This autumn brew tour gives a fabulous overview of some great places to snag a frosty pint before it’s frosty outside too! This was originally published in the October 2014 issue of Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine.
Northern Michigan’s rich agriculture has provided a natural platform for the proliferating crop of locally minded craft brewers seeking to make suds with a sense of place. Trolling taprooms from Ludington to Petoskey this fall you’ll find a broad spectrum of hoppy American ales, rich roasty porters, old school pilsners and spiced up seasonal brews all built around grain, hops and fruit that took a short ride from field to fermenter. Expect to rub elbows with like-minded hopheads from all over the Midwest when interrupting your leaf tour for a frothy pint. This month we’ve mapped a south to north beer-lover’s brewery tour that’ll net you eyefuls of autumn splendor in between sublime sips from some of the North’s hottest small batch brewers. So don your flannel, find a designated driver and head out on this October brewery tour.
Jamesport Brewing Company
410 South James Street, Ludington, 231.845.2522Kick off the beer odyssey with a creamy pint of Nitro Stout or Scottish Strong Ale in this cozy Ludington taproom.
Stormcloud Brewing Company
303 Main Street, Frankfort, 231.352.0118Hear fierce October wind wailing over the dunes while you guzzle Belgian-inspired ales like the B., Sirrius Belgian Dubbel at Frankfort’s ground zero for good beer.
Northport Brewing
112 West Nagonaba Street, Northport, 231.386.1101Get a peninsular perspective on autumn at the North’s newest nano-brewery in Northport. Sip on Northern Queen Stout or Cathead Bay IPA.
Brewery Ferment
511 South Union Street, Traverse City, 231.735.8113Old Town TC’s boutique brewery offers airy environs, a delicious ESB and creative small batch specialty beers brewed with local flora.
The Workshop
221 Garland Street, Traverse City, 231.421.8977This locally driven micro-brewery pours inspired, “old-fangled” beers for the modern proletariat. Knock back a pint of Pry Bar Porter and be sure to check out the rotating Master Series selections.
Short’s Brewing Company
121 North Bridge Street, Bellaire, 231.498.2300Treat yourself to a well-deserved pint of Autumn Ale made by craft brew luminary Joe Short and his eponymous brew pub in beautiful Bellaire.
Beards Brewery
207 Howard Street, Petoskey, 231.753.2211Wrap up the October beer riot with eccentric suds like Mother Fuggles or Oatmeal Raisin Cookie at Beards in the Petoskey gaslight district.