Northern Lower Michigan Advice

Not my usual area, here is what little I know about it.

Big Buck has new owners, said to be much improved.

Friends like Spikes Keg o' Nails in Grayling, there are one or 2 small breweries there too.

Beard's in Petoskey was pretty good, Petoskey brewing not so much (diacetyl). The City Park Grill was young Hemingway's favorite, his seat was the second from the end, beer selection is OK.

Mackinaw City has some new breweries, haven't been.

 

Hi Scott
I've had some good brews from Beards and Petoskey Brewing but haven't been to either pub. I have been to Paddle Hard and Deadbear in Graying, pretty good selection. Snowbelt has some good selections but I had them at the Clam Lake Beer Company in Cadillac, they have 30 taps plus 6 to 8 of there own brews.
My favorite spots in Northern Michigan are in Traverse City, Frankfort and Cadillac though.
Have a Great time in Northern Michigan.
We've had great weather so far this year!

 

I haven't been in this area for a few years, so I'm not sure I can help much. Like @hopfenunmaltz says the Big Buck was closed, then sold and reopened but I don't know what it's like now. I have never been to any other places in Gaylord. I have a friend who has been to Snowbelt Brewing and he liked that place.

In Mackinaw City, the same friend has been to Biere de Mac and liked it too, but I have not been there. Mackinac Island Brew House (it's in Mackinaw City regardless of its name) is listed here on BA as a 'Brewery' but is really just a bottle shop that has tastings of beer and wine. They have a few beers contract brewed for them so they can have their name on a label and call themselves a brewery, but....

With Short's on your list, that's the cream of the crop. NOTE: I'm pretty sure they require reservations to get in there, so look into that to make sure you can visit. They also have a production facility in Elk Rapids with beer served there in what they call The Pull Barn. Elk Rapids is 10-15 miles west of Bellaire. No food is served unless a food truck is there, but I don't know the COVID-19 rules for food trucks nowadays. (I don't believe they are operating yet in the lower part of the state.)

Traverse City has good breweries, although Mackinaw Brewing never seems to get any favorable comments and may need to be skipped over if you get to TC. Jolly Pumpkin is probably my favorite in that area, followed by North Peak.

If you get all the way over to Lake Michigan and stop in Frankfort, Stormcloud Brewing is highly recommended. That's my second favorite behind Short's for up in that area.

There are probably 10-12 breweries up in that area that I haven't been to yet, and some are not listed here on BA so you won't find them in a Places search, but you can still access a good map/directory in the 'retirement' edition of the Michigan Beer Guide (or download it as a .pdf file) that will list all breweries as of last December. michiganbeerguide.com

If you stop at a Michigan Welcome Center you can also pick up a copy of the Michigan Brewers Guild directory. It usually has a large map in it, but not all breweries belong to the Guild (probably 95% are members). You can find it in the Winery brochure rack.

Let me know if I can help further.

 

City Park grille if great fun! Spikes in Grayling is one of my regular stops, my Grayling family are regulars there too.
The Petoskey location is a beautiful building!
Heard about Big Buck too, haven't been there in a long time....
In Traverse City, my favorite is Rare Bird, She is a Great Brewer!

 

Best brewery in Grayling is Rolling Oak in my opinion.

 

If taking time to visit Stormcloud in Frankfort (highly recommend), definitely go through Beulah (on the other/east end of Crystal Lake) and hit up Five Shores - they have a nice outdoor seating area and are making some really good beer.

 

The brewer has won a few awards, he used to be at Wolverine. This one is one my short listnof new ones up there. Stormcloud has been very good for Belgians.

Hop Lot near Suttons Bay has a perfect up North vibe, beer has improved.

Silver Spruce in Traverse City is at the top of my must go to list.

 

Go to Biers. It's a little south of Charlevoix. Amazing beer, and an amazing view of Lake Michigan. He has cider and wine as well.