Gun Ru aka Grand Rapids has a great selection of beer, all over the place.
Squirrel Stevens - 12 years ago
Real beer drinkers don't bash other cities. This is a people's choice award. I support kazoo and their beer and most all of every city up on list. GR.. You have great beer so stop bashing kzoo. Our friends to the north don't do that... If you haven't been to Michigan, please don't hate.
jack - 12 years ago
Go grand rapids!
K Daley - 12 years ago
Go GR!
lcj0811 - 12 years ago
ASHEVILLE!!!
Chris W - 12 years ago
RVA is the tits
Nadine Sweeten - 12 years ago
Cigar City Brewing
Jeremy - 12 years ago
Gr has a ton of great breweries and pubs. Don't forget about Perrin, a little to the north but still in the region, and Logan's alley, which has a TON of craft beers on tap. GR is the greatest beer city in the US.
Dave De Young - 12 years ago
It all about the water and lake shore hops. :) Grand Rapids has the best variety and range of brews.
Rob - 12 years ago
Ashevegas the beer and moonshine capitol!
James Messina - 12 years ago
So many beers so little time. Grand Rapids rocks.
Go West - 12 years ago
ABSOLUTELY Grand Rapids...Besides the major breweries, check out The mitten on the Westside
Mike - 12 years ago
GR is tops.
Sally - 12 years ago
Missoula Montana! Like Bend OR the amount of good beer is incredible for such a small city. I am currently living in Grand Rapids and while there is definitely some good beer here I really don't think Grand Rapids has nearly the beer culture that either Missoula or Bend have. Boulder Colorado should also be on this list.
Marc - 12 years ago
Bells Oberon! Summertime in a bottle!
Marc - 12 years ago
Bells Oberon! Summertime in a bottle!
will - 12 years ago
Kzoo
Kathy - 12 years ago
Gotta be GR! Awesome brewery's all over the city!
Kris - 12 years ago
GR!!
Christina - 12 years ago
:)
Rocky - 12 years ago
@Kathy O. Much better post... As a cmu grad... I remember coming down for cmu/WMD weekend and going to bilbo's! More posts like this will highlight your city... Don't get me wrong I am GR all the way... But your city has a right to be in conversation!
Randy - 12 years ago
Grand Rapids! Absolutely.
Vince - 12 years ago
Anytime you're at the Central Station bus stop in Grands Rapids, you can smell the sweet smell of barley wort boiling in large batches at Founder's. Good quality beer is quintessential Grand Rapids, and visitors come here for it.
Grand Rapids deserves to be Beer City U.S.A. not just because of our world-class beers from Founders & Brewery Vivant, but also because of our neighborhood gems like Harmony, Mitten, and the Hideout. Last but not least, the non-brewing bars here carry heavy lineups of all the great Michigan beers, i.e. Short's & Bell's.
Randy - 12 years ago
Grand Rapids! Absolutely.
WILL G - 12 years ago
ASHEVILLE ALL DAY EVERY DAY....
I LOVE BEND AND PORTLAND AS WELL....
HAVEN'T BEEN TO MICHIGAN, BUT THEN AGAIN, WHY WOULD I???
ASHEVILLE, WNC, NO COMPARISON, ITS THE BEER THE MOUNTAINS THE PEOPLE, THE WATER, THE ROCKS, THE FOOD, THE TRAILS, THE CULTURE
ASHEVILLE=BEER CITY=BLISS
SHH DON'T TELL ANYONE THOUGH.... ;)
Dot - 12 years ago
Tried to vote today and the web page indicates that I already voted today which I have not.
Leslie - 12 years ago
GR
Kathy O. - 12 years ago
KALAMAZOO has four great breweries within a couple of miles of each: #1 in the the state of Michigan, the Midwest, and the East, not to mention the original start-up that spurred all others, BELL'S . . . and the Bell's Eccentric Cafe is an experience unto itself. WOW! Then, a couple of blocks away, is OLDE PENINSULA where the ambiance is casual and relaxing; ARCADIA Brewing Co. has invested $6.2 million into its new facility, and we can hardly wait; BILBO's Pizza serves up a good beer; and KALAMAZOO is six years ahead in brewing history than Grand Rapids, with its first brewery having opened in 1830. KALAMABREW !!!!!
Nate Tamminga - 12 years ago
Great beer
Drew - 12 years ago
GR. GR. GR. GR. GR
GRRRRRRRRRRRR
I love kzoo, but come on... Grand Rapids has the absolute best beer scene around. I know. I drink/drank/drunk them all!
