Your Craft Crawl
Spanning the Hills from Rochester to Auburn
By Alexis Bohlinger / Photography by Mike Ferdinande
While Michiganders used to have to travel far and wide to get “local POURS,” today the abundance of new microbreweries, wineries and distilleries makes it easier to enjoy Michigan flavors close to home. We invite you to take a CRAFT CRAWL spanning a few miles from Rochester and Rochester Hills through Auburn Hills to enjoy some of Michigan’s finest craft brews, ciders, seltzers and boozy drinks.
Rochester Mills – 400 Water Street,
Rochester Rochester Mills Production Brewery & Taproom – 3275 Lapeer West Road, Auburn Hills
Start by enjoying an afternoon in downtown Rochester, a walkable town that provides festive shopping amongst beautiful fall foliage on its tree-lined streets or the massive light display during the winter months. During your walk venture down Water Street to stop by Rochester Mills Beer Company, located in the historic Western Knitting Mill. Since 1998 they have perfected a number of brews including the Milkshake Stout, Lazy Daze Lager, Rochester Red, Water Street Wheat, Cornerstone IPA, Pleasures Pale Ale and many more. Their food menu also boasts a variety of soups, salads, burgers, pastas, pizzas and more.
If you find you love the taste of the Rochester Mills brand you can head 10 minutes west to their Production Brewery and Taproom on West Lapeer Road. Th ere you can taste more lagers and ales and even take home a six pack. Get a glimpse inside the production facility where the Rochester Mills brands have been brewing since 2012. See the large gathering space for drink releases and special events including private parties. But the best part is visiting the taproom. Th is small pub area, which was originally the lunch room, is another hidden gem with cool signage, and the chance to try any of the Rochester Mills brews. Plan ahead since it’s only open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Griffin Claw Brewing Company – 2265 Crooks Road, Rochester Hills
As you crawl south into Rochester Hills, you will encounter another well-known Michigan establishment – Griffin Claw Brewing Company. Griffin Claw first earned its reputation when Master Brewer, Dan Rogers, slayed beer drinkers everywhere by sending a sample of his Norm’s Raggedy Ass IPA and Bonnie’s Raggedy Ass Imperial IPA to the World Beer Cup, winning top prizes for best IPAs in the world. Since 2013, Griffin Claw has expanded into its Rochester Hills location and has tapped into lagers, red ales (El Rojo), stouts (Flying Buffalo and Banana Dunk), sours (Cherry Lime-Ade), pilsners (Pilsner by Default), ciders and more. And if you like whiskey you’ll be excited to hear Griffin Claw also began distilling its own whiskey. While you sample an assortment of brews, you can snack on appetizers or dine on burgers, sandwiches, tacos or daily specials.
Blue Skies Brewery – 3358 Auburn Road, Auburn Hills
The final landing spot in your CRAFT CRAWL, and just down Auburn Road, lies Blue Skies Brewery in Auburn Hills. Th is establishment, considered a satellite taproom from the brand’s Jackson area Brewery, has an aviator theme and 16 taps including the Chateau Aeronautique wine which started the brand. Enjoy live music and special events Thursdays through Saturdays. Serving uniquely delicious wine, cider, seltzers, beers or “blends,” which mix one or more of the home brews together for a bold new flavor, Blue Skies also serves paninis and shareables to pair with your drinks. For those looking for something a little more hot and caffeinated, maybe even while you’re working remotely, the Layover Coffee Bar is housed inside Blue Skies Brewery.