Vierling Restaurant & Marquette Harbor Brewery

Vierling Restaurant & Marquette Harbor BreweryVierling Restaurant & Marquette Harbor Brewery
Vierling Restaurant & Marquette Harbor BreweryVierling Restaurant & Marquette Harbor Brewery
Brewery, Bar, Eatery

119 S. Front St
Marquette, Michigan, 49855
United States

(906) 228-3533 | map
thevierling.com
BEER STATS
Average:
3.6
Beers:
18
Ratings:
79
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.9
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
28
pDev:
15.13%
View: Beers | Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Jodi215:
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Reviewed by Jodi215 from Arizona

4.13/5  rDev +5.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.25 | food: 4.75
This was the best meal we had while in Marquette. We had white fish and chips on the starter menu and it was the best fish and chips I've ever had in a brewpub. Fresh fish right out of Lake Superior and the coating was crispy and tasty. Beer list could improve but they've got the food down pat. Value for what you get is great.
Jun 18, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 3.98 by ssimpson89 from Illinois

Oct 04, 2020
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Reviewed by CisPiece88 from Nebraska

3.88/5  rDev -0.5%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5
Really old school brewery with many old antiques on the walls and ceiling. Good service offering basic style core beers. Nice for a 1 time old feel stop but wouldn't stop again after that.
Aug 30, 2020
 
Rated: 4.5 by U2Chaser from North Dakota

Oct 15, 2018
 
Rated: 3.75 by JDoHo from Michigan

Jun 06, 2018
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Reviewed by KEH from Michigan

4.65/5  rDev +19.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
When my wife and I go to Marquette, we frequently eat here. We both love the atmosphere and the food. It's also one of the oldest brewpubs in Michigan, which adds to the charm. They tend to always have a nice balanced selection, so whether you enjoy dark, malty beers, IPAs, or something in between, you'll likely find one to suit your tastes. Overall, the quality of the beer has been solid, and the service has been outstanding!
Nov 17, 2017
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Reviewed by morimech from Minnesota

4.04/5  rDev +3.6%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4
Walked from my hotel to eat supper here. Sat at the bar and was promptly waited on by the friendly bartender. Had a very solid pale ale and a good stout. The beer selection was a little too centered around wheat and fruit infused beers for my tastes, but everything I drank was very solid. Old building and feels like this business has been at this location for decades. Had the grilled whitefish and wild rice and really enjoyed the meal. Quaint place that looks popular for date night. Nice that all the breweries in Marquette are within easy walking distance. If you are a visitor, get a room close to downtown and park your car for your stay and walk everywhere.
Sep 25, 2015
 
Rated: 3.69 by Gatordaddy from Maryland

Jun 17, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by Boomer4ES from North Carolina

Jan 31, 2015
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Reviewed by BobJude from Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%
I love this place - stop there at least once every trip back home to the UP. They have been brewing for quite a while and have some fantastic beers. Food is OK with whitefish being a must try.
Dec 03, 2014
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Reviewed by kirkfrailey from Michigan

4.5/5  rDev +15.4%
I was in the area last week for a hunting trip and met up with a beer buddy of mine and we hit a few local places and purposely saved Vierling for last. That was a great idea. Besides the great beer offerings/selections they have AMAZING food. Try the white fish cold sampler platter..wow / yum! I Highly recommend this place. Very unassuming from the street, we sat in the back with an awesome view of the Marquette harbor and never had one complaint. The service was exceptional, food exceptional and beer was great. I will definitely go back with the family next time we are in town.
Nov 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by atone315 from Wisconsin

Oct 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by BobbyDigitali from California

Sep 26, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by MilwaukeeBeerMaker from Wisconsin

Aug 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by CareyWelder from Minnesota

Mar 05, 2014
 
Rated: 1.75 by DCdevyl78 from Illinois

Jan 29, 2014
 
Rated: 2.75 by spikechiquet from Ohio

Dec 10, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Danielr26 from Michigan

Nov 25, 2013
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Reviewed by PapaGoose03 from Michigan

3.38/5  rDev -13.3%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.5
My wife and I stopped here as part of a pub crawl in northern Michigan and the UP to visit the newer brewpubs (plus several others) that have opened since our last trip ‘up north’. I’d been here several times in the past, but this was the first visit for my wife. Our visit was in the mid-afternoon and we had lunch already so an evaluation of their beers was our goal.

