Traverse city area

7 Monk's is good. Big Bad Baptist on tap right now as well as Bourbon Aphasia from Short's. Also Right Brain is OK, go there after a couple glasses at 7 Monk's and it'll seem better...

 

if you are going to be there for a week then you need to find the time to go to Shorts, its a great drive and is more than worth it, seriously.
what area will you be staying in?

 

I agree with fishmich that you should find the time to go to Shorts. It is well worth the trip. I've liked most of the breweries in TC, but some are better than the others. Jolly Pumpkin, North Peak (you'll get some NP beers at the JP location because of an ownership connection, but not vice versa), The Workshop, and Brewery Terra Firma are my faves. If you are staying on the west side of TC then a drive to Frankfort to Stormcloud might prove to be a good visit. I have not been there yet, but I've heard good things.

 

As stated above, if you are there for a week make the drive to shorts. It is more then worth the drive.

 

Man up and go to shorts. It takes 40 mins . Also terra firma is doing their thing. Skip two toes! Also below 7 monks is low bar, great craft cocktails and bourbon if your into that type or thing. Union station if your trying to get your dance on. Frenchies famous for the best pastrami ever( it's small, real small. Sits like 11.2 people) get it to go or sit if u can it's legit....

 

The drive to Short's is really fun, I might add, if you take the right route.

I like heading up 31 to Eastport, then taking 88, quickly hanging a roger on Torch Lake Drive and seeing the sights. Before you know it, you're in Bellaire and there's friendly people waiting to serve you craft beer and satisfying food.

 

Thought I was the only one who dropped the Frenchie's recommendations. God, do I love that place. I agree with everything else in your post too, though Union Station never did much for me.

I'll throw out a suggestion for the Filling Station as well. And, for a change of pace and a bit of a scenic drive, head out on Leelanau peninsula to Tandem Ciders.

 

Y

Ya union is more of a dance party drunk young kids but I don't know what OP is into

 

If one likes Belgian beers, then Stormcloud would be a good place to go. We stopped for one there heading from GR to the Leelanau. I liked the beer I had, and will stop again someday.

 

Was just in TC and Filling Station was legit, pizza was great, just don't get the Firebox....unless you like your insides to feel like you drank acid

 

Dilberts on 31 in Interlochen has some pretty killer breakfast. in Traverse City the wife and i always visit Firefly which has some good beer on tap, incredible food, amazing desserts and a good view right there on the Boardman River. also Pangeas in TC has some good lunches. If you like really good cajun food, the kind you cant get anywhere in Michigan that ive found then check out Pearls in Elk Rapids, they will also have a good craft beer selection. really a ton of options in the area, TC is a foodie playground.

also since you are on that side of town and you have a week id say try to visit Leland. part of the the town is still an old fishing town and there is some cool shopping, eating, wine, and beer. plus the scenery is awesome and the drive up that way is scenic also. if you vist Leland be sure to check out the Village Cheese Shanty and get a pretzel bread sandwich.

 

Pretzel bread sandwich for the W. Orgasmic

 

+1 for Tandem Ciders. Real small but awesome. Plus they serve pickled eggs. Lol.

 

And only to reaffirm everyone else.. GO TO SHORTS!!

 

Go to Shorts for the best experience you will ever have at a brewery. It truly lives up to the hype.

 

Spent the weekend in Traverse City. Breweries/brewpubs we visited on our trip were Three Floyd's, Hopcat, Mackinaw Brewing, Right Brain, and Shorts. I really don't see all the hype associated with Shorts (don't torch me too much). We did two flights there, and nothing stuck out at all. Huma Lupa was the only beer I liked. Everything else was forgettable. Right Brain was the best experience, except for the lack of A/C (yowza it was hot in there). Hopcat (in GR) has some damn good food.

 

Not flaming..Just having a convo...Out of 10 of these beers below, you only liked one?

I GOT FIVE ON IT
YEAGER’S PUFF
SHORT’S VINTAGE PREMIUM LAGER
WOODMASTER
THE MAGICIAN
IMPERIAL SOFT PARADE
SOFT PARADE
PONTIUS ROAD PILSNER
IMPERIAL PEACHES AND CRÈME
NICIE SPICIE
IMPERIAL INDIA SPRUCE PILSNER
HUMA LUPA LICIOUS
IMPERIAL BLACK LICORICE LAGER
IMPERIAL GINGER IN THE RYE
EARL OF BRIXOM
CHOCOLATE WHEAT
BELLAIRE BROWN
IMPERIAL ABNORMAL GENIUS
PANDEMONIUM PALE ALE

Only asking as there are some really good beers on this list..