Blackrocks

You'll be able to find fresh Blackrocks all over the UP, but they don't sell cans out of the brewery. Look for some Upper Hand Double Ringer while you are up there though. DIPA brewed with Equinox hops. It is a really great beer.

 

As previously mentioned, Blackrocks stamps the dates on the bottom of the cans, and don't use the batch numbered stickers any longer. If you're looking to pick up some 51K in Marquette, I recommend White's Party Store. It's a pretty small (but awesome) place so inventory turnover is quick.

 

I'm not from the area but I just stopped in tonight for a beer and they had a small cooler with a handful of beers in cans to go. Maybe it's new?

It was a small but cool place to grab a beer with some live music going, patio seating and a food truck firing pizzas outside.

 

That must be new. Glad you had a good time @ Blackrocks though. They brew great beer and Marquette is pretty cool, in general. Also, check out Ore Dock Brewing, if you are still in town. They have a really neat space downtown.

 

I will concur that they (now) sell some beer from a small cooler inside the brewery right by the bar. I was up there a couple weeks ago and they had mostly "normal" stuff in the cooler but they did have some BA Gnomas...wish I had grabbed more than a 4-pack because that stuff is TASTY!

 

Is it better than when they just put something on draft and closed when it ran out?

 

They've come a long way since then.

 

How long ago was that? It's never been like that the few times I have been there....think I started hitting them up in 2014. I wish they were closer as I usually find something pretty tasty to drink there.

 

He's most likely talking 6+ years ago. I lived a block down the street from them when they first opened (2010), while I was in college. It was like that for a little while, but it wasn't very long until they really got the ball rolling with their tap selections.

Get back up there and give them a visit @PoorBacchus . It might change your outlook. I feel like they are one of the top 5 breweries in all of Michigan, (Displaced Yooper, so my homer-ism might be showing) but I think there are a lot of Michiganders who would agree.

 

I could not agree more with that sentiment. I probably only make it to the UP once a year but a stop at Blackrocks is always in the cards. Great beers, have always had great beer slingers and have always found the vibe of the place to be very friendly to outsiders (like me).

 

Thanks for the useful information. Looks like we will hit blackrocks, ore docks, and cognition to start. Should provide a good break from fishing and the bugs.

 

I hit Cognition when I was up a few weeks ago and they blew me away. Very close between BR and Cog for which is my favourite. If they (Cognition) have BA Storm the Castle on tap or cans to go, get some. You will not be disappointed! Enjoy your trip!

 

I think I read that Cognition abruptly closed.

 

This past winter (February) they abruptly closed for a short period of time but reopened about a week later. If they have abruptly closed since April 22nd (when I was there) I am not aware of that.

 

This is correct. They're still open.

Back to BR, their slogan the first few months they were open was "Open 'til Empty". They were on a 1bbl system and couldn't keep up with demand. Again that was a super long time ago and they haven't closed due to lack of product in years.

 

Headed up to Iron Mountain this weekend. Other than the Riverside Liquor Store between town and Spread Eagle, are there any other places to grab fresher BR? Also, anything else I should look out for while in the UP?

 

I was just in the Yoop last week (Escanaba), visiting my family. if you don't mind an extra 45 minute drive over to Escanaba, go to Elmer's County Market. Huge selection of MI beer. and everything they have is available as a single. Probably the best selection in the UP. Lot's of great beer on the shelves. They still have KBS shelfies, for god's sake.

Here is a smattering of what I bought while I was there.

• Upper Hand's Double Ringer DIPA is spectacular again this year.
• Short's Slurm (NE IPA) may be hiding out on shelves on the MI side of the border.
• If you like dry-hopped fruited (Black Currant) sours Short's 13th anniversary beer is around.
• I found a bunch of cans of Old Nation's M-43 (NE IPA) on the shelves.
• Blackrocks Rhythm Lager is excellent too, if lagers are up your alley.

Safe travels!

 

Riverside is awful. The last time I was there they had 9 month old Honey Lav sitting on the shelves. You might find a gem there but don't count on it.

Like @cl3 said if you make it over to Escanaba there's Elmer's, Sav-Mor, and now Meijer all with nice selections. Otherwise the Jack's Markets in Menominee and Marinette are awesome too.

Edit: Also, eat at Spiro's in Iron Mountain. Decent beer selection, great food.

 

Spiro's was such a surprise last year when my sister said we had to go. Excellent.

 

Was in the UP last week as well. Double ringer was a pleasant surprise. Way too smooth for a ten percent brew. Plenty of fresh 51k around iron mountain. Tadych's econo mart had a lot of local brews, most cold. Also found a decent selection at the IGA in crystal falls to the west.

Got some really fresh 51K cans at the brewpub in Marquette. Found some mixed six packs there as well.