2 Michigan beer gardens are among best. Where to enjoy summer brews
Southwest Michigan and the Grand Traverse area are among the nation's top destinations to unwind with a cold one and tasty eats surrounded by the great outdoors, according to the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards.
Michigan's Watermark Brewing Co. features the nation's best beer garden, according to the USA TODAY 10BEST awards. Located in Stevensville, about 6 miles south of St. Joseph, visitors can sip on locally brewed beers while enjoying live music, and head around the corner for indoor golf. A nearby private venue can be booked for weddings or special events, and look out for the brewery's food truck schedule.
An aerial image of Watermark Brewing Company in Stevensville.
"At Watermark Brewing Company, we believe that beer has the power to bring people together. We've created a welcoming atmosphere where friends, families, and neighbors can enjoy a cold pint and good company. Join us and experience the magic for yourself!," the brewery's website says.
Hop Lot Brewing Co., which took the No. 2 spot, offers refreshing freshly brewed beers paired with savory bites in a rustic setting in Suttons Bay on the Leelanau Peninsula, about 16 miles northwest of Traverse City.
"For us, the experience of our brewery is just as important as the quality of our beer and food. We gave our unique outdoor beer garden an 'Up North' twist, complete with campfires, assorted picnic tables, outdoor games, s’more roasting and more. Sit under the Northern Michigan sky in the beer garden, or enjoy one of our fresh brews in the tap room after taking a stroll through the maple and pine trees surrounding our space," the brewery's website says.
Here's what to know about Michigan's winning beer gardens.
How did Michigan rank among best beer gardens?
Watermark Brewing Company in Stevensville in southwest Michigan won No. 1 beer garden in the U.S., according to the 10BEST awards.
"Nestled in the heart of Stevensville, Michigan, Watermark Brewing Co. has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 2016. The sprawling beer garden boasts lush greenery, comfortable seating, firepits, and open-air views perfect for gatherings of all sizes. Inside, the modern yet welcoming taproom serves as the hub for an ever-evolving lineup of meticulously crafted beers. Focused on fostering local connections, Watermark Brewing Co. partners with area food trucks and encourages guests to bring their own bites to enjoy alongside their beverages," 10BEST's website says.
"Our journey began in November 2015 when we rolled up our sleeves and got to work constructing our beloved brewery," the brewery's website says. "It was a labor of love, but we finally opened our doors for business in July 2016, and the rest is history."
Hop Lot Brewing Co. in Suttons Bay in northern Michigan took the No. 2 spot in the 10BEST awards.
"Embracing its Northern Michigan roots, Hop Lot Brewing’s beer garden invites guests to warm up around the campfire or relax at a picnic table while enjoying their brews. In winter, you can even reserve your own igloo! Hop Lot was established in 2015 as a family-friendly brewery and offers a tap list of around a dozen traditional ales," 10BEST's website says about Hop Lot Brewing Co.
"We founded Hop Lot in 2015 with a desire to create a family-friendly brewery that boasted a tap list full of traditional ales, plus a beer garden embracing our Northern Michigan outdoor surroundings," the brewery website says. "Our unique outdoor beer garden features a host of campfires and 18 igloos during the winter months."
What were the other best beer garden winners?
Here are the U.S. beer gardens that ranked in the 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards:
- Watermark Brewing Company in Stevensville, Michigan
- Hop Lot Brewing Co in Suttons Bay, Michigan
- Henmick Farm & Brewery in Delaware, Ohio
- Twin Oast Brewing in Port Clinton, Ohio
- Lost Cabin Beer Co. in Hill City, South Dakota
- TopWire Hop Project in Woodburn, Oregon
- Raleigh Beer Garden in Raleigh, North Carolina
- Napa Yard Beer Garden in Napa, California
- Motorworks Brewing Bradenton in Bradenton, Florida
- Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro Bend, Vermont
How are the 10BEST Readers' Choice Awards chosen?
Every week, USA TODAY 10BEST invites a panel of industry experts to nominate their favorite points of interest and attractions across a wide range of categories. 10BEST editors then vet the nominations and select a final set of nominees to be presented to the voting public for a period of four weeks.
