Hop Lot Brewing Co. & Beer Garden

Definitely worth a visit. The atmosphere is truly unique—I’ve never been to a place like this before. It was quite crowded on a Saturday evening but didn’t feel overcrowded, creating a fun, lively vibe. It’s a great choice for families, featuring an incredibly large sand area. My wife called the dip the best she’s ever had—it was very good—though the Korean BBQ sandwich was just okay. We don’t drink alcohol (yes, I realize it’s a beer garden), so no comment on that, but the music, environment, and appetizers made it a five-star experience.

We had a wonderful time sitting in the beer garden. The service was great, the beers and cocktails were tasty and the scenery was beautiful. We'll have to come back to try the food. The atmosphere is incredible!

Perfect Summer Spot for Groups and Families! Hop Lot is an absolute gem for a laid-back summer hangout! It’s the perfect place for a large group—there’s tons of space to spread out, and the outdoor setup makes it easy for kids to run around while adults relax with a drink and some great food. The atmosphere is welcoming and fun, with options for everyone—whether you're craving a cold beer, tasty bites, ice cream, or even roasting s’mores around the fire. It’s one of our go-to spots for easygoing summer fun with friends and family. Highly recommend!

We really enjoyed the vibe and the beer. It has a large outdoor space, a huge kid friendly sand box, several fire pits, and an outdoor stage for luve music My only issue was with the food: no appetizers available, and it took way too long for our food to arrive. Other than that, we had a very enjoyable visit.

What a wonderful place, at least in the warm months. Incredible outside seating areas, good food, great selection of beer and gluten free food and drink options, just loved visiting. Would definitely visit again.

Amazing spot for outdoor seating. Good beer collection and their guacamole and chips are worth trying. It gets really crowded during evenings so better to arrive earlier than peak hours. Can’t wait to visit again in winter and fall season to experience a different charm to it.

Such a fun, beautiful atmosphere! Good beer. Unfortunately, it was only 7 pm and they were out of most food items (except 2 apps) on a limited menu and we wanted dinner. I would love to come back to try it again.

Cutest outdoor beer garden!! With the yummiest food - ft. caprese, bratwurst, and soft pretzels

Honestly the coolest vibe place ever to be around. This place in the fall has the entire vibe you need to feel cozy and in the season. The fire pits and big open outdoor area is an awesome beer garden. The food smelt amazing and looked like great bbq food. The beers were such a variety and were awesome. There was even a spot for kids! The bartender was super cool and was super quick.

The ambiance is so vibey!! I can't believe I've been a TC local for years and never come here. Will definitely be coming back! Good food, good drinks, very friendly service, and amazing vibes! Also bonus points because they have Saturday football playing so my boyfriend was all over that lol. Definitely check it out! They also have a play area for kids so it's great for families too!

First this is one our up north favorite places to go durring the winter months , food is outstanding , service is wonderful . And who would not love being in a igloo warm and toasty with it snowing , getting service fantastic brew. So the Ambiance is as good as it gets. It's just magical with the smell of a large outside wood fire in the middle of a snowing day watching the sunset in the woods . Thier Beer Garden has been in the top 5 in this country the last 2 years voted by USA today. Please keep doing what you guys do. We will be back.

Hop Lot was so cool! Nate and I both had it on our list, so we stopped in for a drink and a snack (you know, our favorite thing to do on vacation). Parking was a little bonkers, they have a large parking lot but as we were leaving, people were parking along the main road. Just something to keep in mind. We were greeted enthusiastically by Scott when we walked up to the beer garden. He gave us the lay of the land and explained how and where to order everything. Super friendly and so helpful, because the place is pretty big. You can order drinks at any of the bars, or from the QR code at your table. Food is ordered "face to face" and you're given a buzzer. We were there during lunch, which looked mostly like premade sandwiches, salads, and some dips/snacks. The dinner menu has more options, including bbq sandwiches. We got the smoked whitefish dip, which was very good. Definitely not as smokey as some that I've had, but still tasty. A few of the pita crackers were a bit stale. I got a sour beer that I enjoyed and Nate got an IPA. We really loved this spot and would definitely go back with a group of friends.

