15 Patios to Check Out

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Embracing a Michigan winter is a lot easier with a pint of beer in your hand, and a cozy patio to enjoy it on with friends. What started off as a major pivot for our Michigan breweries during the original pandemic shutdown, unique outdoor patios have turned into a yearly point of pride as they welcome guests to dine and drink outside. Each brewery offers a different twist, you’ll find everything from basic picnic tables to tricked-out glass-sided sheds complete with couches and blankets across Michigan. We put together a shortlist of patios to check out this season, and it is by no means complete. It seems like every brewery now offers some form of winter outdoor space. As with everything right now, best to call ahead to check on availability and hours for these popular spots. Happy outdoor drinking Michigan.

BY Amy Sherman

Michigan craft brewery patios: PERFECT PLACEs to ENJOY A BEER

MIBREW TRAIL MAGAZINE

WINTER 2022

River Saint Joe 15475 Walton Road Buchanan, MI 49107 269-409-8015 riversaintjoe.com

Check out Hearst’s newest brand showcasing Michigan Breweries at MiBrewTrail.com.

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Local craft beer expert Jeff Mox could not recommend River Saint Joe enough. “It’s pretty flipping cool,” he said. In fact, he refrained from saying much more, so as to not ruin my first visit. From what I can deduce, there is a lot on tap at this third coast hot spot. Considered a farmstead brewery, you can enjoy a beer ice side in the winter when they offer a kind of mini version of curling. In summer, they transform the space into a bocce ball court. Grab a pint, full of local flavors, at this spot.

MIBREW TRAIL MAGAZINE

WINTER 2022

River Saint Joe via Facebook

River Saint Joe

Go big or go home. Stephen Roginson, owner of Batch Brewing located in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit, went all-in during the pandemic. He and his staff erected an entire pole barn in their parking lot, named the Fauci Fieldhouse, in 2020. It’s been home to some epic outdoor dining and drinking, as well as fun pop-ups from local Detroit chefs. Batch opened in 2015, after winning a Hatch Detroit grant, and they’ve been brewing greatness ever since. Follow them on Facebook to see the latest news and current menus, those in the know seek out anything coming off the smoker.

Batch Brewing Company

Batch Brewing via Facebook

Batch Brewing Company 1400 Porter Street Detroit, MI 48216 313-338-8008 batchbrewingcompany.com

Third Nature Brewing 7733 Childsdale Avenue Rockford, MI 49341 616-512-9314 thirdnaturebrewing.com

Located right along the popular White Pine Trail in Kent County, just north of Grand Rapids, Third Nature has one of the biggest, and most bustling, brewery patios in the state. There is a specially customized trail that leads from the brewery direct to the White Pine, for easy access every season. The brewery opened in 2019 and totally embraced outdoor imbibing from the start, and alfresco dining is a bit magical here, with multiple bonfires and lots of twinkly lights strung up. Try whatever Imperial Stout they have on tap, and unleash your kids to sled down the hill located right next to the patio. Leash up your puppo and they can join you on the patio.

Third Nature Brewing

Third Nature Brewing via Facebook

Stormcloud Brewing Company 303 Main Street Frankfort, MI 49635 231-352-0118 stormcloudbrewing.com

Probably the most unique outdoor winter patio in all of the Midwest, Stormcloud is the only one that offers an almost-regulation curling rink, with multiple options to participate in. There are league play and private lessons and team-building events that you can book during the week. On the weekends, make a reservation for one of the learn to curl sessions offered on Saturdays in January and February. Just want to give it a try? On Sundays, they offer drop-in curling from noon to 1 p.m. Afterward, you can stay outside, or head into the pub for some of Stormcloud’s delicious food, including fresh roasted flavored popcorns, Sirius Chile, or one of their flatbread pizzas. Tip back a Nightswimmer Stout for a winter warmer, or try any of the Belgium-inspired brews on tap here.

Stormcloud Brewing Company

Stormcloud Brewing/Courtesy Photo

Lansing Brewing Company 518 E. Shiawassee Street Lansing, MI 48912 517-371-2600 lansingbrewingcompany.com

Located in the heart of the Stadium District in Lansing, LBC offers up a wide patio dotted with warm fire pits. Live music is offered throughout the season, follow along on Facebook to see the current bands. We love that not only can you grab a beer like the Angry Mayor IPA, you can also have a straight-up cocktail as well, with offerings that change seasonally. Pair either with some of the hand-crafted food, like the Popper Grilled Cheese sandwich, a spicy, creamy little bomb of wonder, or their popular OJ Jam On It sandwich, which comes stacked with turkey, Swiss cheese, bacon and a sweet apricot jam.

