I most definitely concur on SHORT'S, it is very highly regarded brewery. I have not been there, but have tried the beers at couple of fests. IIRC, xiang stopped in before the UP YOURS event. Right Brain is known for fresh hopping with products grown on the Mission Peninsula. An eclectic variety of beers.
I must differ in my estimation of Arcadia Ales in Battle Creek. It is a destination VERY MUCH worth visiting, and I would assign it a Must-See, as they do open vat fermenting, and use an actual English brewhouse as well. NO ONE ELSE, that I am aware of, uses an open top fermenting process, at least in this region. The IPA's are some of the best I have had in this state, and the level of dryhopping by Josh Davies, the Head Brewer, will blow you away. Schedule a tour with him, tell him who you are and that Leo sent you!
It was Josh's level of dryhopping at Michigan Brewery (which is no longer the case) that convinced me I had to start homebrewing, as most IPA's do not come with this level of aroma. He was insistent that I start home brewing, and spared no time in showing me the process, the taste of the individual ingredients and how to assess them, the equipment needed at home, and the mentality of 'it's all about the beer'-WHICH IS WHY HE IS NOW AT ARCADIA. His level of devotion is to be truly admired.
I have been waiting to hear of an Estimated Time of Local Arrival to schedule a Michigan Predators' Brew Day, as the distance you must travel to attend make coincidence of your trip down here a must, with regard to the date of the Brewday. You are welcome to stay here again if you and Bob would like, and I know that Z would love you to.
That is, if you and the other Michigan Homebrewers are interested...