Hop lot is one of my favorite places in northern Michigan. Maybe it's the fact that the drive up runs right along the west bay, or that it's nestled in the middle of the woods.. but there's just something about it. Immediately you're greeted with the smell of a campfire right at the entrance, and from there.. it's just the perfect vibe for summer.. brews, good food, surrounded by the beauty of the Michigan. Everyone is so helpful and friendly, I will Forever always stop here when I'm in Sutton's bay!

This is a fun place to go for the atmosphere. It's like an outdoor park with some fire pits and metal tables and chairs and the menu is very limited with smoked pulled pork and that type of food. You can get sandwiches or burrito bowls with the various meats, or a vegetarian version like I got. It was a fun and relaxing place to hang out with my family and you didn't feel rushed or anything. There is no table service. You go either inside or out and place your order and within 5-10 minutes they call your name and you get your food in a tray and go find a table. I saw a few bachelorette parties there while we were there so it's just a chill environment.

Ambiance is awesome. Loved the massive patio space with various seating options. Food was good. I would skip the cherry chicken salad and go for BBQ. The burrito bowl was also good, but could've used a little more protein and chips on top (there were like four).

Just had the Korean Beef taco tonight-- it was amazing--flavor, serving portion, and presentation. I will be back to Hop Lot's soon as this is a new favorite -- nothing better than a Hop Lot's beer and Taco Tuesday!

Made a quick stop here on our way home, and glad we did. Love the outdoor space here with all the trees, it's huge! With fire pits and what looked to be a stage for live music. It was raining the day we came so we couldn't really enjoy the patio seating but what a fun place to come and hang out with friends in the summer or fall. The food looked pretty tasty, although we didn't order anything to eat. Looking forward to coming back here and trying some different things.

What. A. Cool. Place! I've had Hop Lot on my radar since they opened and I saw super cute photos of some friends visiting during a week up north. Unfortunately timing didn't quite allow us to make it there until this year but I'm glad we finally did! The majority of our time was spent outside as it was summer and they have an amazing patio. There's casual seating, big tables for groups, a bit of a play area for kids, a small stage for performances and plenty of seating close or further away so you could get into the action as much or as little as you wanted. It really feels like they thought of everything here. The outdoors isn't dog friendly and we had both our dogs with us so we couldn't stay for long. We went in to order carryout and were told that actually they don't technically DO carry out, but since everything is prepared to eat outside and the pick up window is out there it's pretty easy to just ask for a to-go box once your food is up, so that's what we did. We got a few different dishes to split, including their soft pretzels and I got a pulled pork sandwich which was quite good! My husband got a growler of their beer to go, though I'm blanking on the name of it I did try some and it was very good. We have another week booked up north this summer and I definitely plan on leaving the pups at home and hitting them up for a full Hot Lot Brewing experience!

We went on the perfect warm fall Michigan day and it was amazing. Good beers, lots of place for kids to play and lots of seating. Food was just ok, but go for the drinks and setting!

fun brewery with a chill vibe. perfect for an outing with friends or a change of pace from the wineries. really enjoyed the beers I had. the food was decent and pretty much what I would expect from a brewery. would happily come back for the beer and vibes.

Igloos are always fun and cool to go to in the winter here! You order your drinks on a QR code and they bring them to you. The food you order on your phone but you have to go get it. Was kind of annoyed with the food menu...said they had pulled pork nachos and went to order them and then wouldn't allow it...but you could order a pulled pork sandwich? Also wanted some extra sauces but they don't give you an option to add on any...asked for some when I went to get my food and they said sauces are extra ...but it's Wierd bc you order with your phone so they wouldn't give a Ramekin of sauce

My husband and I have been coming to hoplot since they first opened, its crazy to see how far they have come experience-wise. We love it, the vibe, the food, the service all 10/10. Any time of year you cant go wrong coming here!

