It took nine days, more than 2,000 miles and a visit to 38 of the best breweries around the state to come up with our pick for Michigan's Best Brewery.

It was not an easy task because every one of the breweries we visited offered multiple great beers, including many styles. We sampled everything from Belgians to lagers to IPAs to stouts.

We looked for an overall "experience," those places with a great atmosphere, staff and dedication to making Michigan the Great Beer State!

Joining me on the trip was Amy Sherman of TV's "The Great American Brew Trail," who served as my expert/enthusiast.

She helped me come up with this list as we looked at the overall "experience" of going to a brewery. These 38 finalists were voted on in polls throughout Michigan and selected by our readers.

I had three designated drivers along the way; the one who joined me for the bulk of the trip was Fritz Klug, a statewide reporter for Mlive who is based in Lansing.

Michigan's Best Brewery Top 10 list:

1. Short's Brewing Company, 121 N. Bridge St., Bellaire

It's worth the drive! Joe Short and his crew have built a true Michigan success story with great (and creative) beers, an outstanding food menu and a knowledgeable crew of bartenders, managers and even "liberators" -- the name they give to their sales reps. Located about 40 miles northeast of Traverse City, near Torch Lake, the tiny town of Bellaire is now Short's City USA; the locals love it, and tourists who make the trip don't leave disappointed. We were lucky enough to meet Joe Short, the owner and creator of Short's Brewing Company. He filled us in on the humble beginnings, and his dreams of keeping Michigan as the Great Beer State. They only distribute in Michigan, and plan to keep it that way. Some have called it the Joe Short's Michigan Stimulus Plan. With 20 beers on tap, made on site and at its production facility in Elk Rapids, there is always something for everyone. And the food is fantastic; from pizzas to mouthwatering favorites such as the White Pepper sandwich.

Amy Sherman's Beer Choices: Short's beers are creative, interesting and definitely different. With crazy names like Alien Einstein for a gluten free lager to OMGWTFBBQ for an insane smoky BBQ beer, there are beers here that are going to blow your mind. Flagship beers that you can get around the state, like the intensely hoppy Humalupalicious, or the malty Bellaire Brown are just as stellar as always.

2. Greenbush Brewing Co., 5885 Sawyer Rd, Sawyer

It's funny to think that a small town like Sawyer could support a brewery like Greenbush, which is just bursting at the seams. With more than 2,000-plus mug club members, each village resident could hoist one in the air. As you might guess, mug club members come from all over the state, including the Chicago area. Located off I-94, less than 20 miles from the Michigan/Indiana border, Greenbush was buzzing on a Tuesday when we visited right after the lunch rush. Owner Scott Sullivan gave us a tour of his expanding empire, as the whole crew worked diligently to fill orders, whether at the restaurant or in the back of its production facility. In two years, Greenbush has tripled its production to 13,000 barrels, while increasing its staff by seven times. The growth can be attributed to one thing: Outstanding beer! My expert/enthusiast Amy Sherman said: "They believe that beer should be bold; higher alcohol means high flavored whammies." And we loved the diverse/local menu of pizzas, sandwiches and BBQ on a Southern Pride smoker; Amy suggests the brisket sandwich on buns from Southwest Michigan favorite Bit of Swiss.

Gonzo's Beer Choices: My favorite was "Brother Benjamin," an imperial IPA with honey; the hopiness of the beer was balanced with the sweetness of honey. And the "Distorter," a mix between a porter and stout made with chocolate malt, black malt and roasted barley.

3. Dark Horse Brewing Co., 511 S. Kalamazoo Ave., Marshall

Amy and I loved the Dark Horse sprawling complex: A beauty salon, motorcycle store, skate shop and one of the biggest breweries in the state. It's impressive to see what husband and wife team Aaron and Kristine Morse, and their crew, have built. Their following is intense with 3,800 mugs covering the small and dimly lit tap room. There is an outdoor patio, too. "(The complex) is as unique as they are, and the beers here are top notch," Amy said. They are brewing close to 18,000 barrels a year, and they are having so much fun doing it. "The beers are malt forward in profile, no insane hop counts here," Amy said. "Very well crafted, almost every one was a winner in my book," she added. They also run a very small kitchen; the food is simple, fresh and "stellar." (We loved the calzone and a spicy jalapeno and cheese bread.)

