KaBrew: Traverse City’s Original Kayak Brewery Tour Experience

Fresh air makes beer taste better. KaBrew links biking, kayaking, and local breweries into a four to five-hour outing around Traverse City. I like the mix of exercise and casual tasting, and I like that the $79 price includes the bike, kayak, paddle, life jacket, helmet, lock, and route information.

The main catch is that beer and food cost extra, and the route takes some effort. You may also receive a self-guided outing rather than a guide-led group, so you need to follow the map and manage your timing. A kayak must be moved around a dam on one route, which can be awkward with a heavy boat.

Key points to know before you book

• Two ways to explore: Ride a bike around Boardman Lake, then paddle toward the Boardman River and Traverse City.
• Four brewery possibilities: Right Brain Brewery, The Filling Station Microbrewery, Rare Bird Brewpub, and Silver Spruce Brewing Company may form the tasting route.
• Food and beer are separate costs: The Filling Station is known for flatbread pizza, but no meals, tastings, or drinks are included.
• You can set your own pace: The outing can be self-guided, with suggested routes and a map rather than a fixed group schedule.
• The activity begins at noon: Meet at 1910 W South Airport Road, and return there when finished.
• Weather matters: Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund, while cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.

A brewery tour with actual movement

KaBrew is not a pub crawl with a van shuttling you from taproom to taproom. You earn your next pint by pedaling or paddling to it. That simple change gives the day a better rhythm: ride, stop, eat or taste, ride again, then trade the bike for a kayak.

I like this format because Traverse City becomes part of the activity instead of a backdrop. The ride around Boardman Lake supplies the exercise, while the water route gives you a slower view of the city and nearby scenery. You also avoid spending the whole afternoon in a vehicle.

The experience is sold at $79 per person. That is a reasonable price if you want the equipment and route planning handled for you, especially since you receive both a bike and kayak. It is less of a bargain if you expected brewery samples or lunch to be part of the fee. Add money for beer, tasting charges, pizza, and any other food you order.

The tour usually lasts about four to five hours and begins at noon. Plan on giving it most of your afternoon. It is not a quick tasting stop you can squeeze between other fixed appointments.

Starting at Happy Town and riding to Right Brain

The route begins with bikes from the meeting area near Happy Town toward Right Brain Brewery. The ride has been described as easy, with only a couple of hills, though you should still be comfortable riding for part of an afternoon.

Right Brain is the first chance to stop for beer. You can taste its selection at your own expense, and the stop lasts about 45 minutes. That is enough time to look over the taps and enjoy a drink without turning the first brewery into a long sit-down meal.

I like putting this stop early in the day. You get a chance to settle into the bike before making the switch to water, and the first tasting gives the group a natural break. If you are riding with friends, it also gives everyone time to find a pace before the rest of the route.

Keep your first drink sensible. You still have biking and kayaking ahead, and the tour works best when you treat the beer as part of the day rather than the sole purpose. The price does not include the tasting fee, so check the cost when you arrive.

The Filling Station for beer and flatbread

From Right Brain, you ride to The Filling Station Microbrewery. This stop also lasts about 45 minutes, but it serves a practical purpose beyond another beer tasting. You can order one of the brewery’s flatbread pizzas, making this the most natural place to have lunch.

The flatbread is a useful part of the route because the tour begins at midday and continues well into the afternoon. I would plan to eat here rather than assume you can grab food whenever you want. Lunch is not included, and you pay for both food and drinks separately.

The stop also gives you time to rest your legs before the paddling section. You will want a proper break, not just a fast drink, if you are taking the full route. The itinerary allows roughly 45 minutes, so avoid ordering a meal that requires a long wait if you want to keep the rest of the day on schedule.

The exact order of the stops may vary. KaBrew provides suggested routes, but the self-guided setup lets you choose your pace and, within the available route, the order of your stops.

Trading the bike for a kayak

After the brewery rides, you switch from bikes to kayaks. The provided equipment includes a kayak, life jacket, and paddle, so you do not need to arrange separate rentals or work out how to transport a boat around the city.

This is one of the best parts of the experience. The bike section lets you cover more ground, while the kayak section changes the mood entirely. The route takes you through Boardman Lake and toward the Boardman River, with the possibility of continuing toward the bay depending on the route you choose.

You should expect an urban paddle rather than a remote wilderness trip. That is not a criticism. The appeal is seeing Traverse City from the water after exploring by bike, with wildlife and city scenery along the way.

A practical warning matters here: one route requires you to lift and drag the kayak around a dam. The boat can be heavy, so this is not a small technical detail. If you have limited strength or do not want to handle a kayak on land, ask about the route before setting out.

The water portion is described as a short, enjoyable paddle, but it still adds a physical challenge. You need enough comfort with basic kayaking to steer and keep moving on your own if your outing is self-guided.

Rare Bird Brewpub in the heart of Traverse City

Rare Bird Brewpub is the third possible brewery stop, reached by kayak according to the suggested itinerary. Its location in the heart of Traverse City makes it a memorable change from the first two stops, since the route brings you into the city center from the water.

The stop is planned for about 45 minutes. You can use that time for another drink or a short rest, but the cost remains yours. The benefit here is not simply another tap list. You are connecting the outdoor route with Traverse City’s town center, which gives the afternoon a stronger sense of place.

Because the itinerary is flexible, confirm the order and access details when you arrive. The material describes Rare Bird as a potential stop on the kayak route, while Silver Spruce is another possible brewery before the return. Do not assume every booking follows the same sequence or includes identical stops.

