Discover nine Michigan breweries where the outdoor spaces are as memorable as the beer.
If there’s one thing Michiganders know, it’s that we’re spoiled when it comes to craft beer. With more than 400 breweries, microbreweries, and brewpubs across the state, Michigan has earned its place as one of the country’s top craft beer destinations. From iconic names like Bell’s and Founders to small-town taprooms, great beer is never far away.
But for many brewery fans, the setting matters just as much as what’s in their glass (or can). Fortunately, plenty of breweries throughout The Mitten offer outdoor spaces that are every bit as memorable as their beer.
Whether you’re planning a summer road trip, a weekend brewery crawl, or simply looking for a new place to enjoy a drink outside, these nine Michigan breweries stand out for their exceptional outdoor spaces.
1. Archival Brewing
If your ideal summer afternoon involves lawn games, a cold beer, and hanging out around a fire pit with friends, Archival Brewing may become your new favorite spot. The sprawling beer garden feels like one giant backyard party, complete with its own outdoor bar, bocce ball courts, cornhole, and plenty of Adirondack chairs and fire pits.
A large pergola shades much of the patio, and the entire outdoor space is dog-friendly, so you don’t have to worry about cutting your afternoon short to run home and check on your furry family members.
Archival’s beer lineup includes almost 20 house-made brews, ranging from easy-drinking options like a blueberry cream ale to both New England and West Coast IPAs, plus several German-inspired styles.
Address: 6266 W. River Dr. NE, Belmont
2. Atwater Brewery & Tap House
Few Michigan breweries have outdoor spaces as varied as Atwater. With locations in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Grosse Pointe Park, each taproom puts its own unique spin on patio season.
Atwater in the Park, located inside a beautifully restored former church in Grosse Pointe Park, features a spacious beer garden with room for more than 100 guests and its own outdoor bar. In Grand Rapids, the patio at the historic Rowe Building is a prime spot for people-watching while you sip a pint (or two!). And in Detroit’s Rivertown District at Atwater’s original location, the brewery’s rooftop beer garden—Hank’s Hangout—offers elevated views, communal seating, and a covered bar area.
No matter which location you visit, you’ll find fan favorites like Dirty Blonde and Vanilla Java Porter alongside Atwater’s other craft brews.
Address: 1175 Lakepointe St., Grosse Pointe Park; 201 Michigan St. NW, Grand Rapids; 237 Jos Campau, Detroit
3. Bell’s Brewery
Ask a Michigander to name a craft brewery, and Bell’s will almost certainly come up. Founded in 1985, it’s one of the state’s craft beer pioneers and the brewery behind iconic Michigan pours like Two Hearted IPA and Oberon Ale.
But Bell’s is more than just a place to grab a great beer. Bell’s Eccentric Café has a beer garden, a full-service restaurant, and an outdoor music venue where it hosts concerts.
The expansive beer garden feels more like a neighborhood park than a restaurant patio, with tables scattered beneath trees and plenty of room to spread out. There are long beer garden tables for communal drinking and round picnic tables for smaller groups.
Address: 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo
4. Brewery Becker
Get a taste of Bavaria without leaving Michigan at Brewery Becker, known for its authentic German-style beer garden. The dog-friendly stone patio features plenty of lush greenery—including a towering Catalpa tree—as well as two fire pits, three fire strip tables, and about 10 other tables with umbrellas that provide shade on sunny days.
Brewery Becker’s patio is on the smaller side compared to some other spots on this list, but it has a charming old-world vibe that will transport you straight to Germany. The microbrewery offers a selection of historic ales and lagers that are made on site. Get the full experience by ordering an Old World Sausage Plate or a soft pretzel with beer cheese dip.
Address: 500 W. Main St., Brighton
5. Hop Lot Brewing Co.
If you’re looking for peak Up North vibes, Hop Lot Brewing is hard to beat.
The brewery—named the second-best beer garden in the country by USA TODAY 10BEST—is surrounded by maple and pine trees near Suttons Bay, which makes it feel more like a gathering spot in the middle of the woods rather than a traditional beer garden. Throughout the property, you’ll find campfires, picnic tables, outdoor games, and a stage for live music.
Hop Lot’s location near some of northern Michigan’s most popular hiking and biking trails makes it an ideal place to unwind or refuel after a day outdoors. The beer menu features everything from Belgian witbiers and American stouts to fruit-forward kettle sours, plus cider, wine, cocktails, and several non-alcoholic options. Food highlights include smoked wings, roasted street corn dip, a smoked brisket sandwich, and a pulled pork burrito bowl.
Address: 658 S W Bay Shore Dr., Suttons Bay
6. Midland Brewing Company
Midland Brewing Company’s location alongside the Pere Marquette Rail Trail makes it the perfect pit stop for thirsty runners and bikers (dogs are also welcome).
The brewery’s backyard-style beer garden features a spacious lawn, a shipping-container bar, fire pits, and plenty of room for games. Cornhole is especially popular here—so much so that the brewery regularly hosts tournaments. There is also a pavilion where musicians perform.
At the time of writing, there are about 15 beers on tap, ranging from traditional brews to creative options like the fruit-forward Peachy Blonders blonde ale and a piña colada smoothie IPA.
Address: 5011 N Saginaw Rd., Midland
7. Presidential Brewing Company
Presidential Brewing Company takes patio season seriously, with a massive outdoor space that includes a dedicated outdoor bar, a stage for live music, a dance floor, picnic tables, and Adirondack seating. You’ll also find a nine-hole mini-golf course complete with drink holders at every hole.
The brewery’s playful presidential theme shows up throughout the tap list, with crowd-pleasers like the bright pink, raspberry vanilla Sherbert Hoover and the Thomas Hefferson, an American take on a traditional German hefeweizen. Year-round beers are complemented by even more rotating taps during the summer months.
If you want to soak up your beers or fuel up for another round of mini golf, order something indulgent from the food menu like loaded tater tots, a smash burger, or creamy macaroni and cheese.
Address: 8302 Portage Rd., Portage
8. Third Nature Brewing
Third Nature Brewing has one of the largest brewery patios in the state—and one of the most scenic. Located along the White Pine Trail, it’s a popular spot to stop after a bike ride, hike, or afternoon outdoors.
The family-owned brewery’s massive outdoor space includes umbrella-covered picnic tables, fire pits, a pavilion for live music, and plenty of room for everything from yard games to line dancing events. It’s also dog-friendly.
The beer list covers just about every style, from lagers and wheat beers to IPAs, porters, stouts, sours, and ambers. If you’re having trouble choosing, order a flight board, which comes with samples of six different pours. The food menu features comforting classics like burgers, sandwiches, and pizza.
Address: 7733 Childsdale Ave. NE, Rockford
9. Watermark Brewing Co.
Watermark Brewing isn’t just one of Michigan’s best beer gardens—it’s earned national recognition as the best in the country.
The Stevensville brewery has a backyard hangout vibe, with round picnic tables dotting the lawn, Adirondack chairs around fire pits, and string lights that give off a warm glow once the sun goes down.
The beer menu has something for everyone, from crisp lagers and hop-forward IPAs to more inventive pours like a peanut butter and jelly ale. Watermark also serves cider, wine, slushies, and non-alcoholic options. Food trucks regularly park on-site, but you’re also welcome to bring your own snacks.
Address: 5781 St. Joseph Ave., Stevensville
