9 Craft Beer Capitals In Small-Town Michigan
Short's Brewing Company takes up half of downtown Bellaire. That is a village of just over 1,000 people. Old railroad depots and candy factories across the state now hold taprooms. A meadery pours gluten-free honey wine near a brewpub with 20 beers on tap. These nine towns built real beer reputations at small-town scale. Each one gives you a distinct reason to fill a growler and stay awhile.
Bellaire
Set within the rolling countryside of northern Michigan, Bellaire has become a celebrated destination for craft beer enthusiasts. While the village itself is only home to just over 1,000 residents, it earns its reputation through its thriving brewery scene, scenic landscapes, and year-round recreational activities.
Known as a craft beer pioneer, Bellaire is home to the renowned Short's Brewing Company. This location features the "Mothership" brewpub, offering over 20 unique beers and ciders on tap. You can enjoy local favorites alongside exclusive experimental batches available only in-house. Short's is an expansive property, taking up half of downtown Bellaire. Across from the pub, you'll find a beer garden that hosts live music and made-from-scratch dishes.
For an alternative to a traditional bar, beer lovers can also head to Bee Well Mead & Cider. This meadery is highly rated for its relaxed lounge-style tasting rooms and its locally sourced ingredients. Here you can enjoy naturally made, gluten-free options, many of which feature Michigan apples and honey.
Traverse City
Settled right against the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, Traverse City is regarded as the craft beverage capital of northern Michigan. Aided by its cherry orchards and waterfront scenery, this city has built a reputation for its thriving brewery scene. With dozens of breweries, taprooms, and beer-focused events spread throughout the area, Traverse City is an ideal destination for travelers looking to sample award-winning beverages beside the bay.
One of the city's best-known breweries is Right Brain Brewery, recognized for its unconventional brewing philosophy and experimental creations. Visitors can sample unique offerings made with local ingredients while enjoying the in-house retro gaming lounge. For a more traditional approach to brewing, the Workshop Brewing Company focuses on true-to-style European and American classics.
Traverse City is also home to several microbreweries, smaller independent businesses that focus on art and style over quantity. North Peak Brewing Company is one of the most established microbreweries in the area. Housed in a historic 1899 candy factory, this industrial open-atmosphere space is a modern take on a classic pastime. Similarly, The Filling Station Microbrewery sits on a set of railroad tracks inside a repurposed railroad depot. This relaxed spot is known for its house-brewed IPAs and family-friendly atmosphere.
Saugatuck
Known as the "Art Coast of Michigan," Saugatuck is a highly walkable coastal town full of boutiques, beaches, and art galleries. In addition, the Saugatuck area is packed with scenic craft breweries, taprooms, and hands-on experiences. Set on a few of Michigan's famed beer trails, Saugatuck offers visitors a blend of small beach town character and craft beer culture.
One of the area's most popular spots is Saugatuck Brewing Company, known for local favorites like Oval Beach Blonde Ale and year-round classics. This is also the only brewery in Michigan that offers a "brew on premises" program, where you can craft your own beer from scratch. Downtown Saugatuck is home to the vintage baseball-themed microbrewery, The Mitten Brewing Company. This taproom offers outdoor decks, picnic tables, and yard games, plus specialty pizzas.
For those looking to see multiple Saugatuck sights in one go, there is an easy option. Saugatuck has a year-round Social District that covers most of downtown, allowing you to walk around with alcoholic beverages purchased from participating venues. Places like the aforementioned Mitten Brewing Company, Noble Twist Taphouse, and the New Holland Distilling Tasting Room are all options for your very own brewery crawl.
Marshall
Known for boasting one of the most extensive 19th-century architectural districts in the United States, Marshall is one of Michigan's most distinctive small towns. The city features over 850 preserved historic buildings, some of which have become homes for breweries and taprooms.
At the heart of Marshall's beer scene is Dark Horse Brewing Company, one of the most recognizable craft breweries in the state. Founded in 1997, Dark Horse is known for its bold beers, extensive tap selection, rock-and-roll aesthetic, and loyal following. Visitors can sample the signature aromatic styles and indulge in their renowned Detroit-style pizzas.
As mentioned previously, Marshall is home to countless historic buildings that have been repurposed. One of these places is the Grand River Brewery, located inside a historic 150-year-old building. This establishment offers farm-to-table dining options and in-house crafted beverages. Similarly, Schuler's Restaurant & Pub and The Stagecoach Inn offer extensive beverage menus in historic settings.
Petoskey
A resort town along the Little Traverse Bay, Petoskey is famous for its Gaslight Shopping District, outdoor recreation, and historic atmosphere. With historic breweries and waterfront taprooms, Petoskey has been a fast-rising spot for beer enthusiasts. With over 10 breweries and cideries in the immediate area, the region offers something for everyone.
