Find Your Perfect Pour at Northeast Michigan Craft Breweries
Here in Michigan we know a little something about beer. In fact, we're fifth in the nation in the number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs. And while Grand Rapids may be known as Beer City USA, Oscoda and its surrounding communities are home to some outstanding craft brew works where you can find your perfect pour. Do you prefer a dark and smooth porter or a light, crisp lager? Or maybe a hoppy IPA with a bitter finish? No matter what style of beer quenches your thirst, these small yet amazing craft breweries are worth checking out on your next trip.
Wiltse's Brew Pub, Oscoda
Wiltse's Brew Pub has been an Oscoda mainstay for 43 years. They acquired the third brew pub license in Michigan, and offer a cozy vibe where good beer, good food and good people come together. Enjoy year-round favorites like Paul Bunyan Ale, Blue Ox Stout and Old Au Sable Weizenbier or seasonal brews like Tripel Belgian (winter) or Kolsch (spring). Pair your craft brew with something from their pub menu of burgers, sandwiches and entrees, or throw one back in the Blue Ox Game Room while you play pool, cornhole, ping pong or just catch a game on one of 12 sports-dedicated TVs.
Boathouse Beer Co. & Boozery, Tawas City
Boathouse Beer Co. has been producing some stellar craft brews since they opened five years ago. Their varied selection of libations includes a half-dozen of their own handcrafted brews – from an easy-drinking Tawas Beach Blonde to a hoppy Gravelly Shoal IPA and a hazy WheatGazer, just to name a few. Enjoy your perfect pour while taking in gorgeous views of Tawas Bay, and grab a bite from their fresh seasonal menu of elevated pub food.
Alcona Brew Haus, Harrisville
With more than a dozen house-crafted beers plus cider and mead, you're sure to find something to whet your whistle at Alcona Brew Haus. For an American-style lager, try the Alcona Lite. Or maybe you prefer something more robust like the Total Eclipse Stout. Sample a few, then grab dinner for some upscale comfort food with house-smoked meats, burgers and flatbreads. You can even dine in an igloo! Got allergies? No worries. Alcona is a nut-free kitchen and has a special allergy menu.
Sand Lake Micro Brewery, National City
This relative newbie opened in the summer of 2021, and has already developed quite a following – and for good reason. The choices abound at Sand Lake Micro Brewery, with a half-dozen handcrafted beers like Cherry Wheat, Irish Red and Little Island Light, plus cider, hard tea, wine and seltzer. Can't decide? Try a four-sample flight! They offer a rotating selection of food trucks serving everything from barbeque to tacos. Dine indoors, or take your food and drink outside by the fire pit.
Austin Brothers Beer Company, Alpena
This Alpena microbrewery offers quality beer and tasty pub food. You'll find nearly 30 choices on Austin Brothers' extensive beer menu, with a focus on hoppy brews like Press On Pale Ale and POG Smoothie IPA. But if you're looking for crisp, light-bodied, malty, sour, tart, dark or robust, they've got that too! Savor a shareable snack, burger or sandwich from their pub menu and know that you're getting the freshest local ingredients. Austin Brothers is truly a one-stop shop for top-notch brews and food.