Amy Sherman's Beer Choices: Scary Jesus Rockstar, brewed with fresh apricots and a chamomile tea, and the Crooked Tree IPA. "Although you can get this pretty much everywhere, it comes fresh off the tanks at Dark Horse and is just about perfect." And don't forget the Barrel Aged Plead the Fifth Stout! I don't think we need to say more.

4. Kuhnhenn Brewing Co., 5919 Chicago Rd., Warren

Who knew that Warren is the hot bed of brewing? What set these guys apart was their incredible quality, Amy said. "Every single one of their beers were spot on," she added. Brewer Todd Schwem explained that they don't want to be best in Michigan, they want to be best in the world. If you set that high of a bar, you are going to succeed. They have a great pub to drink in, and that's what you'll do there. No kitchen here. "But you won't miss it, this is beer geek heaven," she said.

Amy Sherman's Beer Choices: Kuhnieweizen, an almost perfect rendition of a traditional hefe, it had a great delicate flavor. DRIPA, a double IPA, was sweet, honeyed, bitter and stellar. And we were lucky to get a tasting of the coveted Raspberry Eisbach, which they brought out in a paper bag. "This is where beer transcends into something else," Amy said. We were also lucky enough to sample the coveted Bourbon Barrel 4th Dementia.

5. Founders Brewing Co., 235 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids

Founder's is the other big player in the state, next to Bell's. Their recent humongous expansion at their pub in downtown GR obviously makes them a national powerhouse. Their tag line is "brewed for us," which means they are brewing up exactly what they love, and not what the masses or the market dictates. Their beers are bold, unapologetic, and all around great, Amy said. Founder's - combined with many other quality breweries in GR -- is one of the main reasons Grand Rapids was voted Beer City U.S.A.

Amy Sherman's Beer Choices: Mango Magnifico, a special brew, that was absolutely delicious. "These kind of beers are gimmicky in the wrong hands, but this one hit every note right on, with a sweet heat that was not overwhelming at all."

6. Bell's Brewery, Inc., 355 East Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo

There is no denying that Bell's is the granddaddy of the Michigan brewery scene. In addition to being the biggest brewery in the state, Bell's operates a pub complex in Kalamazoo at the Eccentric Cafe. From a humble start, this place now boasts a beer garden, brewhouse, a general store, a music room and a cozy wood paneled pub. "They believe in quality first, and it shows in their beers," Amy said. Each one was well balanced, great drinking beers. We loved the smoked meats, sandwiches and other dining menu items.

Amy Sherman's Beer Choices: Best Brown Ale and the Roundhouse IRA, an India Red Ale that drinks up slightly peachy at first; dry, rye spice. "It's the type of beer that you want another one to just keep tasting."

7. Arbor Brewing Company, 114 E Washington St, Ann Arbor

A downtown Ann Arbor mainstay for more than 18 years, Arbor Brewing is a labor of love and passion for owners Matt and Renee Greff. Brewing up a wide range of styles, they offer friendly service, fresh local NATURAL foods, and interesting craft beers. You can get their beers throughout the state, also at its sister brewery in Ypsi, the Corner Brewery, and if you are traveling, in India. We tried at least 12 beers here, "and they just kept coming out," Amy said. "The Greffs have decided to really commit to fresh and natural so there are all sorts of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. In fact, they have a whole allergy page in the menu." It's a bustling, lively place, this is a must stop in Ann Arbor.

Amy Sherman's Beer Choices: Sacred Cow IPA was originally brewed by Matt to be "his" beer. Thankfully he's sharing it. The Violin Monster is named after a local Ann Arbor character. "This is an indulgent, warm, strong Autumn Ale infused with spice and midnight wheat, and finished with brown sugar in the boil. A great glass of fall." David Bardallis of AnnArborBeer.com also joined us and said: "For my money, the best is the Brune, an old ale aged in barrels for three months and conditioned in bottles for another three."

8. Arcadia Brewing Company, 103 West Michigan Ave., Battle Creek

Arcadia Ales is located right downtown Battle Creek with another facility about to open in Kalamazoo. These guys have been around a while, and it shows. The pub is a fun mix of pizza, BBQ, and beer, with everyone from executives from Kelloggs to families with kids. "Their beers are all English style ales, and they have had the time to tweak every recipe so that almost every beer is a winner," Amy said.

