When it comes to drinking in West Michigan, the tides have certainly changed over the years.
We launched Best of the West nine years ago, when the craft beer scene may have been at its peak. New breweries were opening constantly, to the point that we’d have real competition for even the top three spots. But over the past year, seemingly zero taprooms have opened doors (except for Muskegon Brewing Co., who just came on the scene weeks ago), so we couldn’t even hold the category.
On top of that, last year’s Best New Breweries have already seen a casualty and a half. A finalist, Brewery Nyx, very unexpectedly closed its doors and taps this year, which we view as a tragedy. This was one of the only breweries in the world creating an entirely gluten-free beer menu, and not only that, but it was all damn good. On Revue’s part, we personally hope to see a resurrection someday.
Meanwhile, last year’s first place new brewery, Broad Leaf Westside, closed in January, seemingly to be replaced by a new business. While we loved the unique fusion food, apparently something wasn’t working. Luckily, they’re back already! The new concept is focused on FUN, which we can get behind, with Shake Party offering “extreme” milkshakes that are visually stunning and gastronomically delightful. That’s being paired with an incubator kitchen featuring a regular rotation of local cooks, serving up everything from tacos to dumplings to Vietnamese.
We’ve seen a few other shifts this year as well, including City Built Brewing’s domination, taking home first place for IPA, Sour Beer and Stout. These categories were once ruled by larger breweries, but it seems as though more and more, people are growing to appreciate their local community spot. It helps that City Built is led by the charismatic and friendly Edwin Collazo, who’s infused his Puerto Rican heritage into the experience.
Speaking of community spots, we’re excited to introduce the Best Bar In… categories this year, giving love to the watering holes all around West Michigan. These spots are beloved for a wide variety of reasons, from SpeakEZ Lounge’s reputation as a soccer bar to The Deck’s prime location right on Lake Michigan.
The last changing tide to mention is the growth of the sober scene, which has been supported by a rise in dry events and mocktail menus. Bars and breweries aren’t all about getting drunk, they’re about community. Check back in next year for more categories related to non-alcoholic drinking, and in the meantime, whatever you’re sipping: Cheers!
*Each category lists the winner with two finalists listed alphabetically below.
BEST BAR IN… Grand Haven
Tip-a-Few Tavern
tip-a-few.com
Odd Side Ales
The Unicorn Tavern
BEST BAR IN… Grand Rapids
SpeakEZ Lounge
speakezlounge.com
Pursuit of Happiness
The Meanwhile
BEST BAR IN… Holland
New Holland Brewing Co.
newhollandbrew.com
Hops at 84 East
Itty Bitty Bar
BEST BAR IN… Kalamazoo/Portage
Bell’s Eccentric Café
bellsbeer.com
One Well Brewing
Stamped Robin
BEST BAR IN… Muskegon
The Deck
thedeckmkg.com
Pigeon Hill Brewing
Unruly Brewing
BEST BAR IN… Saugatuck/Fennville
Wally’s Bar & Grill
wallysbarandgrill.com
Sand Bar Saloon
Wicks Park Bar & Grille
Bartender
Emily Keeler - Shots
shotsstandale.com
Cassie Heuton - Pursuit of Happiness
Marcus Dungey - Divani
Beer Bar
Logan’s Alley
logansalley.com
7 Monks Taproom
CBK at GLC
Beer/Wine/Liquor Store
Martha’s Vineyard
mvwines.com
Rishi’s International Beverage
Smitty’s Specialty Beverage
Bourbon
Long Road Distillers - Straight Bourbon
longroaddistillers.com
Eastern Kille Distillery - Straight Bourbon
Mammoth Distilling - Woolly Bourbon
Brewery
Brewery Vivant/Broad Leaf
breweryvivant.com
City Built Brewing Co.
Founders Brewing Co.
Cidery
Farmhaus Cider Co.
farmhauscider.com
Pux Cider
The Peoples Cider Co.
Craft Cocktails
Long Road Distillers
longroaddistillers.com
Drip Drop Cocktail Room
Eastern Kille Distillery
Craft Lager
Founders Brewing Co. - Solid Gold
foundersbrewing.com
Cedar Springs - Küsterer Märzen
City Built Brewing - Alemania
Distillery
Long Road Distillers
longroaddistillers.com
Eastern Kille Distillery
Wise Men Distillery
German Beer
Cedar Springs Brewing Co. - Küsterer Original Weißbier
csbrew.com
3 Gatos Brewery - Foldex
City Built Brewing Co. - Bock Knife
Gin
Long Road Distillers - MICHIGIN
longroaddistillers.com
Eastern Kille Distillery - Barrel Finished Gin
New Holland Brewing Co. - Knickerbocker Gin
Happy Hour
SpeakEZ Lounge
speakezlounge.com
Birch Lodge
Rockwell Republic
IPA
City Built Brewing Co. - Fifth Street Hooligans
citybuiltbrewing.com
3 Gatos Brewery - Maine Coon
Gravel Bottom Brewery - Dam Good IPA
Sour Beer
City Built Brewing Co.
- Prana
citybuiltbrewing.com
Speciation - Genetic Drift
Speciation - Incipient
Sports Bar
The Score Restaurant
& Sports Bar
thescoregr.com
Peppino’s Pizzeria Sports Grille
SpeakEZ Lounge
Stout
City Built Brewing Co. - 5 Hour Stout
citybuiltbrewing.com
3 Gatos Brewery - Bengal
Gravel Bottom - Kevin The Bold
Vodka
Long Road Distillers
- Original Vodka
longroaddistillers.com
Eastern Kille Distillery - Utility Vodka
Wise Men Distillery - Vodka
Wine Bar
GR Noir
grnoir.com
Chateau Grand Rapids
House of Wine
Winery
Hudsonville Winery
hudsonvillewinery.com
Modales Wines
St. Julian Winery
STAFF PICKS
Brewery: One Well Brewing
When you’re in Kalamazoo, One Well is the perfect one-stop food and beer stop for families, friends and everything in-between, thanks to all the games and fun things to do within. Grab a board game off the wall and play together while enjoying dishes like Out of the Woods Pizza, with a mushroom pesto sauce and premium mushrooms on top. And while you’re at it, enjoy a beer like the Xalapa, a non-spicy jalapeno blonde. — Josh Veal