One of the city's premier beer destinations is Petoskey Brewing Company, housed inside a restored Prohibition-era brewery building, combining local history with a modern craft beer experience. Visitors can sample a rotating selection of handcrafted ales and lagers while enjoying the beer gardens and pub food. Another must-visit stop is Beards Brewery, located on the shoreline and known for its experimental small-batch creations.
After a day of brewery hopping, visitors can enjoy a meal at the City Park Grill, a favorite hangout of Ernest Hemingway, or listen to some live music at the Noggin Room Pub. Petoskey's beer scene extends to countless restaurants and pubs throughout the area, showcasing local flavor and ingredients.
St. Joseph
Known locally as the "Riviera of the Midwest" and located along Lake Michigan, St. Joseph is a waterfront town that takes its craft beverage scene seriously. The city's award-winning downtown brewpubs, farm-to-glass breweries, and access to the Michigan Social District make it a high-quality experience for beer enthusiasts.
One of the area's most standout spots is the Silver Harbor Brewing Company. Located in downtown St. Joseph, this popular brewery serves an extensive lineup of handcrafted beers and seasonal specialties. Several of their creations have won awards, including a Gold Medal at the Great American Beer Festival. Visitors can also stop by the St. Joe Community Taproom, a rotating taproom featuring local craft beer, cider, wine, and draft cocktails from regional producers.
Alpena
Settled along the Lake Huron shoreline, Alpena is a historic maritime community known for its shipwrecks, waterfront scenery, and local scene. The city has long been a destination for outdoor recreation and Great Lakes tours, but in recent years, it has begun carving out a spot for itself in Michigan's beer scene. With diverse tap rooms and scratch-made food, Alpena offers a refreshing stop along the Sunrise Coast.
At the center of Alpena's beer scene is Austin Brothers Beer Company. Founded by a pair of local brothers, this popular brewery has become a cornerstone of downtown Alpena. Visitors can choose from a wide selection of handcrafted beers, IPAs, lagers, and seasonal specialties. The brewery's taproom often features live music, events, and food trucks, creating a lively space throughout the year.
Another important destination is HopSide Brewery, a small-batch brewery known for its rotating tap list and creative process. Here, beer lovers can sample everything from crisp ales to experimental releases, and employees are usually happy to chat about their latest concoction.
Frankenmuth
Known as Michigan's "Little Bavaria," Frankenmuth is famous for its German heritage, Bavarian-style architecture, and festive atmosphere. While visitors often come for the authentic cuisine, specialty shops, and year-round attractions, the town has also established itself as a must-see destination for beer lovers. Deeply rooted in German brewing traditions, Frankenmuth offers a blend of old-world craftsmanship and modern craft beer innovation.
The centerpiece of the town's beer culture is Frankenmuth Brewery, Michigan's oldest operating brewery. Originally founded in 1862, the brewery has become a local landmark, serving handcrafted lagers, ales, and seasonal brews inspired by Bavarian traditions. Guests can enjoy local favorites and Oktoberfest-style beers while overlooking the Cass River from the brewery's dining area and garden.
To get a taste of Germany's famous outdoor drinking culture, head to Fischer Platz Biergarten. This open-air brewery features imported German beers and live entertainment. The community feel of this brewery was designed to recreate the atmosphere of a traditional Bavarian biergarten.
Suttons Bay
Suttons Bay is a waterfront village that is one of Michigan's overlooked spots for beer enthusiasts. While the town is celebrated for its scenic marina, boutique shopping, and proximity to the Leelanau Peninsula wine country, it has developed into a craft-beer locale of its own. Suttons Bay offers visitors a relaxing blend of small-town character and craft brewing experience.
One of the town's most popular destinations is Hop Lot Brewing Co. & Beer Garden. Set among the towering pine trees, this brewery has earned a loyal following for its handcrafted beers and outdoor beer garden. Guests can sample a rotating lineup of IPAs, lagers, and seasonal creations while gathering around fire pits in the brewery's wooded setting. For a more fruit-forward beverage, there's Suttons Bay Ciders, where locally grown apples are transformed into award-winning hard ciders that showcase the agricultural roots of the region.
Raising a Glass to Small-Town Michigan
The breweries in these nine towns share a habit of building inside what their communities already had. A 1899 candy factory in Traverse City, a Prohibition-era brewhouse in Petoskey, and a 1900s frozen-foods building in St. Joseph all pour beer today. Frankenmuth carries a German lineage that reaches back to 1862, while Bellaire and Alpena represent a newer wave of brewers working at small scale. The result is a beer culture spread across the northern woods, the Lake Michigan coast, and the Lake Huron shoreline, each town worth a weekend on its own terms.
