SoMe Brewery - York, ME

Right over the Maine border is SoMe brewing.  Which stands for Southern Maine...took us a minute to figure that out.  The location is in a small business building tucked in the back so got to keep your eye open for the sign!

 The owners were working, and stated their son is the brewery.  VERY nice people.  The place itself isn't anything crazy special.  Nice decor, nice small bar with about 6-8 beers on tap normally.  We sampled all 6 they had.  They were all tasty, none were disappointments.  The standout for me was the Whoopie Pie Stout and Whale Bait Black IPA.  They also were selling bottles of their Session IPA which I bought 2 of and tried later on, which were good nothing mind blowing. 

If I were driving in this area I would absolutely come back. Nice people, good beer, and they seem to care about the business very much. Check them out..somebrewingco.com/

Grizzly Peak Brewing Co - Ann Arbor, MI

Next stop of the four was Grizzly Peak Brewing Co.  This is a good size place, long bar with some tables and an additional room for tables for dining.  Bartender said that was a recent addition.  The bartender was friendly, talkative, and it helped the place was dead. 

-As for the beer they had GP Pale Ale real hoppy and nice, Steelhead Red Ale was malty but nice, El Hefe was typical hefe not bad, Countrycork Irish Stout kinda watery, Sheer Water IPA on cask...again not a cask fan and this was warmer then usual, PJ Pale Ale cask not bad.

-Overall this place is a good size, it's classy inside and clean.  Not really much in merch department.  Check em out..grizzlypeak.net/‎

Northbound Smokehouse Brewpub - Minneapolis, MN

Next stop was the Northbound Smokehouse Brewpub. Not in the nicest area of Minneapolis, but we parked went in and it was slammed.  No where to sit, we lucked out and got a couple bar seats.  There is a lot of tables in the place, but it was dinner time and people were hungry I guess. We had dinner plans for later so we didn't eat here except we got a Salmon Dip to go..it was very fishy smelling and didn't taste all that great, wasn't worth the price, but hey this is a Smokehouse so I won't judge them on that.

-As for the beer we had Honey Wheat which was eh, Hefe was decent, Pride Red decent, Light Pail Pale Ale was hoppy not bad, Big Jim IPA was smooth and nice, and the Smokehouse Porter was smoky not bad.

-We weren't there too long, kind of a tight fit and not relaxing.  The beer didn't do much for me, and the food experience wasn't too good, BUT I would say check them out for their smoked food and judge for yourself, however if you're on a brewery tour and are running low on time I think you can skip this one.  www.northboundbrewpub.com/‎

Schmohz Brewing - Grand Rapids, MI

Right next to our hotel was Schmohz Brewing so we hit them up before going home to get ready for the night.  I will start off by unfortunately saying this is top 5 worst breweries I've been to . The inside, while very roomy was mostly pool tables, some high tables and a small bar.  Good size but a lot of wasted space.  The bartender was an older woman, she was polite and kept conversation going with a few locals who seem to be regulars. 

-I can get over dingy bars if they have fantastic beer, but this was the worst beer I've had.  Maybe it was because it was a long day of drinking, but all the beers I drank tasted the same to me...just all watered down and lacking much body.  I tried the Hopknocker IPA which was malty and decent at best, the regular IPA was eh, Stumbling Monk was just basic, Pail Ale was tasteless, Bloody Red was decent.

-It seems like a fun place to just go and hang out, but I bet they mostly serve regulars, They don't really have merchandise but they do sell their posters and it is one thing I will give them props on...awesome designs for their beers and they sell the posters for 2$...GREAT DEAL! I hate to put down a nice place with good people, but when it comes to the beer steer clear! But hey if you want to find out for yourself be my guest...schmohz.com/

Harmony Brewing - Grand Rapids, MI

Our last stop on Day 1 was to Harmony Brewing.  This place isn't too big, decent amount of tables and a small bar however it was a Sunday night so we got bar seats.  They don't do much merhandise.  We didn't eat here but they do serve food. 

-As for the beer we had the Crossroads Rye-PA it was hoppy I liked it, Golden Lion pale was good, Beach Wedding saison was good, Vanilla Porter was good, Star Stuff Belgium Dubbel was just eh, IPA was decent, and Cavendish strong ale very good.

