Last week, my family met at my sister Jean’s lake house in Watervliet, Michigan. One of the days we did beer and wine tasting in the area.
The Round Barn Filling Station in Coloma bills itself as “a pit stop for all winos and wanderers,” but it is much more than that. It’s the perfect place for relaxation, libations and food. There’s a cool beer garden, and it is also kid- and dog-friendly. We enjoyed tasty mini Italiano and Cubano sandwiches along with apple cider and a Frosé Slushi (frozen Rosé). The newest location in the Round Barn family, it is located right off the interstate in a vintage service station.
Rich in history, Lemon Creek Winery‘s roots date back to 1855, when the Lemon family established their first farm in Grand Haven. The wines are 100 percent estate grown. Lemon Creek Winery had the first commercial planting of Cabernet Sauvignon in Michigan, and the most recent offering is a Cabernet Sauvignon Ice Wine. We tasted flights of Cabernet Merlot and a sweeter white wine. There is also a farm market, although it is closed right now. Lemon Creek sits on 150 acres of vineyards and produces 21 different wine grape varietals.
The highlight at Arclight Brewing in Watervliett are sours under the SourSmith series. We loved the beer Shandy, cream ale mixed with the brewery’s own craft grapefruit, lemon-lime and orange sodas. I love the balance and layers of flavors in these. They also offer cherry cream and root beer sodas, all made on premises. I only wish they made a plain cola, too. The specialty brews include SourSmith apple, grapefruit, lemon-blueberry and more. We took a few bottles home for consumption later.
Back at the house, we compared notes over dinner. We also started planning our next beverage tour.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Nov 21, 2024Hotel Saint Augustine to Open in Houston’s Museum District Neighborhood
Hotel Saint Augustine, expected to open in Houston this December, is a design-savvy boutique hotel from Austin-based hospitality group Bunkhouse.
Sponsored Content
Explore Egypt on the Most Extraordinary Tour Ever
Picture this: You’re standing in front of the Great Pyramid, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in complete silence, with no crowds in sight. As you step inside, your guide leads you to hidden chambers inaccessible to other tourists. Here, you’re granted a rare chance to delve into the deepest mysteries of ancient Egypt.
November 2024
Nov 21, 2024Immerse in an Invigorating Thermal Journey at Scandinave Spa Whistler
The glittering green pines and burst of jasmine lake beyond almost made me forget about the aches in my legs that slowly developed after the promised hour-long hike ran into the third hour. And, oh, there were my hips, showing up to remind me I was no longer in my 20s. I didn’t mind, though, because the vision that surrounded me during our guided walk through Garibaldi Park to Cheakamus Lake in Whistler, British Columbia, with Mountain Skills Academy and Adventures proved worthy of a thousand postcards.
Daily
Nov 21, 20245 Can’t-Miss Black Friday, Cyber Monday Hotel Deals
Plan to shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Add these deals from hotels around the country to your shopping list.
Sponsored Content
Remarkable Medellín
Visiting Medellín in Colombia: The Country of Beauty is like stepping into a fantastic story — literally, as the city in the Western Colombian Andes region inspired Disney’s Encanto. Here, valleys, the world’s tallest palms, vibrant communities, colorful houses, garden-like balconies and more prove reality is more picturesque than anything on film. And it’s especially more tempting following Medellín’s remarkable transformation, shedding its troubled past and reawakening as a city of innovation, art, cultural richness, modern infrastructure, thriving tourism and resiliency.
Daily
Nov 21, 2024Belmond Unveils First Luxury Sleeper Train in England and Wales
The first luxury sleeper train officially debuts in England and Wales next July thanks to the new Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train. This pioneering train seamlessly blends timeless rail heritage with contemporary British cuisine, culture and style. Guests will enjoy fine-dining experiences designed by Chef Simon Rogan and an on-board wellness suite offering therapies to relax and revive.
Château des Fleurs Review
eFlyer Reviews
Nov 20, 2024Save Up to 50 Percent Off HX Expeditions
eFlyer Deals
Nov 20, 2024eFlyer Deals
Nov 20, 2024Xanterra Launches Thankful for Travel Sale
Xanterra Travel Collection’s Thankful for Travel Sale is finally here! This travel company’s sale, through Dec. 2, offers the biggest savings on national park stays, yacht-style cruises, historic train rides, legendary resorts, and walking and biking tours.
Sponsored Content
Extraordinary Egypt
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME JOURNEY INTO THE ANCIENT WORLD OF THE PHARAOHS
eFlyer News
Nov 20, 2024Orient Express Reveals World’s Largest Sailing Yacht
Orient Express just unveiled the design of its first yacht and the world’s largest sailing yacht, Orient Express Corinthian. Set to hit the waves in summer 2026, this yacht will sail across the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Caribbean.
ShareThis