North Peak Brewing

September 22, 2008
Located in a cool, old building that used to be a candy factory. It is located at the end of Front Street, which is full of shops and restaurants. It is a block off the water, making the location that much better. While the exterior has character, alot is lost on the interior. The brewhouse can be seen through large glass windows when you enter, but a turn up the stairs in the bar leads you into a chain-like enviroment. The service was great. We sat in the bar which had four plasma TVs on each side of the rectangular bar. The beer list is standard, offering the usual light, pale, porter, red, etc. A few seasonables were also available as well as a barrel-aged porter. We tried a few of the standards which were good but nothing too special. We were there in the afternoon on a Saturday and took advantage of the $2.50/pint happy hour. This was for both regulars and seasonals. Food was available and while the menu looked interesting, we didn’t eat. Overall, a nice experience that comes off somewhat standard in the grand scheme of things. Worth a visit if you are in town.

September 8, 2008
Had the wings, they were excellent. Atmosphere was great. Food menu was good. Beer selection thought was minimal. Had a Holy Hop Ipa was ok, the Cask served was an IPA cask ale, was mellow, decent. Overall beer choices was minimal. Server was great food server, but lacked overall beer service expertise.

March 10, 2008
Only went once but service was good. They had delicious pizza and a good atmosphere. They had an ok selection of brew, but didn’t have any IPA’s on tap! I had an aged stout on hand pull and it was great. To top it off the beer was cheap, only $2 a piece. I hope to make it back their again.

November 3, 2007
I’ve been twice in the span of five years and both experiences were good ones. North Peak is in an old candy factory which, when mixed with the decor, makes for a nice, pleasant atmosphere. Only had pizza while there but all the food coming from the kitchen looked appealing. Staff was friendly and attentive. As for the beer, a good selection for all taste buds. Try the sampler first then go for your favourite. Had a vanilla stout the first time and it was heavenly. The red is worth a try but the Mission Point Porter gets the gold medal from me. Took home a growler of it too. If there’s a knock against this place it’s the time spent waiting for tables. Very busy on the weekends so the wait can be lengthy at times. Once seated however, they take good care of you. Definitely the place in Traverse City.

June 12, 2007
Place had a nice patio with live music and a bar as well as a large restaurant with a big rectangular bar in the front of the dining area. Brewing equipment is visible when you walk in, but not prominent in the decor. A mix of typical brewpub and modern restaurant decor. Menu has a nice variety from pizza to seafood and steaks, and the appetizers and hanger steak I had were good, but not exceptional by any means. Nice place, enjoyed the sampler which was uninspired but well made beers. Unfortunately they were out of the Cask IPA they had on their beer board. I did not enjoy their seasonal Saison, and found the Irish Lager to be a little boring, but a great place for the area, and it seems like they’re trying to brew some good stuff. Service was good all around.

March 31, 2007
Located downtown. Large service area with a bar in the middle with the brewing operations in the front. Service was good and the server knew the brews. Sampler is good of the standards and had three seasonal brews. Did not get to eat but the menu was good broad selection of standard corporate and local grill selections. Met the brewmaster, she was a knowledgeable free spirit. Well worth a visit.

February 19, 2007 [ Updated February 26, 2007 ]
Has food, but I didn’t eat. Had the sampler. Nice staff, nice old building. Patio and bar seating. Worth a stop, as the sampler gives you 8 different brews and they aren’t bad, on the whole.