-Not much to say here, really nice place, good beer located in the more downtown area of Grand Rapids and a definite stop if you're doing breweries in Grand Rapids.Check out their beers...harmonybeer.com/

Hideout Brewing - Grand Rapids, MI

Now I have never said this about a brewery and probably never will again because I appreciate the art of a brewery...but this place SUCKED! Let me tell our tale...this was our third stop of the day.  It was tucked away in a corner, hence the name Hideout, we thought it was cool and original.  Once we walked in we got stares from just about everyone there as if we were aliens or something.  Now I remembered seeing online they have quite possibly the biggest sampler tray EVER (25 beers) so I really wanted to try it. However once we sat down, me and my party weren't sure right away. The waitress came over, asked what we wanted, we asked a question or 2 and said we just need a minute to decide. Fast forward ten minutes...she still hasn't come back.  On top of that, our table was disgusting, after waiting forever my girlfriend went and asked for a rag to clean it (thinking the bartender would say "oooo let me clean that for you"), but no he handed it to her and she had to clean it herself. FINALLY the male bartender was cleaning up other tables and stopped to say "O do you need anything?" Ummm yes...we would like the 25 beer sampler with 2 oz pours and a pretzel we asked. We then went outside to their beer garden which actually is kind of nice.

-Our pretzel came out and it was a microwaved pretzel I used to eat when I was 12.  Then the beer came...
-Now the sample tray is badass I will give them that, but the beer...25 beers mind you..all weren't very good.  But since I do review everything I will list the beers, and mind you I'm being VERY generous but I find any brewery that makes more than like 10 beers doesn't do a great job (only a few exceptions to that rule):

Polish Potato decent
Booze Hound Brown not bad
Tommy Gun Red alright
Hangman Scotch Nitro gross
Aviator Pale smooth
Exectuioner Scotch Ale not bad had a chocolate coffee taste
Smugglers Hazelnut Stout tasted like watered down stout
Expresso Booze Hound Brown decent..peppery taste
Peppercorn Porter Nitro eh
Cement Shoes Stout watery
Gangster IPA decent
9am Hazelnut IPA decent
Belgium Double it was like a cider, decent
Dark Porter not bad
Hot Dog Ale (YES a hot dog beer, it was gross)
Pickle Ale(YES a pickle beer, it tasted and smells like dill I won't lie it wasn't bad I was shocked)
Trigger Man IPA decent
Chocolate Rye good
Kolson Rice decent
Sparkling Cider sour and just eh
Dark Rice eh
Bubble Gum Ale smells and tasted like bubble gum, so depends if you're a bubble gum fan, I'm not
-My girlfriend ended this trip with buying me a glass and nicely asking if they had stickers or coasters (since she knows I collect them) and the girl basically laughed and said "stickers? Why would we have stickers? No we don't have stickers...". Like REALLY? You have a medal door right behind you covered in stickers from some of the best breweries around but you are confused and shocked that a customer asked for a sticker from YOUR brewery?

-After speaking with locals, workers at other breweries,  we basically found out the owners wife left him, the workers hate their jobs, the brewers left and they hired new ones (who can't brew), basically the place is a dump.  I HIGHLY recommend do not give a penny to this place. The ONLY saving grace they had was their mason jar glass they sell..if not for that I would give this place 0 out of 100. I'm not even posting their website on here..if you'd like to actually suffer at this place then feel free to Google them.   

Quay Brewing - Port Huron, MI

Coming from Buffalo, it made most sense to drive through Canada to get to Grand Rapids. Our first stop was right after the Canadian border into Michigan at Port Huron at a place called Quay Brewing. It is right near the water, nice view. No parking lot, so we parked in the street but not an issue.  Walking in, the place is a good size, giant bar and tables to the immediate left and a restaurant up and downstairs ahead of us.  As always we chose the bar.

-The bartender was very knowledgeable and even mentioned they have new owners and plan on expanding the selection of beers at the brewery to almost triple what they have now.  We ordered a sampler of ALL their beers and some food.
-For lunch we had fried duck and fried shrimp. Both were VERY tasty and the sauces they came with were delicious.

