Rare Bird’s mission is to provide an unsurpassed dining and drinking experience in Traverse City
Rare Bird’sStory
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Situated in a beautiful 1931 red brick building, Rare Bird’s mission is to provide an unsurpassed dining and drinking experience in Traverse City. From our intimate reclaimed wood booths to the cozy and cool lounge and German bier hall style seating made from massive wood slabs that Nate and Tina sustainably harvested, we have a space for everyone to feel comfortable.
Our own beers and many more flow from the taps along with a selection of wines, ciders and spirits. Our menu features simple, familiar items served with a unique and exciting flair. Our ingredients are sourced locally when possible. Keeping with the local theme, our beer ingredients includes malt and hops grown in Michigan whenever possible. All of these qualities together make Rare Bird stand out in the crowd.
Rare Bird Brewpub is available for meetings and private parties. Please email info@rarebirdbrewpub.com for rates, availability and more information!
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Tina Schuett is originally from Wisconsin and discovered her love for great beer while living in Germany. A friend taught her how to brew while she was studying Biology at the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point and it became her favorite hobby. She brewed part time while she worked as a park ranger in California and New Zealand and while doing children’s health research. But before long, she gave into her love of brewing and beer, making it her full-time job. It was that career choice that eventually led her to Traverse City, MI.
Nate Crane is a Traverse City native son, born and raised here. He spent his days tromping around the area catching fish, chasing reptiles and watching birds. His infatuation with birds didn’t die down when he went off to school at Michigan State for his business degree. Nate returned home after college determined to make northern Michigan his permanent home. His birding status grew and he became a force in the birding community up here known as Bird Man to some. After a few years of working in the corporate world, he threw caution to the wind and began his quest to open his own brewery. He made a name for himself in Traverse City’s craft beer scene over the course of several years, but his dream really started looking like it might turn into a reality when he met Tina in the fall of 2011.
Nate and Tina met at a local brewery where he was a bar manager and she came in to brew. Nate’s first words to Tina before even saying hi or introducing himself were “Is it true you banded kiwis in New Zealand??” We have found rare birds and great beer to be our common ground.We quickly discovered that we shared rare birds and great beer as our common passions. With more than 13 years of experience between us and a genuine love for beer, we know Rare Bird Brewpub is an experience unlike any other in northern Michigan.
Nate is the front of house manager while Tina operates the brewery.