Ann Arbor, Michigan

[66sled]

I will be spending next weekend in Ann Arbor, MI and was looking for some good bars and restaurant. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[dannypo]

You can't go wrong with Jolly Pumpkin. Where else can you get Bam Biere on tap.

Ashleys is a must. Huge selection.

 

[wSelwyn]

+1 on the Jolly Pumpkin.

I enjoy stopping by Grizzley Peak now and then. I don't know what they have on tap right now, but I usually just stop by to have a specialty/seasonal brew.

 

[forstmeister]

+1 on the Jolly Pumpkin.

I enjoy stopping by Grizzley Peak now and then. I don't know what they have on tap right now, but I usually just stop by to have a specialty/seasonal brew.

I recently heard that JP owned or had some stake in grizzly peak as well as others in MI.

 

[JonM]

Not a bar, but if you're a foodie, go to Zingermann's.

 

[Homercidal]

I recently heard that JP owned or had some stake in grizzly peak as well as others in MI.

I heard it was a wife and husband team. Technically the same company, but owned by two people due to state laws.

And FWIW I'm not a big fan of JP beers. They are well known and well liked, but they don't make the kinds of beers I prefer.

I DID get good beers at Arbor Brewing though, just down the street. There are a few nice places in the area for sure.

 

[forstmeister]

I heard it was a wife and husband team. Technically the same company, but owned by two people due to state laws.

And FWIW I'm not a big fan of JP beers. They are well known and well liked, but they don't make the kinds of beers I prefer.

I DID get good beers at Arbor Brewing though, just down the street. There are a few nice places in the area for sure.

I have said it in other threads, but I dont care for JP either. Their specialties just dont do it for me. I understand why others like them, but its just not my style. I highly recommend the brewpub to people because they have a nice place.

 

[bigljd]

I just visited the Ann Arbor JP Cafe on a Michigan trip to visit family. The cafe is nice, located right on the main drag in AA (Main St). They have a few JP brews on tap if you like brett or sour beer, and you can buy chilled JP bottles as well. They also have some non-brett beers available by another brewery (forgot the name). I didn't try the other beers since I'm a JP fan. The food is upscale, organic/local pubfare. Local, grassfed beef burger- organic lettuce in the salads, etc. The prices were reasonable. We got there at like 5:00 on a Friday, and traffic and parking was not fun, but there is a parking ramp behind the cafe that we fought our way into.
I think JP also has a cafe in Traverse City, and a friend told me that they are opening one in Rochester Hills too, but I don't know if that's true or not.

 

[mattmcl]

Is Ashley's still there? They have (had?) bazillions of beers on tap and more in bottles. Not a brewpub, but still a fun place.

 

[DGibb]

Yep, Ashley's is still there. Just went to their cask ale fest last weekend. They always have a fantastic selection there, and many tap takeovers.

Great beer in Michigan, and great beer selection.

 

[imrook]

I know I'm a little late to this thread, but no one has mentioned Wolverine State Brewing yet. It has a few downsides: no food and it's not right downtown. But if you love beer (and you do because you're on this forum) these are easily overlooked. It's for sure one of the top-tier breweries in Ann Arbor.