Mackinaw Brewing Company

CoSMoSYS

Michigan

4/5  rDev +21.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

Just got back from visiting Traverse City this past weekend and made sure to visit this place while we were up there. I was so impressed with this place that my girlfriend and I went back there twice.

It is located in the heart of downtown Traverse City. The atmosphere in the brewery was great. From the outside the place looks like a comforting place to sit and eat. There are huge windows on the building but you can't really see inside due to the posters that cover them regarding upcoming events. Once you get inside you can feel a sense of history from the building. You can tell the building was updated and fixed up recently but it still maintains its old feeling. The bar is on the left after you enter a second set of doors along with some items you can buy: shirts, sweaters, hats, etc etc. The eating area is split off into 2 sections. There was also a patio in the back. TVs were there with the Tigers games on.

The quality was great, there were plenty of food dishes I wanted to try but I decided to go with the Fish and Chips both times. You got a good amount of food for the price and the clam chowder was excellent.

The wait staff was very friendly and very knowledgeable of their beers and food. They made us feel comfortable and we enjoyed every minute in the establishment. People are so friendly up there.

They had quite a good selection of light to dark beers. I went with the Belgium Whitecap the whole time I was there and it was definitely one of the best wheat beers I have had.

Next time we visit TC, we will most definitely be dining/drinking there again! Can't wait to go back!

06-13-2007 14:02:17 | More by CoSMoSYS

QXSTER1

Pennsylvania

3.3/5  rDev +0.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | food: 3.5 | $$

During our visit the pub was undergoing some renovations and this review is based on an incomplete remodeling job. The brewer hadn't brewed in awhile due to the moving of the brewing equipment. Even so the clientele seemed to be mostly locals during an early evening visit.

Had a Belgian Wit that was lifeless, absolutely no head and seemed old. The Oatmeal Stout wasn't much better, more astringent than bitter and also lifeless. The BBQ sampler had some great brisket and ribs, though the sausage wasn't my favorite.

Will definitely try this place out when in Traverse City again to see if things improve after the renovations are complete.

05-22-2006 18:32:53 | More by QXSTER1

nomad

Kansas

3.5/5  rDev +6.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3 | $

A very small joint right in the midst of the downtown busiest intersection, Mackinaw comes off more as a bar that makes a little beer than the cornerstone brewpub west of them. Regardless, dark and exposed brick, the decor is mostly black and white vintage photos of cargo boats and ice cutters, some of them pretty funny shots of cap-sizing liners.

Beers were okay, the stout was nice and the bitter was fairly fresh though the wit was, well, not so hot. If the mini-tun and tank in the front window really is their system then their brewer is a saint - not a lot of room to produce enough beer for the tourist flush come May.

The normal serving size is absurd, $3.50 for 22 oz.? Okay, fine by me! Didn't try the food but it looked like typical fare. Has a great deck overlooking the bay but, alas, not open for the winter. I'd imagine this place is packed during the summer, plus the seating is cramped and not large.

02-15-2006 15:14:38 | More by nomad

nortmand

Virginia

3.78/5  rDev +14.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3 | service: 5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4 | $

Stopped here all by my lonesome on a research trip.

Typically averabe, bare brick, crap on the wall brewpub atmosphere. The beer was OK, but everything kind of tasted the same, which is disappointing. The server was freakin' awesome, brought a tall glass of water with my sampler without my even asking, burger was actually cooked medium, as I asked and he was very friendly. This was definitely the highlight of the place. He left me alone, except to make sure I was happy and let me read my book in peace. As a frequent alone diner, due to travelling, polite privacy is key.

Anyway, they have alot of beers, but they all taste the same and are OK.

11-08-2005 00:13:12 | More by nortmand

Backer2004

North Carolina

3.88/5  rDev +17.9%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

First time in Traverse City did not disappoint me or my wife. We enjoyed a wedding last night there and while my wife spent her day on makeup and hair, I had the chance to walk the city and hit this brewpub. Great location made this a packed house at noon on a Friday in August. Sat at the bar and ordered the sampler (see my reveies if you're interested). Bartendar treated me right, especially after I borrowed his pen and began jotting notes on a coaster. The brown ale was being changed so he added the seasonal to the trail. He was real interested in talking about all the selections and helpful to others near me.

Ordered the Mushroom caps, which to my pleasant surprise, was grilled mushrooms stuffed with cheeses and crab cakes -- very good indeed. Atmnosphere was family oriented but nothing unique, the outside seating looked nice. Only one toilet in the men's room made for a bit of a wait. Would have liked to stop at the other brewpubs in the area, but this one left me satisfied.

08-20-2005 19:14:07 | More by Backer2004

ChappyCubsFan

California

3.35/5  rDev +1.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 2 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5

This is the farthest north I traveled while touring Michigan's brewpubs and major league (Detroit) and minor league ballparks. I actually thought I was heading toward North Peak Brewery and was very surprised to see the Mackinaw sign on the building. I guess when I asked for directions, some guy pointed me to the nearest one. Both are on Front Street, but as I later found out (at Jamesport Brewing), there is a huge difference in quality between the two. The place is clean and upscale with the brewing system right there in glass as you walk in. Very classy place. I tried the sampler and as I often do, settled on the hoppiest beer I could find. That ended up being the pale ale. It was a mistake. It hardly had any hop taste, and was lacking anything interesting in the way of a malt. The bartender was hilarious and made the visit fun, but he couldn't change the fact that their beer wasn't up to par. He did give me good directions to a mom and pop store in Traverse City that had an incredible selection of jerky (beef, elk, deer, buffalo, you name it and it was there). I wish I had found North Peak Brewery just down the street. It was a shame to be that close to it and not know it.

01-03-2004 00:33:04 | More by ChappyCubsFan

Mitchster

Michigan

3.05/5  rDev -7.3%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3 | food: 4

Atmosphere: Somewhat small, and usually packed. Backroom for non-smokers and the front for the others. If you're a smoker, no booths for you. Usually quite busy and loud, and not someplace you're going to be able to carry a conversation, especially during weekend nights. They open up the back patio during the summers.

Quality: I have been frequenting this brewpub since it's opening, and I'd have to say (even though I'm acquaintances with the brewmeister), that as of recently the beers have taken a hit in quality. Of note, the stout (which used to be excellent) is no longer on nitro-tap as of this review. See the brew reviews for more detail.

Service: Usually pretty good. The wait staff is not very knowledgable about the beer, however.

Selection: Usually 5 staple brews on tap with 2 seasonals.

Food: Excellent. Do try the cherry-smoked sausage in Red Ale sauerkraut with sweet potatoes. Prices are decent (from $8-15) for dinner and less for lunch.

01-30-2003 11:38:20 | More by Mitchster