It's Friday! Michigan Beers!

Hooray, it's Friday!  In honor of this awesome day that kicks off the weekend, I'm going to share with you five of my weekly sipping delights! 

It's no secret I love beer, and that I especially love craft brews!  So, whether you're a seasoned Brewster or a total newb to the craft beer scene, grab a drink...if you're of age of course, and if not, grab some sparkling juice and join me for the ride! 

1.  Odd Side Ales' Chocolade Koffie Stout

• Brewery / Location:  Odd Side Ales in Grand Haven, Michigan
• Style:  American Stout
• ABV: 6.0%
• Notes: Rich Chocolate and Mild Espresso blend together in a delightfully creamy stout. 

If you are drawn to stouts, particularly to chocolate stouts, definitely give this one a try!  It's all around a really great sipper!  The chocolate has a delicious rich flavor that powers through to the finish and there's really no after taste. 

Odd Side has a ton of really unique brews, so if you're local to Michigan, or find yourself near Grand Haven, it's worth a visit!  Unfortunately at this time I don't believe they distribute outside of Michigan! 

2.  Founder's Swish Mountain Brown

• Brewery / Location:  Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Style:  American Brown Ale
• ABV: 6.0%
• Notes: A unique brown, still mild, but almost with a touch of pale ale flavor. 

This brown was different than any other brown ales I've had in the past, not in a bad way, just different.  It was fairly hoppy and less malty than most browns but it was still tasty.

3.  Founder's Session Stout

• Brewery / Location:  Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Style:  American Stout
• ABV: 5.0%
• Notes: An easy drinking stout, yet still has a nice robust roasted flavor. 

Yes, another Founder's Brew on the list this week!  It was Wednesday, and Mug Club Night so Rob and I made it date night and headed out for brews and dinner!  (Note:  Their sandwiches are to die for.  Seriously.)  This was the first time I've seen a session stout so I had to have one before we left!  It was very smooth, and easy to drink but still packed a great stout flavor.  Nothing too, too special, but it's nice to know I can make a drinking session happen with stouts now! 

Founder's is hands down my favorite local brewery.  If you have the chance to check them out, definitely do it!  I know a lot of folks come from out of state just to come there as the final destination.  I think that pretty much says enough about a place's reputation!  That, and they're on yet another brew house expansion! 

But, if you're not from the area, and you can't make it up to Michigan (I don't blame you....it's crazy cold and snowy here right now!!) I know Founder's has a pretty expansive distribution market that seems to be expanding all the time!

4.  Short's Strawberry Short's Cake

• Brewery / Location:  Short's Brewing Company in Bellaire, Michigan
• Style: Golden Ale / Fruit Beer
• ABV: 5.0%
• Notes:  Strawberries and Sweet Creamy Milk.  You can even taste the biscuits....it's so crazy, I don't know how those beer wizards do it!  It's seriously liquefied strawberry shortcake in a glass...but not in a gross, weird way!  Promise!

This is one of Short's seasonal specialty beers.  It's usually released in the summer and sells out quick!  Most places around here place a bottle limit (1-2 bottles per person, etc.) which really sucks, because it's so, so good!  I managed to find some left over toward the end of summer and squirreled it away in the back of the fridge for later!  And, with all this cold, I needed a nice little sweet, summer treat! 

Snag some liquid awesome if you're passing through Michigan!  I don't think Short's distributes out of state either! 

5.  B. Nektar's The Dude's Rug

• Brewery / Location:  B. Nektar Meadery in Ferndale, Michigan
• Style: Cider
• ABV: 5.5%
• Notes: Sweet apples with a punch of chai spices, cinnamon, clove and a subtle finish of black tea.  I love how present the chai flavor is in this cider! 

I'm actually drinking this now...as I type this post out for you!  "No one messes with the B."  It's simply delightful!

B. Nektar makes a whole bunch of fun and unique meads and ciders!  They even distribute to several states!  Check out their webpage in the link above for specific locations! 
Look what I picked up for Rob!  He loves Star Wars! 

{Edited to include this photo...because I totally spaced when I published this post!}

If you're interested in getting your paws on bottles of any of these magical elixirs or any other awesome brews, I found this distribution map!  It seems like an awesome resource!  Cheers!!

Hope your week's were also filled with some amazing beverages (beer, wine, cocktail, something non-alcoholic)?  What is your favorite beer?  Or is it something else that wets your whistle???  Either way, happy sipping!!

Linking up with these lovely ladies:  Christina, Darci, April & Natasha for Five on Friday and September Farm & The Farmer's Wife for Oh Hey Friday!