The Most Popular Beer in Michigan, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the beer you think is the most popular!
Updated on Mar 31, 2024 06:51
In the heart of Michigan, where the craft beer scene is as rich as the surrounding Great Lakes, locals and tourists alike find themselves constantly debating which brewery's creation tops the chart. It's a spirited discussion that not only ignites camaraderie among beer lovers but also celebrates the state's deep-rooted brewing traditions. Ranking these beloved beers gives everyone a chance to see which brews resonate most with the community, helping newbies and aficionados decide what to try next.
This dynamic list responds directly to your votes, reflecting real-time preferences and trends in Michigan's beer culture. Each vote helps determine the standing of your favorite beers, making your participation crucial. So, share your opinions and help shape the listing to guide others in their quest to find Michigan's finest brew. It's an engaging way to contribute to and stay connected with Michigan's vibrant beer community.
What Is the Most Popular Beer in Michigan?
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175votes
Bell's Two Hearted Ale
Bell's BreweryThis IPA is one of the most famous beers in Michigan, known for its hoppy aroma, balanced taste, and smooth finish. It has won numerous awards and is widely available in bars and stores across the state.Bell's Two Hearted Ale is a highly acclaimed American-style India Pale Ale (IPA) originated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is known for its intense hop aromas and well-balanced flavor profile, making it a favorite among beer enthusiasts.- Style: American-style India Pale Ale (IPA)
- ABV: 7%
- IBU: 55
- Color: Copper
- Hops: Centennial hop variety
Bell's Two Hearted Ale in other rankings- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular craft beer in America
- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular beer in Chicago
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231votes
Founders All Day IPA
Founders Brewing Co.Another popular IPA, All Day is known for its refreshing taste, low ABV, and easy drinkability. It's a go-to beer for many Michiganders, whether at a barbecue, a game, or a concert.Founders All Day IPA is a sessionable India Pale Ale, known for its easy-drinking characteristic. It offers a balanced combination of hop flavors, malt sweetness, and a clean finish, making it a popular choice for beer enthusiasts in Michigan.- ABV: 4.7%
- IBU: 42
- Color: Golden amber
- Aroma: Citrus, pine, and floral notes
- Taste: Balanced bitterness with hints of grapefruit and resin
Founders All Day IPA in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular craft beer in America
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314votes
Bell's Oberon Ale
Larry BellA wheat ale that's synonymous with summer in Michigan, Oberon is a light, fruity beer with hints of orange and spice. It's perfect for hot days, outdoor activities, and social gatherings.Bell's Oberon Ale is a widely cherished American wheat ale that hails from Michigan. It is known for its smooth and refreshing taste, making it a popular choice among beer enthusiasts. This seasonal ale is named after Oberon, the mythical king of the fairies in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.- Beer Style: American Wheat Ale
- ABV (Alcohol By Volume): 5.8%
- IBU (International Bitterness Units): 10
- Color: Golden
- Clarity: Hazy
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413votes
Founders Breakfast Stout
Founders Brewing Co.A rich, dark beer that's perfect for breakfast or dessert, Breakfast Stout is brewed with coffee, chocolate, and oatmeal, giving it a creamy, smooth texture and a complex flavor profile. It's a favorite among craft beer fans in Michigan and beyond.Founders Breakfast Stout is a flavorful and robust beer that originates from Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is a rich and complex stout with a blend of coffee, chocolate, and oatmeal flavors, making it a perfect choice for breakfast or any time of the day. The beer has gained immense popularity for its smooth and velvety texture, along with its bold and balanced taste profile.- Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 8.3%
- International Bitterness Units (IBU): 60
- Color: Black
- Malt Varieties: 2-Row Pale, Chocolate, Roasted Barley, Crystal, and Munich
- Hop Varieties: Willamette, Centennial, and Cascade
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517votes
Short's Soft Parade
Short's Brewing CompanyA fruit beer that's bursting with flavor, Soft Parade is made with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, giving it a sweet, tart taste and a bright, colorful appearance. It's a popular choice for summer parties and picnics.Short's Soft Parade is a fruit-infused ale that showcases a vibrant blend of flavors. It is brewed with pureed strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, creating a stunning ruby red color and a delightful fruity aroma. The addition of malted wheat and oats gives it a smooth and velvety mouthfeel, while the use of Michigan-grown hops adds a subtle bitterness to balance the sweetness of the fruit. With its refreshing and accessible taste, Soft Parade has become a favorite among beer enthusiasts in Michigan.- ABV (Alcohol By Volume): 7.5%
- IBU (International Bitterness Units): 15
- Color: Ruby Red
- Yeast: Ale Yeast
- Malts: 2-Row, Malted Wheat, Oats
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66votes
New Holland Dragon's Milk
New Holland Brewing CompanyA bourbon barrel-aged stout that's rich, complex, and full-bodied, Dragon's Milk has become a cult favorite in Michigan and beyond. It's a beer to savor and enjoy, with notes of vanilla, oak, and roasted malt.New Holland Dragon's Milk is a barrel-aged stout that is known for its rich and complex flavor profile. It is brewed by New Holland Brewing Company, a craft brewery based in Holland, Michigan. Dragon's Milk is widely regarded as one of the most popular beers in Michigan, and it has gained a following among beer enthusiasts across the country.- Beer Style: Barrel-aged Stout
- ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 11%
- IBU (International Bitterness Units): 31
- Color: Dark, near-black
- Aroma: Roasted malt, vanilla, oak
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77votes
Atwater Vanilla Java Porter
Atwater BreweryA smooth, creamy porter that's infused with vanilla and coffee, Vanilla Java Porter is a delicious way to warm up on a cold Michigan night. It's a beer that's both comforting and satisfying, with a sweet, roasty flavor.Atwater Vanilla Java Porter is a rich and velvety beer with a delightful combination of vanilla and coffee flavors. It is a robust porter that perfectly balances the sweetness of vanilla with the deep roasted notes of coffee. This beer offers a smooth and creamy mouthfeel, making it an indulgent treat for beer enthusiasts.- ABV: 4.5-6.0%