Silver Spruce and the route back to Medalie Park

Silver Spruce Brewing Company may be included before you head back toward Medalie Park. The stop is listed at about 45 minutes, giving you another chance to sample local beer if the timing and route allow.

This flexibility is useful for a private group or a day when you want to linger at one brewery. It can also make planning less precise. If you have a firm dinner reservation or another afternoon activity, ask the outfitter how your selected route will work and how long the bike and kayak exchanges may take.

The return toward the starting area completes the loop. Since equipment, maps, and suggested routes are supplied, you do not need to arrange a taxi between breweries or figure out how to return rented bikes and boats from different locations.

Self-guided freedom, with a little responsibility

KaBrew can work well as a guided outing, but the self-guided option is important to understand. The outfitter supplies a map, tips, and instructions for changing from bike to kayak. You then call when you need to exchange equipment and again when you are finished.

I like this arrangement if you prefer quiet control over your day. You can pause longer at a brewery, take your time on the water, or change the order of the stops rather than follow a guide’s whistle.

The tradeoff is that you need to pay attention. One person in a group should keep the map handy, track the route, and watch the clock. A guided day is simpler for anyone who does not want to handle navigation or equipment exchanges.

If you want a guide, check ahead. Guide availability may vary, and one scheduled outing had to become self-guided because no group guide was available. The company has used guides including John, Fisher, Marissa, Johnny, Tawny, and Aaron, and the feedback about their friendliness and help with logistics is a strong point. Still, do not book on the assumption that a named guide will lead your date.

What the $79 price really covers

The $79 fee pays for the core logistics:

• Kayak
• Life jacket
• Paddle
• Bike
• Helmet
• Lock
• Map and route information

It does not cover alcoholic drinks, tasting fees, breakfast, lunch, or dinner. That makes the tour more of an equipment-and-route package than an all-inclusive food tour.

I see value in the price if you would otherwise rent a bike and kayak separately, then spend time plotting a safe route between breweries. The outfitter handles the basic gear and gives you a plan, which removes much of the hassle.

Your final cost depends on how many breweries you visit and how much you order. A restrained afternoon may stay close to the advertised price, while a full brewery crawl with pizza and several drinks will cost more. The smart approach is to treat $79 as the entry fee and set a separate food and beer budget.

The maximum group size is 40 people. That is large enough for a busy group on some dates, though the self-guided format may spread people out along the route. If you prefer a smaller private experience, ask what group arrangements are available before booking.

What to pack and how to pace yourself

Wear clothes you can bike and kayak in. You should expect some physical effort, changing conditions, and the possibility of getting splashed. Bring only what you can manage safely on a bike or kayak.

A few simple choices will improve the day:

• Start with a moderate drink because the ride and paddle continue.
• Eat at The Filling Station or plan another approved food stop.
• Keep your phone protected while on the water.
• Leave room in your schedule for equipment changes.
• Ask about the dam portage before selecting your kayak route.
• Confirm whether your outing is guided or self-guided.

Most people can participate, but the combination of biking, kayaking, and handling equipment is not passive. If you are comfortable with both activities, the physical side should feel manageable. If you dislike hills, long rides, or lifting a kayak, ask specific questions before paying.

Weather, cancellations, and timing

The experience depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy makes sense for an outdoor outing involving both bikes and kayaks.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded. The meeting time is 12:00 pm at 1910 W South Airport Road in Traverse City, and the activity ends back at that meeting point.

Confirmation arrives when you book. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying nearby without a car, though the supplied information does not specify the exact transit route.

The experience is often booked well ahead, with an average booking point of 63 days in advance. If your trip dates are fixed, early planning is sensible, especially for weekends, celebrations, and larger groups.

Who will enjoy KaBrew most

I would recommend KaBrew to friends who want more than a standard brewery visit. It suits active couples, groups of friends, birthday outings, and bachelorette parties that want an activity between drinks.

It also works well for people who like freedom. You can use the route as a loose plan rather than a rigid schedule, and the self-guided version lets you control the pace.

I would be more cautious about recommending it to someone who wants an all-inclusive tasting tour, a fully guided afternoon, or a perfectly predictable timetable. The beer is not included, the route can change, and the kayak portage adds a real physical chore.

The strongest part of the experience is the combination itself. Biking around the lake, stopping for local beer and flatbread, then paddling along the lake and river gives you a fuller look at Traverse City than a row of taprooms would.

Should you book the KaBrew tour?

Book it if you want an active afternoon and like the idea of earning your brewery stops by bike and kayak. The equipment, map, and central return point make the $79 fee fair, while the route gives you a practical way to see Boardman Lake, the river, and several breweries in one outing.

Skip it if you want included tastings, minimal exertion, or guaranteed guide service. Before booking, confirm the route, guide availability, brewery order, and kayak portage. If those details suit your group, KaBrew offers a playful and memorable way to combine Traverse City’s outdoors with its local beer scene.

FAQ

How much does the KaBrew tour cost?

The price is $79 per person. Alcoholic drinks, tasting fees, and all meals are extra.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four to five hours and starts at 12:00 pm.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at 1910 W South Airport Road, Traverse City, Michigan 49686. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What equipment is included?

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

Is the tour guided?

The experience may be guided or self-guided. Maps, suggested routes, tips, and instructions for changing between bikes and kayaks are provided. Check guide availability before booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.