Our week away in the Mitten

It took a couple days for the crew to get ourselves packed and head out on our Pure Michigan adventures, but by Monday morning the show was on the road.

With a quick early morning trip south to the Gun Lake Casino, we piled up all our change and headed on in to the penny slots to gamble the morning away. What seemed like an eternity to go through nearly $30 in coins actually only lasted a couple hours seated at the slots consistently luring us in for the ultimate risk and reward. But, playing on the penny slots really helped keep some change in our pocket for later in the day. By the time we were ready to head out to lunch, the last of our paper credits were being played in a $5 machine just to “see what the rich people play like”. No big winners but the house.

On Tuesday it was off to Michigan’s Left Coast and a trip to see our friends at the Grand Haven Brewhouse. But first, as always, the long stroll down the boardwalk from the Marina’s cleaning station past the Surf Shop and south down to Snug Harbor before turning back toward downtown amid the hustle and bustle of a summer day near the Big Lake. As we turned up Washington, we were stunned that we had all previously been to the movie theatre to see a film. Who goes to the movies in Grand Haven? Beer City Hoops crew! Upon our arrival at the GH Brewhouse, we chose to sit outside, which for the weather was a good idea but maybe not so much for the atmosphere. Although the outdoor seating area is in a nice spot behind the restaurant, the surroundings are more reminiscent of a smoking patio for the late-night crowds. That led us to quickly finish up our first round and seek yet another adventure. Having checked in at the Brewhouse on Facebook our good friend and beer aficionado Chuck was adamant that we take our tastebuds over to Oddside Ales across the street, albeit from his home in Pennsylvania.

Oh, dear Varano, thank you for your wonderful gift.

We sat at the bar at Oddsides (I had the Fussy IPA.) and met some interesting folks from Fairmont, IN who just love Michigan beer and spend their days traveling throughout the State vacationing and visiting breweries near and far. Today, Grand Haven was on their agenda. As we talked about where we’ve been and what we’ve enjoyed for local beer, our attention turned toward GR. Although they were fans of Founders’ beer, their take on the Taproom was a bit more sour. Our focus was on getting them over to the Mitten or Harmony Brewing. #WestSideGR Surprisingly, at least to me, their favorite spot in Beer City is the Hideout near Lamberton Lake on the City’s Northeast side. Tucked back behind the Plainfield mile near FOX17, it’s now a place we’ll be seen on the Beer Tour.

You can catch up with the rest of our week away from Beer City right here or by listening to the Beer City Hoops nightly podcast at 6:30pm on blogtalkradio.com or at beercityhoops.com
#Beer City Hoops#Grand Haven#Michigan