Best Bars With Local Liquor And Brews In Detroit

The Daily Meal Staff|July 11, 2014 7:00 am EST

(credit: motorcitybeer.com)

From dark porters and smooth vodkas to light blondes and creamy stouts, the Detroit area features a great array of bars that feature beer and liquor that is made locally. Each pub has its special offerings, many of which change with the seasons. With the massive amount of brewpubs and distilleries popping up throughout the city, there are a variety of establishments to choose from. Below are some of the best.

Motor City Brewing Works
470 W. Canfield St.
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 832-2700
www.motorcitybeer.com

Motor City Brewing Works is a brewery and taproom, with a casual ambiance that has a cool, understated vibe. Different varieties of beer are brewed on site, including the infamous Ghettoblaster and a selection of lagers, ales and a porter that are permanent fixtures on the menu. Some beer offerings vary and include seasonal selections, as well as different series – the Muscle Series, Heritage Series and Cass Farm Series, all worth a try. In addition, hand-crafted sodas and wines that range from deep reds to sparkling whites are available. Grab a table and order an artisan pizza made in the brick oven and enjoy sitting in view of the brewers in this fun establishment.

Valentine Distilling Co.
161 Vester St.
Ferndale, MI 48220
(248) 629-9951
www.valentinevodka.com

Valentine Vodka is produced by hand using methods and machinery made popular in a different era, giving this liquor a unique taste that has won countless accolades. Each bottle is made with Michigan-grown wheat, barley and corn and is one of the only distilleries to use a multi-grain recipe. Stop by the swank yet chill cocktail lounge and tasting room to have a Motor City Mary or Mint Blossom Lemonade or a drink made with the recently introduced gin or whiskey.

Related: Best Bloody Marys In Detroit

Jolly Pumpkin Ann Arbor Cafe and Brewery
311 S. Main St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 913-2730
www.jollypumpkin.com

With so many types of artisan beer available at Jolly Pumpkin, it may be difficult to decide which pint or bottle to order first. Featuring an array of styles that span from ambers and golden pale ales to stouts and lagers, this pub and eatery also has a selection of wine made from local Michigan wineries. The cuisine on the menu complements the drink menu remarkably, just ask a server for recommendations. From the Bam Biere to the Jolly Pumpkin Calabaza Blanca, many brews are crafted on site, made with unexpected ingredients that create delicious results.

Woodward Avenue Brewers
22646 Woodward Ave.
Ferndale, MI 48220
(248) 546-3696
www.thewabsite.com

Woodward Avenue Brewers serves an evolving roster of seven of its own styles of beer which are created in its brewery. Selections include stouts and ambers to porters and ambers, the list is endless. In addition to the signature beer brewed on site, WAB also features a variety of beer made in Michigan. Two floors of seating, as well as an outdoor patio, offer patrons plenty of space to dine and play — there is a full menu and a pool table with a stage for live music.

Detroit Beer Co.
1529 Broadway
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-1529
www.detroitbeerco.com

Housed in the Hartz Building, Detroit Beer Co. has an array of beer that is brewed on site and goes directly from the holding tanks, to the taps and into a pint glass served at the table. Eight types of beer are crafted at the brew house and are offered on a rotating basis. Each beer, from the People Mover Porter to the Downtown Brown, is made with only four ingredients to ensure superb taste. The menu features everything from appetizers to dessert, with pasta, sandwiches and pizza filling out the entree selection.

After receiving a BA in Photography from Savannah College of Art & Design, Nicole Wrona began working with a diverse range of musicians. In addition, she is a freelance writer for numerous publications. Her work can be found at www.metalleaves.com and Examiner.com.