944

The Best Breweries and Wine Bars in Metro Detroit

BREWERIES

Motor City Brewing Works
Tucked between Cass and Second on Canfield in Detroit, Motor City Brewing Works is a hidden gem that boasts national acclaim. Few local breweries can tout spotlights in GQ and Playboy magazines, let alone a coveted feature on Food Network. Come inside for original brews like Nut Brown Ale, Hard Cider made from locally grown apples, or a fan favorite, Ghettoblaster, inspired by local musicians and the Ghetto Recorders studio. And here’s an insider’s tip — get the fig pizza. A steaming pie with roasted pears, red onions, gorgonzola cheese and gooey figs, it is truly a unique offering. Bohemian, quaint and deserving of all its fame, Motor City Brewing Works is definitely a must-visit.
www.motorcitybeer.com

The WAB
The Woodward Avenue Brewery, known by its catchier nickname, The WAB, offers two floors, a great view of Downtown Ferndale and an old-school photo booth — and that’s just for starters.Here are a few more “wabulous” reasons this neighborhood microbrewery stands apart from the rest: Sunday night is $2 pint night — get there at 9 p.m. and prepare to call into work the next day; come back Monday night for dinner — it’s half-off food items after 4 p.m.; every day of the week, enjoy seven delicious microbrews, many of which are infused with chocolate, vanilla, raspberry, coffee and other decedent flavors; get beer to go — take home a half-gallon growler for just $12.
www.thewabsite.com

Royal Oak Brewery
Give me the tired, the over-worked, the hipsters and the hippies — the Royal Oak Brewery is a welcoming beacon of hope for those seeking a low-key place to unwind in the stylish downtown. The warm and friendly atmosphere draws an eclectic mix of personalities who share a love of good beer, good food and great ambiance. The venue’s 14-barrel brewing system was custom-fabricated to fit behind the bar, and it offers guests a chance to interact with their brewer while enjoying a pint of one of seven house beers. Paired with savory menu items, such as the Bacon-Wrapped Sirloin, Louisiana Jambalaya or the Royal Oak Burger, guests can eat, drink and be assured that the Royal Oak Brewery will remain a safe haven in its posh surroundings.
www.royaloakbrewery.com

Grizzly Peak
Spartan fans, beware: Grizzly Peak is a neighborhood gathering place in — gasp — Wolverine country. Housed in a century-old building complete with exposed brick walls and wood floors, the pub offers a warm and friendly atmosphere to all its patrons. Touted as Ann Arbor’s landmark brewpub, patrons will find U of M students, families and professionals alike conversing around high-top tables and flat-screen TVs. With six trademark beers and a menu of non-traditional pub items like Polenta Fries, Chicken Couscous Salad, and, yes, Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee, Grizzly Peak is certainly worth the trip — even from East Lansing.
www.grizzlypeak.net

Detroit Beer Co.
Before the game, after the game, during the game — any game — the Detroit Beer Co. is booming. Minutes from both Ford Field and Comerica Park, the brewery spans two floors in the recently restored Hartz Building on Broadway Street. Besides a wide variety of American cuisine and stick-to-the-ribs fare, Detroit Beer Co. offers up to eight house brews on tap at any time, including Broadway Light, People Mover Porter and Steam Tunnel Stout. Come for the spirits and show some team spirit, too.
www.detroitbeerco.com

WINERIES

Grape Expectations
“Whatever your expectation, we can help you find your grape.” This is the endearing promise Grape Expectations makes to its potential patrons. And upon any visit to this charming Plymouth wine bar, guests will find that the shop does, in fact, deliver. With more than 100 wines by the bottle and approximately 50 by the glass, Grape Expectations welcomes both loyalists and first-timers with the same infectious zeal. Its bistro-like setting and menu of Italian cuisine provide for a relaxed and intimate night out. To experience a perfect pairing, consider taking part in one of the wine-tasting dinners, some of which are priced at less than $50 a person. Stop in and discover a favorite grape.
www.gewinebar.com

Cru Winebar at Plum Market
For those who have wondered what the difference is between port and sherry, or whether all champagnes are sparkling wines, welcome to Cru Winebar — West Bloomfield’s unassuming place to learn about wine. Weekly classes include tastings and are held each Wednesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Prices are modest, too — just $15 per person — but be sure to register early as space fills quickly. Not ready for a group setting? Guests can try a glass the next time they’re grocery shopping or mix it up a little by asking for one of the many handcrafted artisan beers. Either way, at Cru, there’s always more than meets the palate.
www.plummarket.com

Enoteca Campo Marzio
The name sounds, well, “classico.” The surprising translation? Enoteca means “wine bar,” and Campo Marzio, “Campus Martius.” (Count this as the “Ah-ha!” moment of the day.) From its Fellini film strips and chandeliers to the more than 100 wines from around the globe, a trip to Enoteca is like a trip to Italy in the 1950s — when the art of wine was pure, intimate and untarnished by those who sought to turn it into a passing fad. Explore a variety of different wines paired with gourmet meats, cheeses and chocolates, and allow yourself to be exquisitely whisked away.
www.enotecadetroit.com

Vinotecca
Form truly follows function at Vinotecca wine bar, where every aspect of its design is reflective of wine production and lifestyle. Earthy slate tiles, soil boxes and cork accents all form a kind of irresistible ambiance that is both chic and educational — making it the perfect place for wine connoisseurs and novices alike. Conceptualized by the Jonna family, who own the illustrious Merchant of Vino wine stores, oenophiles can expect not only quality wines but also exceptional service by the winery’s gracious and knowledgeable staff. Bring an eager palate, curiosity and questions. A trip to Vinotecca is a uniquely sublime experience.
www.vinotecca.com

Nectars Wine Bar
When near Orchard Lake Road and Pontiac Trail, keep an eye out for Nectars Wine Bar. It’s easy to miss, tucked inside a strip mall, but under the radar it is not. With an impressive selection of wine, it’s a mecca for enthusiasts and an inviting place for those with a taste for something new. Brothers John and Mike Karcho founded Nectars 10 years ago, with Mike building the wine cellar himself. Guests should be sure to take a guided walk-through of the cellar and peruse the hundreds of bottles available for sale. Elegant and cozy, it’s a wonderfully understated venue to experience the fruit of the vine.
www.nectarswinebar.com