East Upper Peninsula Road Trip

The road trip you're describing is the eastern lower peninsula, followed by cutting across the center of the upper peninsula. In the UP, Marquette is going to be your best option for good beer. Not sure about that section of the lower peninsula but there are some users from the area that should have tips from you.

Do you happen to know what route you're going to take across the UP?

 

Pretty cozy joint in Houghton.

https://www.thelibraryhoughton.com/

 

I might be a little biased because my dad's family is from Marquette and we spent a lot of happy times up there with family in my childhood, but to me Marquette is the best place to spend a night or two for a first time UP visitor.

 

On your segment from Standish to Mackinaw City I think the best beer at a brewery is at Biere de Mac which is about a mile south of town. I don't recall if that is route 23 but if so you'll pass it on the left while driving into town. We first tried to stop at Rusted Spoke Brewery in town but it was jammed which may say something about its desirability.

In the U.P. I agree that Marquette is your best bet for a good brewery and beer. I like Black Rocks, Ore Dock and Drifa. If you like wild ales and farmhouse styles, Barrel + Beam is the place to go. Kognisjon is new in town but had decent beers when they were in Ispheming (next town west) and called Cognition.

If you want to stay overnight closer to Copper Harbor at a quality restaurant that also has a quality beverage list, and sits on the shore of Lake Superior, then Fitzgerald's in Eagle River is a great experience. However it's very pricey for the rooms but only moderately so for food and beverage. (But we want you to drop some big bucks into our economy. ) Come to think of it, it's also seasonal and may now be closed for the winter. https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/25815/?view=ratings

 

In Marquette aim for Barrel & Beam if you like wild ale type stuff. Honestly my favorite UP brewery. Blackrocks is also solid and I've heard good things about Ore Dock but haven't had much from them. Houghton/ Hancock (they're twin cities) features Keweenaw Brewing Company which has been around for a while. I imagine there's more up that way these days but it's been years since I've been. Super 1 grocery stores are a decent place to stock up if you just want takeaway. If you find yourself in Menomonee hit up Jack's for the best bottle selection in the UP featuring Transient saisons and IPAs and Petosky brewing on the shelves.

Houghton/Hancock will be the much better place to overnight before jumping off in Copper Harbor. From Marquette is doable but you'll spend almost 3 hours just getting up to the Keweenaw. Again one man's opinion, but the drive from Houghton to Copper Harbor should be savored for it's one of a kind sightseeing and some quick stops and photo ops along the way. Ditch US41 in Phoenix and take M26. Both go to Copper Harbor but 26 takes you right along the lake though the weather may be the ultimate deciding factor. Stop at the shop run by the monks if it's open. They will have thimbleberry jam and you will want to be getting some of that. I grew up in the rural UP but have never made it to Isle Royale, enjoy the trip!

 

I saw a few months back on the UP Reddit that Fitzgerald's had some local drama with zoning ordinances and a smoker they added on. I didn't follow it closely but I believe they were trying to crowdfund for some remodeling to come into compliance. A quick glance at Google maps seems to confirm they are closed.

 

Nice to know. I hope they work things out because it's a great place to have a meal. After they remodeled their rooms and raised their rates I can't justify staying there in my budget, but some people apparently don't mind the price.

 

Guess you've never been to Covington?

Trout Creek? In winter?

(Yeah, spent a lot of time in the UP as a kid, too. )

 

Jesus Christ I never thought I'd see the day I'd come across a Trout Creek reference in the wild. That's where I'm from. Largest school district in the state by size, smallest by population. My graduating class was 28 students. Have we met??

Sorry for the thread derail...

 

I probably haven't been to Trout Crick in 50 years!

We have family friends who were from there (wife of a friend, so I don't remember her maiden name).

I just remember visiting the family around Thanksgiving in a particularly bad winter (we were traveling up from Amasa). I know you can't sneeze while driving thru town or you'll miss everything!

To be fair to the thread, I only remember US macros being swilled by the adults.

 

I'm not a Yooper, but i do travel throught the UP a few times a year on my way from MN to the Detroit area. And I vacation there every once while too. I agree with PapaGoose's recomendations for Biere de Mac and Barrel + Beam.

If you are taking US 2 through the eastern UP, Flatiron Brewery in Manistique and LaTulip Brewery in Cooks are worth a stop. I really enjoyed the piwo from LaTulip last year - I don't know if it is a regular offering or a seasonal.

In Copper Harbor, Brickside Brewery is also pretty good - especially their saison. This brewery is within walking distance of Copper Harbor hotels as well as Fort Wilkins State Park if camping is an option.

 

I haven’t passed through the UP in over a decade. This thread has me thinking it’s time to plan another trip.

 

I also highly recommend Barrel + Beam. Their sours game is crazy legit.
Also, definitely don't miss Keweenaw Brewing. Get yourself a pour of Widow Maker and enjoy a true Michigan black ale experience.

I haven't been to Isle Royale for a few years, but the Rock Harbor visitor center hopefully still sells mix 6ers of Keweenaw. Made for a nice way to wind down after a long day of hiking.

 

US-23 N from Standish hit Alcona near Harrisville and Austin Brothers in Alpena.

One I've been to many times to meet family and friends in the UP is Alpha brewing near Crystal Falls. Small brewery in a really small town, they claim to be the brewery in the smallest incorporated town. The beer isn't great, they haven't learned water treatment, but you go there for the experience.

Good recommendations above.

I will add that The Ambassador in Houghton is always a stop, a classic bar with good food and Keweenaw beer on tsp.