Power to the GR people, come downtown and get excited.
Ben-Jamin - 12 years ago
Kalamazoo!!!!
Chet - 12 years ago
No offense but "Cigar City Beer" has got to be the nastiest sounding beer I've ever heard of. What else you got, Dog Poop Ale?
Rocky - 12 years ago
@bill. You do need to say more... That's not the only brewery in kzoo..... Don't get me wrong bells is great beer... But kzoo has more to offer than just bells... Spotlight the others... Give them some lovin' too! You have a great beer town... Been there many times.
bill thompson - 12 years ago
kalamazoo is the beer capital we have the bell brewery. need we say more.
Whitney Baumann - 12 years ago
I love Kzoo!
Rocky - 12 years ago
Just a reminder for all non-Michiganders, try and nab a ticket to winter beer fest 2014 in Grand Rapids, mi! You will not regret it! Dress warm... Or drink until its not cold anymore!
Tony Berry - 12 years ago
Unless Traverse City, Michigan, is added, the whole list remains bogus...!
Kevin - 12 years ago
Asheville by a landslide! Hands down heads and shoulders above the the rest!!
ben - 12 years ago
@rob you forgot the mitten and harmony brewing ;) Go grand rapids !!
Lia - 12 years ago
Asheville!!!
Jason - 12 years ago
I think this poll should be removed!
Jason - 12 years ago
Unless you make beer, i don't think you should be able to vote!
Amanda - 12 years ago
Grand Rapids all the way!
Joe - 12 years ago
Oberon! need I say more!! Kalamazoo is it!
Mike Driscoll - 12 years ago
I'm surprised ALASKA is not on this poll.
I just spent the last one year in Anchorage and Kenai, living and working, and I have never tasted a better beer.
I'm sure that it's because Alaska water and air is so clean and fresh, virtually no pollutants, and it is freezing cold. Great combo for pristine craft beer making!
I vote ALASKA as BeerCity USA 2013 - the whole state!
Drew - 12 years ago
Having been to Bend, Or, many times, living in Portland, visiting Seattle often and spending a few days every year in Grand Rapids, I have to vote for Portland. Bend has some good beer for sure, it is unfair to compare the two, as bend is tiny compared to the others. Grand Rapids is coming on strong, and I have had a few real stand out beers there. Grand Rapids also has lots of breweries popping up, which is a great sign. Overall, GR beer is good, overall maybe not on par with the other big brewery cities, but they are new at this, for the most part. Their momentum is growing. Cant wait to visit again this year. But yeah, Portland is still king.
Bob - 12 years ago
The Hub of the Craft brew & Microbrew world is Grand Rapids, MI. I've been everywhere and tried everything and nothing compares.
Suzann Mulder - 12 years ago
Grand Rapids, Michigan is getting a lot of beer brewers. Which is great!!!
Laura - 12 years ago
Walk into Wicked Weed Brewery in Asheville, you will understand why Asheville's beers are awesome!
5 reasons Kalamazoo should be named a BeerCity USA 2013 destination: http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2013/05/5_reasons_kalamazoo_should_be.html
GRAND RAPIDS!!!!! I've been to KZoo, Asheville, Grand Rapids and a couple of the other places in the run and there is no higher level of support for craft beer than in GR!! Not only do they have a lot of craft breweries, they have a lot of craft breweries who make incredible beer. In GR there is no limit in possibilities to the styles and variations of beer creations you'll find and the people behind these breweries are just as awesome and addicting to be around!
I live in fort collins but totally voting for my home town GRAND RAPIDS!!!
Noltron - 12 years ago
Gun Ru....also i saw that someone said that Gun Ru and K-Zoo should alternate voting for eachother every year. That's a stupid idea, we are voting for Beer City, we are not voting just to vote for no reason. pull it together.
Taras - 12 years ago
Look folks, the fact is that likely no one on this comment thread has actually been to Bend, Oregon – if they had, they would know that the quality of the beer in that town and the number of breweries per capita blows this entire list away.
Before you get defensive – I'm a native Michigander who grew up on Bell's (undergrad, Kalamazoo College) and have family in Grand Rapids, which is, bar none, the absolute best beer city east of the Mississippi. I don't say that lightly, since I currently live in Chicago, which, along with Bell's, obviously gave birth to the Midwestern craft beer movement in the mid-80s. So I have access to the best beer cities/states this side of the country.