We sat at the bar, which has a very old feel to it (this restaurant and building are historical), and ordered a sampler flight of all 10 of their current beers for $13. (Liquor and wine are also available.) There were a couple of light-flavored beer styles (blonde and three different fruited wheat ales) that we typically don’t like, and these flavorings just didn’t work right so that just added to our dislike of these three beers, so we rated them down a bit. The rest of the beers were essentially brewed right to style taste, but we only liked the Pale Ale to score it above average at a B grade. The rest all ended up with scores of B minus (the IPA) to a C minus.

When I’ve visited here in the past I’ve always had a meal, so I know the food is very good here. It’s too bad that they can’t kick their beers up a notch to match the quality of the food. Still, I’ll return here someday, but the pale Ale may be the only beer that I’ll order.
Oct 29, 2013
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Reviewed by joe1510 from Illinois

3.81/5  rDev -2.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4
Vierling is a cool little brewpub on a corner lot, in an old brick building, up a hill, a half block from Lake Superior. As you enter you're met by high ceilings and an old, cozy, 10 seat bar with lots of brass fixtures. We stopped in for lunch and were brought to the smallish dining room in back with wrap around windows that look down a half block hill onto a smoked fish shack and the lake. The view is pretty great.

I actually stopped at that little fish shack (Thill's) down the hill before Vierling and was told Vierling sourced their fish from Thill's. With that being known, and the quality of Thill's, I ordered up a fried whitefish platter with house beer batter that was outstanding; fresh, crisp, and flavorful, great tartar sauce.

There were 5 standards on tap and 3 seasonals (coffee porter, ginger IPA, and a Scotch ale). The ginger IPA was big on ginger but good and refreshing, the coffee porter was rock solid, and the pale ale was the standout. The service was good, nothing outstanding or bad, just there.

I would stop in this place again in a heartbeat. I'd love to come in on a night when they're a little busy and get a seat at the old bar upfront. The view can't be beat, the fish is fresh and the beer is tasty.
Oct 18, 2013
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Reviewed by MarcatGSB from Michigan

3.98/5  rDev +2.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Located in a very cool, older historic building, you can't really beat the setting. Marquette is a hip up and coming town, in need of cool places to relax and chill.
The beer is pretty straight forward. Typical amber, brown, pilsner, and a pretty good blueberry wheat (served with fresh blueberries on top). I enjoy the beers.
The food is really good. They offer fresh whitefish prepared in many different ways, as well as good ribs, and many other offerings. A great stop if in the Marquette area.
Mar 09, 2011
Photo of erog5188
Reviewed by erog5188 from Wisconsin

4.6/5  rDev +17.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4
Atmosphere)
When you walk in you are bombarded with many fashionable antiques...bottles, Mugs, steins, Photos and a lovely historical building. I prefer afternoons at the bar because it gets very busy on nights and weekends. If it is busy you can go to the "other side" and enjoy some brews with friends with less background noise. My favorite feature is the fact that the bar is the same as when the place opened, there is an old photo looks to be from many many many years ago that shoes the same bar back drop.

Quality)
They make the best beer in the U.P. I love Keweenaw Brewing but every beer I have had from the Vierling is excellent. I DO NOT fruit beer but their blueberry wheat is wondrous with fresh Michigan blueberries. They also have other great varieties.

Service)
No Complaints friendly and fast

Selection)
The beer selection is great and always is changing, about one beer every two times I go in there

Food)
The food is good, a little more variety than other place in Marquette. If you like the traditional burger go for it! Steak? go for it! and they have an excellent Friday fish Fry.

