Now that winter and its lingering temperatures have finally (mostly) faded away, we’re all ready to get out and connect with nature and all things green. The trails and paths are free of ice and snow, so why not gather your partner-in-crime, best friend, or entire crew to experience some of the bikeable breweries in the Petoskey Area. Read on to learn more about the brews you can pedal to!
Beards Brewery, Petoskey
Beards Brewery, which overlooks the Little Traverse Bay on the edge of Petoskey’s historic downtown district, is the first brewery you can roll up to. A great afternoon, sunset, or nighttime location, Beards has been a tradition since 2012, when it was a small tasting room on Howard Street with big dreams.
Business partners Ben Slocum and Peter Manthei share a passion for brewing, and during Beards’ first five years, they created more than 100 beer recipes using local and seasonal products and flavors and drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of our area. In 2017, Beards Brewery relocated to its current East Lake Street address, solidifying itself as a place for fun, community, music, and great beverages.
Known for veteran beers like the porter Midnight Peddler, formerly Serendipity, and Citranity!, Beards has introduced cult favorites over the years, including Deez Nutz, a brown ale, Copperstar, a summer ale, and, my personal favorite, MI Rattlers Lager, which are just a few of the 24 available tap choices.
Beards boasts a locally-inspired food menu, board games, video games, trivia nights, and two spaces to showcase concert series and local musicians—the main-level stage and the lower-level Root Cellar, including a full bar, seating, and intimate performance space. Its expansive patio provides spectacular views, lots of seating, a fire pit, and direct access to the bar. So whether you want to be upstairs, downstairs, inside, or out in the open air, you have your pick when you park your bike at Beards Brewery.
Park your bike and then make your way to Beards large patio for a pint and a bite. Photo credit: Michigan Barefoot Memories
Beards Brewery
215 E. Lake Street, Petoskey
https://www.beardsbrewery.com/
Elder Piper Beer + Cider, Petoskey
Established in 2023, Elder Piper Beer + Cider is a short ride beyond Downtown Petoskey in a burgeoning area that’s exhibiting growth through the revitalization of a quaint four-corners intersection that includes a fabled party store, eclectic shops, and an in-progress apartment complex—a busy spot, yes, but a fun one for enjoying a beer and a bite.
Founded by husband and wife Trace and Eeva Redmond, Elder Piper is an artisanal brewery and cidery that imbues modern fermented beverages with stories and a sense of adventure—a fitting stop on any biking excursion. The Redmonds have spent more than a decade honing their brewing and fermenting skills and proudly bring to life their wild ideas to reflect the flavors of Northern Michigan and its agricultural scene.
Elder Piper has a rotating seasonal list of beers, ciders, and non-alcoholic beverages that continues to grow. For a crisp and bright beer—perfect for the summer season—try the Beach Grass Helles Lager, or consider sipping the refreshing Apple Blossom Cider. There are also hoppy brews on tap, like the classic Pale Ale, and malty and rich options, like the fanciful Fairy Slipper Vanilla Milk Stout. Most beers and ciders are vegan and either gluten-free or have had gluten removed, so the drink menu is inclusive and enjoyable for all.
A great neighborhood hangout, Elder Piper promotes connection and community through trivia nights, a silent reading book club, and board games. To solidify the communal vibe, Elder Piper has snacks for purchase, the Stiggs Barbecue Wagon is smoking Thursday through Saturday, and you’re welcome to bring food from other local establishments—so consider breaking bread while enjoying a beer on your bike break.
Elder Piper Beer + Cider
923 Baxter Street, Petoskey
Petoskey Brewing Company
Peddling further north, you’ll find another fun brewery on M-119 heading toward Harbor Springs. Taking the well-traveled route, bikers will arrive at Petoskey Brewery Company, located in the hard-to-miss “Old Brewery” building, which was built in 1898. Used to brew Petoskey Sparkle beer until 1915, this unique structure stands four stories tall and originally relied on gravity to produce its beer.