Hop Lot was our destination halfway through our bike ride (before turning around to head back to Traverse City), and let me tell you, it was the perfect destination! I don't know if it's because we were just so thirsty or what, but the beer here was SO good, so smooth, and so delicious. I love that you can order at the table and they'll serve you when your drinks/food are ready. Super efficient and easy! And of course the ambiance is a hit - the largest outdoor space w/ games and plenty of seating for you and your best friends. Great spot all around!

I was extremely disappointed that in a dog friendly area like TC we were not allowed to bring our dog with us into the outside seating area. We ended up going to 9 Bean Rows and having a fantastic lunch, and our dog was very welcome there.

Oh goodness, where to start?! HopLot set the bar high for a proper beer garden. It's one year round, has tons of space for kids, families, dogs, even Uncle Johnny. Seriously, the atmosphere and vibe here is super chill, friendly, warm, and inviting. The beer is really tasty, although I've only had a few samples of their bountiful options. I'm eager to work through their list but we don't get up here super often so it may take me a bit. (Don't drive buzzed folks!) The food is also delicious! I had a burger last fall when we visited, but this time I opted for the buffalo chicken wings. They were also scrumptious! Generous portion, perfectly seasoned and cooked, and a nice side of blue cheese for dipping - yum! Get here folks and enjoy it, it's a beautiful experience.

What a cool beer garden! My husband loves beer and has enjoyed everything he's tried. I'm more of a sour gal and their sour option was really yummy. Their nachos were delicious as well, and the ambiance is very relaxed. Add this to your list when visiting Suttons Bay!

It has a gorgeous beer garden. The beer was tasty. Our server Kevin not so much he was very condescending. Maybe he was having a bad day but seriously, no personality and to the point of rudeness! I did not feel welcome and our party couldn't wait to drink our beers and get out of there.

There is no service this place is like Survivor ! In the woods in the dark in the cold. Lines for a drink lines for food lines for the loo plan ahead. It took an hour to get a hot dog. Dog was good but not that good. There must have been five hundred or a thousand people wandering around in the dark.

What happened people ? It used to be fun and simple. Scan a QR code and order the food. So that went away so then you stand in line inside or outside. Ok wasn't too bad but now inside or outside in the tent but 1/3 of the old menu isn't available! One burrito bowl option with chicken and then veggies. No brisket bowl, no white fish dip, no roasted corn dip, etc. Can't be a lack of profits so what is it? Guess I'll call next time first to see if you have any food or beer.

The place was packed, but all of the staff was extremely efficient and friendly. I was able to carb load before the Bayshore Half and everything was delicious. It was a beautiful day out and I loved being able to sit outside without worrying about being able to find a table. Definitely going back next time I'm in town!

One of the coolest bbq places in Michigan! Great food selections!! Amazing beer options- with descriptions on taste for each. They offer igloos for cooler weather, all in a woodsy setting. Their dessert is a package of s'more ingredients for their bonfires. Very family friendly ambiance and pricing. Fun staff! We cannot wait to come back. Next time we are bringing our entire family! If you are in the area, this is a must stop place!

We did takeout - but would love to eat there! It's a terrific setting. We tried 2 bowls - brisket and pulled pork. Delicious!! Meats are juicy and smoky. Rice is fluffy. Definitely will return

Such a fun place, with very easy ordering and payment via QR codes at each table. The codes show what table you are at and your drinks will be delivered. They are very quick. The patio is huge! Games and picnic tables in one side, with a live music venue and shady hangout on the other. There are plenty of tables with umbrellas for shade. Inside is available too but not as much fun. Clean bathrooms and a little gift shop for swag. We had a group of 13 with us this day and no problem getting in and a seat. We played cornhole, ordered snacks for the kids and checked out the live music. The guy was good. We'll definitely be making this place a regular stop when in the area.

