51 North Brewing

I will tell you what. Everything I've read from the previous reviews with multiple stars is pretty much spot on. I honestly cannot add too much more than what everyone has said.

My story; I was out on a bike ride with a friend on the Paint Creek trail. Checked the GPS on my phone to see how far we had gone and had a text message from a friend. The usual routine is to grab a beer back at the start of our ride at Rochester Mills. The texting friend suggested if we were close to check out 51 North. Being the enjoyer of beer that I am, and willing to try new spots, I said sure lets do it (plus he said he would take my friend and I back in his SUV after we enjoyed a beer or two and some food).

I was immediately sold, and was far far far from disappointed. Between our group we sampled their Chocolate Oatmeal Stout (Delicious), their wheat (also delicious), their Session IPA (yet again...delicious), their light (yep, still mighty good). So yeah, their beers were spot on. I could not have been happier after the 10 miles we put in to get there.

We had some of their chips and a bleu cheese dip to get started, which I really enjoyed, my compadres were only so so on it, but one of the party was not a big fan of onions (and it had scallions in it...barely an onion in my book).

For the mains, one enjoyed a salad, two of us had soups and their turkey sandwich. I don't know about the other people's sandwiches and not being overly content with their bread, but my sandwich had bread from Great Harvest, and I"m a big fan of good hearty bread. All in all, our first time is definitely not going to be our last time.

Also, a side note, apparently they are the only microbrewery around that has stainless steel growlers...yeah, i'm going to be picking one up very soon!

Check this place out and enjoy like we did!! I hope you are not disappointed (since we weren't)

I never heard of this place until my friend suggested a road trip the other day.  I looked at their rather descriptive website (always a plus!), and looked forward to going there.  I was not disappointed.

As usual with visiting a new brew pub, I ordered a sampler, which consisted of six 4 oz. pours.  I was able to substitute some of their specialty beers with those always on tap.  A very nice option.  All of the beers were good.  i was impressed by the Brown and especially the Wee Heavy.  The three varieties of IPAs were great, too.  Having just opened in January, this speaks well to their craft.  Sometimes it takes a while to get the recipes where they want them.

The menu consists of sandwiches and salads.  The sandwich I had, Caprese Chicken was good.  The bread could have been better, though.  it came with chips and a pickle.  

Service was great, as well.  We were immediately greeted, seated and served.  Empty glasses were removed quickly and we were kept well watered (no, really, water).  prices were fair and staff was friendly and knowledgeable.

They also make and serve their own wines and mead, but we were in a beer mood.  It's too bad it's so far away (an hour) or else I'd go back more often.

We have been Lake Orion residents for four years now and have been hoping for a place like this. Contrary to prior reviews, the beers are spot on and are multi-layer in flavor. Additionally, the food is high quality and unique. I ordered the Garlicky Beer Cheese Soup thinking it would be a traditional cream based soup and was pleasantly surprised when it came out broth based. Very similar to a good Swiss Onion. 51 North will rest the bar and be the talk of the town by midsummer.