Michigan’s brewing community was recently recognized during the 2026 USA Today 10 Best Awards with five notable recognitions. According to the newspaper’s website, beer experts are asked to nominate their top picks across eight categories, then readers vote over the course of four weeks to determine the winners.
BEST BEER GARTEN
#1 – Watermark Brewing Company, Stevensville
Nestled in the heart of Stevensville, Michigan, Watermark Brewing Co. has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 2016. The sprawling beer garden boasts lush greenery, comfortable seating, firepits, and open-air views perfect for gatherings of all sizes. Inside, the modern yet welcoming taproom serves as the hub for an ever-evolving lineup of meticulously crafted beers. Focused on fostering local connections, Watermark Brewing Co. partners with area food trucks and encourages guests to bring their own bites to enjoy alongside their beverages.
#2 – Hop Lot Brewing Company, Suttons Bay
Embracing its Northern Michigan roots, Hop Lot Brewing’s beer garden invites guests to warm up around the campfire or relax at a picnic table 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.
BEST NEW BREWERY
#3 – Elder Piper Beer & Cider, Petoskey
As the name implies, Elder Piper Beer & Cider offers a double-punch of craft brews and refreshing ciders just a few steps away from the Lake Michigan shoreline. For a more complex twist on the traditional cider, guests can spring for a pour of barrel-aged Cold Snap, while beer options include hazy IPAs, milk stouts, and barrel-aged honey lagers, just to name a few.
BEST BEER CITY
#1 – Grand Rapids
Michigan’s second-largest city sports the state’s strongest beer scene, thanks largely to the presence of the world-renowned Founders Brewing Co. There are several other brewing operations around town, like Belgian-inspired Vivant Brewery & Spirits. Grand Rapids' official “Beer City Ale Trail” includes a list of more than 80 breweries, and the local calendar is constantly filled with beer festivals, events, and promotions. Throw in exceptional beer stores like Siciliano’s Market, and it’s easy to see why Grand Rapids proudly stakes its claim as "Beer City USA.” Grand Rapids first received this moniker in 2012, and has earned the #1 spot for six consecutive years (2021-2026)
BEST BEER FESTIVAL
#8 – Michigan Brewers Guild – Michigan Winter Beer Festival
Wolverine State locals can make the most of the cold weather with the Michigan Winter Beer Festival, an outdoor Grand Rapids-area event that's celebrating its 20th anniversary in February 2026. Guest have access to hundreds of different brews to responsibly sample, with plenty of firepits, live music, and ice carving demonstrations to enjoy along the way.
The Michigan Brewers Guild was formed in 1997 and held its first festival in July 1998. Today, the Guild hosts four festivals dedicated exclusively to Michigan beer produced by its nearly 300 member breweries.
The Michigan Brewers Guild is the network of innovative and passionate brewers that serves as the recognized advocate for the Michigan craft beer industry. Michigan’s thriving brewing industry contributes more than 17,000 full-time jobs and $700 million in labor income / wages, with a total economic impact of over $2.4 billion. In terms of overall number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #6 in the nation—supporting its title as “The Great Beer State.”