That being said, when my sister-in-law moved to Bend and I visited for the first time, I was simply stunned. You will be too when you go. From granddaddy Deschutes, right down to recent (stellar) addition GoodLife, there is truly something for everyone, in a town much more Denver or Boulder than Portland. Doesn't get better than that.
sethtb101 - 12 years ago
I think we should go by state. MI would win hands down. Bells, founders, vivant, frankenmuth, right brain, hideout, dark horse, green bush, atwater, GR brewing co, eaglemonk, new holland, mitten, north peak, jolly pumpkin, hopcat, pike 51, jaden james, white flame, detroit brewing co, michigan brewery, harmony, arcadia, mt pleasant brewery, tri-city, ferment, perrin, bad, unruly, old boys, and i cant even think of them all!
Brucey B - 12 years ago
Asheville is clearly the favorite here. New Belgium and Sierra Nevada are setting up shop here also!
Steven - 12 years ago
Anybody else wish the comments section was disabled? Vote for your city, support your city. Figure out a way to do that without putting another city down. Its actually pretty easy if you just give it a try.
rin - 12 years ago
I wasn't going to get into any mud slinging because basically the whole split between K-zoo and GR is basically K-zoo ROSS PEROT'ing it. Doesn't mean he wasn't good but split votes. I brought BELL's beer to COLORADO to a famous micro brewery that blows GR and Kzoo Outta the water...He had me bring him a case of BELL's cause he wanted to know what all the hype was...he took one sip and told me to "keep the case" Its good, but not that good" were his exact words. I like Bells beer, but GR has something for EVERYONE! not just ONE.... BEER Is suppose to BRING US TOGETHER. Not tear us apart...
and for the guy saying that we just have swill in GR....come to the Next CALDER BREW and say that to all the hard workin home brewers who DO NOT produce swill...
Tampa!!! Cigar City, Rapp Brewing, Dunedin Brewing, 7venth Sun, Saint Somewhere, Florida Avenue, Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Big Storm, Barley Mow with Green Bench, Cycle, Coppertail, Pair o Dice, Angry Chair all in the works and I know I've missed a few:)
Shadow - 12 years ago
GR, hands down!
Randy - 12 years ago
Let's bring it home again this year GR.
Dusty - 12 years ago
Missoula, MT. Hidden gem in the West.
Laurie - 12 years ago
Grand Rapids MI, with a church and a brewery on every corner. Heavenly!
I think the greater point is being missed here... yay beer!
Toni D - 12 years ago
Go Kalamazoo!!!
darren esterline - 12 years ago
Who would vote for a city named ashtray? GO GR!!!
Ashley - 12 years ago
The wonderful thing about this contest is that it opens up the way for great breweries to get some recognition. Whether it's Denver's Great Divide or Breckenridge Brewery, Portland's Bridgeport, or one of my personal favorites, Bell's in Kalamazoo, there are always amazing beers, NATIONWIDE, to discover. Some people vote according to where they're from, and there's nothing wrong with that.
I've voted for Asheville each year. I'm constantly surprised at the quality and quantity of excellent brewpups and microbreweries here. I don't choose Asheville because I was born and raised in WNC, I choose it because my top five beers of all time all come from breweries in and around the Asheville area. If someone else wins this year, I will be more than happy to see them achieve a fantastic award. All it means for me is that I'll have a LOAD of new beer to try and a yet another new city to explore.
Cheers to all beer drinkers, no matter where you're from or who you voted for!
