If you like Bekgian Inspired beers, I recommend Brewery Vivant. They don't distribute very far, but they do can their beers and they are fairly easy to find around here.
Shorts is good. They brew a lot of odd stuff, but have some regular flavors out there as well. I don't think they distribute that far away either. Frankly, I am not a huge fan. The regular stuff is ok, but most of the odd stuff is just not my style. I love to taste them anyway, just for the novelty, and lots of people really like them.
Let's see... Greebush is actually a very good brewery near the state line down south. I've found some of their beers locally, and I expect they should be able to be found near Lansing.
Bells and Founders are must haves. You might be able able to find them down there, but if not, have a try of Bells Two Hearted, and Founders has a good Centennial IPA and their dark beers are fabulous! And really, any of their beers are just great, I am just not a fan of the fruit beers they offer. You may like them.
New Holland is also very good. Especially the Dragon's Milk Stout, but several other of their regular beers are top notch too.
Michigan has new breweries popping up all the time, and I'm not very familiar with the beers from the southeast area, Detroit, etc. With the exception of Dragonmead, which does a great job with English style ales.
You might have your dad ask the person at a bottle shop for their recommendations. There may be some actual Lansing beers that I'm not aware of. Or ask someone to give the location of the best bottle shop in Lansing area.
