Two Michigan beer gardens have been selected as contenders in the running for USA Today's prestigious Readers' Choice Award for Best Beer Garden. From the northern region to the southern edges of the state, Hop Lot Brewing Co. in Suttons Bay and Watermark Brewing Company in Stevensville have been recognized for their outdoor drinking experiences, as ClickOnDetroit reports.
Voters have the opportunity to choose their favorite beer garden, casting votes daily until the deadline on February 24, at noon. The top 10 establishments will be announced on March 5, according to the voting guidelines published by Detroit Free Press. Hop Lot Brewing Co. and Watermark Brewing Company are among 20 national nominees handpicked for their distinctive attributes, from atmospheric campfires and picnic settings to versatile craft beer menus and robust lineups of events.
Detroit Free Press also provides further insight into what makes these Michigan beer gardens stand out. Hop Lot Brewing Co. offers visitors a family-friendly environment complete with a wide selection of drinks and an authentic microbrewery experience. Similarly, Watermark Brewing Company pairs its diverse beer selection with a community-centric setting, with events and collaborations with food truck vendors that emphasize their commitment to the Stevensville locale.
Watermark Brewing Company, located a stone's throw away from Lake Michigan, has created a year-round hotspot, complete with winter festivities marked by lights and bonfires. Likewise, Hop Lot Brewing Co. has adapted to the colder months by installing heated igloos, creating a unique winter village for visitors to enjoy. This nomination is a recognition of the goals they have been striving toward for a decade, with co-owner Drew Lutke telling MLive, “This nomination is truly rewarding as it validates the goal we set ten years ago.”
Enthusiasts who want to support Michigan's contenders in this national showcase can visit USA Today's 10Best beer garden nominees website to place their votes. Both establishments have deeply rooted connections with their local communities, and as Watermark's co-founder Chris Mason emphasized, the brewery's success and subsequent nomination are tributes to the Stevensville community's steadfast support.