Check out Jacksonville's beer scene: Magical brewery tour - A spin through Jacksonville's craft breweries http://www.eujacksonville.com/story2.php?storyid=2622
1. Santacon Kalamazoo - http://www.santaconkalamazoo.com/
2. Kalamazoo Beer Week - billed as the largest beer week in Michigan - http://www.kalamazoobeerweek.com/
MICRO-BREWERIES AND BREWPUBS
3. Olde Peninsula Brewpub and Restaurant - http://oldepenkazoo.com/
4. Bilbos Pizza and Brewpub - http://www.bilbospizza.com/
5. Arcadia Ales - http://www.arcadiaales.com/index.php/blog/item/4-arcadia-brewing-company-bringing-jobs-to-west-michigan.html
6. Boatyard Brewing Company - http://boatyardbrewing.com/
7. Gonzo's Bigg Dogg Brewery - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gonzos-Bigg-Dogg-Brewery/132180910282558
8. Rupert's Brew House - https://twitter.com/RupeyKzooBrew
9. American Brewers Inc. - http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/05/nearby_church_complicates_loca.html
10. Bell's Brewery ( http://bellsbeer.com/ ) and Eccentric Café ( http://www.bellsbeer.com/eccentric-cafe/ )
LARGE BEER STORES
11. Megabev - http://www.megabev.com/store/cat/55/Beer - bills itself as the largest beverage store in Michigan
12. Drake Party Center - http://www.drakespartycenter.com/
13. The Den Partystore - https://www.facebook.com/TheDenPartyStore
14. Tiffany's Wine & Spirit Shoppe - http://www.aatiffany.com/
15. Bacchus Wine and Spirits - https://www.facebook.com/kzoobacchus
BARS, TAVERNS, PUBS, TAPHOUSES, AND SALOONS (not a complete list of all the bars in town)
16. The Y Bar - http://theybar.com/
17. Wild Bull Saloon & Steakpit - http://wildbull.co/
18. Wayside West - http://waysidewest.com/
19. UP AND UNDER - http://www.theuandu.com/
20. University Roadhouse - http://www.universityroadhouse.com/
21. Shakespeare's Pub - http://shakespearespub.com/
22. Ouzos Pub & European Grill - http://www.ouzoskalamazoo.com/
23. OLD DOG TAVERN - https://www.facebook.com/olddogtavern
24. Old Burdick's - http://www.oldburdicks.com/
25. O'Duffy's Pub - http://oduffyspub.com/
26. Monaco Bay Piano Bar and Grill - http://monacobay.co/
27. Main St. Pub - http://www.mainstpub.com/
28. Louie's Trophy House Grill - https://www.facebook.com/LouiesTrophyHouse
29. The Loft - http://www.millenniumrestaurants.com/loft/
30. The Library Kitchen & Taphouse - http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Library-Kitchen-Taphouse/153586994670425
31. Kalamazoo Beer Exchange - http://kalamazoobeerexchange.com/
32. Home Bar - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Home-Bar/108914772527968
33. The Grotto at Capone's - http://www.thegrottoatcapones.com/
34. Green Top Tavern - http://greentoptavern.com/
35. The Gatsby Nightclub - http://thegatsby.co/
36. Fletcher's Pub - http://www.fletcherspub.com/
37. Central City Tap House - http://www.millenniumrestaurants.com/central-city-tap-house/
38. The 411 Club - http://www.the411club.com/411club/
Kalamazoo!!! WooHoo!!! Though I wouldn't object if GR won either! :D
Rachel M - 12 years ago
GRap! So many selections!
Jason - 12 years ago
The negative, tasteless comments from my fellow West Michiganders are in no way representative of how great this region is. However, Asheville is also incredible. The beer & food scene of Asheville belies its size, not to mention the friendly culture of the region. While my vote goes to my current hometown of K'zoo, any of these cities is deserving in its own way....and Asheville is a close 3rd in the voting for me (sorry, Asheville, but Grand Rapids will always be my bridesmaid).
Kerry - 12 years ago
We are all proud of our cities. We all want to win. I actually have no heritage to any city listed on here; I'm a craft beer lover who has resided in 6 different states. There are many cities on this list that I have visited, and many others that I want to visit.
That being said, we are all going to vote for the place we hold dearest to our hearts. For me, right now, that city it Grand Rapids. Not because I think its "better" than any of the others, or that I don't respect Asheville, or love Kalamazoo, or any of the other hateful crap getting thrown around. I just love that city, and when I want to drink a beer and hang out with people who are passionate about the same things as me, Grand Rapids is the best place to do it, for me.
I do feel that Michigan as a state is doing incredible things with beer, and it would be advantageous and ideal to be able to vote for west Michigan as an area, instead of having the unnecessary sparring between Kalamazoo and GR that is going on right now. The Mitten should unite! :) Feel the love of the great lakes, people.
DANAP - 12 years ago
Kalamazoo!! Beer City 2013!
daha - 12 years ago
Kalamazoo all the way!!!
Rachel - 12 years ago
GR all the way baby! I am so proud of our city for all it has done to support the growing craft beer industry. Brewers are setting up shop and opening new locations around the city every month. Almost every restaurant in town holds a monthly beer tasting and pairing dinner. Founders Brewing Co is working with Pure Michigan to develop a beer for their tourism campaign (while also holding some pretty high ranking titles from ratebeer.com). The Michigan Brewers Guild holds an amazing Winter Beer Fest at the Ballpark every February where thousands flock to sample and support the best from the state. Many breweries like Brewery Vivant are making the sustainability of their taprooms, beer, and events a priority (which is awesome). Other great breweries in the region like Bells and New Holland are bringing new locations to Grand Rapids. We have a classic rock radio station called "The Brew". Every grocery store and gas station has a Michigan Beer Section with bountiful selections from our favorite heavy hitters and smaller start ups with a new flavor. Grand Rapids is Beer City USA, not just for the beer that is brewed here, but for all the beer that isn't and is still appreciated and celebrated.
