🍻 Dark Horse Brewing Co. in Marshall, Michigan

🍻 Dark Horse Brewing Co. in Marshall, Michigan

A Bite and a Sip Experience

On a recent day trip to Marshall, Michigan, we dropped into Dark Horse Brewing Co.—a must‑visit for craft beer lovers and casual diners alike. It’s a lively complex featuring a taproom, pizza kitchen, general store, boutique shops, and a seasonal beer garden. Their ceiling is literally adorned with thousands of personalized mugs from mug‑club members—it’s wild to see  .

I had:

A Lip Stringer Pizza (spicy, cheesy, mouth‑watering, though my nose paid the price—it was running the rest of the day!)

A Crooked Tree IPA—a signature brew with a punchy, hoppy flavor

Kellie had:

Fish and Chips, with her accurate side note: “chips are chips—not French fries”

A Blackberry Sangria, fruity, refreshing, and delightful on a warm afternoon

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Highlights of the Visit

The crooked tree: part of the expanded outdoor seating area and beer garden. Its charm was echoed in the playful branding of their famous Crooked Tree IPA.

Atmosphere: Equal parts rustic and creative—think Chicago-style cozy meets Michigan craft community energy.

Food & Drink: You get more than just brewery fare. They’ve got wood-fired pizza ovens, creative sandwiches, salads, and seasonal specials. The pizza ovens particularly impressed, offering inventive combos and quality crusts  .

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🏭 A Brief History of Dark Horse Brewing

Dark Horse Brewing Co. began in 1997 when Aaron Morse convinced his father Bill to repurpose a former gas station and small restaurant into a brewpub in Marshall  . The first iteration included full restaurant service, but Aaron wanted focus on craft beer. They pivoted in 1999–2000, converted to a microbrewery, installed a seven-barrel system in a small taproom, and started serving pizza to match their house brews  .

Over the years:

They expanded aggressively—adding a general store, marketplace, outdoor beer garden, and even workshops, skate parks, and creative studios on the sprawling campus  .

The Crooked Tree IPA, Black Ale, and other flagship beers became regional favorites.

In 2010, a fire destroyed part of the taproom. It was quickly rebuilt and grew stronger  .

In 2014, the brewery starred in a reality show, Dark Horse Nation, on The History Channel  .

In 2019, it was acquired by Roak Brewing Co., and later by Benchmark Beverage in 2024–25—expanding production operations, enhancing beer lines, and preserving the brand’s Michigan roots  .

Dark Horse has become a cultural hub for Marshall, credited as one of the key reasons tourists visit the small town (population ~6,800) with a blossoming architectural heritage and a growing craft‑beer reputation  .

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✏️ Final Thoughts & Travel Tip

Our visit to Dark Horse was a memorable blend of quirky charm and flavorful dining. From Lip Stringer pizza (warning: it’s spicy!) to the bold Crooked Tree IPA, and Kellie’s perfectly chosen (and correctly termed) chips with blackberry sangria, it nailed that fun Michigan craft‑brew vibe. The crooked tree in the garden area added a whimsical touch—perfect for a photo op.

If you’re planning a trip:

Visit in spring or summer for the Beer Garten with live music and outdoor seating.

Be sure to join or admire the mug club ceiling if you’re inside—it’s Instagram gold.

Don’t skip the pizza ovens—they offer quality reminiscent of Detroit‑style pan pizzas with crispy cheese edges and rich toppings that stand up to the craft beers  .