Try it for yourself, you will not regret
Dec 02, 2010
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Reviewed by Deuane from Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev +3.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Located in downtown Marquette along the waterfront this lovely old building sits regally on a hill overlooking the downtown harbor area. Inside lots of stained glass, wood and brick greet you in the front bar area. The decor gives you that "old timey" feel. The back dining area is graced with huge picture windows to allow patrons an unobstructed view of the harbor and beyond to Lake Superior.

Nine house beers on tap offered a fine selection of styles. Picks included Blueberry Wheat (with REAL blueberries), red, stout, APA, blonde, honey wheat, ESB, vanilla porter and American lager.

Our server was friendly, courteous, swift and helpful on this busy summer evening at dinnertime. She chatted with us a bit and was very interested in my note taking and our trip. She thought it was great that we seek out locally owned establishments forgoing the national chains.

The food was VERY nice. I had the grilled Whitefish special, how could you not while sitting in a place that overlooks Lake Superior! In addition I enjoyed a bowl of Whitefish Chowder that was rich and creamy and oh so delicious. C enjoyed some of my dinner and had for herself a very nicely done dinner salad with fresh greens, cranberries and a house raspberry vinaigrette.

The beers were all decent or better. Even the American Lager while "dull" was spot on and a good choice for the BMC crowd. I particularly enjoyed the APA with Centennial and dry hopped with Cascade hops and the Vanilla Porter.

Overall the Vierling is a VERY worthy stop if you find yourself anywhere near Marquette, MI. A nice location with good food and good beer....a solid combination for sure!
Mar 09, 2010
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Reviewed by ahking from Michigan

4.15/5  rDev +6.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
The Vierling is an excellent beer destination in Marquette. The interior is classic, wood floors, wood trim, old pictures on the wall from the area, and nice lighting. The food on two occasions has been tasty and well prepared.

The beer is quite excellent as well. A good selection of 5 or 6 six beers both times including a well balanced Pale Ale, a smooth Red Ale, and a rich wheat beer. The rage amongst some of my friends (even non beer drinkers) is the "blueberry beer" which is their honey wheat with fresh blueberries and syrup in the glass. Can't say I've had it yet, but it is very popular.

Required visit when in the UP!!
Oct 16, 2008
Photo of nmyers
Reviewed by nmyers from Michigan

3.58/5  rDev -8.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3 | food: 4
The Vierling has some good beers for this area. I don’t really feel that it is anything to rave about though, but that is my opinion. One of the main reasons I feel this way is because there Blue Berry wheat is just a glass of wheat beer with some blue berries and blue berry extract added to it. To me this isn't really a hand crafted quality beer (the wheat ale is not the blue berry wheat ale). Don’t get me wrong I enjoy the beer here, but there fruit beers are just a little lacking. There Dead River Coffee Porter is an amazing beer. They take coffee form a local roaster and make a spectacular porter with it.

As a whole the Vierling is a great looking Brew Pub. It has a turn of the century feel to it. The decor is interesting with beer and wine bottles scattered throughout the place. Old pictures of Marquette also appear on the walls showing the history of the town and the business. If you sit in the back of the restaurant you can have a nice view of Marquette’s lower harbor.
Apr 18, 2006
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Reviewed by trancefishy from Colorado

3.05/5  rDev -21.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 3
Welcome to Marquette's only remaining brewery. This place is rather quaint, premium location which overlooks Lake Superior (be sure to ask for the quality seating). The atomsphere is pretty cool, lots of old photographs of Marquette and surrounding areas, lots of old bottles and all kinds of old things hanging around, mostly related in a way to shipping (on the water). You'll spend some time just checking out the stuff on the walls.

Now for the beer. Don't get your hopes up. They offer pretty much your standard basic selection (a stout, porter, ale, bitter, etc.). After having tried nearly everything there, I have decided that they just don't make a good beer. It all shares the same characteristics of being a little too sweet, the mouthfeel is always thin, and the taste just isn't that wonderful. It all seems like mediocre malt extract homebrew. It's not bad beer, it's fresh and affordable, but dont' go in expecting to find the beer that will blow you away.

