This marks the third visit to Mountain Town Station.  We didn’t do a proper rating the last times we were here, which was 2 years ago.   And our last visit when we finally got our growler – we didn’t even put it on the site.  They’ve been in business for 9 to 10 years now.  The outdoor patio is very large and is next to the railroad tracks and overlooks the Chippewa River. They have a dinner train that embarks right from the brewery and travels to Clare.  Todd was very interested and it sounds like the perfect way to see the fall colors in a 1950’s vintage restored passenger train. 

Krista waited on us and we ordered up a sampler and tried:  Gamblers Golden Ale (very light, not too hoppy), Cow Catcher Red Ale (light for a red, nice malty flavor), Chip River Weizen (not too wheaty and better than most), Iron Horse IPA (hoppy yet not overpowering), Hobo’s Breath Brown Ale (light with a great malty flavor), Railyard Raspberry Wheat (made with 250lbs of raspberry puree, smooth and good), and Steam Engine Stout (imperial stout).  We loved the brown and stout and ended up with a growler re-fill of the brown.  Todd also purchased a pint glass.  We talked with Wendall the brewer, who has been there 5 years.  It’s great to chat with someone who likes malty rather than hoppy brews.

They have a full food menu with a large variety to choose from – steaks, seafood and award winning BBQ ribs (we noticed some first place trophies from the Bay City Pig Gig.  We decided to order the Wild Mushroom Bisque soup and the Seafood Fettucini (salmon, scallops, and shrimp).  If, you love mushrooms like we do, this bisque is for you – the mushroom types vary by the time of year and we were surprised to find Morels in it.  Both of these we liked a lot.  We also spoke to one of the owners, Jim, and it was a great time there.  We will enjoy coming back to try some other items on the menu, like the Pasta Purses, which are like a ravioli size and have 5 cheeses, mushrooms, dried tomatoes, and pesto sauce.

See our previous Sanford, Mountain Town link (click here) for more!

Ratings based on our personal preferences - yours may vary.

This is a nice true bar look with lots of ball caps, antiques, and old pictures on the walls.  We know they have good food here and we decided to come back for the third visit to actually rate the beer. 

 Julie waited on us and we ordered a sampler - they had three on tap:  Sharlyn’s Red Crown Lager (light), Flat & Skunky German Ale (looks red, is light with a smokey flavor), and Corbats Porter (lighter than a normal porter with more hoppiness).  They don’t have growlers here and they have no brew to go.

Todd noticed on the desert menu that they have fried ice cream balls with fudge, whipped cream and a cherry, we ordered this and it was good, yet different.  We weren’t too hungry after eating at Mountain Town, but the Seafood Nachos also looked good.

Julie had told us that people ask to see the brewing process and she laughs and says I can show you the pan they cook it in.  We got a kick out of this.

See our previous Sanford, Mountain Town link (click here) for more!

Ratings based on our personal preferences - yours may vary.

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  Sanford Lake & Mountain Town (June, 2001)  

  Big Buck & Alcatraz (Aug, 2001)  

  Jamesport, Lighthouse, Mackinaw, Northpeak, Brewzone, Boyne River (Sep, 2001)  

  Wiltse's (Nov, 2001) & Tawas Point (May, 2004)  

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  Midland St. Ale Tour, Bay City, 2004  

  Old Boys, New Holland, Via Maria, Grand Rapids Brewing (Nov 12, 2004)  

  The B.O.B., Founders (Nov 13, 2004)  

  Thunder Bay, Kings, Bo's, CJ's (Feb 5, 2005)  

  Great Baraboo, Dragonmead, Belle River (Feb 26, 2005)  

  Boyne River, Shorts (Apr 30, 2005)  

  2nd U.P. Trip - Part 1, Tahquamenon, Lake Superior, Vierling, Jasper (Aug 24,25, 2005)  

  2nd U.P. Trip - Part 2, Red Jacket, Keweenaw, Library, Hereford & Hops (Aug 26,27, 2005)  

  Mountain Town, Sanford - 2nd Trip (Sept 10, 2005)  

  Michigan Brewing, Jolly Pumpkin, Redwood Lodge, (Sept 24, 2005)  

  Livery, Saugatuck, New Holland, Via Maria (Sept 30, 2005)  

  Middle Villa, Schmohz, Hideout (Oct 1, 2005)  

  Redwood Lodge (Sep, 2004), Redwood Lodge (Oct 8, 2005)  

  Kuhnhenn, Bastone, Lilys (Oct. 21, 2005)  

  Bonfire, Etouffee (Oct. 22, 2005)  

  Cork 'N' Ale 11th Annual Fall Beer Tasting (Nov. 3, 2005)  

  Traverse City, North Peak (Dec. 2, 2005)  

  Mackinaw, Shorts (Dec. 3, 2005)  

  Lumber Barons' Charcoal Grill & Brewpub (Dec. 9 & 10, 2005)