
You can’t get Short’s Brewing innovations such as Pumpkincrusha on Nitro or the Cozy Blanket American porter in the store or at your local bar.
But you can come to taste it all this fall during Traverse City Beer Week. The annual celebration of northern Michigan brews returns Nov. 8-16 with drink specials – and special, experimental beers – at craft breweries all over the Traverse City area.
At Short’s Elk Rapids pull barn, for example, you’ll be able to get flagship beers such as Soft Parade and Huma Lupa Licious.
“We’re going to really do some crazy stuff, so it will definitely be worth the trip,” said Christa Brenner, marketing director for Short’s. “We’re always trying to push the envelope with flavor. We always want to keep things interesting.
“People always ask, ‘How can I try Short’s new stuff?’ The answer is always, ‘at the brewery.’ We love for folks to come into the brewery, try new stuff, and share their feedback with us.”
Short’s is one of many craft brewers participating in TC Beer Week, which offers discounts to visitors who check in with their Beer Week digital passport. Here’s a glimpse of just some of the deals to be had:
- $1 off pint at Earthen Ales
- Buy one draft and get one 50% off at Short’s Brewing in Elk Rapids or Bellaire
- $1 off first beer at Silver Spruce
How Traverse City Beer Week Works
- Once you get your TC Beer Week digital passport, you’ll gain access to all of the special deals available Nov. 10-17. Sign up here and get a passport sent right to your email inbox.
- Just show up and explore the ingenuity and creativity of Traverse City’s distinctive craft beverage scene, showing your passport to get discounts. There are more than 20 breweries and pubs to discover on a self-guided tour. Please participate responsibly.
- The Traverse City area has lots of transportation options for traveling safely from one brewery to the next during TC Beer Week. In addition to a variety of chauffeured van and bus tours, the public transit agency offers an on-demand ride-hailing service.
- If you check in at five or more participating businesses during TC Beer Week, you win a prize! Just stop by the Visitors Bureau at 101 W. Grandview Pkwy. in Traverse City between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to pick up your Beer Week T-shirt.
- One lucky beer drinker will get the Traverse City Beer Week grand prize. Anyone who spends the night at a participating place to stay can enter to win one of two beer-themed prize packages. Prize one is a 2025 Michigan Beer & Brat Festival Package at Crystal Mountain where you will receive $1000 in gift certificates that can be used for lodging and other amenities at Crystal Mountain and a pair of VIP passes to the 2025 Michigan Beer & Brat Festival. Prize two is a 2025 Suds & Snow Festival Package that includes a $1000 in Gift Certificates valid for lodging or amenities at any Traverse City Tourism member lodging property and a pair of VIP Suds & Snow Tickets.
Grand prize or not, everyone who participates in Traverse City Beer Week will reap the reward of sampling the latest and greatest northern Michigan brews. For example, at Right Brain Brewery you can try an assortment of beer on tap with a discounted sample tray during Beer Week.
“We’ll be offering special beers that don’t go heavily into the market,” owner Russell Springsteen said. “Visitors will get a sneak preview and an opportunity to purchase those. It’s a good chance to stock up on beer for all your holiday needs.”
So, why not come up and give Traverse City Beer Week a taste? You can’t lose by spending a few days enjoying old favorites and exploring exciting new flavors that just might become your go-to pint.
Plus, fall is a great time to come up north. And a nice thing about the Traverse City area in November is that’s quieter and more laid back than in the summer.
“It’s a beautiful drive in the fall. That alone is a great reason to come up,” Brenner said. “And during Beer Week there’s definitely a prize at the end of the rainbow.”