The Petoskey area is home to 10 breweries and cideries that are worth exploring! Some of these are first and foremost breweries and others are wineries that have dabbled in some (very good we might add) brews of their own. On top of these Petoskey area breweries, we also have several great bar/restaurants with beer line ups worth checking out: Boyne City Tap Room, Tap 30 Pourhouse, and The Back Lot.

Trying to make a tour out of it during your trip? We have several shuttles and devoted tour companies that can help make that happen.

Choose your own adventure at these 5 great breweries in the area!

1. Petoskey Brewing

1844 M-119, Petoskey | Petoskeybrewing.com

What to Expect: A historic building with high tops, low tops, booth seating, and a concrete-poured bar inside. Outside, they have covered and uncovered patio seating to enjoy in the warmer months just off the Northwestern State Trail (for biking and hiking).

Don’t Skip: Horny Monk (Belgian Dubbel Ale) and their Smash Burgers

Petoskey’s brewing history dates back 125 years (to 1898) when Petoskey Brewing Company – aka the “Old Brewery” – was opened on present-day M-119 (just northeast of the turnoff from US-31). The signature brew coming out of this beverage factory was Petoskey Sparkle, which was produced until 1915, when the brewery closed.

 

Whether it’s patio weather or not, Beards Brewery has amazing views of Lake Michigan from its perch along the highway and Lake Street in Downtown Petoskey. Photo credit: Michigan Barefoot Memories

2. Beards Brewery

215 E Lake St, Petoskey | Beardsbrewery.com

What to Expect: Located in Downtown Petoskey with a gorgeous view of Little Traverse Bay, this brewery has outdoor patio seating, multi-level seating with huge windows facing the bay, and a lower-level casual venue called The Root Cellar.

Don’t Skip: Deez Nutz (Brown Ale) and appetizers like Truffle Parm Fries or Lobster Rolls

What used to be a small tap room tucked away in downtown Petoskey in 2012, has now expanded into new digs since 2017. This growing operation now features 24 taps, a brew-inspired pub menu, local art, games, trivia nights, community events, a large outdoor four-season patio, and a new lower-level casual venue called The Root Cellar.

 

A flight of Elder Piper’s beer and cider, from left to right: Beach Grass Helles Lager, Pillows & Blankets Cider, Thimble Weed American IPA, and Fairy Slipper Vanilla Milk Stout (contains lactose). Photo credit: Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau

3. Elder Piper Beer & Cider | 923 Baxter Street, Petoskey | elderpiperbeer.com

What to expect: Loads of natural light with big windows and garage doors that open in the warmer weather. Outdoors there are picnic tables, cornhole boards, and on occasion food trucks like Stiggs BBQ Wagon.

Don’t Skip: A beer flight to try the beer and the cider. Beach Grass Helles Lager and a snack from the food truck.

New to the Petoskey area brew scene is Elder Piper Beer & Cider who started pouring from their taps the spring of 2024. Elder Piper is owned and operated by Eeva and Trace Redmond who have both been in the beer world for over a decade. Now back in Eeva’s stomping ground, they are inspired by all things northern Michigan as they create their beer and cider flavors. Elder Piper’s cider utilizes their family apple orchard in Bliss, MI which they have spent a great amount of time working on before the cultivation of this brewery.

 

Stiggs’ beautiful Brewery and Kitchen is nestled off the main street on Boyne City and makes for a great stop for lunch or dinner. Photo credit: Michigan Barefoot Memories

4. Stiggs Brewery & Kitchen | 112 S. Park Street, Boyne City | Stiggsbrewingcompany.com

What to expect: A smaller indoor dining room, a live-edge wood bar decorated in colorful bottle caps, and a great patio for outdoor dining in the summer.

Don’t Skip: Red Wagon Lager (American Lager) and their Brisket Melt made with house smoked brisket.

As the only brewpub in Boyne City, Stiggs Brewery & Kitchen, is the epitome of northern Michigan – complete with a burly bearded plaid-wearing lumberjack mascot. Housed in the restored 1899 White Timber Logging Company building, the 30 featured taps include Stiggs original brews as well as rotating and seasonal selections from other Michigan breweries.

 

No matter your favorite season to visit, Pond Hill Farm’s beer garden is a great spot to enjoy a brew and some food from their cafe like a brick oven pizza. Photo credit: Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau

5. Pond Hill Farm – Café Winery Brewery & Market | 5699 S. Lake Shore Drive, Harbor Springs | Pondhill.com

What to expect: A working farm with a cafe, market, winery and brewery all in one. A walk amongst the seasons harvest leads to a café or tasting room with outdoor beer garden with picnic tables and a stage.

Don’t Skip: Pondhilsner (Pilsner) and wood-fired pizzas like classic Pepperoni and the Fun Guy Pizza

An adventure awaits as you taste their beers and ciders with fun in every season: hiking, sledding, gnome house hunt, pumpkin patch in the fall, hayrides, groomed Nordic trails, and more. This all-around family-friendly agri-tourism destination began humbly back in the mid-1990s, starting with a simple fresh produce stand utilizing the old-school honor system at the end of their driveway.

Shuttle and Tour Operators:

Northern Michigan Wine & Beer Tours 231-437-3339, northernmichiganwineandbeertours.com

Sunset Premier Shuttle 231-497-1182, sunsetpremiershuttle.com

Up North Rides 231-350-1248, upnorthrides.com

Vine Ride – Petoskey Area Wine Tours 231-709-3450, mivineride.com

 

About the Author

Ellen Hillier is a native to the area and loves to promote the next fun thing to do in the Petoskey Area – but she also loves giving out local favorites and learning opportunities for all. She hopes to help in your planning process for your next trip to the Petoskey Area of Northern Lower Michigan.