Northern Michigan/UP microbrews

[Weizenwerks]

That's the one.

I'm not into memberships or fraternal organizations. Also, Brian confirmed a 15 gallon Sabco with 3.5bbl serving tanks.

do they have bulk grain there? I've never asked when I'm in there and looking to switch to AG

Yes, they do. They will order almost anything you want. Prices are decent if you're a member, too.

TB

They don't stock bulk grain over 1lb bags but like Tiber_Brew said, they will order it. If they have to order, I might as well order it myself is my thought. I order from MoreBeer! or Northern Brewer.

 

[Homercidal]

Short's is definitley the best in Northern MI. Love the Bellaire Brown.

Big Buck in Gaylord is usually great too although I haven't been there in a while. I recommend the Beer Cheese soup washed down with thier Antler Ale if you stop there.

I was in Grand Marais a couple of years ago and stopped at Lake Superior Brewing Co. Great old time Yooper bar that brews their own beer. I drank a lot of thier Brown Ale the week I was there. Great burgers too.

I'm going to have to check that place out when we go up north again!

 

[Tiber_Brew]

I'm not into memberships or fraternal organizations.

Haha, it is pretty far from "fraternal," in fact, there isn't much of a membership either. You get put on a mailing list to find out where the next meeting will take place, at which a bunch of homebrew is shared. But, whatever, it's cool if you don't want to join.

Also, Brian confirmed a 15 gallon Sabco with 3.5bbl serving tanks.

Then it must have been the 3.5bbl guys that are new. All I know, is that my friend brewed at the MI House and he said that they upgraded and have more capacity.

They don't stock bulk grain over 1lb bags but like Tiber_Brew said, they will order it. If they have to order, I might as well order it myself is my thought. I order from MoreBeer! or Northern Brewer.

First off, yes they do stock more than just 1 lb bags. You can find a couple varieties of base malt in 10lb bags there, if someone hasn't snatched it up first. They don't have a lot of shelf space, so inventory goes quick. However, like I mentioned, they will order a 50 (or 55) lb bag of whatever malts their carrier has. If you are a member of the co-op, it is cheaper than ordering from Northern Brewer because of the shipping. If you can get a few people to buy at once and get enough for a pallet, it's even cheaper yet.

You can also get bulk honey in 60lb buckets if you make mead, too.

TB

 

[SilentAutumn]

Lower Michigan has some terrific beer- Founder's, Bell's, Short's, Dark Horse, but they tend to not even be distributed up here.

About 10 years ago, I went camping at Pictured Rocks. Weather got really, really bad, so we went to Grand Marais for a night. Hit a local bar and they had Bell's on tap! I was pleasantly shocked. Hotel we stayed at also had half a fifth of rot got vodka in one of the drawers... that's how the UP rolls.

Oberon doesn't come out until March 28th??

A lot of places stock up on it now. I've found cases upon cases of it at World Market in the middle of winter in recent years. I used to buy a case at the end of the season (before Blue Moon existed) and squirrel it away in the back of my closet then break it out in the winter and be the hero of the party. Now anyone can be the hero.

I was trying to be a bit diplomatic, but as others have blatantly put it, Keweenaw beers suck.

But back to topic, here's a list of Michigan microbreweries. I forgot about Bilbo's in Kalamazoo. Dragon Red with an order of Hobbit Sticks and dill sauce = amazing. Skip Michigan Brewing in Webberville. Beer isn't worth mentioning and their restaurant is horrible - food and service.

 

[Weizenwerks]

Then it must have been the 3.5bbl guys that are new. All I know, is that my friend brewed at the MI House and he said that they upgraded and have more capacity.

I'm thinking he was talking about the serving vessels.

First off, yes they do stock more than just 1 lb bags. You can find a couple varieties of base malt in 10lb bags there, if someone hasn't snatched it up first. They don't have a lot of shelf space, so inventory goes quick. However, like I mentioned, they will order a 50 (or 55) lb bag of whatever malts their carrier has. If you are a member of the co-op, it is cheaper than ordering from Northern Brewer because of the shipping. If you can get a few people to buy at once and get enough for a pallet, it's even cheaper yet.

You can also get bulk honey in 60lb buckets if you make mead, too.

TB

I must be missing the shipments as all I've seen there are the 1lb bags on the small side rack near the hops. Last week when I was there they must have gotten something in because the kits and equipment was well stocked.

 

[LarsonLE]

The best brewpub I've ever been to is Short's. It's way out of your way in Bellaire. http://www.shortsbrewing.com/

Another great one is in Traverse City (again way out of your way, unless you're coming from the west): http://www.rightbrainbrewery.com/

Otherwise, that's about it. The UP is a vast beer wasteland, as is Northern Michigan.

There IS a great place in Marquette, as SilentAutumn mentioned. The brewer is on this forum actually, and is a very cool guy. But it's about a 3 hour drive from Mackinaw City.

+1. I HIGHLY recommend visiting Short's brew pub in Bellaire. It's a small town, very friendly, and the beer is fantastic. I remember their Huma-Luma-Licious IPA being hoppy as hell :rockin:!

