Pure Michigan Pints

Brewery Terra Firma

Traverse City, Michigan

This brewery’s been around for awhile—at least since my early 20s—and I remember going here from my early/mid-twenties until now. From what my (subjective) memory can recall, not a lot has changed with this brewery. This is one of the first breweries in Traverse City I remember visiting.

After a hiatus of over 6 years—I took a hiatus from visiting Traverse City, partly due to COVID, and partially because I desired to explore other parts of Michigan in more depth. But in my thirties, I made it back for another look.

Beer Selection

Generally, you can find over 12 beers on draft if not to the upper end of 20. The beers range in variety; I can’t say I know their rotating draft schedule because I’m not a regular TC brewery goer or native, but it appears they mix it up a decent amount while still holding a few mainstays.

Vibe

It could be the nostalgia—the idea that this is what a brewery is supposed to be with their long drive up, farmlands, to the spacious building without seating—but Brewery Terra Firma always hits right for me. Again, I’m aware this may be my own biased perspective. Maybe if I didn’t discover this brewery when I did, I wouldn’t hold this image of it being an Ideal Brewery?

When I think of the words “Up North” and “brewery,” this is one of the first breweries I think of. (You can fight me on either of these—if Traverse City technically constitutes as Up North, or if Terra Firma is a good brewery.)

Outside they offer tables as well which I’ve sat at on a few occasions.

Service

The servers in Terra Firma are friendly. To be honest, they don’t stand out much, but I think of this as a good thing. Who are you more likely to remember: the dude that’s annoying as hell and won’t shut the hell up, or somebody non-aggressive who leaves you alone? Sadly, the first stands out in memory over somebody who did their job perfectly well. I think it’s kind of the case with this brewery.

Beer Quality

There might be some luck of the draw when it comes to beer; if I was being completely honest with myself, I can’t say I was blown away by their current draft list. Sometimes they slap other times I’m waiting to go to the next brewery.

Brown Donkey Smasher is one of my personal favorite beers here, which is abnormal for me, considering I don’t really care for browns all that much. But this is a double-brown coming in at a 9% abv, described as having a “good solid kick of hops in the finish.” And I must admit I enjoy that hop kick at the end.

Food—N/A

Brewery Terra Firma has never boasted a kitchen while I’ve been there. They do provide snacks for a fee.

Overall—Recommend

Overall, I never really regret going to this brewery and think it should be on anybody’s beer list in Traverse City. While it may not be the flashiest or the newest brewery, it’s one of the original ones; it embodies what a brewery should be.

Rating—15/20