Upper Peninsula

The Ultimate List of Upper Peninsula Breweries

April 6, 2013

National Beer Day is Sunday, April 7! In celebration, we asked Jesse Land of the travel site “Things to do in the U.P.” to share a roundup of Upper Peninsula-based breweries. Let us know in the comments section below if you have a favorite U.P. brewery!

Did you know that the Upper Peninsula has thirteen breweries? From Brickside Brewery at the tip of the Keweenaw to Soo Brewing in the eastern U.P., breweries have been opening up (and sticking around) regularly over the past few years.

Following is a full list of all the fully operational breweries in the U.P., as well as one bonus location I don’t want you to miss.

Brickside Brewery
64 Gratiot St.
Copper Harbor, MI 49918
(906) 289-4772

Funded in part by a successful Kickstarter campaign, Brickside opened its doors in 2012 and makes a terrific addition to Michigan’s northernmost town.

Red Jacket Brewing Co.
300 Sixth St.
Calumet, MI 49913
(906) 337-1910

Part of the Michigan House Café, Red Jacket Brewing serves several beers at the Michigan House as well as a wide variety of other beer. Historic charm and excellent food make this a great stop for lunch or dinner.

The Library Brew Pub
62 Isle Royale St.
Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 487-5882

Known for their killer pizza, the Library Brew Pub also boasts a nice selection of excellent beer and a great view of the Portage Canal waterway.

Keweenaw Brewing Company
408 Shelden Ave.
Houghton, MI 49931
(906) 482-5596

The U.P.’s largest brewer by far, “KBC” beer is distributed across Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. The KCBC tap room in downtown Houghton features two bars, a lounge area, fireplace, free wifi and outdoor seating.

Jasper Ridge Brewery
1075 Country Lane
Ishpeming, MI 49849
(906) 485-6017

Jasper Ridge in Ishpeming is a sports friendly brewpub and restaurant. I wouldn’t call it a sports bar, but their lounge area is definitely a good spot to have a burger and a craft beer while watching “the game.”

The Vierling
No. 119 South Front
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 228-3533

The Veirling is a fixture in Marquette. It’s known as much for its excellent food and cool, historic atmosphere as it is for is beer. And it’s also just two blocks away from the equally historic Landmark Inn.

Blackrocks Brewery
424 N 3rd St.
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 273-1333

Just a short walk away from The Vierling, Blackrocks is located in a converted house. The owners have done an excellent job with the space and it’s become one of Marquette’s most popular watering holes for good reason. Blackrocks also features live music Sunday through Thursday.

Ore Dock Brewing Co.
114 Spring St.
Marquette, MI 49855
(906) 228-8888

Marquette’s newest brewery is another wonderful addition to the town. With a sharp focus on sustainable building materials, local community, and Belgian beers, Ore Dock is loved by locals and tourists alike. The Ore Dock is within easy walking distance of both Blackrocks and The Vierling.

Hereford & Hops
624 Ludington St.
Escanaba, MI 49829
(906) 789-1945

Hereford and Hops is “grill your own steak” type restaurant and brewery in Escanaba. They always have a variety of beer on tap and feature seasonal favorites throughout the year.

Shooters Firehouse Restaurant & Lounge
408 Mill St.
Munising, MI 49862
(906) 387-3540

Shooters is an established restaurant and bar in Munising that just started serving their own craft beer a few weeks ago. They have five different types of beer on tap and many more varieties ready to serve.

Lake Superior Brewing Co.
N14283 Lake Ave.
Grand Marais, MI 49839
(906) 494-2337

Lake Superior Brewing in Grand Marais is an idyllic little place in an idyllic little town. With much talked about pizza and favorites like their garlic parmesan popcorn or scotch eggs, this establishment could get by just fine without it’s own beer. But add a nice selection of craft brews to the mix and this definitely becomes a must try brewery.

Tahquamenon Falls Brewery
Upper Tahquamenon Falls
Newberry, MI 49868
(906) 492-3300

Built to resemble an old logging camp, the food here is widely accepted as being better than average and the beer is some of the best I’ve had in the U.P. I’ve yet to hear anything other than great things about this brewery from anyone, and I’ve asked a lot of people! It’s located just off the parking area for upper Tahquamenon Falls.

Soo Brewing
223 W Portage Ave
Sault, MI 49783
(906) 632-4400

Another fairly recent addition to the list of Upper Peninsula breweries, Soo Brewing brought craft beer back to the Soo. I haven’t been here yet myself, but the feedback I’ve heard is that the beer is good and the space is comfortable.

