West Michigan takes its beer seriously. There is a taproom in almost every town on the shore.
These are the ones I send guests to, from downtown Holland up to Grand Haven's East End. Some are big and lively, some are small and quiet, and all of them are worth a stop.
Why this blog? Hi, I'm Katie. My family and I run Mitten Rentals, and I have been hosting vacation rentals for more than ten years (Superhost since 2015). This is where I share the places I send our own guests along the West Michigan lakeshore.
READ: 6 Lakeshore Wineries Worth Working Into Your Weekend
My Favorite Lakeshore Breweries
1) New Holland Brewing Pub on 8th
The downtown Holland brewpub, with hearty pub food and house spirits.
This is an easy first stop because it sits right on 8th Street. Walk the shops, then settle in for dinner.
If you have a group, plan ahead or go a little earlier on a weekend. It is an easy one to love.
2) Tulip City Brewstillery
Craft beer, spirits and cider, with room for a group.
If you are traveling with a crowd and need everyone at one table, this is my pick in Holland.
I like that this one has something for everyone. Beer drinkers, spirits fans and cider people can all find something here. It makes it easy to get a whole group in one place.
3) Saugatuck Brewing Company
A brewpub just outside downtown Saugatuck, in Douglas.
It works well as a lunch stop on a day spent in Saugatuck and Douglas.
If you are spending the day around Saugatuck and Douglas, this is a good place to sit down and take a break. It works for lunch, dinner or just a drink in the afternoon.
4) Grand Armory Brewing
A downtown Grand Haven brewpub with live music and Monday trivia.
If you are in town on a Monday, the trivia night is a fun way to spend an evening.
Grand Armory is right downtown, so it is easy to walk to after an afternoon on the boardwalk. Live music and trivia make it a great evening stop with friends.
READ: A Weekend in Grand Haven, Start to Finish
5) Odd Side Ales
Experimental beers in a cozy taproom in downtown Grand Haven.
This is the place for anyone who likes to try something they have never had before.
Odd Side is the place for the adventurous drinker in your group. Order a flight and try a few things you would never pick on your own. That is the whole fun of it.
6) Burzurk Brewing Company
A small East End taproom in Grand Haven.
It is a little off the main downtown strip, which is part of the charm.
Burzurk is a good pick if you want a quieter, local feel. Go for one drink, chat with the people behind the bar, and you will get a different side of Grand Haven.
Personally, I think the best way to do this is one town per afternoon. Holland one day, Grand Haven the next. You do not have to see all six, so pick the town you are staying in and start there.
Please plan a ride. Our homes are a short drive from all of these, including Holland Home Retreat, Stay + Play Holland, Saugatuck Cabin and West Olive Cottage.