Mackinaw Brewing Company
161 East Front Street
Traverse City, Michigan, 49684
United States
(231) 933-1100 | map
mackinawbrewing.com
Notes:
Reviews: 21
| Ratings: 61
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Reviews by sweethome:
sweethome from Illinois
2.48/5 rDev -28.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 1 | service: 3 | selection: 3
Went to Mackinaw Brewing Co. on a visit to Traverse last week. The location is great, the building is cool, the deck is great, the beers are terrible.
I had Belgian Whitecap - not at all like a belgian white, a strong aftertaste of infection. My wife tried a pale ale that was just slightly better, but still infected. We tried North Peak down the street which had true quality beers - this is not a good representation of craft beer. The only upside - the lousy beers only cost $2 bucks on happy hour.
It was about 10:30 when we arrived - our server was a college age guy - pretty funny guy - not the best service - but that was fine.
They had a decent crowd, although most were drinking macros. The fact they serve macros tells you something about the quality of their beers.
Jul 25, 2007
2.48/5 rDev -28.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 1 | service: 3 | selection: 3
Went to Mackinaw Brewing Co. on a visit to Traverse last week. The location is great, the building is cool, the deck is great, the beers are terrible.
I had Belgian Whitecap - not at all like a belgian white, a strong aftertaste of infection. My wife tried a pale ale that was just slightly better, but still infected. We tried North Peak down the street which had true quality beers - this is not a good representation of craft beer. The only upside - the lousy beers only cost $2 bucks on happy hour.
It was about 10:30 when we arrived - our server was a college age guy - pretty funny guy - not the best service - but that was fine.
They had a decent crowd, although most were drinking macros. The fact they serve macros tells you something about the quality of their beers.
Jul 25, 2007
More User Reviews:
Tripel_Threat from Michigan
3.15/5 rDev -8.7%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3.25 | selection: 2.75 | food: 3.5
I usually avoid this place when I get to Traverse because it's usually summer and tourists seem to really like this place. In October it seemed to be the only place big enough and not too busy on Front Street to accommodate our party.
Bottom line, it's okay. They serve their six ales, which are just okay. The food was decent enough. I wouldn't call it a destination to seek out, but if you find yourself here you'll be all right.
Oct 10, 2019
3.15/5 rDev -8.7%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3.25 | selection: 2.75 | food: 3.5
I usually avoid this place when I get to Traverse because it's usually summer and tourists seem to really like this place. In October it seemed to be the only place big enough and not too busy on Front Street to accommodate our party.
Bottom line, it's okay. They serve their six ales, which are just okay. The food was decent enough. I wouldn't call it a destination to seek out, but if you find yourself here you'll be all right.
Oct 10, 2019
Coho11 from Ohio
3.88/5 rDev +12.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Jul 08, 2018
3.88/5 rDev +12.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
Jul 08, 2018
ESchweers from Michigan
3.48/5 rDev +0.9%
vibe: 2.75 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.5
Apr 07, 2018
3.48/5 rDev +0.9%
vibe: 2.75 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.5
Apr 07, 2018
redleg64 from Michigan
3.44/5 rDev -0.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 2.75 | food: 4
Dec 20, 2017
3.44/5 rDev -0.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 2.75 | food: 4
Dec 20, 2017
jimbofish from Michigan
4.16/5 rDev +20.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 3 | food: 4.75
TC's first brewpub. The brewing room used to be right up front in the street window, but was moved downstairs to add more seating. The oak and glass doors from the brew room are now used on the restrooms in back. Decor is Great Lakes freighter. Bar and hi-top tables up front, booths and regular tables in back with a new deck out back overlooking the Boardman River and West Bay. Several TVs in the noisier front section where the bar is usually filled with locals. The aroma from the smoker fills the room and drifts out to the sidewalk.
Menu beers are fine. I don't think they've changed in the 20 years he's been brewing here. They now have a couple of seasonals that are usually interesting. Pricing is reasonable with happy hour pricing during the off-season.. Growlers and mug club memberships available.
Service and food here are excellent. Smoked meats and fish are the specialties, particularly the ribs. One of the few places that serve Lake Perch dinners year-round. Couple of specials every day, usually some sort of seafood. Potato options include baked sweet potato with maple honey butter and the best fries in town.
