A Tale of Two Cideries
The rise of hard ciders benefits orchardists, who can sell their excess crops to local cider makers.
STEVENSVILLE, MICHIGAN
The big red apple: Mid-century charm, refreshing brews at Peat’s Cider Social
Nestled between wine country and Lake Michigan along Red Arrow Highway in Stevensville, Michigan, is an experience that is sure to have visitors looking at the bright “cider” things.
Peat’s Cider Social’s sign reflects an atomic red apple in the eyes of passersby. It was once a bowling ball, according to Dan and Leah Peat, the married co-founders.
Entering the Social, guests are greeted with the low rumble of bowling balls followed by a clatter of pins. A taproom transports visitors to yesteryear in the vibrantly restored mid-century bar, offering locally brewed hard cider as its star refreshments. Brightly colored walls in the taproom, a retro bowling alley boasting 16 lanes, arcade games and a large back patio invite guests of all ages to stay awhile.
The Peats launched Peat’s Cider in 2017, offering craft-brewed hard cider for sale as a packaged beverage. They developed a variety of ciders with unique flavor combinations, and within a couple of years, the family and brand were looking for a space to serve their refreshments on tap.
“[Leah and I] were driving back from looking at a different space,” Dan says, describing how they discovered the former Lakeshore Lanes. “It had this bowling ball at the end of the sign and my wife was like, ‘Wouldn’t it be funny if instead of a bowling ball it was a big apple and that was our taproom there?’”
As fate would have it, the 1960s-era bowling alley was for sale.
“When we walked into Lakeshore Lanes, Dan and I could feel the energy and potential of the place,” says Leah. “Hard cider is a growing category, so having an activity to pair with it—in a family-friendly space—just felt right.”
Today, the bowling alley accommodates bowlers of all ages and skill levels. The machines powering the lanes behind the pins are original and maintained by the Peats and their partners, Tiffany and Josh Cosner. Off to each side of the bowling alley are arcade games, and there is a large, pet-friendly patio with heaters and fire tables.
At the core of the establishment is the taproom, offering 10 different hard ciders. The Huntsman, Peat’s Cider’s first offering, boasts a semi-dry, crisp apple experience. Another selection, The Birdwatcher, is described on the menu as “tart and tangy with grapefruit and ginger.”
Leah looks forward to The Good Witch seasonal hard cider, which she describes as the “quintessential apple pie hard cider.”
The Peats encourage visitors to bring their own food to enjoy with the cider and bowling or to order for delivery from one of the area restaurants. The taproom also offers sodas and juice.
“A cider-centric entertainment experience” is what Dan hopes visitors have when visiting the Social. He says the separate areas are different ways to host and entertain guests of all ages together. “Millennials are getting older. We need to entertain our kids,” Dan says. “Maybe we will be the spot where people are maturing in their craft alcohol lives. Maybe we will be the spot where you can bring your whole family.”
Leah agrees: “We say that all are welcome at the Social, whether you’re a hard cider fan or sipping on juice boxes, and we mean it.”
Peat’s Cider Social
6201 Red Arrow Hwy.
Stevensville, MI
269.465.6814
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