In the northern part of Leelanau County, just south of downtown Sutton’s Bay, is one of the newer breweries to the area. It’s Hop Lot Brewing Company, and we recently ventured up West Bay Shore Drive to check it out.
We were lucky to meet one of the owners, Kurt Ludke who told us a little about the building process. They used huge wooden beams to frame the building. He recalled what it was like being up that high hammering away. The space has lofty ceilings and a nice open feel. There are long tables that seat large parties and encourage mingling. The inside is moderate in size, with a back yard that is expansive and welcoming. Kurt told us how they wanted to bring the brewery experience together with nature. A great idea since we Grand Traverse-ites, (or would we be Grand Traversanians or Grand traversanders?), whatever we call ourselves here in the northwest lower peninsula of Michigan, we love our nature. With that the Ludke’s nailed it, and this brewery turned out to be an awesome place to hang out.
Even in the winter there is a large area out back cleared of snow so that you can enjoy your company and your beer while keeping warm by the fire. On this quiet weekday evening in February there were several fires burning. The yard was beautiful all covered in snow and lit up with the warm glow of hanging lights all around. Kurt explained that in the summer the crowd expands out to the grassy area filled with long tables for friends and strangers to sit together, and talks about a play area for kids that is surrounded by hops growing tall creating a fort inside. We’ll have to come back this summer to see that. Big kids can play in the hops too, right Kurt?
Grand Traverse View fans will want to see it too, but take my advice, don’t wait until summer. Hop Lot is too much fun in the winter to miss out. We Grand Traverse(inians?) love a good winter campfire, don’t we? So call up your people and make it a date soon. Of course, we’ll want to hear all about it. Please come back here and leave comments telling us how much you love Hop Lot too!
Hop Lot Brewing Company
231-866-4445
658 S West-Bay Shore Drive
Suttons Bay, Michigan 49682
Michigan Breweries Map
Hop Lot Hours
Monday | Closed | Closed |
Tuesday | 3 PM | 9 PM |
Wednesday | 3 PM | 9 PM |
Thursday | 3 PM | 9 PM |
Friday | 3 PM | 10 PM |
Saturday | 12 PM | 10 PM |
Sunday | 12 PM | 8 PM |