KaBrew: Traverse City’s Original Kayak Brewery Tour Experience

KaBrew turns a brewery outing into a half-day adventure on two wheels and the water. You bike from the meeting point to breweries such as Right Brain and The Filling Station, then trade the bicycle for a kayak on Boardman Lake and the river. It is a smart way to see more of Traverse City than you would from a bar stool.

I like the combination of easy cycling and an urban paddle, and I like that the outfit supplies the bike, helmet, kayak, paddle, life jacket, lock, and map. Guides including Fisher, Marissa, John, Johnny, and Tawny have helped make group trips friendly and well organized. The main catch is that beer, food, and tasting fees cost extra, and one section may require you to lift and drag a heavy kayak around a dam.

KaBrew at a glance

• Two kinds of exercise: Ride the trails first, then paddle Boardman Lake and the Boardman River.
• Local brewery stops: Right Brain Brewery and The Filling Station are listed stops, with Rare Bird Brewpub and Silver Spruce Brewing Company as possible additions.
• Flexible format: You may join a guided outing or follow a self-guided route with a map and phone support for equipment changes.
• Four to five hours: The pace leaves time for beer, food, cycling, kayaking, and stops without turning the day into a race.
• Central starting point: Begin and finish at 1910 W South Airport Road, with transportation and equipment handled for you.
• Good but not perfect value: The $79 fee covers the active part of the day and all core equipment, but drinks, meals, and brewery tasting charges are extra.

Why combine bikes, kayaks, and beer in Traverse City?

A standard brewery tour keeps you moving from one tasting room to another by vehicle. KaBrew asks you to earn the next pint with a gentle ride and a paddle. That changes the rhythm of the day. You get scenery, fresh air, and a little exercise between brewery visits.

The route also gives you different views of Traverse City. On the bike, you follow trails around Boardman Lake. From the kayak, you see the lake and river at water level, with the city and nearby natural areas providing the setting. One description calls the paddle an urban route, which is useful context: this is not a remote wilderness trip. It is an active way to see the city and its waterways.

The experience lasts about four to five hours and starts at noon. That timing makes sense for a relaxed lunch and beer outing, but you should not expect an early morning activity. The day may include a guide, or it may be self-guided, depending on the departure and group arrangements. Either way, the company provides route suggestions and instructions for changing from bikes to kayaks.

Starting at 1910 West South Airport Road

You meet at 1910 W South Airport Road in Traverse City and return there at the end. The activity includes convenient transportation from the central meeting point, so you do not need to arrange separate bike and kayak rentals around town.

The equipment package is a major part of the value. You receive a bicycle, helmet, and lock for the land portion, then a kayak, paddle, and life jacket for the water portion. A map and tour information are included as well.

The maximum group size is listed as 40 people. That is a fairly large ceiling, although actual departures can be smaller. Some outings have had only a handful of people, while others have included a guide leading a group. If having a guide matters to you, confirm that one is available before you count on a fully escorted tour.

The operator has also adjusted plans when weather caused trouble. That is important in northern Michigan, where a sunny afternoon can change quickly. This activity requires good weather, and poor conditions may lead to a new date or a refund.

The first ride to Right Brain Brewery

The cycling portion begins with a ride from the meeting area to Right Brain Brewery. The route is generally described as easy, with only two hills noted by one participant. That makes it manageable for most people who are comfortable on a bicycle, though you should still expect a few hours of mixed activity rather than a purely casual tasting tour.

Right Brain is the first chance to stop, rest, and sample local beer. Tasting charges are not included, so plan to pay directly for whatever you order. The stop lasts about 45 minutes, giving you enough time for a drink and a look around without letting the brewery portion swallow the whole afternoon.

I like this first stop because it gives you a gentle start. You are not immediately pushed onto the water or sent up a demanding hill. Instead, the bike ride gets you moving, and the brewery provides a natural break.

Keep your drinking pace sensible. You still have another bicycle ride and a kayak section ahead. The $79 price does not include alcohol, so the total cost depends on how much you order at each stop.

Flatbread and craft beer at The Filling Station

From Right Brain, you continue by bike to The Filling Station Microbrewery. This stop is another chance to sample beer, but it is also the most practical place for food. The brewery is known for flatbread pizza, and the itinerary allows about 45 minutes here.

Food is not included, so budget for lunch separately. That is not a small detail. Four to five hours of cycling, paddling, and brewery stops can leave you hungry, and starting the kayak portion without eating would make the day less comfortable.

The ride between breweries helps keep the day from feeling like a string of isolated tastings. You are using the trails as part of the experience, not merely as transportation. At the same time, the cycling means you should dress for activity rather than for a formal brewery visit.

The route has been described as beautiful and easy, though not completely effortless. Two hills may not sound like much, but a bicycle loaded with the day’s gear and a few drinks can change how those hills feel. Eat before paddling, keep alcohol moderate, and treat the cycling as a real part of the tour.

Switching from bikes to kayaks

After the brewery section, you trade the bicycles for kayaks. Staff provide instructions for the exchange, and on a self-guided outing you may call when you are ready to switch equipment and again when you finish.

This setup gives you useful freedom. You are not forced to leave a brewery at a precise moment just because a large group has moved on. You can follow the suggested route at your own pace and, within the planned area, choose the order that works best for your day.

The tradeoff is less hand-holding. A self-guided option works best if you are comfortable following a map, making decisions about timing, and contacting the outfitter when you need the next piece of equipment. If you want someone explaining every turn and managing the day, ask about a guided departure.