They allow smokers to ruin the atmosphere, as well.

Service is fine, though, don't be surprised if, when inquiring about what kind of beers they have and what sort of characteristics they possess, you are asked whether "you like light beer or dark beer". Just order something, and know that if you get the blueberry wheat, it will come with blueberries floating around in it.

Food is so-so. Being vegan there aren't many options for me there. All soups are meat broth based. They will make a pizza without cheese but it will suck. I usually get an order of french fries or onion rings if i feel as though I must have something to nibble on.

That about sums her up. If you are looking for good beer on tap in Marquette, I would really suggest trying your luck at the Landmark Inn just a block or so away, they usually have some Bell's on tap.
Mar 10, 2005
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Reviewed by tavernjef from Minnesota

4.15/5  rDev +6.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
A small and quaint pub located on the main street in town just off the highway. The layout is narrow in length, about a 16ft high ceiling with a few fans. The bar is short and to the left right as you walk in. They have some booths and tables in the main bar area but there's more in back, but not many, capacity of the place is 105 and man thats pushing it.

Like the decor alot here, one long brick wall and the rest are maroon in color, or at least what you can see of them because from booth to ceiling there are tons of framed american historical and classical art pieces which some have ties to beer and booze. Also quite a bit of stained glass dawn the wall and hang from the ceiling.

Food is good but far to pricey for what ya get, pretty big menu with some fish, pasta, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and some bigger entrees. I ordered for dinner a linguini shrimp platter and it was more like a half-dish with a handful of noodles and only six shrimp for $13. I can see maybe $10 but I did get a salad, but man it was a timeless dinner, I ate it in like seven minutes. It was good and showed up fast for being packed, but I was disappointed by the serving size. The fellas next to me also were grumbling about the smaller plates.

Atmosphere is pretty happening, place is busy all week and doubles for weekends. The barkeep, a lovely younger lady, was very nice and talked to me about the place and its regulars which are made up of mostly the college crowd due to Northern MI. being near town. But I did see a few folks who were, well, lets just say they weren't in college, ya know, older. I had a fun seat as I had 3 college "dudes" to my left and 2 regulars/snowmobile junkies to my right. Listening to the college guys were a hoot, I found myself laughing under my breath at some of the strange things they were discussing.

Beers are pretty good and priced fairly low, I just missed the Scotch ale which people were still asking if they had, but my server said it ran out the night before. They have 5 or 6 regulars and 2 or 3 seasonals totaling 8 at all times. I had 4 different brews, a pale, ESB, stout, and porter. The stout and pale were my favorite offerings of the night. Easily a place to sit and have a few as the beers I had were all very drinkable and above average, my only exception would be the ESB, that was passable, as I should've stuck with the pale.

All in all, a place worth seeking out, the beer and service are good as is the atmosphere; if your wallet is full of green then dine away, otherwise eat somewhere cheaper then cap the night off at Vierling.
Feb 16, 2005
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Reviewed by Brian700 from Michigan

4/5  rDev +2.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I like this place a lot. It is located in downtown Marquette, MI and it overlooks Lake Superior. Obviously the atmosphere is very relaxing. Its my favorite place in town to have lunch or dinner. It's so nice to be able to walk in a place and know that you have multiple quality beers to choose from as well as a menu that offers plenty of great items, especially the French onion soup. I have to say it is the best soup I have ever tasted. The beers they have are excellent. If you ever get a chance to stop in and visit the Vierling Restaurant and Marquette Harbor Brewery you must try the blueberry wheat beer. I'm was never a big fan of beer with fruit in it until I tried this. It is unreal. The staff is always very friendly and is very helpfull when you just don't know what to order.
Oct 21, 2004
Vierling Restaurant & Marquette Harbor Brewery in Marquette, MI
Brewery rating: 3.6 out of 5 with 79 ratings