Hop Lot Brewing Co. & Beer Garden — Restaurant in Suttons Bay Township

My wife and I have been to Hop Lot before and it was a lot of fun. Music, drinks, food, etc. This time we went expecting the same but our experience came up short. Our daughter has a food allergy so we looked over the menu beforehand and picked out a few items to ask about to confirm they were ok. Being Memorial Day weekend, the place was packed so we sat near the entrance. Our table didn’t have a QR code so I got in line for drinks and to ask about the food. 20 min later I got to the bar only for the bartender to point me to a manager near the entrance. I made my way that direction and asked two employees at the entrance my questions. They’d responded that gluten free buns were an option and I mentioned gluten wasn’t related to the allergy. The “manager” then went off to talk to the kitchen while the older “greeter” stayed. I asked clarified the situation with him only to be told that I “should bring something from home”. Now, I understand not every establishment takes allergies into account but when that’s the case the menu typically identifies that or a server apologies and says they can’t accommodate. I have NEVER been told to “bring something from home”. This was especially ironic considering this is a tourist destination, all of whom are away from home. While this didn’t sit well with me, my wife and I agreed to just pick some same options and order anyway. Then came another problem. When I finally tracked down a QR code from another table, the online menu had a fraction of the options shown on their website. Looking for answers another customer mentioned they were able to order food from the merchandise counter. I then made my way there only to be told I could order food there and must wait in the 30 min long bar line.

TLDR: staff was uninformed about food allergens on a menu that didn’t match what was online and getting service was near impossible. But hey, at least the...

The Hop Lot isn’t your traditional brewery. I’m using “isn’t traditional” in a good way here. The Hop Lot is an unexpected diversion from the norm, it’s an experience that takes you back to your younger years when you would sit out by the camp fire, roast marshmallows and eat dinner at a picnic table. The good thing is now you can relive those youthful memories at the Hop Lot and pair it with one of their originally crafted beers. The Hop Lot isn’t just for adults remembering their younger years,it’s also for families, which truly broadens the appeal of this unique and authentic brewery. It’s not too often that you would rather spend your entire time outside in the warm or cool months, rather than inside (which by the way is also beautiful),but that’s what makes this such a special place. Outside you’ll find families gathered by the fire or folks playing corn-hole, but if that’s not your thing, enjoying an original brew in the beer garden is sure to keep you coming back again and again. Just like the one-of-a-kind atmosphere, the beer is also unique and original. There’s really something for everybody when it comes to their beer. So if you’re looking for the “cookie cutter”bar experience and an atmosphere of a cliché chain restaurant, well this probably isn’t your place but if you’re looking for something better, more original and a family atmosphere where you’re treated like family, then you need to check out the Hop Lot the next time you’re in town. You won’t be...

It’s basically a mediocre fast-food restaurant with beer and a cool outdoor vibe. The guy who greeted us was super friendly and explained how everything worked from where to sit to how you order food and drinks.

I would prefer to give 5 stars, but the reason for 2 was simply because it seemed like the operation was more about convenience for the staff than service for the customer.

For drinks, you scan a QR code on your table and pay through an app on your phone, and then they bring drinks to your table.

For food, you walk up to a counter to place your order with your credit card as a separate transaction. They take the item off a shelf behind them and hand it to you. My son asked for regular slaw on his sandwich instead of horseradish slaw, and she said no they can’t do that. There was no line behind us, and it would have taken a few seconds to do it, but she said no. When she spun the card reader around, the default tip was 20%. I was shocked. They didn’t even serve us at our table. (Imagine the guy at McDonald’s assuming you want to give him a 20% tip for taking your order.) Also, you bus your own table.

The beer was decent, and the food was meh. The side of chips was out of a bag.

Based on its reputation, I really wanted to like it, but it was just off-putting to me for a service-based business. Maybe this was an anomaly, and I wouldn’t mind trying again - I would gladly revise my review if...