Jason - 12 years ago
For being in the "polite south", people from Asheville are angry! Maybe they need better beer?
SJ - 12 years ago
I live in Chicago but travel to Asheville and Michigan multiple times a year... Asheville will always take this award to me! Wedge Brew Love!
Kalamazoo!
Gun Ru aka Grand Rapids has a great selection of beer, all over the place.
Real beer drinkers don't bash other cities. This is a people's choice award. I support kazoo and their beer and most all of every city up on list. GR.. You have great beer so stop bashing kzoo. Our friends to the north don't do that... If you haven't been to Michigan, please don't hate.
Go grand rapids!
Go GR!
ASHEVILLE!!!
RVA is the tits
Cigar City Brewing
Gr has a ton of great breweries and pubs. Don't forget about Perrin, a little to the north but still in the region, and Logan's alley, which has a TON of craft beers on tap. GR is the greatest beer city in the US.
It all about the water and lake shore hops. :) Grand Rapids has the best variety and range of brews.
Ashevegas the beer and moonshine capitol!
So many beers so little time. Grand Rapids rocks.
ABSOLUTELY Grand Rapids...Besides the major breweries, check out The mitten on the Westside
GR is tops.
Missoula Montana! Like Bend OR the amount of good beer is incredible for such a small city. I am currently living in Grand Rapids and while there is definitely some good beer here I really don't think Grand Rapids has nearly the beer culture that either Missoula or Bend have. Boulder Colorado should also be on this list.
Bells Oberon! Summertime in a bottle!
Bells Oberon! Summertime in a bottle!
Kzoo
Gotta be GR! Awesome brewery's all over the city!
GR!!
:)
@Kathy O. Much better post... As a cmu grad... I remember coming down for cmu/WMD weekend and going to bilbo's! More posts like this will highlight your city... Don't get me wrong I am GR all the way... But your city has a right to be in conversation!
Grand Rapids! Absolutely.
Anytime you're at the Central Station bus stop in Grands Rapids, you can smell the sweet smell of barley wort boiling in large batches at Founder's. Good quality beer is quintessential Grand Rapids, and visitors come here for it.
Grand Rapids deserves to be Beer City U.S.A. not just because of our world-class beers from Founders & Brewery Vivant, but also because of our neighborhood gems like Harmony, Mitten, and the Hideout. Last but not least, the non-brewing bars here carry heavy lineups of all the great Michigan beers, i.e. Short's & Bell's.
Grand Rapids! Absolutely.
ASHEVILLE ALL DAY EVERY DAY....
I LOVE BEND AND PORTLAND AS WELL....
HAVEN'T BEEN TO MICHIGAN, BUT THEN AGAIN, WHY WOULD I???
ASHEVILLE, WNC, NO COMPARISON, ITS THE BEER THE MOUNTAINS THE PEOPLE, THE WATER, THE ROCKS, THE FOOD, THE TRAILS, THE CULTURE
ASHEVILLE=BEER CITY=BLISS
SHH DON'T TELL ANYONE THOUGH.... ;)
Tried to vote today and the web page indicates that I already voted today which I have not.
GR
KALAMAZOO has four great breweries within a couple of miles of each: #1 in the the state of Michigan, the Midwest, and the East, not to mention the original start-up that spurred all others, BELL'S . . . and the Bell's Eccentric Cafe is an experience unto itself. WOW! Then, a couple of blocks away, is OLDE PENINSULA where the ambiance is casual and relaxing; ARCADIA Brewing Co. has invested $6.2 million into its new facility, and we can hardly wait; BILBO's Pizza serves up a good beer; and KALAMAZOO is six years ahead in brewing history than Grand Rapids, with its first brewery having opened in 1830. KALAMABREW !!!!!
Great beer
GR. GR. GR. GR. GR
GRRRRRRRRRRRR
I love kzoo, but come on... Grand Rapids has the absolute best beer scene around. I know. I drink/drank/drunk them all!
Power to the GR people, come downtown and get excited.
Kalamazoo!!!!
No offense but "Cigar City Beer" has got to be the nastiest sounding beer I've ever heard of. What else you got, Dog Poop Ale?
@bill. You do need to say more... That's not the only brewery in kzoo..... Don't get me wrong bells is great beer... But kzoo has more to offer than just bells... Spotlight the others... Give them some lovin' too! You have a great beer town... Been there many times.
kalamazoo is the beer capital we have the bell brewery. need we say more.