Lansing Brewing Company

Lansing Brewing via Facebook

Brass Ring Brewery 2404 Eastern Avenue SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507 616-644-3451 brassringbrewing.com

Brass Ring is located in the urban enclave of Alger Heights in Grand Rapids, and they’ve built up their patio over the last two years into something pretty great. “Shanty Town” lines the sidewalk, with wooden dining pods that you can reserve online and enjoy a cozier spot for dining. Known for their English-style pub ales, the brewery is also recognized for its handcrafted food. Don’t miss the pot pie if they have it on the menu.

Brass Ring Brewery

Nik Degraaf/Brass Ring Brewing via Facebook.

Dead Bear Brewing 2552 I-75 Business Loop Grayling, MI 49738 989-745-6289 deadbearbrewing.net

Dead Bear is one of a handful of breweries in the little hamlet of Grayling, and worth a stop whether you are staying or just driving on through. We are going to recommend any of the hand-battered delicacies here, like bang bang shrimp or the deluxe cod dinner. Pair them up with one of Dead Bear’s dark beers, like Sugga Bear, that gets a hit of local honey, or their popular Peanut Butter Porter. The patio is heated, so it’s nice and toasty no matter the weather in Michigan’s snowbelt.

Dead Bear Brewing

Dead Bear Brewing via Facebook

Drafting Table Brewing Company 49438 Pontiac Trail Wixom, MI 48393 248-956-7279 draftingtablebeer.com

Grab a pint of Drafting Table’s Pro Pilsner, one of the best examples of this style in the state, and snuggle into an igloo on the heated patio here. There are also tables with heaters dotted around the space, and dogs are welcome to join you out here but not in the igloos). Continue the fun at the adjacent Downtown Wixom Social District that runs down Pontiac Trail and incorporates a few local parks. Local food trucks are parked outside the brewery most nights, and you can also grab four-packs of beer to go.

Drafting Table Brewing Company

Drafting Table Brewing via Facebook

Blackrocks Brewery 424 N. 3rd Street Marquette, MI 49855 906-273-1333 blackrocksbrewery.com

Pull into the parking lot, and you’ll instantly know that you are in a place that embraces winter, as the whole parking lot is lined with colorful skis that create a fun fence. Outback here, you’ll find a warm fire pit, lined with seats. The front patio is heated as well, and there you can enjoy benches, seats, and even a few swings. While there is no food at Blackrocks, there is plenty of beer to choose from. Mykiss is a lovely, full-bodied IPA with a nice warming bit of alcohol, or take a virtual trip to the tropics while you luxuriate in the cold with a Coconut Brown.

Blackrocks Brewery

Blackrocks Brewery via Facebook

HOMES Brewery 2321 Jackson Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48103 734-954-6637 homesbrewery.com

A cozy spot, with multiple heaters, and enclosed fire pits, HOMES offers fast-casual dining and drinking in a relaxed setting. The menu has an Asian twist to it, with bowls of bibimbap and fresh tuna poke, and some of the best Korean chicken wings in the state. Don’t miss the kimchi fries. Beers here change frequently and are incredible and unique, and you can only find them here. Not into beer? Try their famous Smooj hard seltzer smoothie, which comes in a variety of flavors. Well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome to join you out on the patio.

HOMES Brewery

HOMES Brewery via Facebook

Griffin Claw 575 S. Eton Street Birmingham, MI 48009 248-712-4050 griffinclawbrewingcompany.com

This Birmingham hotspot is located in the Rail District, and features both a covered patio and an open part, both with a strong heating program, so you won’t be cold. Griffin Claw offers a little taste of something for everyone. Beer, hard cider, hard seltzer, craft cocktails, and house-made food are all available, with super friendly and accommodating service to boot. Check out their live waitlist before you arrive for more immediate seating. Get ready for big portions of spicy bang bang shrimp tacos, housemade mac and cheese that gets spiked with beer, or a prime rib Philly dip sandwich that comes draped with pepperjack cheese. Standout beers include the light and crushable Light Lager, or the big bad Flying Buffalo Imperial Stout. Be sure to not miss their special worldwide collaboration beer that GC created to increase awareness and raise money to support those with Down Syndrome, the Tri-21 Project, a heady New England IPA.

