Pure Michigan Pints

Bière de Mac Brew Works

Mackinac City, Michigan

Bière de Mac is the quintessential brewery for any troll to start their UP beer tour. It’s literally right before the bridge. This brewery is one I’ve visited a few times over the years on my way up. I’ve never been disappointed, but I have noticed an elevation in their beer game over the years. This brewery opened in 2017.

Beer Selection—4.5/5

This brewery specializes in French and Belgian beers. (Of course they have some beers that are neither.) Across the board, they had thirteen drafts on when I went. They offered a ton of different Belgian beers, a blueberry wheat ale (for us troll tourists wandering up for the season), a West Coast IPA, a brown, three farmhouse ales, and a beer aged in the Straits of Mackinac. This place is clearly a place with adventures and stories.

Vibe—4/5

It’s a simple place with an immaculate bar, a cozy feel, and a friendly outdoor seating area. This place comes across as simple but in the best kind of way—there’s no frills here. It’s just a genuinely good place to stop and get a flight and a beer or six. (But do be careful; some of these go down a bit too smooth.)

Service—5/5

One of the owners (technically the son of the original owner) bartended. He knew everything there was about the beer, was super courteous, careful not to bad mouth any other establishments, and seemed to actually care about your story.

He shared the story about Eliza Caroline Reserve (9.5%) and offered a taste. It started by a costumer asking, “Have you ever thought about aging beer in the Straits of Mackinac?” So Bière de Mac did exactly that by aging a 59-gallon drum of brown beer in a Cabernet Wine Barrel. They were selling the bottles at $300 a pop (a tad over my budget) and each came with a booklet of the story of the beer.

Beer Quality—5/5

While not every beer they brew is my thing, they brew enough good beer to catch my eyes. Their farmhouse and Belgian beers are really strong—as in quality, although some, particular Fleur de Mac is strong coming in at 9% abv —and hit perfectly. This beer actually won MLive 2020 Beer of the Year award. It’s a full-bodied beer packed with loads of flavor.

Out of the flight I had there wasn’t a bad beer in the bunch. The Blueberry Wheat proved to be above average for blueberry beers; I even got a beer to go. Jacob’s Farmhouse was an exceptionally good farmhouse ale. And Janis the Eagle used Latvian Farmhouse yeast, offering a different flavor. Concise (7.1% abv) rocked it as a Belgian single, almost going down too easy.

They make good beer worth going back for.

Food—???

They have a small food menu including a few sandwiches and a $35 pizza. (I hope there’s gold baked into the crust). I have yet to eat here but I’m not opposed to the idea. (But probably won’t take out a loan to order a pizza.)

Overall—18.5/20 STRONGLY RECOMMEND

Bière de Mac should never be overlooked on your way to the UP. They have nothing but good beers, good vibes, and good stories.