I love Kzoo!
Just a reminder for all non-Michiganders, try and nab a ticket to winter beer fest 2014 in Grand Rapids, mi! You will not regret it! Dress warm... Or drink until its not cold anymore!
Unless Traverse City, Michigan, is added, the whole list remains bogus...!
Asheville by a landslide! Hands down heads and shoulders above the the rest!!
@rob you forgot the mitten and harmony brewing ;) Go grand rapids !!
Asheville!!!
I think this poll should be removed!
Unless you make beer, i don't think you should be able to vote!
Grand Rapids all the way!
Oberon! need I say more!! Kalamazoo is it!
I'm surprised ALASKA is not on this poll.
I just spent the last one year in Anchorage and Kenai, living and working, and I have never tasted a better beer.
I'm sure that it's because Alaska water and air is so clean and fresh, virtually no pollutants, and it is freezing cold. Great combo for pristine craft beer making!
I vote ALASKA as BeerCity USA 2013 - the whole state!
Having been to Bend, Or, many times, living in Portland, visiting Seattle often and spending a few days every year in Grand Rapids, I have to vote for Portland. Bend has some good beer for sure, it is unfair to compare the two, as bend is tiny compared to the others. Grand Rapids is coming on strong, and I have had a few real stand out beers there. Grand Rapids also has lots of breweries popping up, which is a great sign. Overall, GR beer is good, overall maybe not on par with the other big brewery cities, but they are new at this, for the most part. Their momentum is growing. Cant wait to visit again this year. But yeah, Portland is still king.
The Hub of the Craft brew & Microbrew world is Grand Rapids, MI. I've been everywhere and tried everything and nothing compares.
Grand Rapids, Michigan is getting a lot of beer brewers. Which is great!!!
Walk into Wicked Weed Brewery in Asheville, you will understand why Asheville's beers are awesome!
5 reasons Kalamazoo should be named a BeerCity USA 2013 destination: http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2013/05/5_reasons_kalamazoo_should_be.html
Asheville is the best beer city by far
Asheville!!!!! No contest
GR baby! Bring it back!
asheville baby! most breweries per capita!
Motu Viget! GR all the way!
GR for sure
Kalamazoo!
GRAND RAPIDS!!!!! I've been to KZoo, Asheville, Grand Rapids and a couple of the other places in the run and there is no higher level of support for craft beer than in GR!! Not only do they have a lot of craft breweries, they have a lot of craft breweries who make incredible beer. In GR there is no limit in possibilities to the styles and variations of beer creations you'll find and the people behind these breweries are just as awesome and addicting to be around!
No disrespect to Asheville, but having the most breweries per capita doesn't mean much if the beer they produce doesn't capture any critical acclaim:
Beers in BeerAdvocate's Top 250
Grand Rapids: 9
Asheville: 0
http://beeradvocate.com/lists/top
Breweries in Brewers Association Top 50
Grand Rapids: 1
Asheville: 0
http://www.brewersassociation.org/pages/media/press-releases/show?title=brewers-association-releases-top-50-breweries-of-2012
Mmmm mmmm good. AVL it is.
grand rapids
Grand Rapids, MI! Yeah!
Kalamazoo!!!
Grand Rapids. So many beers, so little time!
I live in fort collins but totally voting for my home town GRAND RAPIDS!!!
Gun Ru....also i saw that someone said that Gun Ru and K-Zoo should alternate voting for eachother every year. That's a stupid idea, we are voting for Beer City, we are not voting just to vote for no reason. pull it together.
Look folks, the fact is that likely no one on this comment thread has actually been to Bend, Oregon – if they had, they would know that the quality of the beer in that town and the number of breweries per capita blows this entire list away.
Before you get defensive – I'm a native Michigander who grew up on Bell's (undergrad, Kalamazoo College) and have family in Grand Rapids, which is, bar none, the absolute best beer city east of the Mississippi. I don't say that lightly, since I currently live in Chicago, which, along with Bell's, obviously gave birth to the Midwestern craft beer movement in the mid-80s. So I have access to the best beer cities/states this side of the country.
That being said, when my sister-in-law moved to Bend and I visited for the first time, I was simply stunned. You will be too when you go. From granddaddy Deschutes, right down to recent (stellar) addition GoodLife, there is truly something for everyone, in a town much more Denver or Boulder than Portland. Doesn't get better than that.