Also, Torch Lake is about a mile or two from the town and it is wonderful. You should definitely stop by the public access to check it out. My family has a cottage on the lake and we try to visit every summer. Probably the clearest water you will ever see.

 

[Tiber_Brew]

I must be missing the shipments as all I've seen there are the 1lb bags on the small side rack near the hops. Last week when I was there they must have gotten something in because the kits and equipment was well stocked.

They are usually on the bottom shelf, all the way to the left. I haven't looked lately, but I'll keep an eye out for it next time I'm there and see if they still stock the 10 pounders.

 

[Gatoreye]

I believe there is still a small brewpub/restaurant at Taquamenon state park.

They had some killer blueberry ale a couple of years ago.....well worth the stop.

I've all but given up finding anything aside from Founders and Bell's in bottles on my visits to MI but the variety of these one finds in MI is a slight consolation. The brewpubs up north have also been consistently mediocre at best but I'm sure I haven't been to all of them. I had to google where in NY that place is (was going to recommend some places to find Founders if you were near me at all) but I'm assuming you're driving since you're that close and you'll pass almost right through Frankenmuth just north of Flint. There's a few brewpubs there and if you like german food you'll be in heaven.

Sullivan's Black Forest in Frankenmuth has some a some interesting beers. They have a sample tray of beer that will convince you into staying the night if you finish all 8 kinds.

 

[DunklesWeissbier]

Sullivan's Black Forest in Frankenmuth has some a some interesting beers. They have a sample tray of beer that will convince you into staying the night if you finish all 8 kinds.

Very true. I had a hard time leaving that place last summer.

 

[Pete79]

The guy who owns the Soo Brewing Company comes off as a real jack ass. I've checked out that page and he is so condescending to people who ask questions. Plus, there isn't going to be any food or tvs at the bar. I love microbrew as much as the next guy, but I'm not going to sit in a bar owned by an ass-hat that offers me four beers to choose from without any food or tvs. I'll walk next door and have a Bell's on tap in a much better atmosphere at Maloney's.

Yeah I was one of those that he went off on. Seems like a real prick. I was so excited at first that the Soo was finally getting a micro brewery. After finding out his business plan I seriously think it is going to be a massive failure. I just wish I had the motivation/capital to open my own brewery.

 

[whatsleftofyou]

As was stated earlier in the thread, there is a new nanobrewery in Marquette called Blackrocks Brewery. The owners are SUPER cool guys and the beer is damn good too from what I've had. They're only brewing on a 1bbl system and thus are only open Fri/Sat/Sun currently. I'd say right now they're making the best and most innovative beer in the UP.

That sucks about Soo Brewing. I watched all of the youtube videos yesterday but skipped the majority of the last two since the sound was atrocious. I'm heading over to the Sault next week on business so I'll check it out anyway and reserve judgement.

Another one that hasn't been mentioned is Hereford & Hops in Escanaba. I'm there all of the time since it's only a mile or so from my house. They make some really nice beers, but do have some misses as well. Over the last 6 months or so they've had an awesome rotating guest tap though - Short's Liberator, HopSlam, Bell's 10,000, Stone Arrogant Bastard, Short's Rich's Rye, etc etc.

 

[a_potter]

Short's is worth the drive. Every beer they make is delish. I've always wanted to go to the tequamenon brewery but have never been there. Big Buck in Gaylord is closed down I think.

 

[a_potter]

Short's is worth the drive. Every beer they make is delish. I've always wanted to go to the tequamenon brewery but have never been there. Big Buck in Gaylord is closed down I think. Bart's in Bay City has some really good beers and food if your driving through.

 

[whatsleftofyou]

Big Buck in Gaylord is closed down I think.

One of my buddies works in Gaylord and he said that it's still open.

 

[Tiber_Brew]

One of my buddies works in Gaylord and he said that it's still open.

I heard they've been chapter 8 for years now.

 

[a_potter]

I hope they are open. I was up at Boyne last winter and they were closed. If they got going again it would be great.

 

[Homercidal]

Apparently they have closed all locations except for Gaylord. I just called and Julia informed me of their hours for the weekend.

I have not heard much good about them for many years now. I have been to the Grand Rapids location many years ago and did not find the beer, nor the food, special in any way (disclaimer: I was not into craft beer as much back then).

 

[a_potter]

Bummer. It's a great location.

 

[whatsleftofyou]

I just got back to my hotel from Soo Brewing and would like to say that Ray over there was a pretty cool guy. He seemed a bit standoffish at first, but once I got him talking he was very personable and glad to be talking to a home brewer. It turns out that he had been working since 5:30AM and here it was 9PM, hence his being a bit tuned out upon my arrival. We talked beer and he even committed to sending some beer and maybe pouring at a charitable beer fest that I help organize in the fall. The beer was decent, not amazing, but I think he's still figuring out his system a bit and it will only be uphill from here. He's currently got 4 taps but will be up to 10 by Summer's end. I'll definitely be stopping back every time I'm in the Sault.