DAY TRIPS: Celebrate Michigan Craft Beer Month in Mackinaw City

Michigan is the self-proclaimed “Great Beer State” and for good reason. There are more than 300 microbreweries around the state, producing thousands of craft beers that are perfect for sampling no matter the season.

Mackinac Island Brewhouse & Winery, located inside Mackinaw Bay Trading Company, offers 10 microbrews on draft as well as build-your-own six-packs with thousands of craft brew options from Michigan and beyond.

Biere de Mac Brew Works is located just south of downtown Mackinaw City on the Mackinaw Highway. Order a pint or a flight of locally-inspired brews such as 20 Fathoms, Accidental Tourist, Poe Reef Nicolet IPA, Waugoshance Wheat, Vacationland and The Yugo. Paddle Hard Brewing (based in Grayling, 85 miles south on I-75) also operates its Rusted Spoke Brewing in town.

You can also find a selection of Michigan-made microbrews at Audie’s Family Restaurant, Dixie Saloon, The Embers Inn & Tavern, The Historic Depot Restaurant and Caboose at Mackinaw Crossings, The Lighthouse Restaurant, Nonna Lisa’s and O’Reilly’s Irish Pub.

Within an hour drive or so from Mackinaw City, you can tap into several other breweries. Cheboygan Brewing can be found not far from the Lake Huron shoreline. Along the west coast, Pond Hill Farm in Harbor Springs is home to Tunnel Vision Brewery. In Petoskey, you’ll find Petoskey Brewing, Beards Brewing and Burnt Marshmallow; Stiggs Brewery is located in downtown Boyne City, and Lake Charlevoix Brewing overlooks Round Lake in downtown Charlevoix (next to the Beaver Island Boat Company docks) while Bier’s Inwood Brewery can be found a few miles south of town near Norwood.

Over the Mackinac Bridge, you’ll find another couple dozen breweries including Les Cheneaux Brewery & Distillery in Cedarville along with three breweries in Sault Ste. Marie (one of Mackinaw City’s “Day Trip Destinations”) including Lockside Brewery, Soo Brewing Company and Superior Coast Brewery.

For a list of other Michigan breweries, visit the Michigan Brewers Guild website.

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, September 7 – Mackinaw City Beer & Wine Festival.