Bark River, Michigan · Est. 2019

What if your neighborhood had a place where the bread rises as slowly as the beer ferments?

At The Church Brewery, we believe the best things — a crusty sourdough, a rich stout, a genuine conversation — cannot be rushed. We've been crafting both since day one, right here in Bark River.

Plan Your Visit Read Our Story

Small batch. Local ingredients. No shortcuts.

A glass of amber craft beer beside a freshly baked artisan loaf on a rustic wooden table

Close-up of hands dusting flour over a round of artisan sourdough bread

Since 2019 Bark River, MI

The warm interior of The Church Brewery with exposed brick walls, wooden tables, and brewing equipment visible through an opening

Our Story

Born from a conviction that community deserves better

The Church Brewery didn't start as a business plan. It started as a conversation between neighbors who wanted something more from their town — something with warmth, intention, and a little bit of soul.

Bark River is the kind of place where people know your name. We wanted a space that honored that spirit: a brewery that treats every batch like it's for your family, and a bakery that rises to the occasion every single morning.

Today, we brew small batches on-site and bake from scratch before dawn. Our sourdough starters are older than most of our regulars. Our stout has won local awards. But what we're proudest of? The faces that fill our room on a Friday night — friends, families, and strangers who became something like family.

7+ Years brewing & baking

12 Rotating beer styles

100% From-scratch baking

The Craft

Two disciplines. One philosophy.

We don't split our focus between beer and bread — we let each one inform the other. Patience, quality ingredients, and respect for tradition guide everything we make.

Small-Batch Brewing

Every batch is brewed in limited quantities so we can taste, adjust, and perfect before it ever reaches your glass. Our rotating tap list features IPAs, stouts, lagers, and seasonal specials that change with the Michigan seasons.

House fermentation & conditioning
Locally sourced hops when available
Weekly tap rotation

Signature

Artisan Breads & Pastries

We start before sunrise so the bread is ready when you are. Our sourdough, ciabatta, and brioche are made with wild yeast starters and stone-ground flours. Pastries are baked fresh daily — croissants, cinnamon rolls, and seasonal fruit tarts.

48-hour cold-fermented sourdough
Stone-milled heritage flours
Baked fresh before dawn, every day

Community Gatherings

The Church Brewery is more than a brewery and bakery — it's a living room for Bark River. We host trivia nights, live acoustic sets, bread-making workshops, and tasting events throughout the year.

Weekly trivia & open mic nights
Seasonal tasting events
Private event hosting available

From the Oven

The smell of fresh bread
should be a neighborhood event.

We open the bakery side before sunrise. By the time most of Bark River is starting its day, our ovens have already produced today's first batch of sourdough, our morning croissants are golden, and the coffee is brewing.

Our bread menu changes with the seasons and the harvest. Some days you'll find our classic country loaf. Other days, we're experimenting with spelt, rye, or a holiday spice brioche. If you have a question about an ingredient or a dietary need, just ask — we love talking food.

Sourdough, ciabatta, focaccia & more

Pastries baked fresh every morning

Gluten-sensitive options available

Pre-orders accepted for special orders

Ask About Special Orders

A rustic round of artisan sourdough bread with a deeply caramelized crust, sliced to reveal an open crumb

Freshly baked golden croissants and cinnamon rolls arranged on a linen cloth

Visit Us

We're right here in
the heart of Bark River

Address 5133 I Rd, Bark River 49807

Hours Tue–Thu: 8am – 7pm
Fri–Sat: 8am – 9pm
Sun: 8am – 4pm
Mon: Closed

Phone (190) 629-5178

Call Ahead for Orders

The cozy interior of The Church Brewery with warm lighting, wooden bar seating, and beer taps visible in the background

"The kind of place where you walk in for a loaf of bread and stay for three hours. Best stout in the Upper Peninsula, and the croissants are unreal."

A local regular

Join Us

Come for the bread.
Stay for the beer.

Whether you're grabbing a morning loaf or settling in for an evening pint, there's a seat with your name on it at The Church Brewery.

Call (190) 629-5178 Send a Message

Contact

We'd love to hear from you

Have a question about our bread, want to book a private event, or just want to say hello? Reach out however works best for you.

(190) 629-5178 5133 I Rd, Bark River 49807