-As for the beers, the Pilsner was sharp, Raspberry wheat had a really nice after taste of raspberries, Michigan Cream Ale was decent not much to it, Nutting Better brown was decent, Black River stout not bad, Quay Street wheat was good, IPA was different but good, and the Pale Ale had a caramel smell and taste to it...we liked it.

-Not much in the merchandise area...they have pint glasses and a couple t-shirts.

-Overall I would say if you're crossing the border into Port Huron stop in for a beer but I wouldn't make a long drive out to this place.  Food was good, beer was decent, so it's worth a stop if convenient.Check them out...quaybrewing.com/

Bridgeport Brewing - Portland, OR

The last brewery of the trip (unless you count Lucky Lab for a second time) we stopped at was Bridgeport Brewing. Luckily it was only blocks away from Rogue.  This place reminded me of Alameda because it was clean, classy and seemed somewhat upscale. Apparently it's one of or THE original breweries in Portland. They bottle most their beers for sale.

-The scenery is nice, kind of a unique feel, our waiter was very good.  Prices were average and we grabbed lunch. I got the BBQ chicken quesedilla..when it arrived I was a little worried since it looked bland and it wouldn't be good but it turned out it was VERY good. 

-As for the beer, I got my last sampler of the trip! All their beers they have on tap..Summer Squeeze Bright Ale was tasty and light, Blue Heron Pale Ale was tasty, Kingpin Double Red Ale I liked a lot, Porter was decent, Old Knucklehead was really good, Something Tart nothing special, the IPA was really good, and Hop Czar Imperial IPA was really good. 

-Lots of good merch..free stickers and keychains which who can complain about that? Each of their beers on a pint glass, t-shirts. Waiter even gave me all the coasters they have in stock, nice guy.

-Overall since this was our last brand new brewery stop, I was happy. Check them out..www.bridgeportbrew.com/

Rogue Brewing - Portland, OR

Now this is not the Rogue Brewery itself, but one of the Ale houses they have set up.  They have a few tables outside, and inside probably about 30 tables and a 6-8 seater bar. The bartender was a really energetic guy..maybe cause it was only 11am?

 

 

-I went with the sampler..which was confusing because you could pick any 4 however not everything was able to be picked plus some you COULD pick but weren't written on the board? But either way I picked mine easily...Oregasmic IPA was tasty, Brutal IPA was just eh, 200 Meter was really good, and the Chocolate Stout was VERY good.

-I luckily got there while they were holding a Memorial Day "Garage Sale" in which a lot of merch was sale.  They also had TONS of regular priced glasses, t-shirts, and lots of other items for sale.

  -Really nice staff, clean, TONS of beers to choose from, if you can make it then I would say check it out but Rogue beers are available almost anywhere but hey it's still fun! rogue.com/

 

Lucky Labrador Brewing - Portland, OR

Our last brewery visit of the day was to Lucky Labrador Brewing...or simply Lucky Lab.  This was in my top 3 favorite breweries of the trip. Let me first say I went to two different Lucky Labs (one on Day 3 and one on Day 4..this will review both collectively). It was HUGE, probably about the size of Hair of the Dog or Alameda but had more of a barn type feel.  Needless to say, tons of seating at picnic tables and even more outside.

-This place felt like a brewery, lots of merch hanging about the bar, good music playing, and I must say the coasters were my favorite coaster of the trip.  I also purchased a glass even though they weren't quite my favorite type of glass.

 

 

-They had great art work of dogs spread throughout the brewery too which is why I loved it even more.

 -Now onto the beer...I got a sampler on Day 3. No Pitty Pale Ale I liked a lot, Byron's Pale Ale was okay, Blue Dog Amber not bad, Tim's Beer was good and light, Super Dog IPA was one of the BEST beers of the trip, and lastly Cascadian Dark Ale not bad.  On Day 4 we just got pints of Super Dog IPA and man it is tasty.

-You can buy a 22oz bottle on site, but no where else in Portland as far as I understand.  I highly recommend if you're an IPA person get this beer.

-With three locations spread throughout Portland this is a MUST stop for any brewery tour you may go on in Portland ..check out their locations and other info...luckylab.com/