21 Hop-Tastic Beer Festivals in Michigan
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With more than 350 breweries in the state and as the home of Beer City USA, it only makes sense that there is no shortage of excellent beer festivals in Michigan.
The craft beer scene in Michigan is hopping from coast to coast and, each year, many cities across the state pull out all the stops to offer the very best in beer, food, and live entertainment.
Many of these annual festivals have been going on for a decade or more, so you know beer aficionados love attending new beer events and revisiting old favorites to sample the latest craft beverages and have a great time.
Pure Ludington Brrrewfest | Ludington
January
It’s sure to be cold on the shores of Lake Michigan, but this lively January festival will help any festival-goer shake off cabin fever.
More than a dozen breweries come to participate in this event held at Legacy Plaza. Live entertainment plays throughout the day and a variety of food is available to purchase.
No matter how cold it is, festival-goers have a good time sampling ciders, meads, wines, and beers from all over the state, making a trip to West Michigan in wintertime very worth it.
Grand Rapids Winter Beer Festival | Grand Rapids
February
The home of Beer City USA has to have a beer festival and this one is a real treat for those who manage to snag a ticket to this February event.
This festival brings thousands of attendees each year to sample the best suds from the state’s top breweries. The weather may not be ideal, but the beer is tasty, the company is good, and there are plenty of fire pits to warm up around.
Festival-goers should plan to dress warm and be prepared to have fun. There’s lots of good food and drink to go around to make the weather an afterthought — at least for a day.
Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival | Jackson
March
This annual event in March takes place close to other Michigan beer festivals, but it doesn’t disappoint.
Visitors, who are advised to dress warmly, can enjoy more than 150 craft, specialty, and imported beers as vendors have something to satisfy even the pickiest palate.
The beer isn’t the only thing that makes the festival a hit; there’s also ice carving, games, and other activities to distract festival-goers from the cold.
Festival of the Angry Bear | Marquette
April
While beer isn’t the main part of this festival, it’s modeled after classic European beer festivals and offers the best in barrel-aged beer, great food, and lively music.
Yoopers and out-of-town visitors alike can easily beat the winter blues. Even those who have been hibernating all winter can head to downtown Marquette for a celebration and more than two dozen Lake Superior-sourced beers.
For non-beer drinkers, festival vendors also offer delicious non-alcoholic options as well as delicious flavors of pop.
Brews and Beats | Pentwater
May
Situated on the shores of Lake Michigan, Pentwater is the site of this annual May celebration.
Visitors love coming here for the cozy atmosphere, the lively vibe, and the cold beer.
Breweries from all over the state come to showcase their very best brews and there are also food trucks and yard games, so there’s plenty to eat, plenty to drink, and plenty to do on a fun-filled day.
World Expo of Beer | Frankenmuth
May
What’s beer than one beer option? Try hundreds of them in one of the most popular tourist destinations in Michigan!
Anyone who loves craft beer will be in heaven with more than 350 beers available from all over the world.
The festival also includes live music and souvenirs and is the perfect event to try some truly unique beers in a comfortable, friendly setting.
Spring Beer Festival | Traverse City
May
Another newer beer festival addition occurs in Northwest Michigan at Turtle Creek Stadium in Traverse City.
Some of the best Michigan breweries participate in the event, which can be a little chilly despite taking place in May. Visitors are advised to dress for the occasion, which usually means bundling up a little bit.
Admission grants visitors a ticket and 15 three-ounce beer samples, so visitors are able to have plenty of options to choose from.
Michigan Beer and Brat Festival | Thompsonville
May
Attendees at this May event are advised to come thirsty and hungry.
Thankfully there’s plenty to fill stomachs and quench thirsts here, from juicy, mouthwatering gourmet brats to a huge selection of beers, wine, ciders, meads, and microbrews. No matter what, tastebuds will be pleased!
For more than 15 years, festival-goers have loved coming to Thompsonville to have a good time and this is a fantastic way to enjoy a Saturday in spring.
Iron Mountain Brew Fest | Iron Mountain
June
Thirsty festival-goers can travel way open to Iron Mountain in June for a day full of fun.
The festival offers everything people love about festivals: Live music, a lively atmosphere, good food, good friends, and lots of beer.
Festival-goers can use up to 14 drink tokens with their festival entry and there are more than 50 different varieties of beer to pick from.
A trip to Iron Mountain can be a long one, depending on where attendees are coming from, but it’s definitely worth it for the beer and the fun.
Barry County BrewFest | Middleville
August
An event billed as West Michigan’s ‘Freshest’ craft beer fest invites visitors to soak in the small-town charm of Middleville while they enjoy excellent festivities.
The beer selection here features at least 30 of the most unique craft breweries from around the state. The odds are pretty good that visitors will find at least a few beers here that they can’t find anywhere else.
Coupled with live music and great food, this festival promises a good time and will leave smiles on the faces of all who attend.
Hops on the Harbor | Manistique
August
This Upper Peninsula beer celebration invites travelers to come to the Manistique Boating Landing for a fun day right by the water.
