On Tap In Traverse City?

I'm guessing you've left now, but to update the thread for future searches, I've heard Rare Bird has a nice draft selection. Also the Jolly Pumpkin tap room out on Old Mission is amazing (atmosphere and beer). Shorts is about an hour drive around Torch Lake and is always a good stop, as well. A couple of the breweries in town are also decent. I lot of people like Right Brain (I don't, particularly) and The Workshop (I haven't been yet).. I'm particular to The Filling Station. There's also a pretty solid bottle shop south of downtown (I forget the name but search BA places and I'm pretty sure it's near the top.

Cheers!
Rick

 

I did a mini-tour last spring and liked North Peak best in town. If you are that close Shorts is a must visit.

 

for those that might be in the area, 7 Monks has Alpine Duet on this weekend and also now offers Crowlers.

 

Terra firma has a lot of good beers

 

I spend a lot of time in Empire, about 15 minutes west of TC, and Stormcloud in Frankfort is my favorite brewery around here (beats Short's by a nose). Awesome Belgian beers, especially their seasonal saisons (haven't had this spring/summer's yet though... maybe tomorrow).

 

That's a tough call, but I'll vouch for Stormcloud being a great up-and-coming brewery. But it's like comparing apples to oranges when looking at Stormcloud and Short's. Each kind of has a different beer line-up, but both pubs have great vibe and beer.

 

We always hit North Peak Brewery and Mackinaw Brewing Company when we're in town. Both have pretty good food and a lively atmosphere as well.

 

What happened to Right Brain. They seem to have fallen out of favor. When I visited the area several years ago they were the hot ticket. A decrease in quality or perhaps better options?

 

I think it's because their brewer that made the place a 'must stop' left and started Brewery Terra Firma just south of town. Both places are still very worthy of a visit, it's just that Right Brain is not quite as good as they used to be.

 

Yes the brewer left or got forced out, I have heard both versions. The last time I went to the new location the beers were not to my liking.

The Filling Station has good beers to style. Workshop had good beers the one time I stopped in. Rare Bird has good buzz. Hop Lot in Suttons Bay has very good word of mouth from a friend who has his sail boat docked across M22. We always stop at Tandem. Yeah, lots of options.

 

Brewery Ferment is my favorite in TC. They are making some really interesting and delicious beers.

 

I'm heading there next week. Any must haves?

 

must haves or must visits? must visits are Ferment, Terra Firma, 7 Monks and Shorts. Stormcloud is also awesome but a little drive from TC. Workshop and Rarebird in town are also cool. great beer at all places, great food at Shorts, Stormcloud, 7 Monks, Workshop. Little Fleet is a really cool spot with a small but good taplist and they will have food trucks in the lot. i could go on and on if you have any other suggestions. Right Brain is cool with some good food and goodish beer. Hoplot up in Suttons Bay and others. endless options.

 

Finally made my first trip to TC over the holiday weekend. Hit up many of the places mentioned here. Didn't get to make Terra Firma and wish I would have. Heard great things. Shorts was great as expected. 7 Monks was a good pub too. A bit let down by Right Brain, for the reasons mentioned above, but still a cool place to hit up.

Was very disappointed in Brewery Ferment and Rare Bird (I'll give Ferment the benefit of the doubt since they had limited things on draft because they were tapping a bunch of their quality beers at an event the following day according to the bartender). But for being a place that considers itself "boutique," it was a complete dive. Rare Bird was just plain bad IMO. Cool place though. Didn't stay for food.

 

Rare Birds beer is average but their guest taps are usually quite good and their food is awesome. Ferment is a small operation and had a festival this weekend so i believe that they wouldnt have all their best stuff. honestly i consider their regulars(especially their wit) to be very good. they try a lot of new things with bold flavors. some work very well and some dont. i prefer that to the same ole average beer all the time so i am a fan. im also a fan of sour beer which they do pretty well.

 

That's why I was giving Ferment the benefit of the doubt. The only one I cared for that we had was the Stone Heart impy stout, which was actually outstanding. I would like to try them again at some point.

 

I'm planning on checking out shorts. Never had anything from them and saw they have over 150 active beers. What do you recommend?

 

Follow this BA's advice (except that part about Right Brain, heh)!