We stopped here after Sleeping Bear Dunes. We wished we could have stayed all afternoon. Great beer, great merch, and awesome ambience in the middle of the woods. We unfortunately didn't get to try the food but everything we saw looked good.

The setting, and environment of this place is super cool, and super relaxing. The fact that there are no menus, or waiters/waitresses makes it a little confusing. Food isn't anything super special, and for the cost, it would be nice to not have chips from a bag poured over top of my sandwich, and would appreciate some attentiveness to the order. They managed to get both orders wrong. The drinks are pretty good, but again, nothing to write home about. But if you're looking for a cute little environment you might enjoy it, but you don't go here for the food or the service.

Fun and great beer! Service was great too! Not sure what sitting indoors was like, but outside was very nice.

Definitely a must visit if you are in the Sutton bay area. Stopped here on the way back from a hike, grabbed a couple beers and a barbecue pork sandwich, all were amazing. We love the ambience and there are a lot of seating options available with bonfires and yard games on site.

Truly a hidden gem. And by that I mean a small sign out by M-22 is all that announces a hidden patio behind the trees that is expansive. We were there at the end of a long day and just stopping to get a drink. The set-up is a little strange as there are different buildings for food, beer, even ice. Even though a huge space there were people jockeying for tables. There was a band but the space was large enough that you were not overwhelmed by the music. The IPA I had was good but the topper was the elote dip. My friend declared it the best dip she'd ever had. Next time we will be sure to try the food. If it's summer in Michigan you've got to be outside and this is a good place to do it.

Very cool place on the peninsula with a humongous backyard. Unfortunately, parking is limited. Wish they would have had live music this Friday night visit. Beer was great, but food was not. I had the burger with fries. Pretzel bun was nice, but the burger itself was a fake, rubbery mess. As hungry as I was I couldn't eat more than half of it, it was just not good (not sure what was in this preformed meat patty). Based on my experience, 1 star for the food, 4 stars for the beer and venue.

The chicken sandwich was perfect! So tasty and tender. Hubs had the brisket sandwich that was tasty. Fries were crispy and hot. The servers were friendly and very polite. It is an awesome outdoor setting. Two fire pits with wood fire burning. It is a must see !!

**NOT DOG FRIENDLY*** When you walk in, you enter via the MASSIVE outdoor space. They have used the space so we'll to establish a huge variety of seating. High tops, benches, circles, rectangles, and all the shapes in between. There are fire places and outdoor bars to make your life great. So many trees make TONS of shade even on a sunny day! To order food, you entire the main door and wait in line to place the order. After that, you are given a buzzer to notify you when the food is ready. The food window on the side of the provides easy access to finished food. The brisket fell apart in you mouth. The cherry chicken wrap had a delightful blend of fresh ingredients that all blend together well. The garden burger is always a solid option for your picky eater. The bratwurst was flavorful and juicy. The highlight of the brat was the mustard. Unfortunately, I did have to drop a star for their position surrounding their pet policy. There is a sign stating no pets (pictured) per the county health department, but this statement is clearly false because so many clearly do allow it. While I'm all for making the restaurant not pet friendly, let's make it clear by putting it on the website and not blame the health department. We actually had to come back a different day after showing up with pets. Was it worth the wait? Meh

Very neat atmosphere! They have live music occasionally a lot of outdoor seating and fires to sit around.

I was just at Hop Lot (it's February) and I can't even imagine how great it must be in the summer because it was spectacular even with snow still on the ground. There's a massive outdoor area with little igloos that can be rented and plenty of fireside space as well- gives a real summer camp sort of vibe. Food was good and came out quickly, and beer was super solid and you can order via QR code making lining up a thing of the past. So cool, can't wait to head back in warmer temps!

Cute little spot for an outside brewski by the fire. They also have great food- get yourself a chicken bowl! It's incredible!

