Southwest Michigan Brewery Tour
Visiting breweries is a reason to travel, and Michigan harbors more than 150 craft breweries and counting. Nestled among Southwest Michigan's wineries, sand dunes and hoppin' towns are this Lake Michigan-hugging region's contributions to the Great Beer State. Arm yourself with this self-guided itinerary and find your perfect pint. And download the free Makers Trail Passport app to earn fun prizes as you stop at these locations from September to May.
Day 1: Visit breweries in Bridgman, Sawyer and Baroda
Explore some of our popular brewery stops in Southwest Michigan’s smaller towns.
Warren Dunes State Park
(Approximately 1 hour)
Seize outdoor adventure by taking Exit 16 and turning right on Red Arrow Hwy to arrive at Warren Dunes State Park (open year-round). You will need a Michigan Recreation Passport to play in this 1,952-acre jewel along Lake Michigan with its towering dunes, sandy beaches, cool woods and six miles of hiking trails.
12032 Red Arrow Hwy.
Sawyer, MI 49125
Haymarket Taproom
(Approximately 1 hour)
This old state police station turned brewery will win you over with their charming outdoor beer garden. Their wood-fired pizzas will also steal your heart. Choose staples like pepperoni and sausage, or try a more unique flavor like their elote white pizza. You’ll be glad you did! Pair it with a craft beer, and choose your favorite picnic table to relax at (shared-table indoor seating is also available).
9301 Red Arrow Hwy.
Bridgman, MI 49106
Round Barn Brewery & Public House
(Approximately 1-2 hours)
This is a great place to relax with family or friends in downtown Baroda. Not only do they specialize in Round Barn’s craft beers on tap, but they also serve their estate wines and refreshing cocktails mixed with spirits from the Round Barn Distillery. There are plenty of appetizers to pair with your beverage choices, but a local-favorite is their beer cheese. You can gather around a table starting at noon, Wednesdays-Sundays.
After this stop, take in the beauty of the vineyards and colorful tree-lined roads.
Mark III Grille & Bar
(Approximately 1-2 hours)
Finish the final round with a Tex-Mex burrito, a good ol' fashioned burger or a colorful salad loaded with Michigan sweet cherries. Plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian options leave no one out of this feast! Enjoy the night, discuss your favorites, drink some water and get some rest; round two starts tomorrow.
4179 M-139
St. Joseph, MI 49085
See You In The Morning
There are more colorful roads to travel after sunrise tomorrow.
Day 2: Taste craft beer in Southwest Michigan’s twin cities
Brewery hop in Southwest Michigan’s twin cities, St. Joseph and Benton Harbor.
Silver Beach Pizza
(Approximately 1 hour)
Attached to the St. Joseph Amtrak train depot, this popular stop holds the title of Best Pizza in Southwest Michigan and is known for their frosted schooners of local craft beer. This family-owned, Italian restaurant’s menu offers a delicious variety of salads, sandwiches, appetizers, gluten-free and vegan options and a children’s menu. Be warned, you may need to order ahead based on wait times. Use the Yelp app to reserve a table while you enjoy all the nearby family friendly activities. In the summer, you will especially appreciate the option of ordering a pizza at the takeout window. Grab lunch here!
410 Vine St.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Silver Beach Carousel
(Approximately ½-1 hour)
Take a ride or two on this magnificent, hand-carved carousel. Choose from 48 colorful figures and two chariots (one is wheelchair accessible). You'll whirl beneath a thousand twinkling lights as the band organ plays some of the happiest music on earth. Check out the memorabilia from the Silver Beach Amusement Park and visit the Brass Ring Gift Shop. See the Carousel’s website for current hours, costs and special events.
333 Broad St.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Lake Bluff Park Path
(Approximately ½ hour)
Head up the bluff for a post-lunch stroll. The half-mile stretch along Lake Boulevard offers mesmerizing views of Lake Michigan, swings, historical memorials, statues and places to throw a blanket beneath a tree and read. It is also where you will want to be for fun annual events such as a classic car show, the Krasl Art Fair (one of the top artist gatherings in the country) and:
- Friday Night Concerts (June-September)
- Antiques on the Bluff (first Sunday of the month, May-October)
- Farmer's Markets (Saturdays, May-October)
- Light Up the Bluff (December-February)
520-598 Lake Blvd
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Shopping downtown
(Approximately 1½-2 hours)
Next, walk through downtown St. Joseph, stopping in the shops, winery tasting rooms and coffee and ice cream hangouts. Then drive or walk to a nearby brewery destination across Main Street, Silver Harbor Brewing Company.
301 State St.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Silver Harbor Brewing Company
(Approximately 1-2 hours)
After you are seated, order a flight created from a dozen different craft beers on tap. It’s a fun way to find your favorites. Their smoked beer is a must-try. Order a Kumbaya Brown Ale and ask them to inject hickory smoke into a glass chamber and bring it to your table. The smoke flavor infuses itself into the beer. A full menu of snacks will satiate your hunger, then head across the St. Joseph River to the Benton Harbor Arts District for dinner.
721 Pleasant St.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
The Livery
(Approximately 1-2 hours)
This former horse stable opened as a brewery in 2005, serving beer (80 styles annually) just as adventurous as the trailblazers of the early 1900s. Locals and visitors are satisfied year-round with staple brews like the popular McGilligan's American IPA, but the arrival of seasonal and specialty beers constantly revamp the menu. Who knows what masterpieces they'll have on tap when you get here? Order a spent grain pizza or a sandwich to pair with it. Dinner is served.
190 5th St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Arclight Brewing Company
(Approximately 1-2 hours)
End your Southwest Michigan beer tour pairing your final beer with food you bring in or order delivered from a local restaurant. Quench your thirst with Arclight beers on tap (they specialize in sours) or one of the house-made sodas including gourmet root beer.
544 N Main St.
Watervliet, MI 49098
Thanks for joining us!
We hope you enjoyed your travels throughout Southwest Michigan. Check out other trips that you can take on our itineraries page. Happy trails!
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