Right Brain Brewery is a Traverse City institution, known as much for its inventive, small-batch beers as it is for the laid-back, come-as-you-are taproom atmosphere. The lineup rotates constantly, so regulars rarely order the same thing twice — expect everything from approachable pale ales to some genuinely unusual seasonal releases you won’t find anywhere else. The taproom itself is relaxed and unpretentious, with plenty of seating, a solid food menu to go along with the beer, and an outdoor space that fills up fast on warm evenings. Right Brain also hosts live music and community events regularly, so it’s worth checking their calendar before you go if you want to time your visit around something specific. It draws a genuine mix of locals and visitors, which makes it a good spot to get a feel for Traverse City beyond the tourist strip. We usually point our evening-oriented guests here first — it’s an easy walk or short drive from several of our Traverse City properties, and it’s the kind of place where a quick stop turns into a couple of hours without you noticing. Go early if you want a table on a summer weekend; it fills up fast once the sun starts to set.
