Need some help Michigan BAs

I'd have him check out Upper Hand brewery. An offshoot of Bell's, and that can't be a bad thing. I've personally never been able to try their beers yet, so I can't speak to the quality, but again... Bell's.

 

Black Rocks Brewing in the U.P. is the answer. Their beer is some of the best around the state right now. always check Shorts specialty list on their website for whats currently being sold in bottles. they always have a wide selection aside from their regulars that hit shelves for a week or two and are gone. their summer schedule looks good.

 

Firstly, I would pick up some Blackrocks (Marquette, MI). 51k IPA, coconut brown, & Gnomas English barleywine are all stellar. Upper Hand is decent but I prefer Blackrocks. Short's specialty beers are kind of tough to find in Yoop, in my experience. Flagships and seasonals releases are pretty plentiful though. Ore dock brewing in Marquette is pretty good as well. A stop at White's party store or econo foods in Marquette will have the best selection around for the most part, I believe. (Unless someone local has better advice, I haven't lived in the U.P. for a few years now.)

Also don't go out of your way to check out Upper Hand. They don't have a taproom or anything at the brewery. Their bottles are widely available on the U.P. and northern WI though.

 

If you love Keweenaw's WidowMaker, have him pick you up a sixer of some fresh Upper Hand Escanaba Black Beer, you'll love it. It's available year round and distributed well throughout the U.P.

 

Wishes Upper Hand would distribute to the Lower Hand...

 

Blackrocks is the shit. Have your friend grab you a barrel of 51k

 

Head to the Yoop in July and get some...

 

Heading there end if August~

 

U.P. distributing breweries: Upper Hand, Blackrocks, Ore Dock, Keweenaw, Brickside. All of these can be found readily in Marquette. I'd recommend White's Party Store, the Marquette Food Co-Op, and Econo Foods. Between those three stores you should be able to find a good selection of Short's, Odd Side, etc.

If he can, have him stop at Cognition Brewing in Ishpeming to get you a growler. IMO they're making the most consistently great beers anywhere in the U.P. right now.

I'm a lifelong U.P. resident, so feel free to hit me up if you (or he) wants some more tips.

 

Upper Hand is well worth it. I was up there last summer and grabbed UPA, Black Ale, and Lager. All good, and I thought UPA we fantastic. Although if I were spending more time there, I'd check out some of their tap-only offerings, like UPX.

Had a chance to briefly stop at Soo Brewing, the Fudge du Loc stout was decent.

The Tahquamenon Falls Brewery was OK, but you can't beat the novelty of having a fresh brew and a decent sandwich in one of the most beautiful places in Michigan.

And I suggest taking @whatsleftofyou ''s advice.

 

Right? If they can stretch distribution to northern Wisconsin surely they can send some love to us trolls. The thought of some cheesehead being able to find Upper Hand at the local store but not us around here....

 

There are no draft-only beers out currently. The last one was BA Baltic Porter, which was fantastic. Yooper (oat pale ale) just came out in bottles, and Double Ringer (DIPA w/ Equinox hops) will be in bottles next month as well.

Agreed. Amazing atmosphere and decent food, but the beer just is not good unfortunately.