The kayaks are described as heavy, especially when they must be lifted or dragged. That is the most important physical warning in the available information. Paddling itself may feel manageable, but moving the boat over land near a dam can require real effort. Ask for clear instructions before setting off, and do not assume the kayak will be easy to carry alone.

Paddling toward Rare Bird Brewpub

The route then takes you by kayak toward Rare Bird Brewpub in the heart of Traverse City. This is the most unusual part of the tour. You are not simply walking into a downtown brewery. You are approaching the city from Boardman Lake and the river.

The paddle has been described as a short urban outing, with a route from the lake toward the river and bay area. That means you can expect a change from the open bike trail to a more water-focused view of town. It is a good fit if you enjoy seeing how a city connects to its waterways.

Rare Bird is listed as a potential 45-minute stop. Food and drinks remain your responsibility, and the schedule can depend on water conditions, group pace, and the chosen route. The kayaking section is a highlight, but it is not a long wilderness expedition. Think of it as a scenic city paddle with brewery access.

The dam is the main caution here. You may need to get out and move the kayak around it rather than paddle straight through. Because the boat can be awkward to carry, this part may feel more like a short portage than a relaxing float.

Silver Spruce and the freedom to choose your route

Silver Spruce Brewing Company is another possible stop before you return to Medalie Park and eventually the starting point. The wording matters: it is not presented as a guaranteed stop on every version of the outing. The day can vary based on the route, timing, guide, and whether you are following a self-guided plan.

The Boardman Lake and river portion is designed to give you some choice. The outfitter provides suggested routes and a sample itinerary, but you can explore in a different order. That flexibility suits independent people and private groups. It also means you should pay attention to the map and keep track of time.

I would treat the brewery list as a menu of possible stops, not a promise that you will spend a full 45 minutes at every location. If visiting a particular brewery is your main goal, confirm the planned route before booking.

The return to the original meeting point keeps the logistics simple. You do not need to find your way back to a separate rental shop or arrange a taxi for the equipment. At the end, the bikes and kayaks go back to the outfitter, and your day is finished where it began.

What the $79 price really covers

At $79 per person, KaBrew is not the cheapest way to sample Traverse City beer. You still pay for alcoholic drinks, tasting fees, lunch, and any other food. If you visit several breweries and order generously, your final bill can rise well above the advertised price.

The fee makes more sense when you value the equipment and planning. A normal self-planned version would require a bike rental, a kayak rental, life jackets, paddles, route research, and a way to coordinate switching from one activity to the other. KaBrew bundles those pieces and supplies a map and local instructions.

The value is strongest for a couple or group that wants one organized outing rather than separate rentals. It is also useful for a birthday, girls trip, or bachelorette gathering, since the day has a built-in structure without requiring someone in the group to handle all the logistics.

It is less appealing if you only want to taste beer. In that case, a brewery tour with transportation may be more comfortable and possibly less expensive after drinks are added. KaBrew is worth the money when the biking and kayaking are part of what you came to Traverse City to do.

Who should book this active brewery outing?

I would recommend KaBrew to adults who enjoy moderate outdoor activity and do not mind combining exercise with beer tasting. It suits people who want to see Boardman Lake and the river while also visiting local breweries.

It can work well for groups, but everyone should understand the format before booking. The day includes cycling, paddling, equipment changes, and possibly a kayak portage. Someone who wants a purely social afternoon with minimal physical effort may find it tiring.

Most people can participate, according to the supplied activity information, but the experience still requires comfort with a bicycle and kayak. The heavy boat and dam crossing are worth considering if lifting or dragging equipment is difficult for you.

The tour has a 4.7 rating and a 93 percent recommendation figure from 15 listed ratings. The strongest pattern is clear: the guides and staff receive repeated praise for being friendly, helpful, and good at handling the logistics. Fisher, Marissa, John, Johnny, Tawny, Scott, and Aaron are among the staff names connected with successful outings.

There has also been at least one scheduling problem involving guide availability, maps, and business hours. The company responded by addressing the issue and offering a refund, but the practical lesson is simple: confirm the operating day, guide situation, and route before you set aside the afternoon.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation at booking, and the activity accepts mobile tickets. It is booked an average of 63 days ahead, so popular summer dates may require planning.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancel within 24 hours, or request a change during that window, and the payment is not refunded. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Because the start time is noon, check the forecast before leaving for the meeting point. A wet bike ride followed by kayaking is a different proposition from a clear afternoon, and the company may alter plans when conditions are poor.

Should you book KaBrew?

Book it if you want Traverse City beer with a real sense of place. The bike trails, Boardman Lake, river route, and brewery stops create a varied afternoon, and the supplied gear removes much of the rental hassle. The self-guided option also gives you room to set your own pace.

Skip it if you want an effortless pub crawl, a guaranteed list of every brewery, or a tour where all drinks and meals are included. Also think twice if lifting a heavy kayak around a dam would be a problem.

For the right group, KaBrew is a good-value active outing. Bring a willingness to pedal, paddle, pay separately for food and beer, and accept that the exact route may change. Confirm the guide and stops ahead of time, then let the day unfold around the water.

FAQ

How long does the KaBrew tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four to five hours.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 12:00 pm.

Where does KaBrew begin and end?

It begins at 1910 W South Airport Road in Traverse City, Michigan, and ends back at the meeting point.

What equipment is included?

The price includes a kayak, life jacket, paddle, bicycle, helmet, lock, tour information, and a map.

Are beer and food included in the price?

No. Alcoholic beverages, tasting fees, lunch, breakfast, and dinner are not included.

Is the tour guided or self-guided?

The experience may be guided or self-guided. Self-guided participants receive maps, route suggestions, instructions for changing equipment, and staff contact support.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the company cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.