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Rochester Hills Now Boasts One of Country's 'Best Beer Bars' in America

Draft Magazine's list includes Clubhouse BFD, which opened last year.

 

One of the newest bars in Rochester Hills has been included on a national beer magazine's list of top beer bars in the country.

Draft Magazine's "America's 100 Best Beer Bars" list for 2013, which was released this week, includes Clubhouse BFD, which opened in February near Crooks and M-59.

"Think traditional beer house, but quirkier: beer-kitsch décor with a sense of humor, samplers served on ping-pong paddles, and the occasional cheeseburger slider sandwiched between two Krispy Kremes," reads the description.

Four bars in Michigan made the list, including Ashley's in Ann Arbor. Read the full list here.

Clubhouse owner Scott LePage learned of the distinction Monday afternoon while meeting with a brewer on the west side of the state. 

"We had no idea — it's a big-time honor," LePage said Tuesday. "We've only been here less than one year. We were super excited, too, because there is such great competition here in Michigan."

Clubhouse has 40 beers on tap and will expand to 46 in April, when his dad, restaurateur Norman LePage, opens the Griffin Claw Brewery in Birmingham. Those six added taps will be Griffin Claw beer. The Clubhouse also offers about 190 craft beers.

LePage owns East Side Mario's. His vision for Clubhouse was to create a place where "beer would be the shining star," he told Rochester Patch last year.

(Read From Beer and Burgers to Tigers Bats, New Clubhouse BFD Has Flair)

LePage said he is thankful for the response from the community since opening last February. "We have a great customer base, and we have all of the same staff that we opened with," he said.

The Draft Magazine list "celebrates those special haunts with less than three locations and one passionate focus: beer. ... in every spot on our list, you’ll find an excellent brew in your glass and people—staff, owners, barflies—who care about that as much as you do."

What's your favorite beer?

Related Topics: Beer and Rochester restaurants
Have you been to Clubhouse BFD? Tell us in the comments.

Michele Manhire

8:07 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Am I the only person of the '80s that can't get beyond their name, "Clubhouse BFD"? From the first time the sign went up, I thought, "Seriously?? 'B.F.D.'? Who doesn't automatically think, 'big f*$&#@% deal'?" Sorry... can't get beyond the name. Looks like they're doing well though; and that's good to hear. Even with the same construction that Chapman's Mill seems to have suffered by. Sure has me curious now... well-recognized beers, and surviving their unfortunate name AND construction?? Going to have to put them on our short-list of places to check out soon I guess!

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Scot Beaton

12:43 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Michele...

Love the pole sign... LOL :) did you get time to read the minutes I posted...?
p.s. I would also consider this kind of signage for business right off the M-59 freeway.

Deb Bryan

8:51 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Michele, I couldn't agree more. We haven't been there yet because the name was so off-putting. But we are beer lovers, and based on this article I think we are going tonight. I prefer to think that the name means Beer Fresh Daily. ( or something like that...)

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Susan Heholt

10:15 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Fun place, great food and nice people. By the way, BFD is "Beer, Food, Drink", so all you people that "can't get beynd it" should get your mind out of the gutter and go enjoy some relaxed fun and great beer (and other beverages).

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Susan Heholt

10:17 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Fun place, great food and nice people. By the way, BFD is "Beer, Food, Drink", so all you people that "can't get beyond it" should get your mind out of the gutter and go enjoy some relaxed fun and great beer (and other beverages).

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Dano

4:44 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Well I actually never did have a hang up over their "BFD" name although the "Clubhouse" part was intriguing. Now that I know they are of the top beer bars in the USA, I'll definetly be checking them out as soon as I can.
Susan, your "mind out of the gutter" comment is hilarious. To funny.

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