The Fitz
5033 Front St.
Eagle River, MI 49950
(906) 337-0666

I’m giving The Fitz in Eagle River an honorable mention here, and if you visit the place I’m sure you’ll agree with me. With over 100 different beers available, most only found in bigger cities, The Fitz should be on any beer lover’s radar. These guys know their beer.

That’s it for now, folks. I hope to see an Upper Peninsula beer tour in your future!

A native Yooper, Jesse Land lives in Iron Mountain and enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, and camping with his family. He runs the U.P. travel site “Things to do in the U.P.” (www.thingstodointheup.com).

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An Introduction to Indianhead Mountain

March 12, 2013

in GeoCoded,Guest Blogger,Outdoors,Snowsports

Jesse Land of the travel site “Things to do in the U.P.” is a native Yooper who’s always willing to jump at the chance to explore Michigan’s great outdoors. Today, he fills us in on a recent ski trip he took to Indianhead Mountain Resort.

No, it’s Not Powderhorn

As a good friend of mine observed last year before our annual western U.P. ski trip, when you mention you’re going skiing in the Western U.P., most people assume you’re heading to Big Powderhorn.

While Big Powderhorn may be the most well-known ski resort of the area, there are two others right nearby that deserve much more than an honorable mention. Namely, Indianhead and Blackjack. For this post we’ll take a look at Indianhead.

You Start Out On Top

One cool thing about Indianhead is that the lodge and parking area are at the top of the mountain, so your first trip of the day is down the mountain, not uphill on a ski lift. It’s a nice way to start things off!

As you might expect, the lodge at Indianhead is equipped with plenty of space for those who want to pack their own lunch, but it’s also got a pretty sweet restaurant / bar called “The Sky Bar Mountaintop Grill.” And the name is well deserved. The view from most tables in the place is fantastic. (They also make a great Bloody Mary.)

And it’s a Long Way Down

Indianhead’s 638 foot vertical drop is one of the largest in the Midwest, and whoever planned the hill did a great job carving out some nice long runs. My wife and I actually stuck to the same two runs all day long.

She’s a beginning skier and I’m an intermediate, but we both had a blast skiing Voyager’s Highway (a beginner run) and Chippewa (an intermediate run) repeatedly. Each run was easy enough for her to practice her skiing, but long enough (and with enough ups and downs) for me to really enjoy them too.

As a side note, I have skied every run at Indianhead and while these two are a couple of my favorites, every run is well worth exploring.

Then There’s the Tough Stuff

Of course, if double black diamonds and moguls are your thing, check out “Hiawatha” and “Crazy Horse” on the east side of the mountain. These steep runs are a challenge for even experienced skiers and snowboarders.

“Some Folks Just Make One Run Each Day… to the Red Dog”

And then, there’s “The Red Dog.”

My first time at Indianhead, I was talking to the elderly lady at the ticket counter as she chuckled “some people only make one run of the day… to the Red Dog.”

You see, in addition to the Sky Bar at the top of the hill, there’s a pretty substantial outpost called “The Red Dog Saloon” at the bottom of the mountain. Apparently some people like to ski, and then some people just like to ski their way to the bar.

My wife and stopped in the Red Dog for a Bloody Mary and a coffee late the first morning of our trip, and by Noon we were heading back to the hill and the place was packed, much more so than the Sky Bar. And it didn’t seem like any of the patrons planned to leave anytime soon.

In Closing…

All in all, everyone in our group of around fifteen people was pleasantly surprised by how much we all enjoyed Indianhead.

There were definitely plenty of families on the hill, but I got the impression that this hill tends to cater toward a slightly more adult crowd (compared to Powderhorn). That could also be because I wasn’t there on a family excursion, but suffice to say if you head to Indianhead with a group of friends you’re bound to have a great time, both on and off the hill.

A native Yooper, Jesse Land lives in Iron Mountain and enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, and camping with his family. He runs the U.P. travel site “Things to do in the U.P.” (www.thingstodointheup.com).

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Wacky Fun at the 20th Annual Trenary Outhouse Classic

February 15, 2013

in Events

The world-famous Trenary Outhouse Classic celebrates its 20^th year on February 23, 2013 in Trenary, Michigan. This annual wacky race takes place between dozens of cleverly and colorfully decorated outhouses equipped with skis for speed.

