We’re excited to share the best breweries near us. When we first arrived in Southwest Michigan 14 years ago, there were only a couple of breweries within 15 minutes of Goldberry Woods. Now we often wander to one (or more!) of the dozen-plus options nearby, looking for a perfect pour.
Every visit reminds us why we love this community. Good food, local stories, and easy Harbor Country rhythm make life taste better. Love a good pour and a great story? You’ll fit right in here. We’ve rounded up our favorite local spots, and all are worth the trip.
And we’ll start you right here in Union Pier.
Harbor Country Beer Hotspots
Harbor Country’s craft beer scene is full of character. Each spot has a story, a loyal following, and feels like coming home. Here are two of our favorites to start your tasting journey.
Seedz Brewery
📍 Union Pier, MI | Get Directions
Just a few blocks up Red Arrow Highway here in Union Pier, Seedz Brewery brews small-batch magic. And, yes, it’s walkable from Goldberry Woods. The brewery is also super dog-friendly, and they have an adorable St. Bernard mix named “Hopper” who is always present to greet two and four-legged friends.
This spot was voted USA Today’s Best New Brewery in 2024! Their lower-ABV beers are for lingering conversations. Seedz is an agricultural-driven brewery using locally sourced ingredients from the Midwest. Brewing beautiful and delicate lagers/ales and mix-fermentation, each pour is slow and careful to create that flawless foam cap. They have a lot of turnaround on their beers, and Julie’s favorite is the pretzel kvass. It’s malty, balanced, and wonderfully unexpected.
While you can enjoy a wonderful variety of beer options, they do not provide any food. Guests are welcome to bring their own snacks or meals, and sometimes they have an on-site food truck. Live music on the patio is common throughout the summer. Sit by a fire pit and indulge yourself. They also host a very popular Oktoberfest with specially brewed craft beers each October.
Beer Church Brewing Co.
📍 New Buffalo, MI | Get Directions
Beer Church is more than a clever name. It’s where great beer meets good company. Our restored 150-year-old Methodist church in New Buffalo still carries some Sunday soul. When our church moved out, the brewery moved in. The old church glows under stained glass. Inside, pizza ovens roar. Laughter spills onto the patio, and the smell of wood-fired crust mingles with lake air.
This place has amazing double-decker seating. The top level is for the 21-and-over crowd only.
We often start with their famous communion bread. Fresh Italian loaves come warm with whipped sea salt butter. Sometimes it’s served with spicy Calabrian nduja or creamy burrata and olive oil. Their Neopolitan wood-fired pizzas are fabulous, too, with basic options and fun flavors such as Prosciutto di Parma, Crema di Pistachio, and many more!
Their beers have playful names we love like “Pontius Pilate” and “Crooked Cross.” Styles include cream ales, IPAs, stouts, sours, red ales, hard seltzers and more. However, we come more for the food, atmosphere, people, and pure Harbor Country charm.
These are a couple of the breweries near New Buffalo that we most recommend. They reflect what we value: community, creativity, and time spent close to home.
Nearby Breweries with Big Flavor
After visiting Seedz and Beer Church, your adventure need not end. The next stops take you to more of the best breweries north of Union Pier.
Fulcra
📍 Sawyer, MI | Get Directions
A light scent of toasted grain fills the air as soon as you walk in. Fulcra finally opened this fall, and locals are buzzing. Expect a tight tap list that changes often.
Greenbush Brewing Co.
📍 Sawyer, MI | Get Directions
Over in Sawyer, Greenbush Brewing Co. draws a devoted crowd where “Good Beer Wins.” Smoky barbecue and creative brews headline the menu. The brisket alone is worth the trip. Julie’s favorite beer is the “Damn Dirty Ape.” It’s a banana bread-based beer. Sounds strange, but it works. It’s subtle, malty, and delicious. Eric loves their 1825 Belgian Strong along with the Brisket Po’Boy. They are open for lunch and dinner everyday.
Haymarket Taproom
📍 Bridgeman, MI | Get Directions
Haymarket Taproom brings a touch of Chicago energy to the lakeshore. Set in a former police station, the vibe stays casual and super pet-friendly. Neapolitan pizzas, hearty sandwiches, and salads meet a rotating craft lineup. We love “The Bad Dragon” pie. It’s got pepperoni, thinly sliced jalapeno, fresh mozzarella, honey, and chevre (goat cheese). Beers here change often. That said, Julie loves the Blood Orange Blond and Eric likes the Demonstrator doppelbock.
Haymarket Taproom also has a Chicago location, but a completely different menu.
Each of these spots captures Harbor Country hospitality. Expect inventive food, friendly faces, and local flavor. They’re among the area’s best breweries and our top picks for good reason.
Other Breweries with a Story
Not every great beer comes from big names. These signature spots are packed with personality and worth adding to your Harbor Country itinerary. So many options nearby Goldberry Woods!
- Transient Artisan Ales (Bridgman) – Experimental sours and small-batch brews that push flavor boundaries.
- Ghost Island Brewery (New Buffalo) – Pub food and brews with an incredible view of the wetlands.
- Burn’ Em Brewery (Michigan City)– Deadhead-themed with southern-style food and bold, funky beers.
- Shoreline Brewery (Michigan City) – A local original serving approachable lagers and global bites like bulgogi nachos.
- Watermark Brewing Co.(Stevensville) – Playful, outdoor setting, unusual brews, and a “merman.”
- Zorn Brew Works (Michigan City)– Indiana’s oldest revived brewery, serving good food and classic styles.
- Silver Harbor Brewing Co (St. Joseph). – Craft beer meets homemade food with unexpected fig spreads and chutneys.
- River Saint Joe Brewery (Buchanan)– Farm-fresh dishes and organic ingredients in a relaxed outdoor setting. Sit by a fire or enjoy the bocce courts.
- The Livery (Benton Harbor) – Known for live music and rotating taps spotlighting Michigan’s best new acts.
- North Pier Brewing Co.(Benton Harbor) – Simple, no-frills, and all about the beer for pure enjoyment.
- Peat’s Cider Social (Stevensville) – A large selection of ciders in a fun bowling alley.
Each brewery adds something unique to the region’s craft beer culture. Together, they make Harbor Country one of Michigan’s best beer trails.
Beers Everyone Talks About
Some brews stay in your mind long after the glass is empty. Guests mention Brother Benjamin at Greenbush and the Kuumbaya Brown Ale from Silver Harbor. Each reflects the creativity and heart of Harbor Country’s beer scene. These brews prove that small breweries craft memories, not just drinks.
Cheers from Julie & Eric
More Fun Beyond the Breweries
When you need a break from beer tastings, Harbor Country has plenty more to explore. Spend a morning hiking local trails (even with your pup). Or try biking through the wooded backroads near Union Pier.
Nearby towns have antique shops and vintage markets, perfect for a lazy afternoon treasure hunt. Bring comfy shoes, as you’ll want to wander longer than intended. These offbeat adventures pair perfectly with brewery hopping.
Plan Your Harbor Country Beer Trip
After tasting through these best breweries, you’ll see why Harbor Country draws craft lovers from everywhere. Wherever you go, expect warm smiles and full glasses. The land here shapes every pour, and that connection makes each sip special. Cheers!
Raise a glass to Southwest Michigan’s flavors. Ready to taste it all for yourself? Turn your trip into a romantic getaway. Book your stay and make Goldberry Woods your home base for every pour.
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