Upper Hand Releases 2016

We did this exact trip last year.

In Munising we stayed at the Americinn and right next door the Shopko had two different Upper Hand brews. Also I'll recommend the bowling alley in town. Great food, awesome pizza, and some good beers on-tap.

As for Paradise we did not stop anywhere for beer while we were there but I can tell you that our neighbors at the hotel went Agate hunting all day at Whitefish Point. It is a shore drive from town and a pretty spot with neat little maritime museum.

 

Ended up in Grand Marais instead of Munising. Camped there and in Paradise. It turned out to be a great trip. Weather was excellent and the water was quite warm. On the beer side of things - I got a 6 pack of Upper Hand UPA, Yooper, Escanaba Black, and Lager. I enjoyed them all (The UPA was my favorite).

Was not impressed with Tahquamenon Falls or Lake Superior Brewing Co. one bit.

 

Those are only as good as they have to be.

I could not see any evidence that Lake Superior brewing uses grain. Does anyone know how they brew - grain or extract?

 

That's a great way to put it. I haven't been to Lake Superior Brewing, but did go to Tahquamenon. I found the beer serviceable, but the food and atmosphere to be better than the brew.

As for Upper Hand, there's really only a handful of beers I get actual cravings for. And one of them is UPA. So damn good.

 

Tahquamenon means well but they have no clue. Still a great place.

Back to UH, 906 Ale should see release in a few weeks, to celebrate 9/6 of course.

 

I just found out from one of the local shops today that 906 will hit the shelves this week.

 

Great amber ipa. I dare say barley wine....yumm on my second

 

According to their fb page they are doing their first taproom-exclusive beer next Thursday, but no word on what it is. I'll report back next week!

"Be the first to try our newest beer, NEVER before brewed and released exclusively in our taproom. We'd tell you what it is, but that would ruin the surprise.

Our Lead Brewer, Evan, will be on hand to talk about what went into brewing the beer and give an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the brewery."

 

I just got back from the brewery. The new beer is Shanty Shaker, a 4.6% ABV 42 IBU session IPA with rye. I didn't stick around for the brewer's presentation on the beer so I don't know what hops are in it, but it's tasty.

 

Barrel tasting next Thursday, oh my.

"Join us for an exclusive free sampling, straight from the barrel, of our Barrel-Aged Old Fighter Barley Wine and Barrel-Aged Christmastime Oatmeal Stout. Both of these beers have never before been sampled or served publicly.

Sam, our Production Manager, will be on hand to answer your questions about wood-aged beers.

If that wasn’t enough, on tap we’ll have a vintage keg of Barrel-Aged Baltic Porter we unearthed from the cellar, as well as our Barrel-Aged Old Ale."

 

5-7PM

 

My work xmas party is there tomorrow, so if it's still on I'll try not to hit it too hard! Shoot me a BM about Thurs and hopefully us Escanabans can finally meet.

 

Plus they tapped their first (kettle) sour last week. It's similar to Oarsman, but a bit bigger and with a bunch of wheat character.

We should probably make a new thread, but 2017 is looking good for Upper Hand.

 

I'd have to say. Double ringer was amazing. I must have drank a case last year.. was at the sour release. If I'm off I'll for sure go to the double release party