“Until further notice, celebrate everything.”
~ Anonymous
“Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words.”
~ Plautus
Did you know that Wickwood Inn is the perfect launching pad for your craft beverage tasting tour? Plan your next getaway to Wickwood Inn, perfectly located in the heart our historic downtown, and we’ll guide you to taste Saugatuck craft beer, plus the best, wineries, distilleries, and cider houses in West Michigan. It’s the perfect activity this time of year. Each venue is a little less crowded… so parking is easy, lines are short, and you have time to ask questions all along the way. You’ll have the ear of the staff and can learn the nuances of the tastings offered that day.
With more than twenty tasting rooms close to Wickwood Inn, there’s a lot to choose from. Stay tuned for updates, because there are even more nearby breweries popping up soon!
There are now more than 6,000 breweries in the United States, and craft breweries are winning a greater market share. It seems the craft brewery has become the new neighborhood bar. It’s in this hub where you can explore taste, hone in on what you really enjoy, and find out what’s new and setting trends. The options are endless as brew masters are untethered by any limitations. Old traditions are being reimagined, and new blends are being tested every day.
It’s exciting that “craft” beer no longer simply implies an IPA or a wheat beer. We can now enjoy a beer that reflects the seasons, incorporates local ingredients, and is always full of flavor. Tasting something fresh from the tap means nothing has been exposed to damaging light rays.
This may all seem a bit overwhelming, but that’s what tasting rooms are all about: tasting to learn the subtleties of flavors, taking notes, asking questions of the bartender or brew master, enjoying conversation with your fellow tasters, and then heading to the next tasting room to find another you like.
Want to make the most of your tasting adventure? Allow us to arrange a car and driver for you. At Wickwood, we enjoy taking care of the details because life’s too beautiful to sweat the small stuff. Planning a relaxing getaway, full of adventure and great tastes, is so simple. Reserve the guest room or suite that fits you best. It takes one phone call or you can easily book online. After that, allow the stress to begin melting away.
Here’s a few of our favorites that we love to visit, and re-visit. Any of our innkeepers will gladly help you create your perfect craft beverage tasting loop.
Saugatuck Brewing Company | You won’t want to miss the Oval Beach Blonde, Singapore IPA, or the Bonfire Brown … a Gold Medal Winner at the World Beer Cup in Denver, Colorado. Try a flight … or why not craft your own? That’s right. You can become your own brewmaster and create a unique beer that’s your very own.
Fenn Valley Vineyards | One of the most popular Southwest Michigan wineries where you can both tour and taste. Be sure and try the 2016 Michigan Wine Competition Best Of Class for their 2015 Semi-Dry White, Traminette. We also recommend the tour … you’ll learn a lot and enjoy generous tastes throughout!
Virtue Cider | 100% of the apples are Michigan apples, and they are hand-pressed, fermented, and aged right on the premises in Fennville. Greg Hall is creating European style ciders that are bold, imaginative, and taste great. Brut, Percheron and Mitten top our list. Enjoy them indoors … or sip them outside alongside one of the roaring bonfires.
Big Lake Brewing | Committed to perfecting the recipes and production of high-caliber, traditional brews: dark and proud porters, calculated wheat ales, and IPAs extracted from the best hops. We love their new location complete with a full-service kitchen.
Coppercraft Distillery | Coppercraft is committed to sourcing Michigan ingredients for their ever-changing seasonal cocktail menu. They are already winning awards for their efforts. Try a flight of their Clear Spirits or their Aged Spirits … or mix things up.
New Holland Brewing | New Holland takes the art of craft beer seriously. With everything from Monkey King Farmhouse Ale to Dragon’s Milk Bourbon Barrel Stout, New Holland has what you’re looking for. You definitely don’t want to miss the Beer Barrel Bourbon and the Knickerbocker Gin.
Wyncroft Winery | It’s our favorite Michigan wine. We cannot explain to you how good it is; you simply have to try it for yourself. James Lester has been growing vines and making wines for more than 30 years. Wyncroft wines are served at discriminating restaurants throughout Michigan and in Chicago. Allow us to arrange for a private tasting.
In addition to enjoying a traditional flight, there’s so much more going on in our tasting venues: try the suggested pairings of cocktails and cheeses; take a tour and learn how they made the wine you’re sipping; enjoy an artisan market or a sleigh ride while you delight in a flight of European style ciders; explore different flavor profiles of malt and hops to hone in on your favorite brews.
Of course, the craft beverage goodness continues throughout your stay at Wickwood. The amazing folks at Mud Lake Farm not only grow the best herbs, they are also making Ginger, Elderflower, and Elderberry Cordials. Enjoy a splash in your white wine during our complimentary Sips & Small Plates Happy Hour every evening around 6:00. See if you can taste the wonderful flavor these cordials impart in our fruit salads during our signature amenity: Farm To Table Brunch.
Bringing people together who love food and know how to have fun is what we do. Plan your Saugatuck Tasting Tour and Wickwood Inn Getaway today.
“Oh, you hate your job?
Why didn’t you say so?
There’s a support group for that.
It’s called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar.”
~ Drew Carey