Amy Sherman's Beer Choices: Apollyn, a surprising golden strong ale. This one does not drink like it has 9.3 percent abv. Traditional Belgian style, brewed with AA's ringwood yeast, it had notes of apple and pineapple and was surprisingly crisp. Angler's Ale, which drank very different than one's I've had before, and the brewer said they've tweaked it recently. Caramelly, flowery, darker than a normal pale, it was a great drinker. Sky High Rye, a perennial favorite, is complex, hoppy, but not bitter.

9. Right Brain Brewery, 225 East 16th St., Traverse City

Located in a new facility just outside Traverse City, Right Brain brewery is on tap to be a big player. With lots of space both out front in the pub, as well as out back in the brewery, RB is predicting 40 percent growth over the next year. They have 20 taps at the pub, which pour innovative, flavorful beers, NONE with extracts. As Russ the owner said, "extracts are for sissies." This extends to the beer they are infamous for, the Pig Porter, actually brewed with a smoked pig's head. Amy said: "I didn't get to try that one, but the other beers were spot on. Topped off by one of the best uses of a waffle iron ever, this place is awesome."

Amy Sherman's Beer Choices: Blue Magic, a pilsen malt wheat brewed with a lavender tea, this had a great aroma, and crazy flavor, without being perfumey. Stowaway Saison, brewed with a specially cultured yeast the crazy Belgian flavor was off the charts. Hop Owl, a beer that owner Russ "hopped the hell out of" had great hop flavor at 70 IBUs without being overwhelming.

10. Cranker's Brewery, 213 South State St., Big Rapids

Big Rapids is not where you would expect to find a top notch brewery. In fact, when Amy said she first visited last year, the beer was "solid, but not great." Today's it's a completely different story as brewer Adam Mills is making big-time improvements. Everything we sampled was brewed true to style, with even a few surprises. Add on a shared kitchen (with a 24 hour coney island) that is making some great food (we had the saganaki-OPA!) and you have a winning combination.

Amy Sherman's Beer Choices: Accuser Trippel, which was full of lemony, clove, pepper flavors, I couldn't stop drinking it. Professor IPA, a really nice rendition. It didn't try to blow pine trees up your nose, instead it was nicely balanced. I could actually taste citrus, apricot, and caramel, as well as the hops, which is a good thing in my book.

One to Watch Award!

BAD Brewing Company, 440 S Jefferson St, Mason

Operating on a small, 2 1/2 barrel system, they are brewing up the best selection of IPAs in the state. Located in a historic building downtown Mason, this place is a hop head's dream. We had 8 different IPA's at our visit, and "each one was amazingly different," Amy said. "From a light wheat beer brewed with star anise and coriander named Wicked Wit, to the Super D's IPA, they are brewing up stellar beers for everyone. It was really cool to get to try so many different types of IPA's at once."

Amy Sherman's Beer Choices: Belgian Bastard with Amarillo hops, Citra or Simcoe hops. This was my absolute favorite there, I had the Amarillo version. All the beautiful flavor came from dry hops, this was all IPA, but with NONE of the resiny bitterness. Centennial Harvest, made with all local hops, this beer had a mellow floral flavor, and was nicely rounded with an easy finish. It tasted really different. Mud in Your Rye, which was described at "kind of like a rye stout," this was very complex, with a smokey finish.

Michigan's Best Brewery: Top 6 Newcomers

Newcomers Greenbush and Cranker's would lead this list, but they are in the Top 10, so we thought we would give shout outs to the other top newcomers. These are the breweries who have only been opened in the last 2-3 years and are establishing themselves in the industry.

1. Mitten Brewery, 527 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids: One of the best beer-food pairing we had was the Thai pizza and the Country Strong IPA, which was one our favorite IPAs on the whole trip.

2. Brewery Vivant, 925 Cherry St SE, Grand Rapids: Belgian style beers are complemented by amazing Belgian food. The house made charcuterie with homemade sausages and cured meats had local cheeses and fresh bread. It was all paired perfectly. Amy's favorite beer was the Sgt. Peppercorn, a spiced Belgian ale. And DO NOT MISS the duck nachos.

