Detroit Beer: Drink Local

We’ll Guide You Through the Best Beers in Detroit

Our journey begins and ends at one of our favorite local watering holes—Bookie’s Bar and Grille. This bustling sports bar features an open rooftop and enough space for the whole crew to party, cheer for favorite teams, and mingle with the locals. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to indulge in a variety of Detroit beers and rotating drafts featuring longtime Michigan stalwarts such as Cheboygan Brewing Company, Atwater Brewery, Altes, and Stroh’s. Keep an eye out for Labatt Blue, a refreshing Great Lakes pilsner with a perfectly balanced aroma of fruity hops. If you’re in the mood to experiment with Detroit craft beer, Cheboygan’s bringing a unique twist to an American wheat ale with their Blood Orange Honey. Need something to warm you up for your ride? Stouts and porters feature prominently as well. Throw down a Murphy’s, and let the journey begin.

Detroit’s history is that of hard-working Americans, with which its local breweries are deeply intertwined. At one point, Michigan was home to more production breweries than anywhere else in the nation. Heritage breweries like Altes and Stroh’s are thriving while maintaining an eye toward tradition, having established their methods for more than a century. Today, their drafts continue to push boundaries, recalling Detroit’s golden age while opening its doors to the future. Stroh considers its bohemian-style Pilsner to be its signature. A local beer that was originally brewed in copper kettles in the basement of its founder, Bernhard Stroh, this namesake brewery has expanded into a range of lagers and light beers available at multiple stops on the Detroit Rolling Pub tour. Altes is also firmly rooted in Detroit beer history, having developed the city’s original lager known for crisp, clean flavor based on the European traditions of its founders. Though this pioneering enterprise shuttered its operations in the latter part of the 20th century, Altes relaunched in 2019, and can now be found at many of our favorite watering holes including Town Pump Tavern and Punchbowl Social.

Though Stroh’s bohemian lager will always remain one of a kind, it has inspired a new generation of brewmasters to continue a beloved tradition. The famed original fell on tough times by the end of the 20th century, and the business was briefly shuttered prior to its revival.  In its absence, dozens of breweries sprung up to fill the void. Atwater Block Brewery was one such establishment. Founded in 1997, Atwater exploded onto the Detroit beer scene with the explicit intention of reviving Stroh’s bohemian brewing tradition. Of course, this gutsy upstart wasn’t satisfied with a single beer alone. Over the past couple decades, Atwater has expanded its range of beers to include invigorating IPAs like its Pog-O-Licious, and sturdy porters and brown ales featuring flavors such as Decadent Dark Chocolate. These local beers can be found at many of the stops along our route. Take a ride with us any time of the year, and you may be lucky enough to stumble upon Atwater’s seasonal Oktoberfest amber ales, Christmas ales, goses, and more.

With Detroit Rolling Pub, you’ll have the chance to explore far more than Detroit’s most exciting sights and sounds. Hop aboard the city’s number one rated pedal pub, and we’ll guide you through dozens of the city’s tantalizing libations from local breweries. It’s a singularly inimitable opportunity to delve into the dynamic history of Detroit beer through sight, sound, and flavor.