Bellaire is small, but the drinks scene around it isn't: a famous brewery, a meadery, wineries on Torch Lake, a craft distillery and a cluster of tasting rooms near Charlevoix. We've grouped our favorites into three routes. Pick one per day, and plan a driver.
Before you go
- Pick a designated driver. Our routes cover real distances, and the roads are rural and dark at night.
- Check hours. Many tasting rooms close a day or two a week and cut hours in the off-season. We don't list hours here because they change.
- Eat along the way. Several stops serve food, and we've noted lunch spots.
Route 1: downtown Bellaire on foot
The easiest route of all: park once and walk.
| Stop | What it is |
|---|---|
| Short's Brewing Company | The original Short's pub, open since 2004, with pub food and a long list of house beers |
| Bee Well Mead & Cider, 116 N. Bridge St. | A family-run meadery making honey meads and hard ciders, with rotating taps and a kid-friendly tasting room |
Bee Well was founded in 2014 by brothers Chris and Jeremy VanSice, and opened its downtown tasting room in 2018. It's a short walk from Short's, so it's the perfect stop while you wait for a table. The two even made a beer together, Hey Neighbor, with Bee Well honey. More in our Short's guide.
Route 2: Torch Lake to Elk Rapids
A half day or full day down the east side of Torch Lake to Grand Traverse Bay.
| Stop | Where | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Torch Lake Cellars | 5245 Clam Lake Rd., Bellaire | Family-owned vineyard and winery with wines, fruit wines and ciders |
| WaterFire Vineyards | 12180 Sutter Rd., Kewadin | The first all-estate winery in Antrim County, a short walk from Torch Lake |
| Lunch: Cellar 152 | 152 River St., Elk Rapids | Started as a wine bar in 2015, now a full restaurant |
| Short's Pull Barn | 211 Industrial Park Dr., Elk Rapids | The taproom at Short's production brewery, with a beer garden and food trucks |
Torch Lake Cellars says its seasonal hours vary, so call ahead at 231-377-9109. If you have extra time in Elk Rapids, walk the harbor and downtown. See our Elk Rapids guide.
Route 3: Central Lake, Ellsworth and Charlevoix
A full day heading north, finishing with a Lake Michigan sunset.
| Stop | Where | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Mammoth Distilling Cocktail Lounge | 2407 Main St., Central Lake | Mammoth's first tasting room, opened in 2016 in a 100-year-old brick building |
| Royal Farms | US-31, Ellsworth | Farm market and winery, with wines and ciders alongside seasonal fruit and baked goods |
| Lost Cellars | US-31, near Charlevoix | A winery that began as a vineyard in 2007, with the Rebar Stillworks micro-distillery |
| Folklor Wine & Cider | Charlevoix | A small farm winery and cidery founded in 2023, with certified organic estate fruit |
Finish on the Charlevoix pier for sunset. Mammoth is about 8 miles north of Bellaire, so it also works as a nightcap stop on its own. See Ellsworth and day trips from Bellaire.
Tasting tips
- Taste, don't drink. Most places offer flights or small pours.
- Go on a weekday if you can. Weekends in summer and fall get busy.
- Bring a cooler for bottles, especially on a warm day.
- Ask about kids and dogs before you go. Policies vary.
Frequently asked questions
Are there wineries near Bellaire, Michigan?
Yes. Torch Lake Cellars is in Bellaire, WaterFire Vineyards is on Torch Lake in Kewadin, and Royal Farms, Lost Cellars and Folklor are to the north toward Charlevoix.
Is there a meadery in Bellaire?
Yes. Bee Well Mead & Cider has a tasting room at 116 N. Bridge St. in downtown Bellaire, a short walk from Short's.
Is there a distillery near Bellaire?
Mammoth Distilling has a cocktail lounge in Central Lake, about 8 miles north, and Lost Cellars near Charlevoix has the Rebar Stillworks micro-distillery.
Sources
Bee Well Mead & Cider, Torch Lake Cellars and details from our breweries, wineries and distilleries guide, which lists its own sources. Checked November 1, 2026.