3. Blackrocks Brewery, 424 N 3rd St., Marquette: A laid-back, house setting; the beer is fantastic -- although it changes all the time -- and the neighborhood atmosphere is like a relaxing end to the day. Co-owners David Manson and Andy Langlois have something special going on.

4. Witch's Hat Brewing, 22235 Pontiac Trail, South Lyon: Don't be detered by their strip mall location, these guys (and girls) are brewing up serious beers like the Trainhopper IPA and the Bourbon Barrel 1908.

5. Beards Brewery, Suite A 207 Howard St, Petoskey: Search for this hidden gem in downtown Petoskey. Two college buddies livin' the dream -- with their beards. The Breakfast ale brewed with maple syrup was our favorite.

6. Ore Dock, 114 W Spring St, Marquette: Husband and wife team Andrea and Wes Pernsteiner have built a beautiful two-story brewery and tap room that celebrates the city's history, and also offers a great community room/bar. (There was a wedding going on the night we were there!) The beer is promising; the Porter was my favorite, well balanced and approachable.

Michigan's Best Brewery: Top 6 Longtime Favorites

Of course, Bell's, Founder's, Dark Horse and others in the Top 10 would lead this list, but we wanted to recognize other veteran breweries that have been "brewing up greatness," as my friend Amy would say, for many years. These breweries have been doing it for more than 5 years.

1. Dragonmead Microbrewery, 14600 E 11 Mile Rd., Warren: Over the last 15 years It has earned its reputation for having the biggest draft list in Michigan. They are also making wine and meads. But be sure to receive your Final Absolution beer.

2. Keweenaw Brewing Company, 408 Shelden Ave., Houghton: Owners Paul Boissevain and Dick Gray have been canning their beer for several years now, and is a favorite among those who love to explore the great outdoors. The servers are students at Michigan Tech University; our server, Wade Roberts, did a great job. No kitchen, but you can bring in food from several nearby restaurants. We had seafood from Joey's.

3. Jolly Pumpkin Brewery, 311 S Main St., Ann Arbor: Come here to worship at the altar of sour beers. And make sure to try Chef Maggie's inspired cuisine. By the way, David Bardallis of AnnArborBeer.com joined us and said his "perennial favorite" is the Oro de Calabaza Golden Strong Ale, which topped a 2010 New York Times blind tasting for "Best Belgian Beer."

4. Frankenmuth Brewing Company, 425 S Main St., Frankenmuth: Great enthusiasm for craft beer; great traditional German beers. Watch out for the Christmas ale, which will be released in November. We got a sneak preview and loved it.

5. Mount Pleasant Brewing Company, 425 S Main St., Mount Pleasant: We actually helped brew an Equinox beer at 4:44 p.m. Sept. 22. Great staff; great beer! And be sure to ask brewer Kim Kowalski for a pint -- and explanation -- of his favorite style, Gruit beer.

6. Old Boys Brewhouse, 971 W Savidge St., Spring Lake: Hard to believe these guys have been around for 17 years. We loved the Imperial IPA and Rye stout. The beer is drinking better than ever.

Michigan's Best Brewery: Best of the Rest

These are all worthy breweries; and my beer enthusiast/expert Amy Sherman makes her suggestions of what not to miss at each one. (Listed is in alphabetical order.)



Barts Brewery & Pub, 804 E Midland St., Bay City: It was a little tough to judge this place since it is undergoing a transition of brewers, but the beers on tap now are excellent, and new brewer David Shaw was able to show off his Backout IPA, a traditional and citrusy hop explosion. We'll see what he does next. Oh, and we loved the food, especially the Southwestern chicken egg roles.

Chelsea Alehouse Brewery, 420 N Main St. #100, Chelsea: Another newcomer, this downtown brewery is making well balanced beers with nice variety. Some food is offered on the menu. Many of the beers have a local connection, including the the Silo White, a Hefeweizen named after the Jiffy factory across the street.

EagleMonk Pub and Brewery, 4906 W Mt Hope Hwy, Lansing: Great little place on the outskirts of Lansing, these beers are brewed to style. We loved the ESB, the Raven Black IPA, and owner Dan Buonodono's favorite, Red Eye Rye. We paired it with his delicious BBQ pizza, and we were happy for the rest of the day.

