Upper Hand Brewery

 

 

Found myself in Escanaba for a spell and stopped by on a chilly January Saturday. The taproom is attached to the brewery, nestled in the woods on the edge of town, just a hair past the airport. If not for the carved wooden logo by the side of the road, you may miss it.
Inside was warm and cozy, despite the high ceilings. Blonde wood walls and bar, with counter seating along two walls. Four four-tops complete the seating, with total room for about thirty souls to love comfortably, forty if everyone's familiar.
Ten brews on tap: the five regulars and five rotating taps. Service was friendly and fast, and I managed to work my way through the rotating taps over a few hours. Everything, from the pilsner to the Belgian ale, was good to great. No food there beyond snacks, but bringing or ordering in your own is fine.

 

This brewery is a fun place, tucked away in a small clearing of trees near Escanaba's airport. Since it's back off of any main road, and off the main drag, it feels cozy and secluded. The tasting room is made with all tongue-and-grove panneling, a beautifully hand-crafted hardwood bar and hewn lumber tables. I'd have to say that the quality of the beer is top knotch. Since I don't care much for hoppy beers, I usually end up ordering their lager or Escanaba Black beers, unless there's a special brew that fits my tastes (Laughing Fish has been on tap for some time now, but the Old Ale and Barrel Aged Baltic Porter were my favorites!)

Great bartender. Smaller bar. Very rustic but good shape. Not the most beers on tap but one for everyone. Brew master goes down sometimes and willing to tell you about the beer and any other questions. Good prices.