Since reopening in 2012 as Petoskey Brewing Company, the brewing process has joined the common era as it crafts its popular brews for draft, cans, crowlers, and growlers on-site. Favorite beverages include Horny Monk, a Belgian Dubbel, and Cranium Crush, a cream ale, but my go-to summer pick is the lightly sweet Michigan Cherry Hard Seltzer, perfect for sunny or sunset sipping with friends.
The brewery recently added a signature and seasonal cocktail and mocktail menu, providing options beyond beer, ciders, and seltzers. The tasty tap room menu features smash burgers, yummy pretzel bites with dipping sauces, and flavorful rotating soups. Visitors can sit inside for a classic brewery atmosphere or enjoy the beer garden, outdoor seating, and yard games on the backside of the storied brick building. If you’re arriving by bike, this is where you’ll pull up and park it since the bike trail runs close to the outdoor seating area and parking lot.
Petoskey Brewing Company is a great pit stop for a crisp beverage and savory bite for those biking to Harbor Springs from Petoskey, or vice versa.
Petoskey Brewing Company
1844 M-119 (Harbor-Petoskey Road), Petoskey
https://www.petoskeybrewing.com/
Stiggs Brewery & Kitchen, Boyne City
If you’re visiting Boyne City, an easy-to-bike-to brewery is Stiggs Brewery & Kitchen. Located in the lively downtown district, Stiggs is a microbrewery that has produced quality craft beer since 2017.
Housed in a restored building originally constructed in 1899 by the White Timber Logging Company, the main-level tap room and kitchen serves signature, seasonal, and experimental hand-crafted brews year-round, lovingly developed by head brewer and establishment owner Mike Castiglione in the lower-level brewhouse.
With 30 taps, it’s easy for everyone to find a flavor profile they love. There’s the Rambler Radler shandy, the Lumberjack Lager, The Weekender, a red ale American Amber, Stiggs Seltzer, and local ciders, wines, and brews from regional microbreweries. Beer aside, Stiggs is also known for its loaded fries, chicken wings, and dishes straight out of the smoker, including the brisket platter, BBQ pork sandwich, smoked tacos, and more.
So whether you’re looking for something light and refreshing, hoppy and bitter, or malty and dark, Stiggs Brewery won’t disappoint you or your fellow bikers.
Be sure to look into the local social districts while visiting each town in the Petoskey Area—Stiggs is part of the Boyne City Main Street Social District that permits patrons to take properly marked alcoholic beverages around town to enjoy in parks, by the shore, or while strolling the streets.
Stiggs Brewery & Kitchen
112 S. Park Street, Boyne City
https://www.stiggsbrewingcompany.com/
Looking to Rent Bikes?
There are several options to check out if you are looking to rent a bike while you’re in the area. Even if you have your own bike at home, it’s sometimes nice to not have to worry about transporting and storing it.
Bahnhof Sport – Petoskey
1300 Bay View Rd, Petoskey, MI
bahnhof.com/rentals/petoskey-michigan-bicycle-kayak-sup-rentals.html
Offerings: single comfort bikes and e-bikes; delivery and pick up services upon request; rental includes helmet
Latitude 45
476 W Mitchell St, Petoskey, MI
Offerings: mountain bike sales, gear, repairs, and bike rentals
North Country Cycle
https://www.northcountrycycle.com/
126 Water St, Boyne City, MI
Offerings: mountain bike sales, gear, repairs, and bike rentals
As the weather continues to warm and the gentle breezes draw you out onto the bike trails and paths, know that whether you head north or south or go for a casual ride around the downtowns of Petoskey or Boyne City, you’ll find a brewery worth braking for.
About the Author: Alex Dailey is a long-time Northern Michigan resident who happily calls Petoskey home. When she isn’t at her computer writing and editing, you can find her taste-testing craft cocktails, patronizing downtown shops (especially bookstores), and participating in as many local literary events as possible. She looks forward to sharing her Petoskey Area favorites with you!