Falling Down Beer Company, 2270 E 10 Mile Rd., Warren: A converted Clock diner in an unassuming location, these guys are making fantastic beer, including our favorite, the Ninja Chicken, an American style pale ale. Chef Stacey has put together a great menu with products from Eastern Market. We suggest the the burger with onion rings, as well as the reuben egg rolls.

Fenton Winery and Brewery, 1545 N Leroy St., Fenton: Passionate owners, Matt and Ginny Sherrow, have been making wine and beer for more than six years now, and they are in the midst of a major expansion and move. Their success as come from making both beer and wine; and they have a dedicated following. Our favorite was the Swingin' Berries -- blackberry merlot fermented with their cream stout.

Grand River Marketplace, 117 W. Louis Glick Hwy. Jackson: This up and comer in the Jackson area blew us away with Chef Corey Bieber's offerings; we loved the grilled romaine salad with aged blue cheese and bacon. Having just opened in June, the brewer, Ben, is making solid beer that can only get better with time. Amy suggests the Bones Pumpkin Ale; great flavor and color, and was well balanced. The Marketplace is a nice addition to downtown Jackson, and is worth the stop.

Jamesport Brewing Company, 410 S James St., Ludington: Cozy brewery where they strive to make solid traditional style beers, and succeed. Pair the Car Creek IPA, brewed with Mason County hops, with their stellar perch dinner.

Midland Brewing Company, 5011 N Saginaw Rd., Midland: Open for three years now, their beers are malt forward and true to style. Amy loved the Brothers IPA, which was full of citrus, grapefruit and pine flavor, and it paired awesomely with the green chili we got from the food truck permanently parked out back!

North Peak Brewing Company, 400 W Front St., Traverse City: This longtime TC brewery has been open for more than 15 years, serving up great food and solid beers. Amy loved, LOVED the Mission Point Porter -- the beer, and the steak! I've always been a fan of the Diabolical IPA.

Odd Side Ales, 41 Washington Ave., Grand Haven: With experimental brews and a funky tap room, Odd Side is not afraid to take chances when it comes to beer. We loved the Mayan Mocha stout, which was brewed with cinnamon, nutmeg, habenero and coffee. Great vibe; I love any pub that has board games. Plus, we loved meeting the Sayranians, a lovely couple who brought us dinner since the brewery does not have a kitchen.

Original Gravity Brewing Company, 440 County St., Milan: The place to be in Milan on a Friday night. It's a down-home place with at least 6 taps. You can get sandwiches on spent grain bread, and you can try a beer float with their Primordial Porter and Calder Dairy ice cream.

Perrin Brewing Company, 5910 Comstock Park Dr NW, Comstock Park: My hometown brewery just opened last year, and it's always packed. Our servers Kelley, Maggie and Dan were super informative and steered us to great beers like the Bashtoberfest and the Malted Milk Ball porter. I loved the selection of burgers.

Redwood Steakhouse, 5304 Gateway Center, Flint Township: Who would have thought a large-scale restaurant could also serve up great, home made beer since 1997. Located off U.S. 23, the brewery is a mainstay for the local market. Lots of choices and a knowledgeable server in Kayla, who made for a great experience. The food menu includes pizzas and a variety of choices. On her next visit, Amy wants fresh oysters from the oyster bar. And she wants it paired with the cream stout. We also loved the Reilley's Irish Ale.

Tri-City Brewing Company, 3020 N Water St., Bay City: You can get local history with your local beer at Bay City's hometown bar. These were great beers. We especially loved the peach wheat, Charity Island IPA and the Giant Slayer, a fantastic imperial stout. You can even bring your dog in the bar or your pee wee football team.

Wolverine State Brewing, 2019 W Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor: Michigan's only all-lager brewery, you can't help but fall in love with their enthusiasm, and beer. Co-owner E.T. Crowe and brew master Oliver Roberts hope to turn you on with their crisp, clean lager styles, such as the Gulo Gulo IPL and Big Bad Masscre, which -- Amy says -- is a double-mashed, barrel aged bourbon bomb! David Bardallis of AnnArborBeercom loved the "Oktoberfest, a true Marzen-style beer brewed in the spring and conditioned to perfection throughout the summer months." Look for a kitchen at Wolverine to come soon.

John Gonzalez is a statewide entertainment writer for MLive.com. Email him at gonzo@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.