I think we should go by state. MI would win hands down. Bells, founders, vivant, frankenmuth, right brain, hideout, dark horse, green bush, atwater, GR brewing co, eaglemonk, new holland, mitten, north peak, jolly pumpkin, hopcat, pike 51, jaden james, white flame, detroit brewing co, michigan brewery, harmony, arcadia, mt pleasant brewery, tri-city, ferment, perrin, bad, unruly, old boys, and i cant even think of them all!
Asheville is clearly the favorite here. New Belgium and Sierra Nevada are setting up shop here also!
Anybody else wish the comments section was disabled? Vote for your city, support your city. Figure out a way to do that without putting another city down. Its actually pretty easy if you just give it a try.
I wasn't going to get into any mud slinging because basically the whole split between K-zoo and GR is basically K-zoo ROSS PEROT'ing it. Doesn't mean he wasn't good but split votes. I brought BELL's beer to COLORADO to a famous micro brewery that blows GR and Kzoo Outta the water...He had me bring him a case of BELL's cause he wanted to know what all the hype was...he took one sip and told me to "keep the case" Its good, but not that good" were his exact words. I like Bells beer, but GR has something for EVERYONE! not just ONE.... BEER Is suppose to BRING US TOGETHER. Not tear us apart...
and for the guy saying that we just have swill in GR....come to the Next CALDER BREW and say that to all the hard workin home brewers who DO NOT produce swill...
Tampa!!! Cigar City, Rapp Brewing, Dunedin Brewing, 7venth Sun, Saint Somewhere, Florida Avenue, Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Big Storm, Barley Mow with Green Bench, Cycle, Coppertail, Pair o Dice, Angry Chair all in the works and I know I've missed a few:)
GR, hands down!
Let's bring it home again this year GR.
Missoula, MT. Hidden gem in the West.
Grand Rapids MI, with a church and a brewery on every corner. Heavenly!
Cigar City Brewery!!!
I love my Kalamazoo!!!
Not just great beer,but amazing cuisine as well!
Not just great beer,but amazing cuisine as well!
I think the greater point is being missed here... yay beer!
Go Kalamazoo!!!
Who would vote for a city named ashtray? GO GR!!!
The wonderful thing about this contest is that it opens up the way for great breweries to get some recognition. Whether it's Denver's Great Divide or Breckenridge Brewery, Portland's Bridgeport, or one of my personal favorites, Bell's in Kalamazoo, there are always amazing beers, NATIONWIDE, to discover. Some people vote according to where they're from, and there's nothing wrong with that.
I've voted for Asheville each year. I'm constantly surprised at the quality and quantity of excellent brewpups and microbreweries here. I don't choose Asheville because I was born and raised in WNC, I choose it because my top five beers of all time all come from breweries in and around the Asheville area. If someone else wins this year, I will be more than happy to see them achieve a fantastic award. All it means for me is that I'll have a LOAD of new beer to try and a yet another new city to explore.
Cheers to all beer drinkers, no matter where you're from or who you voted for!
Great beer in Kzoo!
Check out Jacksonville's beer scene: Magical brewery tour - A spin through Jacksonville's craft breweries http://www.eujacksonville.com/story2.php?storyid=2622
38 reasons to vote for Kalamazoo:
ANNUAL BEER EVENTS
1. Santacon Kalamazoo - http://www.santaconkalamazoo.com/
2. Kalamazoo Beer Week - billed as the largest beer week in Michigan - http://www.kalamazoobeerweek.com/
MICRO-BREWERIES AND BREWPUBS
3. Olde Peninsula Brewpub and Restaurant - http://oldepenkazoo.com/
4. Bilbos Pizza and Brewpub - http://www.bilbospizza.com/
5. Arcadia Ales - http://www.arcadiaales.com/index.php/blog/item/4-arcadia-brewing-company-bringing-jobs-to-west-michigan.html
6. Boatyard Brewing Company - http://boatyardbrewing.com/
7. Gonzo's Bigg Dogg Brewery - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gonzos-Bigg-Dogg-Brewery/132180910282558
8. Rupert's Brew House - https://twitter.com/RupeyKzooBrew
9. American Brewers Inc. - http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/05/nearby_church_complicates_loca.html
10. Bell's Brewery ( http://bellsbeer.com/ ) and Eccentric Café ( http://www.bellsbeer.com/eccentric-cafe/ )
LARGE BEER STORES
11. Megabev - http://www.megabev.com/store/cat/55/Beer - bills itself as the largest beverage store in Michigan
12. Drake Party Center - http://www.drakespartycenter.com/
13. The Den Partystore - https://www.facebook.com/TheDenPartyStore
14. Tiffany's Wine & Spirit Shoppe - http://www.aatiffany.com/
15. Bacchus Wine and Spirits - https://www.facebook.com/kzoobacchus
