Brews on the Lakeshore

A Journey to the Shoreline

Grand Haven is an iconic piece of West Michigan. The channel, the boardwalk, the ice cream shops lining the road all guide visitors toward the shimmering shores of Lake Michigan, just within sight. Whether arriving in Grand Haven from the north or south, the glistening lake, winding rivers, and beach town atmosphere lure any true Michigander.

Despite its many attractions, one challenge stands out in Grand Haven: parking. Locals often suggest meeting across Washington Street from the historic Kirby House, where a spacious parking lot in front of the old piano factory now serves as the home of Odd Side Ales.

The Best Beer Flavors at Odd Side Ales

What I ordered: Bean Flicker Blonde

A reinvented piano factory is an immediate attraction to any antique lover. Renamed the Harbourfront Place, the former piano factory contains several businesses. Odd Side Ales established roots in 2010 and has expanded year after year, settling into the larger majority of the building. 

Odd Side Ales’ size rivals West Michigan brewing giants like Founders and New Holland, offering outdoor seating, various tables, booths, and seating around an impressive bar. By day, part of the dining room serves as a café, where patrons can sip lattes before wandering to the other side for a craft beer. The place is all brick, wood, and leather–allowing any patron to feel vintage. Extravagant light fixtures are scattered throughout, adding a striking touch that elevates the space’s aesthetic. 

The brewery offers a diverse array of drinks, from beers and seltzers to ciders, wine, and select cocktails, catering to all tastes. This variety attracts a lot of visitors that can be found—whether young or old—studying, playing games, dining, and socializing. Among Odd Side Ales’ extensive menu, the popular Bean Flicker Blonde is often a young West Michigander’s introduction to craft beer. While the playful name might catch first-timers off guard, it’s all too familiar to the bartenders. With its light coffee notes, this blonde ale surprises many by offering a flavor profile that hints at a stout.

A Stroll Between Breweries

Just two blocks from Odd Side Ales, there is a smaller, younger brewery named Grand Armory Brewing, after the armory it is housed in. The streets are often bustling with people, but the walk is still nice with boutiques lining both sides, offering unique stops along the way. In the summer, Washington Avenue is characterized by its lively social district, where kids and adults gather to play games, relax at picnic tables, and enjoy food and drinks in the open air. In the winter, those same boutiques become cozy havens.

Brewery Bites in Grand Haven

Lunch between the breweries is covered. Odd Side Ales does not provide food, but any to-go food is welcome inside, encouraging the inclusion of nearby lunch options in Grand Haven. Sandwiches from Electric Hero or the Toasted Pickle are popular choices of many that will deliver food to Odd Sides. There are other excellent restaurants nearby as well, and the vast seating of Odd Sides can often guarantee there will be an open table when you return. The Grand Armory recently added Gnarly Varley’s in-house, so guests can enjoy an extensive menu without having to venture elsewhere for dinner. The prices aren’t terrible for the area.

The Best Beer Flavors at Grand Armory Brewing

What I ordered: Mother Schmucker’s

Established in 2015, Grand Armory Brewing quickly made a name for itself with its flagship beer, Wheezin’ the Juice. This hoppy pale ale has become a local favorite and an advertising staple, drawing in fans alongside well-known brews like New Holland Brewing’s iconic Tangerine Space Machine. The striking logo of Wheezin’ the Juice is prominently displayed throughout the Grand Armory venue and can be spotted at numerous establishments around Grand Haven.

Fans of sweeter or fruit-forward beers are also bound to find something enjoyable with the fan-favorites: the White Chocolate Blonde or the Mother Schmucker’s. When I ordered the latter, the bartender offered a sample of the White Chocolate Blonde to mix with it—an unexpected combination that turned out to be even better than either beer on its own. The Armory also offers a wide variety of other beer styles to explore.

Whether it’s a weekday or weekend, live music performances and iconic trivia nights create a vibrant, if packed, atmosphere. For many, the real draw of Grand Armory Brewing lies in its lively events and food. However, whether or not there is an event inviting people to the Armory, seating at the Armory can be tricky.
Grand Haven, with its maritime and beachside charm, offers visitors an escape that makes it easy to forget they’re still in Michigan–to many, a snowy, windy landscape. Whether strolling through town or driving toward it, the scenic views, bustling coastal wind, and people remind any Michigander why they’re proud to call this state home.