Hamburg Brewing - Hamburg, NY

For my 30th birthday I had a beer bus travel to 3 different local breweries. This was our second stop, out in Hamburg.  Out in the middle of no where was Hamburg Brewing. Plenty of parking.
Once we went in, there is a walkway, bathrooms and then you enter the taproom/restaurant.  It almost felt like a winery...very upscale looking..and with 25 semi-drunk people it almost seemed like we were out of place.

I got the 4 beer sampler that had the IPA, No Lux IPA, OMS Stout and the Derailer.  The two IPAs were good but nothing WOW.  The OMS Stout at only 5.3% didn't have much to it.  The Derailer was the stand out here.  It was a bourbon barrel stout and was fantastic!! It sticks to it's name since the next 2 hours was a blur and definetely derailed me. 

I would like to return here to eat, but great scenery outside even though it was a cold chilly early spring day, I can imagine in the summer it is beautiful! Very unique looking brewery. Check them out! www.hamburgbrewing.com/‎

Founders Brewing Company - Grand Rapids, MI

This next brewery needs no introduction..Founders.  Any beer nerd should be familiar with Founders, they make quite a lot of good beers including their KBS which I sadly have never gotten to taste.  Once we got there we realized they are under a massive construction project but they are still open and PACKED! It was Monday night but didn't matter, this place is HUGE and was packed to the brim in and outside. 

-They have a smart set up...two sections of the bar closed off just to step up and order drinks which makes it easy rather than reaching over peoples shoulders who are posted up at a bar stool all night. 

-I have drank just about all Founders beer regularly available, however they have some on tap that are only available on tap at the brewery which was very exciting.  We had the Huggy Nuggers IPA which was really good and hoppy, the Honey Wheat which coming from a non wheat beer fan this beer was really nice as was the Founders Fest Wheat which was even better.  The Barrel Aged Honey Porter was really good, Black IPA was really good and the Frangelic Stout had a lot of coffee flavor and was good. 

-I wanted to hit up their gift shop, but sadly it had JUST closed for the night (I think it was 8?). But while we were sitting and drinking there was a very lively, nice guy who worked there and was helping customers.  We found him after the gift shop was closed and he grabbed me some free stickers and coasters..VERY nice guy for that.  If you're Grand Rapids no question you go to Founders, this place was incredible and in my top 5 best breweries ever visited.  Check them out for a tap list...foundersbrewing.com/