- IBU: 25-35
- Color: Dark brown
- Malts: Munich, Caramel, Chocolate, Black Patent
- Hops: Nugget
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83votes
Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA
Dark Horse Brewing Co.A bold, hoppy IPA that's not for the faint of heart, Crooked Tree is a beer that demands your attention. It's bitter, piney, and resinous, with a strong malt backbone that balances out the hops. It's a beer for hopheads and beer geeks.Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA is a flagship beer from Dark Horse Brewing Co. It is an American-style India Pale Ale that boasts a bold and hoppy flavor profile. This IPA is characterized by its deep amber color, medium body, and balanced bitterness. The prominent hop presence is complemented by a malty backbone, offering a pleasing complexity to the overall taste. With its high alcohol content of 6.5% ABV, Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA provides a strong and satisfying drinking experience that appeals to IPA enthusiasts.- Beer Style: American-style India Pale Ale
- Color: Deep Amber
- Body: Medium
- Bitterness: Balanced
- Hop Presence: Prominent
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93votes
Odd Side Ales Bean Flicker Blonde Ale
Odd Side AlesA light, crisp blonde ale that's brewed with coffee, Bean Flicker is a surprising and delicious beer that's perfect for brunch or afternoon drinking. It's a beer that defies expectations, with a delicate balance of sweetness and bitterness.Odd Side Ales Bean Flicker Blonde Ale is a popular beer in Michigan known for its delightful flavors and smooth drinkability. This refreshing blonde ale is brewed with coffee beans to create a unique twist on a traditional style. The rich and aromatic coffee notes perfectly complement the light malt base, resulting in a balanced and flavorful beer.- ABV: 4.5%
- IBU: 25
- Color: Golden
- Hops: Cascade, Amarillo, and Citra
- Malts: Pale, Munich, and Caramel
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107votes
Jolly Pumpkin La Roja Sour Ale
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan AlesA tart, funky sour ale that's aged in oak barrels, La Roja is a beer that's not for everyone, but those who love it swear by it. It's a beer that's complex, challenging, and delicious, with notes of cherry, oak, and vinegar.Jolly Pumpkin La Roja Sour Ale is a popular beer in Michigan known for its unique sour flavor profile. It is brewed using traditional Belgian brewing methods and aged in oak barrels, resulting in a complex and tart taste. The beer is known for its deep red color and medium body, with a rich malty character balanced by a refreshing sourness. Jolly Pumpkin artisan ales take pride in their commitment to brewing with natural ingredients and using wild yeast strains for fermentation, which add to the distinctive flavors of their beers.- Style: Sour Ale
- ABV: 7.2%
- IBU: 20
- Color: Deep Red
- Body: Medium
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Ranking factors for popular beer
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Sales volumeThe amount of beer sold by a particular brand or brewery in Michigan can give a good indication of its popularity.
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Market shareThe percentage of the beer market that a particular brand or brewery holds within the state of Michigan.
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Consumer ratings and reviewsPublic opinion is an important factor when determining the popularity of a beer. Ratings and reviews on platforms like Untappd, BeerAdvocate, and RateBeer can offer insight into the preferences of beer drinkers in Michigan.
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Brewery reputationThe reputation of a brewery can be a contributing factor to the popularity of its beer. Well-known and esteemed breweries in Michigan are more likely to produce popular beers.
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Awards and accoladesBeers that have won awards at beer festivals or competitions, such as the Great American Beer Festival, World Beer Cup, or Michigan Brewers Guild competitions, may be considered more popular due to their critical acclaim.
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DistributionThe availability of a beer within the state of Michigan can impact its popularity. Beers that are widely distributed and easily accessible are more likely to be popular among consumers.
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Local culture and preferencesRegional tastes and preferences can influence the popularity of a beer. For example, Michigan beer drinkers might favor beers that use locally sourced ingredients or support local businesses.
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StyleThe popularity of certain beer styles in Michigan can contribute to the popularity of individual beers. For instance, if IPAs are particularly favored, then breweries producing exceptional IPAs might be more popular.
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SeasonalitySome beers are more popular during specific seasons or times of year, such as fall beers like Oktoberfest and pumpkin ales, or summer beers like fruity wheat ales.
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Branding and marketingA beer's branding and marketing efforts can play a significant role in its popularity. Compelling packaging, advertisements, and promotional events can all contribute to a beer's popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular beer in Michigan. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or beer is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2643 views
- 177 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each beer once every 24 hours. The rank of each beer is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular beer in michigan
Michigan has long been known for its love of craft beer, with over 400 breweries operating throughout the state. But when it comes to the most popular beer in Michigan, the answer may surprise you. While many might assume that a local craft brew would take the top spot, it turns out that the most popular beer in Michigan is actually a classic American lager: Budweiser. According to recent polls and sales data, Budweiser maintains its reign as the go-to beer for many Michiganders, followed closely by other popular domestic brands like Miller Lite and Coors Light. However, with the continued growth of the craft beer industry in Michigan, it will be interesting to see if the popularity of these classic brands begins to wane in the coming years.
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