My husband and I are relatively new to SW Michigan. We went out this past weekend hoping to enjoy the beach and have a beer or two. We were shocked to find that all the beaches we went to stop at did not allow alcohol. We are in no way looking for a beach party, but we would like to enjoy a beverage or two in the sun. Does anyone have any recommendations for a nice beach, preferably on Lake Michigan, that does allow alcohol? We're in Grand Rapids so hopefully within an hour of here.
Thanks!

If you're looking for a state park, here's the rules, clearly stated:
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7...1330--,00.html

Similarly, alcohol is banned in all county parks for Ottawa County
http://www.miottawa.org/Parks/fees_rules.htm
Muskegon County
http://www.muskegoncountyparks.org/c...lity-questions
and Allegan County.
http://cms.allegancounty.org/sites/O...nce%201010.pdf

Seems like you'll need to find a private beach.
Frankly, I'd be hard pressed to think of a public beach that explicitly PERMITS alcohol without a written permit.

Unfortunately the rowdies have spoiled it for everyone. So I think every state/county/township park from South Haven to Muskegon prohibits open consumption of alcohol. Witness the naked tubers on the Muskegon River, or the 1000s of young folks occupying the sand bar in Torch Lake.

If they say NONE, then they don't get in arguments with some jerk sitting next to a keg, inshishting he has had only had one beer.

That said, if you poured a bottle of beer into a Tervis or mug in the car below window level, and sipped from your container sitting in your folding chair, I don't think a park ranger is going to demand you hand over the mug. Unless you're on the 12th chorus of "100 bottles of beer on the wall".