Starboard Brewing

Descriptive phrase: small, nautical nano-​brewery.
Swinging by Starboard Brewing on our way down through Sturgeon Bay coming back from Door County, we took the time to try a flight of all their beers on tap that night. There were maybe 15 people there, but more filed in as we left. I liked that they had set up a mini living room area with couches and chairs and coffee tables: really made the already local-​feeling more pronounced.
The beer was okay, but they were new and I’m sure they’ll get the recipes tweaked right. Our server was a bit odd and unwelcoming, which was off-​putting. I liked the nautical theme, but the bright lights and lack of music made the space a little uncomfortable. Maybe we hit it at the wrong time of day.
Overall Starboard Brewing is a fine place to stop for a pint while in the Sturgeon Bay area.

The owner of Ahnapee Brewing suggested we visit this brewery. There were around 20 in our group, and when we walked in, we were the only customers during most of our stay, but to be fair, it was only 2:00.
The space is clean and furniture is spread out, so if it gets packed, there is plenty of room.
I sampled 3 or 4 beers and enjoyed all of them. Stephen was behind the bar and took good care of us. He also took a few group pictures for us and we asked him to be in one of the pictures, too… cool dude!
One thing that was unique was the Bumper Pool Table. I probably haven’t seen one in twenty years. I don’t even remember how to play, but Stephen took the time to remind us and some of the guys got a few games in.
We enjoyed our visit and stayed for quite a while.
Stephen had an iPOD set up playing music but it wasn’t blaring. I actually think slightly louder music with speakers around the tasting room might have helped the atmosphere on our visit. Maybe it gets louder at night.
Regardless, we really like Starboard Brewing, and I highly recommend that you pay them a visit.
BTW, it’s a little tricky to find. It’s next door to the Hallmark store.

I’ve tried this place twice now, and I really want to like it. I really do. However, I don’t.
First came here not long after they opened. Décor was stark, but so be it. The beer was ok. Not bad for an early attempt, but nothing to write home about.
Came here again hoping that time and experience had improved things. Unfortunately they are worse. The décor is nothing that would draw you in – bright, harsh, loud. Definitely not intimate. Oh well, I’m here for the beer. So let’s order one! Barkeep? Ummm… barkeep? Hello? Yes, that’s me down here, at the end of the bar… holding a bill… signaling to you… hello?
Hmmmm…guess you have to be a local. Well, eventually the bartender saw fit to come down to us and just looked at us. No hello, what will you have, welcome, etc. Okayyyyy…
So, I am a big IPA fan and they just put one on the menu. My guest got a cherry wheat beer.
First off, their beers are unfiltered. That’s fine – I’m not above drinking a glass of yeasty beer if the reward is there. But, sadly, it is not.
The defining characteristic of an IPA is the hops. It has to be hop-​forward. I tasted NO, and I mean NO, hops at all. I’m sure they were in there, somewhere, just totally covered by the malt. Honestly, it tasted like a wheat beer, and looked like it too.
Regarding the fruit beer, it was pretty much undrinkable. Fruit can be tough to deal with – do it right and it’s blissful and flavorful; do it wrong and it is fermented and skunky. Yup, this one was skunky.
I told my guest not to finish it, but for $ 7/​glass she said she was going to give it her best shot. I did not. Finally I took the mostly-​full glasses up to the bar and set them on it. Got a glance from the barkeep but nothing else. Turned and walked out the door. We won’t be back.
What a shame.

Excellent beers, excellent staff, what else could you want? It’s a Nano brewery, so taps rotate fast. Reviews of specific beers are pretty useless. We tried 5 of the 7 on tap the night we went, all were very good to excellent. Stop in soon.

Awesome little brewery! Definitely stop by if you have the chance.

Amazing little nano brewery and a great addition to Sturgeon Bay the taps are always rotating with new and interesting beers which are all made on site. With eight different brews to choose I always find something I really enjoy, but if you really can’t choose go for the 1000 footer a sampler of every beer on tap. They also have some real nice cheese plates which are a great value. The beers are all true pints so a 16 oz beer comes in a 20 oz glass so you get a true pint of beer (or maybe a little more) The owner and staff are super friendly and you can tell they are proud of their product. They serve and brew their beer with integrity, dumping batches that are not quite right that other places would try to sell to unsuspecting customers. They just started selling growlers and I am excited to see them grow. My only complaint is the fills are little expensive (between 15 – 20 where i am used to 10 – 15) but that a byproduct of living in a tourist town. As a local resident maybe the price will come down in the off season. That is minor they still get full 5 stars from me. Amazing beer with great service.

Don’t hesitate to pay Starboard Brewing a visit! My favorite spot in Door County for quality craft brew & tasty snacks with friendly service. Typically 8 different brews on tap, sure to satisfy any taste or preference. Since they brew one barrel at time the beers rotate often, so stop by anytime to try a new flavor creation!

Great people making great beer. A special thanks to Steve for always making us feel welcome. Starboard is a fun, hip place to get a variety of craft beers. They also have root beer and small played if you need a snack. Stop in to see what is on tap, you won’t regret it!