This year has offered plenty of reason to celebrate for hopheads who can’t get enough humulus lupulus. As a lover of all things hoppy, I’m always on the prowl for new ales that are ready to destroy one’s palate with bitterness.

The ever-popular India Pale Ale serves as a versatile, year-round beer that’s as drinkable on a warm summer day as it is in the heart of winter. They’re also a hotbed of experimentation for brewers, including many of West Michigan’s finest.

 A growing store in Lansing aims to spice up the typically mundane grocery shopping experience. Starting in July, Horrocks Farm Market opened an in-store tavern with 30 taps of craft beers for patrons to consume while strolling the aisles.

After a career in finance, Mark Sellers was semi-retired when he decided to open a bar that was the type of place he wanted to hang out at. And just like that, in 2008, downtown Grand Rapids’ HopCat was born.