The place was great. The beer was great. The food was good. My family loved it there. Went back a couple of times during our trip there.

What a fun nice brewery! Huge beer garden with plenty of great places to sit! We didn't have any food, but the beer selection was great! Everyone was super friendly too!

We've been here many times and it's perfect for our large family group! Food good, live music good and lots to keep kids busy so parents and grandparents can unwind!

Hop Lot gave Impact100TC a great space, food and drink last night. We had so much fun and enjoyed our time at this very cool place. The vibe was "Fall Chill". We gathered and shared toasts to the wonderful non-profits in our community and had women talking about how to make transformational grants for our community. Hop Lot served us well and we appreciate their support. Excellent beer, wine, cider and food selections for all!

First time there. We reserved an igloo Great time. Wings were delicious. Nice that they offer a wine and cider choice for the non beer drinker like me. However they had a beer that they recommended and I liked it. Worth going and just hanging out They had fire pits, music and s'mores. You order from your igloo and they text you to come pick it up but they will deliver beer to your igloo. It was a fun outing.

Not dog-friendly even though its primarily outdoors, which was one of the main reasons we drove there

We have been meaning to try Hop Lot for SO long. We finally got there and we were not disappointed. It's open seating and you simply scan the QR code at your table to place your order and pay online. While we waited for our order, my daughter played in the sand lot and my boys played corn hole. A server brought our drinks. I received a text when our food was ready and went to the window to collect it. Everything was amazing! Brisket and pulled pork both so yummy! The little kids had the pretzel sticks and loved them. We all had a great time and will be back soon!

I loved this spot! On our last night up north in Suttons Bay we stopped into Hoplot for some beer and snacks. The service was outstanding, we were able to sit outside by the fire and it was the perfect end to a perfect long weekend celebrating my friends milestone birthday! Their pickle fries has us talking STILL. I seriously haven't had pickle fries this good before. I opted for one of their ciders which was delicious and not too sweet. They also have some delicious tacos on the menu and other food. Definitely add this spot to your list.

Great beer, great food, beautiful setting, efficient service-- love this place! Not expensive for what you're getting. This ace rocks!

Disclaimer: This is a review by someone who doesn't drink alcohol because she's allergic! Read on for a review of the vibes, ambiance, and non-alcoholic options (if any)! This place is PEAK vibes! It's a must to come here if you're in the area! It's a whole outdoor space filled with picnic tables, firepits, twinkle lights, etc. There's even cornhole! Drinks menu aside, the food menu is spectacular! I got their pulled pork burrito bowl & O M G! It was a party in my mouth, I loved it! They also serve Northwoods soda, which I love. Black cherry is my favorite! And the food & drink ordering/pick up/delivery service is so good! Drinks they will bring to your table. As soon as you scan the QR code to pull up the menu, they know exactly which table you're at. They'll text you when your food is available so you can go up to the food pickup counter to get it. It's all great! Because we were so full after our meal, we sadly didn't order the s'mores kit! You get all the fixings for s'mores and can roast it over their fire - HOW FUN! We spent the rest of our time there drinking & playing cornhole & it was such a vibe! They do close relatively early for a weekend night at 9 pm, but I think in general a lot of places in this area close around that time. Can't wait to go back! I'm still dreaming about that pulled pork!

Hop Lot is so great! I've been here many times and it's always a pleasant experience -- summer or winter! We rode our bikes there and had a couple beers and lunch outside. The veggie burrito bowl is super yummy and so are the fries (the aioli is delightful)! My brother had the spicy chicken sandwich and he was hootin' and hollerin' about how much he missed it during the off season. The outside space is so peaceful and you really are in the woods which is a unique experience for the area. We will definitely continue enjoying Hop Lot and recommending it to our friends!

Great atmosphere and many drinks options. There is food on site and many areas to sit outside and relax.

Beer and food were really good. No waitstaff; order off the QR code and pay with your phone. Great, inviting outdoor dining and hangout area.