At Hop Lot Brewing Co. in Suttons Bay, you’ll find expertly brewed ale, slow-smoked meats piled mile-high on everything from sandwiches to tacos, s’mores by the campfire and a welcoming Up North atmosphere. And trust us, you’ll be thanking your lucky stars for a perfect night in the four-season beer garden—now even cooler after a recent remodel.
Here’s a look at what’s been happening at this Northern Michigan brewery.
Taproom expansion
Beer garden remodel
Click through the photo gallery to see for yourself!
Drew Lutke, who started Hop Lot Brewing Co. with his brother Steve, fills us in.
“Earlier this year, we began construction on additions to our taproom, which included more bathrooms and a larger kitchen. Over the past few years, we realized we were outgrowing the original footprint of the taproom, kitchen and also the beer garden. With the expansion of the building already underway, we decided now would be an opportune time to do a complete overhaul of our beer garden and make it what we’ve always dreamed it would become.
“After bouncing ideas off of each other and listening to our guest’s input over the past four summers, we brought our ideas to a local landscape architect to help us layout a blueprint. Beer garden construction began in early May, and we are currently working on some finishing touches. I do have to say the transformation of the beer garden has garnered constant Q&A’s and excitement with new and returning Hop Lot guests. Many comment they’ve noticed something new in the beer garden every week they’ve come in over the summer.
“I’m most excited about the new fire pit and that entire back area. The fire pit is the centerpiece of a rounded, sectioned bench that could easily seat 50 people on a brisk fall Saturday. Beyond the bench seating, there are six campsite-like pads that house picnic tables in the summer and early fall and will soon be the site of a few of our igloos over the winter. No matter what season it is, that area will be picturesque with the fire, a 75-year-old cabin tucked away in the corner and, of course, the tall maples that surround the entire beer garden.”
Hop Lot Brewing Co. is located at 658 S West Bay Shore Dr., Suttons Bay.