Hop Lot, Watermark Brewing Voted Best Beer Gardens in U.S.

What's better than enjoying adult beverages outside in an awesome environment? I'd argue, not much. Two Michigan beer gardens are getting national attention as they've been voted among the very best in the country in a USA Today 10best readers' poll.

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A panel of experts chose twenty stellar beer gardens across the U.S. and then it was put up to a public vote to determine the top ten.

Northern Michigan is one of my very favorite spots in the world. So I have visited one of the beer gardens and can attest that it is awesome!

Hop Lot, Facebook

Hop Lot in Sutton's Bay has been voted the No. 2 Beer Garden in USA Today and 10best's poll.

Hop Lot is located along M-22, one of the most scenic highways in America. Nestled in the woods, the four-seasons beer garden features campfires, picnic tables, outdoor games, and more. In the winter, twelve igloos are heated with ionized furnaces.

Hop Lot, Facebook

On tap you'll find traditional craft brews and the food menu includes appetizers like soft pretzels and wings, plus tacos, nachos, soups, and sandwiches.

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Here's USA Today's praise for Hop Lot:

Embracing its Northern Michigan roots, Hop Lot Brewing’s beer garden invites guests to warm up around the campfire or relax at picnic tables while enjoying their brews. In winter, you can even reserve your own igloo! Hop Lot was established in 2015 as a family-friendly brewery and offers a tap list of around a dozen traditional ales.

Hop Lot, Facebook

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The other Michigan beer garden being recognized is Watermark Brewing Co. in Stevensville! It's been voted the No. 3 beer garden in the U.S.

Watermark Brewing Co. via Facebook

Open since 2016, Watermark Brewing Company has outdoor games, fire pits, and a rotating cast of food trucks, in addition to its award-winning beer.

Special events include the Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics, karaoke, magic shows, live music, and even Guinness Book of World Records attempts.

Watermark Brewing Co. via Facebook

USA Today says of Watermark Brewing Co.,

Nestled in the heart of Stevensville, Michigan, Watermark Brewing Co. has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 2016. Built on a passion for creating exceptional craft beer and unforgettable experiences, Watermark features a sprawling beer garden designed for relaxation and connection. The outdoor space boasts lush greenery, comfortable seating, fire pits, and open-air views perfect for gatherings of all sizes. Inside, the modern yet welcoming taproom serves as the hub for an ever-evolving lineup of meticulously crafted beers. Focused on fostering local connections, Watermark Brewing Co. partners with area food trucks and encourages guests to bring their own bites to enjoy alongside their beverages.

The only other beer garden to beat out these two Michigan gems is Henmick Farm and Brewery in Delaware, Ohio. Check out the full ranking here.

LOOK: Best Beers From Every State

To find the best beer in each state and Washington D.C., Stacker analyzed January 2020 data from BeerAdvocate, a website that gathers user scores for beer in real-time. BeerAdvocate makes its determinations by compiling consumer ratings for all 50 states and Washington D.C. and applying a weighted rank to each. The weighted rank pulls the beer toward the list's average based on the number of ratings it has and aims to allow lesser-known beers to increase in rank. Only beers with at least 10 rankings to be considered; we took it a step further to only include beers with at least 100 user rankings in our gallery. Keep reading to find out what the best beer is in each of the 50 states and Washington D.C.

Gallery Credit: Angela Underwood