Mangata Beer Co. in Union Pier is a sister operation to Transient Artisan Ales in Bridgman. Its focus is on lighter brews.

A new tasting room has opened in Union Pier, with a focus on lighter, lower-alcohol, easy-drinking beers. Mangata Beer Co. is a sister operation of Transient Artisan Ales in Bridgman, a highly regarded beer maker.

Mangata quietly opened in fall, and is open only on weekends for now (hours will be extended during summer, likely early May).

Mangata and Transient are owned by brewer Chris Betts, who bought the Mangata building on Red Arrow—which was basically a shell, and at one point was an auto shop—six years ago, manager Amanda Raba says.

Betts and his father did a lot of the renovation work themselves. “Chris had a very specific vision,” Raba says, of a light and bright space that people “would feel comfortable hanging out in.” The tasting room is family friendly, and dogs are welcome on the patio.

Mangata is “not Transient 2,” Raba says. The beer is entirely different. You’ll typically find 10 or 11 beers on tap, including pilsners, lagers, saissons and Belgian ales, all created at Transient’s brewhouse in Bridgman. For the most part, beers will be exclusive to each location.

“We’re planning on brewing some things consistently,” as they see what’s popular; so far that includes a Czech pilsner, Raba says, and an IPA called Moon Road, after the tasting room’s name, a Swedish word for the shimmering, road-like reflection of the moon on water. Brewing flavorful lighter beers is not an easy feat. “You have to care about what you’re doing and know what you’re doing,” Raba says. “And Chris definitely does.”

Now that spring is coming, Raba says she’s looking into hosting live music and events as well as food trucks. Mangata offers a few snacks, Topo Chico and sodas, but patrons are welcome to bring in food.

Red Arrow is becoming a great route for meandering and tasting. Mangata is just down the road from Barn Dogg, a coffee lounge and bar, and not far from Fulcra Brewing Company, which opened in July in Sawyer.

“The Union Pier community has been incredible so far,” Raba says. “We’ve met so many locals and visitors, and so many business owners have come in to say hi. We’re really excited to be part of the community.”

Mangata Beer, 15936 Red Arrow Highway, Union Pier.