Best Bars To Get Local Beer In Detroit
1254 Michigan Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 961-4668
www.pjslagerhouse.com
What is there left to say about PJ's Lager House that hasn't already been said? It's an awesome little dive that is packed with tons of the following: music, people and beer. Seven of the 10 beers on tap are made in Michigan. There are also bottles from local and regional brewing companies. Let's get started on a little tour of what one could find when scouring the beer list: Atwater, Shorts Brewing Co., Bells, Griffin Claw, Dragonmead Microbrewery, Motor City Brewing Works and Founders Brewing Co. The Lager House carries various styles from each brewery, including all of your favorites like Motor City Brewing Works' Ghettoblaster, Dirty Bastard from Founder's and Atwater's Vanilla Java Porter. And because nothing goes better with beer and music than tasty food, order something from the menu served up from the Lager House kitchen.
14915 Charlevoix St.
Detroit, MI 48215
(313) 824-1030
www.yeoldetaproom.com
This former speakeasy turned legit neighborhood watering hole boasts one of the largest beer lists in the area. With almost 300 beers available for patrons to try, Ye Olde Tap Room is stocked. An assemblage of local and regional brews are all here for the drinking: Dragonmead Microbrewery, Atwater Right Brain Brewery, Cheboygan Brewing Co., Rochester Mills Beer Co. and Shorts. Ye Olde Tap Room has an endless list, just ask one of the bartenders for a recommendation — they are true experts on the subject. There are frequently bands to keep you entertained, a cozy fireplace to scare away the chill and darts to while away the hours until last call.
612 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 961-3043
www.grandtrunkpub.com
Step inside Grand Trunk and step back in time. This historic pub is not only gorgeous, but seeped in local history. The original location was once used as a ticket station along the Grand Trunk Railroad line. Grand Trunk Pub is now known as one of the best places in the city to grab a beer made at local breweries. Order local favorites including Jolly Pumpkin, Wolverine and Milking It Productions. There are also regional brews, like Short's, Bell's Brewery, Founder's, Virtue and Dark Horse. The friendly atmosphere is made even better when accompanied by the awesome bartenders, making Grand Trunk the best spot to talk shop about the places the beer is brewed. The staff is pretty knowledgeable about the "deets" pertaining to the delightful beer you are sipping (or chugging).
237 Joseph Campau St.
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 877-9205
www.atwaterbeer.com
See where it all goes down. Atwater Brewery is both a brewery and a tap room, so visitors get the whole experience. The beer is brewed in a warehouse space that was constructed in 1919, using a 200-year-old brewing process, then served in the adjacent industrial space. Order the sampler — it is a must and features up to 10 different types of beer. Bring a gaggle of friends to embark on the local brewery journey together because there are tours to check out where all the magic happens. And one sip of a Dirty Blonde or Grand Circus and you'll taste the magic yourself. There are also seasonal offerings and single-batch selections that will knock your socks off.
419 S. Main St.
Royal Oak, MI 48067
(248) 544-6250
www.bastone.net
Bastone Brewery brews its beer selection on site in the brewery, then serves up the goods in the adjacent eatery. There are a variety of different offerings available, including lagers, blondes, pilsners, IPAs and ales. Favorites include Dubbel Vision, Main Street Pilsner and the Monumental Blonde. The beer flight is really the way to go when ordering, because who can resist a beer sampler? And the menu is pretty perfectly paired with the beer selections, so order some mussels or pomme frites while you're there.
