This Corktown brewery has become absolutely essential in the local brewing community as well as the Detroit hospitality industry at large. Batch is a consummate neighborhood spot that keeps dozens beers rotation and also takes care with its food — turning out everything from nachos to po’boys to shepherd’s pie stew. Currently offering service in an outdoor pavillion nicknamed the “Fauci Fieldhouse,” Batch also accepts orders for carryout. Occasionally, the brewery hosts restaurant pop-ups and supports local organizations through its Feel Good Tap program.

This contract brewery located in an industrial building in Corktown provides larger brands with opportunities to brew at larger volumes while also turning out some special small batch beers, hard seltzer, cider, wine, and mead for its own taproom. Currently the brewery is open with both indoor and outdoor seating as well as curbside carryout. This spot does not have an onsite kitchen, so plan to grab food elsewhere.

This downtown stalwart is a laidback spot to grab a beer and a meal near Tigers Stadium. The brewery primarily focuses on classic styles like ales and IPAs but also carries hard seltzer and a handful of labels from other Michigan brewers. Some indoor and outdoor seating is available as well as takeout.

This Belgian-style brewery located in Island View features an expansive indoor and outdoor seating area and a robust selection of thoughtfully brewed beers ranging from witbiers to saisons to kölsch. Brewery Faisan is currently only available for curbside beer pickup with online ordering, but plans to reopen for onsite service in May 2021.

Eastern Market’s Brewing Company revived the prominent food neighborhood’s rich brewing tradition in 2017, with highly drinkable German-style and market-inspired beers made and served in an expansive former meat packing facility. Since then, its founders have hit the ground running, expanding to a second beerhall and food brand incubator, Ferndale Project, in 2020 — just days before the pandemic arrived in Michigan. Since then, EMBC has rolled with the punches, expanding into street seating and adding a delivery service to bring beer and other products directly to customers’ front doors.

Ann Arbor’s own Jolly Pumpkin has expanded significantly in the past few years to outposts both in and around Detroit. The brewery stands out as one of the few places in the U.S. making traditionally barrel-aged sours. Additionally, Jolly Pumpkin’s Cass Corridor location is known for serving some really good pizzas and truffle fries. Indoor and outdoor seating are available as well as carryout and delivery.

One of Detroit’s oldest brewpubs, Traffic Jam & Snug hugs the now buzzy corner of Canfield near several other prominent beer makers. The brewery features a full menu pub food menu with options like corned beef egg rolls and Club sandwiches.

Another Midtown institution, Motor City Brewing Works is known for its beer and brick oven pizzas. One of the most recognizable local labels, MCBW’s menu includes regular and seasonal beers like Ghettoblaster, as well as wines, ciders, and craft sodas. Indoor seating and outdoor enclosed and open-air seating are available. The brewpub also offers carryout with online ordering.

Founder Ken Schramm literally wrote the book on mead and his knowledge shines through in each glass sold out of the Livernois brewhouse. Meads here are served still and come in flavors like blackberry, raspberry, and ginger. Due to the pandemic closure of the Nine Mile taproom, customers can order for curbside pickup only for now.

Wild ale brewery Urbanrest has quickly become a mainstay in Ferndale’s brewing scene since its taproom’s debut in an warehouse on the east side in 2017. Draft and growler refills of beers like the tripel-style Capitulation are available alongside rotating kombucha flavors, cider, and wine. Online ordering with contactless pickup and delivery to select metro Detroit cities are available. The brewery features outdoor seating and frequently hosts pop-ups and food trucks.

Oakland County’s oldest brewery resides in downtown Royal Oak. Here on 4th Street, beer fans can sip classics off the menu like the Suicide Blonde. Patio seating is available as is carryout.

Part brewery, part home brewing supply store, there’s a reason why craft beer heads continue to frequent Kuhnhenn. The brewery serves not only beer but also ciders and meads. Find options here like barrel-aged old brown ale, imperial creme brulee java stout, and barleywine. Indoor and patio seating are available.

One of metro Detroit’s oldest and most celebrated microbreweries, Dragonmead serves a laundry list of beers in regional Belgian, American, German, Scottish, Russian, and English styles. At 10 percent alcohol by volume, the Final Absolution Belgian tripel packs a wallop, but is worth every sip. Dragonmead now features a location in St. Clair Shores in addition to its Warren outpost. Indoor seating and to-go options are available.