Pure Michigan Pints

Beards Brewing Company

Petoskey, Michigan

To start out, I’d like to say I absolutely love Beards Brewing Company. Despite it being over a four-hour drive from where I live, I honestly adore the city of Petoskey itself and this brewery. I will drive out of my way to visit here. I’ve been to their first location and to the “newer” one. (It’s been about six or seven years since the location switch at the time of this writing.)

While both locations have their merits, I’ll break it down. Most similarly, it reminds me of how Big Lake changed locations in Holland. And, much like in that situation, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the new location at first but over time (and a few visits) it’s grown on me—I understand the necessity of the expansion and the growth for not only the brewery but the city of Petoskey.

Selection

Beards Brewing Company has always had a good selection of beer with a wide range of choices (from what I’ve seen). They hit the notes. Every. Single. Time. If you’re searching for a stout, it’s here. An IPA? Of course. Something fruity? They got you covered. Really any type of beer. They’ll even surprise me with the quality of their basic styles. (Beers I normally don’t go for.)

I’ve never been disappointed in the taplist during my years of visiting.

But it should be noted they’ve definitely expanded from around 10 taps to over 20. It’s more than possible to build not one but two or three flights here.

Vibe

If I’m being honest, I loved the vibe of their first location (from 2012-2017) more with their big wooden tables and cozy little atmosphere—it hit right, but that’s because I favor smaller breweries. The second location took time for me to warm up to. It felt too restauranty for me—not my favorite brewery vibe. I get having food increases the amount of time customers spend and attracts families that probably wouldn’t visit without the option.

While I love food as much as the next big boy, I’d pick a lowkey brewery any day.

Where my mind started to change … I sat at the bar. I looked to my right. I realized I had the perfect view of Little Traverse Bay. I couldn’t argue with the awe and calm it made me feel in that moment. I love water and always have. If you sit outside, you can get an even better view—I found this out last time as I enjoyed the sunset. This wouldn’t have been possible from their old location. Needless to say, I’m now a fan.

Service

Both locations have offered great service throughout the years; I’ve never had a bad experience. Nobody’s ever been off their game. The servers will always answer beer questions and provide their input on which beers they prefer while trying to find the right beers for me.

They truly weed out great people when they select servers.

Quality

To me Beards stands out in their quality. A long time favorite: Deez Nutz. A “smooth and chewy” brown ale with a kick of coffee. And I’m normally not a big fan of brown beers.

Over their 10+ years they’ve created a tapilist of regular beers including Midnight Peddler (formerly Serendipity Porter coming in at 6.2% abv) and Luna, an interesting crisp wheat Saison with a 6.6% abv.

Food—????

They definitely have food. I’ve yet to try their menu. For some reason, it has not lined up ever. (I think I have to blame Petoskey Brewing Company for this.)  For the record, at a glance their menu looks thoughtful.

Overall—Highly Recommend

This is a must check out brewery in northern Michigan. Breweries can help form your opinion of cities, and this one is no different—I have no doubt in my mind this brewery alone is one of the reasons I love Petoskey and why it is on my travel list of awesome cities to visit in northern Michigan.

And if you don’t go here, at least taste Deez Nutz once.

Rating: 17/20

Bonus—Gypsy Distillery

While here, I also visited High Five Spirits—one of two locations for Gypsy Distillery—and I strongly recommend going here as well. (It’s only .1 miles from Beards.) I did a simple flight of their spirits. The gin stood out to me as well as the smoothness of their vodka.

Looking around the place the drink of choice was clearly vodka sodas with a lemon or lime wedge. This speaks volumes when almost everybody in a bar is drinking the same thing. And they’re not wrong! While I’m normally not big on vodka, this particular vodka impressed me and I took a bottle home.

I suggest drinking it like the regulars here: vodka and soda with a lemon or lime wedge.