Drífa Brewing Company — Restaurant in Marquette

When it comes to local breweries, Marquette is blessed with some truly distinctive establishments. Some of which I continue to enjoy every time I am in town. Though for me the standout among them is Drifa Brewing. Slightly off the beaten path, it sits a few blocks south of downtown in view of the lake. It is well away from downtown pedestrian and auto traffic and is better for it. This contributes to a welcome low-key and chill vibe outside in the yard amongst the picnic tables and inside by the comfy lounge and spacious high-tops. The co-op members and staff are friendly, engaging, and committed to a customer service experience. And it’s an incredibly comfortable and inviting space for friends to gather and chat without having to shout. It also hosts my favorite "trivia night" in the area. Most of all, the beer options are delicious as are the seltzers and frozen drinks (along with whichever food truck happens to be on site). It's always a welcome retreat for a beer, a game of euchre, and simply interacting with other patrons...

Drifa Brewing is proof that sometimes less is more. I went with a seltzer, crisp and unfussy, the kind of drink that does not demand your attention but rewards you for noticing. It is clean, refreshing, and feels like it belongs here in the north where the air itself tastes better.

The atmosphere inside is light but still carries a touch of sophistication. It is the sort of place that feels welcoming to locals and travelers alike, a place where you can talk about the finer points of hops or just sit back and let the glass sweat in your hand.

Step outside and you get the real magic. The outdoor seating frames Marquette in a way that makes you slow down and take stock. Lake Superior breathes just beyond, and suddenly your drink is not just a drink, it is part of the view. Comfort meets beauty, and neither one has to apologize for showing up together.

Drifa Brewing is not trying to be the loudest voice in the room. It just wants to be the right one. And on a clear day in Marquette, it is...

We came back after a long hiatus, hearing they had a new brewer. Beer was ok, atmosphere was the same. The turn off was the bartender openly complaining about the mug club members to patrons at the bar. My husband is a mug club member from the beginning days, sitting about 3 feet away, listening as the bartender talked about the members not supporting the brewery, not helping out in anyway, and how the brewery’s demographic is tourists now since the mug club members aren’t reliable.

It was a decent experience until the bartender’s rant about how horrible the mug club members are. We probably won’t be back unless things significantly change for the better....