BARS, TAVERNS, PUBS, TAPHOUSES, AND SALOONS (not a complete list of all the bars in town)
16. The Y Bar - http://theybar.com/
17. Wild Bull Saloon & Steakpit - http://wildbull.co/
18. Wayside West - http://waysidewest.com/
19. UP AND UNDER - http://www.theuandu.com/
20. University Roadhouse - http://www.universityroadhouse.com/
21. Shakespeare's Pub - http://shakespearespub.com/
22. Ouzos Pub & European Grill - http://www.ouzoskalamazoo.com/
23. OLD DOG TAVERN - https://www.facebook.com/olddogtavern
24. Old Burdick's - http://www.oldburdicks.com/
25. O'Duffy's Pub - http://oduffyspub.com/
26. Monaco Bay Piano Bar and Grill - http://monacobay.co/
27. Main St. Pub - http://www.mainstpub.com/
28. Louie's Trophy House Grill - https://www.facebook.com/LouiesTrophyHouse
29. The Loft - http://www.millenniumrestaurants.com/loft/
30. The Library Kitchen & Taphouse - http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Library-Kitchen-Taphouse/153586994670425
31. Kalamazoo Beer Exchange - http://kalamazoobeerexchange.com/
32. Home Bar - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Home-Bar/108914772527968
33. The Grotto at Capone's - http://www.thegrottoatcapones.com/
34. Green Top Tavern - http://greentoptavern.com/
35. The Gatsby Nightclub - http://thegatsby.co/
36. Fletcher's Pub - http://www.fletcherspub.com/
37. Central City Tap House - http://www.millenniumrestaurants.com/central-city-tap-house/
38. The 411 Club - http://www.the411club.com/411club/
Clearly it's Asheville. So much freakin' beer!
Kalamazoo!!! WooHoo!!! Though I wouldn't object if GR won either! :D
GRap! So many selections!
The negative, tasteless comments from my fellow West Michiganders are in no way representative of how great this region is. However, Asheville is also incredible. The beer & food scene of Asheville belies its size, not to mention the friendly culture of the region. While my vote goes to my current hometown of K'zoo, any of these cities is deserving in its own way....and Asheville is a close 3rd in the voting for me (sorry, Asheville, but Grand Rapids will always be my bridesmaid).
We are all proud of our cities. We all want to win. I actually have no heritage to any city listed on here; I'm a craft beer lover who has resided in 6 different states. There are many cities on this list that I have visited, and many others that I want to visit.
That being said, we are all going to vote for the place we hold dearest to our hearts. For me, right now, that city it Grand Rapids. Not because I think its "better" than any of the others, or that I don't respect Asheville, or love Kalamazoo, or any of the other hateful crap getting thrown around. I just love that city, and when I want to drink a beer and hang out with people who are passionate about the same things as me, Grand Rapids is the best place to do it, for me.
I do feel that Michigan as a state is doing incredible things with beer, and it would be advantageous and ideal to be able to vote for west Michigan as an area, instead of having the unnecessary sparring between Kalamazoo and GR that is going on right now. The Mitten should unite! :) Feel the love of the great lakes, people.
Kalamazoo!! Beer City 2013!
Kalamazoo all the way!!!
GR all the way baby! I am so proud of our city for all it has done to support the growing craft beer industry. Brewers are setting up shop and opening new locations around the city every month. Almost every restaurant in town holds a monthly beer tasting and pairing dinner. Founders Brewing Co is working with Pure Michigan to develop a beer for their tourism campaign (while also holding some pretty high ranking titles from ratebeer.com). The Michigan Brewers Guild holds an amazing Winter Beer Fest at the Ballpark every February where thousands flock to sample and support the best from the state. Many breweries like Brewery Vivant are making the sustainability of their taprooms, beer, and events a priority (which is awesome). Other great breweries in the region like Bells and New Holland are bringing new locations to Grand Rapids. We have a classic rock radio station called "The Brew". Every grocery store and gas station has a Michigan Beer Section with bountiful selections from our favorite heavy hitters and smaller start ups with a new flavor. Grand Rapids is Beer City USA, not just for the beer that is brewed here, but for all the beer that isn't and is still appreciated and celebrated.
For being in the "polite south", people from Asheville are angry! Maybe they need better beer?
I live in Chicago but travel to Asheville and Michigan multiple times a year... Asheville will always take this award to me! Wedge Brew Love!
Well Said Beau
Grr