Griffin Claw

Griffin Claw via Facebook

Hop Lot Brewing 658 W. Bay Shore Drive Suttons Bay, MI 49682 231-866-4445 hoplotbrewing.com

One of the first breweries in Michigan to totally and completely embrace outdoor dining, Hop Lot has an incredible, and busy, patio year-round, located just steps from Lake Michigan. In winter, they literally erect what pretty much counts as an entire igloo village made up of sturdy, cozy structures. It's imperative that you make a reservation for these if you are headed to Hop Lot on a winter weekend. There is also a massive fire pit where you can roast s’mores, and of course, so much excellent beer, that is perfectly paired with some of Hop Lot’s hand-crafted tacos.

Hop Lot Brewing

Hop Lot Brewing via Facebook

Witch’s Hat Brewing 601 S. Lafayette Street South Lyon, MI 48178 248-486-2595 witchshatbrewing.com

In order to safely spread out guests, Witch’s Hat has limited indoor seating, but an additional heated tent to enjoy outside. Stop by for a beer from the large list of offerings, we recommend the Defloured New England IPA, the light and refreshing Three Kord Kolsch, or the limited release Barrel-Aged Rye Whiskey Night Fury. Also on the list are wine, mead, cider, hard seltzer and even pops from Detroit Soda Company. The kitchen kicks out a fully from scratch menu, so be sure to grab something to eat. Homemade soup, including a warming corn jalapeno chowder, bright and fresh salads like the apple fennel that comes dressed in a champagne vinaigrette. Fish and chips, customizable mac and cheese, and a burger topped with bacon jam are all more adult options, while the kiddos get their own menu to choose from. You can reserve a table online, which is recommended.

Witch’s Hat Brewing

Hop Lot Brewing via Facebook

Brown Iron Brewhouse 37659 Van Dyke Avenue Washington, MI 586-697-3300 browniron.com

Named Michigan’s Best Craft Beer Bar by Craftbeer.com five years in a row, Brown Iron is a “beer-centric smokehouse” with a rotating list of taps and a large outdoor patio. Inspired by German beer halls and biergartens, the brewery offers communal seating, a fun atmosphere, and an outdoor space dotted with fire pits and special tables imported from Germany. In addition to beers brewed by Brown Iron, like their Mood Changer double IPA, or the Rock Road Milk Stout made with marshmallow, chocolate and walnuts, you’ll also find craft beer from both Michigan and across the country. The bar features over 60 different taps on any single day. Classic BBQ cuisine liked smoked brisket and pulled pork vie for menu time with fresh salads and a standout pretzel-crusted smoked salmon. They also have another location in Royal Oak.

Brown Iron Brewhouse

Brown Iron Brewhouse via Facebook

The Mitten Brewing Company 527 Leonard Street NW Grand Rapids, MI 616-608-5612 mittenbrewing.com

Base Camp is open once more at The Mitten in Grand Rapids, and it’s better than ever. Located right behind the historical firehouse that is home to this popular brewery, the open parking lot has been transformed once again into an outdoor dining destination. There are heaters and fire pits, lots of picnic table seating, and two brand new warming huts to enjoy. Seat yourself, then scan the QR code on your table to order food. You’ll pick it up at their take-out window located on the side of the building. Head inside to order beers from the bartender, and if your tushy is chilly, ask for a warming seat cushion. Country Strong IPA is delightful, as is the warm and cozy Peanuts and Cracker Jack. It’s all about award-winning pizza here, and the best way to enjoy it is to order one of their famous pizza flights, where you’ll get to try 6 different flavors at once.

The Mitten Brewing Company

Mitten Brewing Company via Facebook

Other awesome patios to find at Michigan breweries: • Short’s Brewing, Belaire • Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, Kalamazoo • Founders Brewing, Grand Rapids • New Holland Brewing, Grand Rapids • Watermark Brewing, Stevensville • One Well Brewing, Kalamazoo • Dark Horse Brewing/Roak, Marshall • Thornapple Brewing, Grand Rapids