I have seen the Wasteland, and it is called Toledo, Ohio. There are several things wrong with this city, but the foremost problem is the horrendous lack of good domestic beer. Heinikien, St. Paulie's Girl, and other quality imported beers are available, of course, but at obscenely high prices.

Worse yet is that I'm stuck in this city for eight more weeks, far away from my beloved Henry Weinhard's and Fat Tire. So, any of you folks that live in the midwest know of any quality microbrews available in the Michigan/Ohio area?

Did'ja try Asking Dr. Internet? [google.com]

First off, if you're missing crap like Weinhards , you shouldn't be complaining too much about Midwest-swill.
Second off, there are a number of good small breweries in Detroit, and I'm sure atleast one of those ships to Toledo, try Atwaters, I think they're pretty big...

In Response to zamphir (#6262):

Huh, they have beer on the internet now... Who woulda thunk it. Thanks.

In Response to samayg (#6263):

If by "Midwest-swill" you mean Bud Light and Natural Light, which is all anyone around here seems to drink, then yes, I will complain, dispite your obviously misguided opinions on the greatness that is Weinhard's Private Reserve.

I'll have to see if I can find any Atwaters.

In Response to solar (#6282):

'Midwest-swill' isn't just for midwesterners anymore. Honey Brown is premium where I am.

I think you can also get Goose Island down there... that's a FINE midwest beer. Especially their Honker's Ale.

In Response to solar (#6282):

Oh boy, beer pedantry--my favorite.

Living in Oregon, the birthplace of Weinhards, I can honestly say there are plenty of other breweries around here much more worthy of praise. To make matters worse, Weinhards is now owned by Anheuser-Busch, the proud marketers of bud light.

Weinhards' Private Reserve is one of the better options for a thrifty college student, but inevitably there comes a time when it isn't worth drinking beer that isn't optimal. If one is choosing to poison their body, shouldn't it be the best tasting poison available?

In Response to Oedipa_Maas (#6317):

Weinhards is now owned by Anheuser-Busch,

Oh goddammit.

Weinhards' Private Reserve is one of the better options for a thrifty college student

Exactly. Until I find a better tasting lager for the same price, I'm standing by it. Even if it is owned by A-B. Though that does indeed suck.

In Response to solar (#6330):

I'm thinking that eventually Anheuser-Busch is going to become like Clear Channel entertainment has been for the entertainment industry, and buy up anything that is beer or beer-related as far as production and drinking venues go.

Germany, here I come!

In Response to jettaboy20 (#6294):

Actually, Honey Brown isn't "Midwest-swill," it's made in Rochester, NY, by the Genessee Brewing Co., so it's actually "Northeast-tolerable-cheapass-beer"

Still better than Weinhards

In Response to samayg (#6709):

Very true, but, from what I remember when I had one quite a while back, it was 'midwest-swill' style.