During the summer it's crowded with tourists as it's right in the heart of downtown TC. We go for the food, mainly during the off-season, with the beer as a bonus, sit by a window, and watch the city go by.
Mar 13, 2017
4.16/5 rDev +20.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 3 | food: 4.75
TC's first brewpub. The brewing room used to be right up front in the street window, but was moved downstairs to add more seating. The oak and glass doors from the brew room are now used on the restrooms in back. Decor is Great Lakes freighter. Bar and hi-top tables up front, booths and regular tables in back with a new deck out back overlooking the Boardman River and West Bay. Several TVs in the noisier front section where the bar is usually filled with locals. The aroma from the smoker fills the room and drifts out to the sidewalk.
Menu beers are fine. I don't think they've changed in the 20 years he's been brewing here. They now have a couple of seasonals that are usually interesting. Pricing is reasonable with happy hour pricing during the off-season.. Growlers and mug club memberships available.
Service and food here are excellent. Smoked meats and fish are the specialties, particularly the ribs. One of the few places that serve Lake Perch dinners year-round. Couple of specials every day, usually some sort of seafood. Potato options include baked sweet potato with maple honey butter and the best fries in town.
During the summer it's crowded with tourists as it's right in the heart of downtown TC. We go for the food, mainly during the off-season, with the beer as a bonus, sit by a window, and watch the city go by.
Mar 13, 2017
Tjb14 from Michigan
3.74/5 rDev +8.4%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4
Dec 07, 2016
3.74/5 rDev +8.4%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 4
Dec 07, 2016
Danielr26 from Michigan
4/5 rDev +15.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Oct 12, 2016
4/5 rDev +15.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Oct 12, 2016
Billydoughnuts from Michigan
4.2/5 rDev +21.7%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Feb 03, 2016
4.2/5 rDev +21.7%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Feb 03, 2016
chuckgietzen from Michigan
3.28/5 rDev -4.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.25 | food: 3.25
Sep 24, 2015
3.28/5 rDev -4.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.25 | service: 3.25 | selection: 3.25 | food: 3.25
Sep 24, 2015
bigleague from Michigan
3.99/5 rDev +15.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4
Aug 11, 2015
3.99/5 rDev +15.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4
Aug 11, 2015
HardyA from Michigan
3.65/5 rDev +5.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.75
Aug 10, 2015
3.65/5 rDev +5.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.75
Aug 10, 2015
pat61 from Minnesota
3.54/5 rDev +2.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.75
I stopped in heere a few times during the afternoon to hydrate with some beer after dragging grandchildren up and down the street. the beer is decent and the clientel mostly tourists. I can't say much about the night time vibe.
Jul 19, 2015
3.54/5 rDev +2.6%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.75
I stopped in heere a few times during the afternoon to hydrate with some beer after dragging grandchildren up and down the street. the beer is decent and the clientel mostly tourists. I can't say much about the night time vibe.
Jul 19, 2015
Bearshawks85 from Illinois
4.15/5 rDev +20.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4
nice little brewpub in TC. Not a large selection, but good quality.
Jul 14, 2015
4.15/5 rDev +20.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4
nice little brewpub in TC. Not a large selection, but good quality.
Jul 14, 2015
DbbC from Illinois
3/5 rDev -13%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 3
May 21, 2015
3/5 rDev -13%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 3
May 21, 2015
Shaskins80 from Michigan
3.35/5 rDev -2.9%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Apr 09, 2015
3.35/5 rDev -2.9%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Apr 09, 2015
JDoHo from Michigan
3.65/5 rDev +5.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.25
Feb 14, 2015
3.65/5 rDev +5.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.25
Feb 14, 2015
Samurai_Jesus4 from Michigan
2.84/5 rDev -17.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 2.5 | selection: 2.75 | food: 3.25
Jan 15, 2015
2.84/5 rDev -17.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 2.5 | selection: 2.75 | food: 3.25
Jan 15, 2015
Mackinaw Brewing Company in Traverse City, MI
Brewery rating:
3.26 out of
5 with
167 ratings
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