
Picks from Ciaran Leask of Pike 51 Brewing Company
- Lascaux - Oak-Aged Ale, Barrel + Beam, Marquette (6.2%)
- Small Step - New England IPA, Ferndale Project, Ferndale (6.4%)
- Scottish Moor - Heather Ale, Brewery Terra Firma, Traverse City (6.5%)
- Triple Barrel Aged Sweet Potato Soufflé Rye Ale, Odd Side Ales, Grand Haven (11%)
- Big Black Stout, Ellison Brewery + Spirits, East Lansing (11%)
- Sensual Bean, Pike 51 Brewing Co., Hudsonville (11.2%)
Picks from Ben Darcie of Speciation Artisan Ales
- Expedition Stout, Bell’s Brewing Company, Kalamazoo (10.5%)
- BA Flying Buffalo Russian Imperial Stout, Griffin Claw Brewing Company, Birmingham (12%)
- Wizard Burial Ground, Brewery Vivant, Grand Rapids (10%ish)
- Superfluid DIPA, Short’s Brewing Company, Bellaire (9.1%)
- BBA Cold Brew Imperial Stout, Brew Detroit (12.5%)
- Udryddelse, Speciation Artisan Ales (9.5%)
Picks from Edwin Collazo of City Built Brewery
- Waypost Schwarzbier, Waypost Brewing Co., Fennville (5.6%)
- Good Mooed, Railtown Brewing Company, Caledonia (4.5%)
- Expedition Stout, Bell’s Brewery, Kalamazoo (10.5%)
- Peanut Butter Marshmallow Gorilla Juice, Ascension Brewing Company, Novi (16.5%)
- Canal Street Porter, City Built Brewing (6%)
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