Top rated Michigan craft beers

DETROIT – It's National Beer Day in America!

Michigan is known as one of the best beer making states in the country. Take a look at some of the highest rated beers, according to RateBeer and BeerAdvocate.

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Founders Brewing - Grand Rapids: The CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout) is the highest rated Michigan beer with a 10.6 percent ABV (alcohol by volume). It's an ale brewed with chocolate and coffee, aged in maple-syrup bourbon barrels. It's been called the "white whale" of beer because it's so hard to find.

Bells Brewery - Kalamazoo: Bells Expedition Stout is a winter stout with a malt body, blending with chocolate, fruit and other aromas. This beer ages well.

Founders Brewing - Grand Rapids: KBS (Kentucky Breakfast Stout) packs a punch with a 11.2 percent ABV. The heavy stout has hints of coffee and vanilla. Some enjoy this one at room temperature.

Schramm's Mead - Ferndale: The Heart of Darkness is made from hand-harvested fruit, and is usually hard to find, as they only make a limited batch. It has a deep purple color, and a 14 percent ABV.

Founder Brewing - Grand Rapids: Breakfast Stout: This coffee lovers beer is brewed with oats, chocolates and, well, coffee. Kona coffee, to be specific. It has an 8.3 percent ABV.

Bells Brewery - Kalamazoo: Hopslam is a cult beer classic featuring six different hops. It has a 10 percent ABV. It is only available for a short time every year.

Kuhnhenn Brewing - Warren: Bourbon Barrel French Toast Mead is pretty much breakfast. Flavored with bananas, hazelnuts and maple syrup -- this mead carries a whopping 16 percent ABV.

Dark Horse Brewing - Marshall: Bourbon Barrel Plead the 5th Imperial Stout, with a 14 percent ABV, is a full bodied stout with heavy hops.

Perrin Brewing - Comstock: No Rules Vietnamese Porter has a 15 percent ABV, made with coconut, sugar and then aged in bourbon barrels for several months.

New Holland Brewing: Dragon's Milk is a double imperial stout with a 10 percent ABV. Some say, if you can't get your hands on a Founders KBS -- Dragon's Milk is a great consolation prize.

Jolly Pumpkin - Ann Arbor/Dexter: Biere De Mars, Grand Reserve has a 7 percent ABV. It has a dark, fruity taste and smell, with a hint of oak.

Short's Brewing - Bellaire: Publican Porter has a 9.15 percent ABV. It's a roasted malt that smells like coffee and chocolate. It's jet black in color.

Odd Side Ales - Grand Haven: Hipster Brunch Stout has a 10 percent ABV, and is usually available in the fall. It's aged in bourbon barrels, with coffee, syrup and -- wait for it -- BACON.

Arcadia Brewing - Battle Creek: Shipwreck Porter has a 12 percent ABV and is primarily a winter brew. It's barrel aged with a brown sugary, oak taste.

There are SO MANY more great Michigan beers -- but hopefully this will get your Michigan beer bucket list started. Cheers!

Growth of American Craft Breweries | UnderTheLabel


About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.