Best Beer Towns in the Midwest

[hops99]

I know we've seen threads about the best Midwest breweries and brewpubs, but what about the best beer towns?

For example, Ann Arbor, MI has a couple of average brewpubs (Arbor Brewing, Grizzly Peaks, Leopold Bros.); none of which would likely make too many "best of" lists. However, when you look at the total beer scene, it's a very good beer town. There's a beer bar, Ashley's, that has a better selection of micros and imports than anywhere else within a 200 mile radius. There are also plenty of retail/food/grocery stores that offer a great selection of beers to try, and a great beer festival that's held in neighboring Ypsilanti every July.

So, looking at Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri, what are the most complete beer towns?

Here are my top five:

1) Madison, WI
2) Cleveland, OH
3) Chicago, IL
4) Ann Arbor, MI
5) Kalamazoo, MI

[steveh]

You can't leave out Milwaukee, I think I'd put it above Ann Arbor - a couple of great micros, one or two good brew-pubs, and plenty of great beer bars.

And there are a lot of Indianapolis fans out there - as well as St. Louis, if for nothing more than the history - I hear that they have a pretty decent micro there as well.

S.

[Bman]

living in Ann Arbor I gree with your findings-I prefer Arbor Brewing for their Happy Hour-pretty good session beers-

My top 5

1) Chicago (The Goose-man-The Goose)
2) St.Louis-granted this is my home town-but St.Louis Brewery and Taproom make some of the best beers inthe country
3) Kalazmazoo (Bell's enough said)
4) Milwaukee for sipping beer on the deck at Milwaukee Ale House in the summer
5) Royal Oak, MI two good brewpubs-Lily's Seafood and Royal Oak Brewing

[hops99]

I agree with you guys regarding St. Louis - Schlafly is one of the best kept secrets in the country, and it's my New Belgium outpost. Since they don't distribute East of the Mississippi, I'll make the 14-hour round trip every couple of months to stock up on New Belgium beers (as well as Schlafly and Boulevard). There's also a bar over by Creve Couer (can't remember the name right now), that has 50+ taps of import and craft brews, and is a great place to waste away a weekend.

I'm not as familiar with Milwaukee, although I've drank beer all around Wisconsin. I know Sprecher and Lakefront (best Pumpkin beer in the country IMO), but have never been to the Milwaukee Ale House. I'll have to make that a stop when I head up north later this summer.

Mixed feelings on Indy - I like the Oaken Barrel in Greenwood, and Broad Ripple is ok, but I haven't found a decent beer bar yet. Of course, I may not be looking hard enough...

The bottom line: there are plenty of great breweries, and many great beer towns in the midwest!

[BluesHarp]

Milwaukee Ale house.....whatever you do, make sure you try "Louie's Demise"; I think I spelled it right. Good Stuff.