Michigan City Voted No. 3 Best Small Town Beer Scene in the Entire Country

Michigan has no shortage of sweet small towns... but which one is best for beer?

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Just one Michigan location was in the running for "Best Small Town Beer Scene in the U.S." in a USA Today and 10Best Readers' poll.

A panel of beer experts chose 20 towns, each with a population of less than 30,000, as having some of the best beer scenes in the nation. That means the locations have plenty of festivals, great breweries, brewpubs, and beer bars to enjoy.

READ MORE: Did Grand Rapids Win "Best Beer City in America" for the 4th Year in a Row? 

It was then put up to a public vote...

The Michigan small town with a banging beer scene?

Traverse City! TC was voted the No. 3 Best Small Town Beer Scene in the U.S. in 2024. 

Here's USA Today's praise for TC:

Traverse City has become a hotbed of craft beer action in the already beer-centric state of Michigan. The town features a sizable collection of breweries, taprooms, and brewpubs, including Jolly Pumpkin, North Peak Brewing Company, Brewery Terra Firma, Earthen Ales, and Right Brain Brewery.

Check out all the great TC breweries here!

Here's the rest of the Top 10 for Best Small Town Beer Scene.

1. Cody - Wyoming
2. Avondale Estates - Georgia
3. Traverse City - Michigan
4. Biddeford - Maine
5. Hammonton - New Jersey
6. Decorah - Iowa
7. Bryson City - North Carolina
8. Kailua-Kona - Hawaii
9. Geneva - Illinois
10. Staunton - Virginia

An Up North brewery is also getting love for its beer garden! Hop Lot Brewing Company in Sutton's Bay nabbed the No. 2 spot for  "Best Beer Garden in the U.S."

Here's their praise for Hop Lot,

Embracing its Northern Michigan roots, Hop Lot Brewing’s beer garden invites guests to warm up around the campfire or relax at picnic tables while enjoying their brews. In winter, you can even reserve your own igloo! Hop Lot was established in 2015 as a family-friendly brewery and offers a tap list of around a dozen traditional ales.