Several local brewers are on hand with their delicious concoctions and visitors can also meet the brewers and talk to them about their beers.
Past festival tickets have given attendees 16 drink tickets as well as a free pint glass. The festival has also included food trucks and live entertainment.
U.P. Fall Beer Festival | Marquette
September
This September festival on the shores of Lake Superior makes visitors feel as though they’re hanging out with their best friends and family.
It’s easy for festival-goers to feel that way when they’re surrounded by the company of fellow craft beer enthusiasts, live music, delicious food, and, of course, hundreds of beers.
Dozens of Michigan breweries participate, making it easy for attendees to enjoy their favorite craft brews or to be adventurous and try some new flavors.
Craft Beer Festival | Cadillac
September
This September celebration invites visitors to party in downtown Cadillac with Lake Cadillac offering a scenic backdrop.
All festival attendees can find something fun here, including live music, food and retail vendors, yard games, and more. There’s also plenty of craft beer and festival-goers will enjoy the tailgate-like atmosphere in Northern Michigan.
What began as a wet, cold fall festival with hardly any festivities has grown into a lively celebration that draws revelers from all over the state.
Hops in the Hole Festival | Rogers City
September
One of the newest entries to the Michigan beer festival scene is in Northeast Michigan, held at Rogers City Sports Park, known locally as The Hole.
What began as an idea from a resident turned into a full-blown beer festival, where visitors can buy a ticket that’s good for six beverage pours and a souvenir commemorative glass.
Food vendors are on hand to serve up delicious eats, but the festival is a perfect opportunity to showcase Northeast Michigan beer, which has been an expanding industry in recent years.
Frankenmuth Oktoberfest | Frankenmuth
October
An Oktoberfest celebration is always a good time to have a beer and this annual celebration in Michigan’s Little Bavaria is so good it got a nod of approval from the Munich Oktoberfest.
The festival offers a relaxing, party-type vibe with a heavy mix of authentic German culture. Between the beer, the sausages, and other delicious food, festival-goers can find plenty of things to help them have a good time.
Boathouse Beer Fest | Detroit
October
This festival takes place on Belle Isle in Detroit at the Boathouse with all proceeds from the festivities going toward the restoration of the Boathouse.
Visitors can help the Boathouse out by listening to live music and sipping refreshing ice-cold beer.
They can also take time to explore the Boathouse itself and marvel at the architecture and rooms that allow for scenic views of the Detroit River.
Growler Brewfest | Brighton
October
A pet-friendly beer festival? Yes, there’s one in Metro Detroit!
This celebration of beer encourages attendees to bring their four-legged friends for a day of fun, delicious food, and cold beer.
The festival has plenty to keep pooches busy with puppy pools and photo opportunities, among other things. But there are also lots of local breweries on hand, slinging beers that are packed with flavor.
Delicious Michigan-made beers and food truck offerings make for the perfect pair at this festival.
Sunrise Suds | Alpena
October
Michigan’s Sunrise Side holds a downtown beer celebration that coincides with several different fall events. Added all up, it means a day packed full of fun for anyone who attends.
The festivities include live music and offerings from more than 20 breweries, including several local ones. Collectively, more than 60 different brews are available, including seltzers, IPAs, and ciders.
The event is usually held in early fall so the weather is comfortable for a celebration. So come taste the beer, treat your ears to live music, and revel in the fun.
Beerfest at the Ballpark | Lansing
October
No matter where it is in the Mitten State, Michiganders just love to celebrate beer and this fall beer festival is the perfect excuse to get outside before colder weather arrives.
Admission tickets to the festival come with eight tasting tickets, so visitors aren’t shortchanged on any of the beer tastings.
The festival usually brings hundreds of beers from dozens of brewers and ciders, meads, and spirits are available too.
Detroit Beer Festival | Detroit
October
Held at the historic Eastern Market in October, this festival has been going strong for more than a decade.
This is one of the biggest all-Michigan beer tastings each year with more than 40 of the finest breweries in Michigan participating. Detroit already has a rich history of brewing, so Eastern Market makes the perfect backdrop for the event.
Not only does the festival feature local beers, but it also features local musicians and food from Detroit-area restaurants.
International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival | Grand Rapids
November
This West Michigan festival has continuously been one of the state’s best tasting events for more than a decade.
Why? More than 1,000 varieties of wine, beer, cider, and spirits are available, giving attendees all kinds of options.
Novices and connoisseurs alike can gather together for this fun event. With so much to pick from, everyone is bound to find something to enjoy.
Make Plans to Attend One of Michigan’s Awesome Beer Festivals
For those who enjoy beer, having one in the Mitten State is never a bad time. The best place to find it and enjoy it is at one of the many Michigan beer festivals.
Whether you’re going with family or friends, there’s something for everyone at these excellent celebrations of suds. Who knows, you may find a new favorite beer (or two) that’ll have you coming back to a particular festival year and year, or you might even make some new friends.
Make sure to enjoy brews responsibly and have a designated driver ready to lend a hand.