To learn more about this unique event, we spoke with Dianne Peterson, who helps put on the Outhouse Classic each year.

Q: For those unfamiliar, what is the Trenary Outhouse Classic?

A: An outhouse race is something you really need to experience to understand. And once you enjoy an outhouse race, you’ll have memories that you just can’t erase!

The homemade outhouses are placed on skis and pushed by two racers. Each year the theme of the race varies.

Some outhouses are very simple and some are so elaborate you may not mind having them in your own backyard. The outhouses are pushed, one-by-one, down Trenary’s main street. The team with the best time wins cash prizes for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd places. Depending on age, there are seven different categories, and more prizes to be won outside of how fast one goes.

The race is held the last Saturday of February each year and races begin at 2:00 p.m. Kids race first, with the adults, “bring’in up the rear.”

Q: What are the outhouses made out of?

A: Homemade outhouses are made of wood, cardboard, plastic, tape, old foreign cars, grand piano crates, you name it.

Q: Who can participate?

A: Anyone can participate! The youngest racer we have had was two years old and the oldest was seventy four.

Q: How did the Trenary Outhouse Classic get started?

A: A man by the name of Toivo Aho is the founder of the Trenary Outhouse Classic. Years ago, he was sitting in the Silver Dollar Bar talking about this outhouse race that was held in Washington state and wanted to bring something like that to Trenary. He wanted to do something that would help beat the winter blues and thought this would be something fun and different to do in the late winter.

Q: How many people are you expecting at this year’s event?

A: We normally have about 2,500 spectators and the number of racers varies from year to year.

Q: What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen happen during a race?

A: One year, an outhouse was being pulled down the track by mules! Of course, that “team” was disqualified!

Q: What can visitors to Trenary do while in town outside of the race?

A: Trenary is small but we have street vendors offering food and drinks for sale all day. There is also an after party at the Trenary Tavern starting at 6:00 p.m. with music and lots of fun!

Q: Where can people go for more information?

A: For more information, please visit trenaryouthouse.com or find us on Facebook. You can also call 906-446-3210 or 906-446-8305 to speak with someone directly.

Hope to see you at the Races!

Dianne Peterson is part of the team that puts on the the Trenary Outhouse Classic each year. To learn more about the race, visit michigan.org.

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Fall Dog Sledding in Pure Michigan

October 17, 2012

in Guest Blogger,Outdoors

When people think of “sled dogs,” they often think of snow and the winter season. But did you know that sled dogs begin training in the fall? Today, Tasha Stielstra, owner of Nature’s Kennel Iditarod Sled Dog Racing and Adventures, fills us in on the training process and available tours.

Have you ever taken a Michigan dog sledding tour? Learn more about available tours at michigan.org.

My husband and I own Nature’s Kennel Iditarod Sled Dog Racing and Adventures near McMillan in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. When many people hear the words “sled dogs,” images of snow and winter probably come to mind. However, in order for sled dogs to get in shape for the winter season, they need to begin training in the fall. Think of it as a pre-season training camp where all the skills are honed in, the leaders are chosen, and team building is the focus. Our Alaskan Huskies are not only the top Iditarod finishers in the Midwest, they are also fabulous tour dogs who love to meet and greet new guests.

One of the most commonly asked questions about fall training is if we put wheels on the dog sleds. No, we need to use something a bit larger with tires, good suspension, and really good brakes! We use off-road vehicles (ATV’s or side-by-sides) and we provide the very unique opportunity for guests to join us on our fall training runs. Fall training runs in our area of the Eastern Upper Peninsula are so gorgeous that several years ago we decided we should share that beauty with others. Our trails run through hardwood forests, so the color changes on these less-than-traveled trails are really magnificent. Fall tour guests get to learn all there is about sled dogs, minus the snow. They learn how to harness the dogs, hook them to the gangline, and then hop in our four-passenger “dog-powered” vehicle for a five mile run. At the end of the ride they congratulate their dog team, get a grand tour of the dog yard (where they can pet all 150 dogs if they choose) and then end their trip with a chance to hold adorable puppies. It really is Michigan’s most unique fall color tour!

Our fall tours take place in the mornings, when the temperatures are coolest as the sled dogs love cold weather! Their optimal running temperature is 0 degrees Fahrenheit so even a 35 degree morning feels warm to them. If you do choose to come along for a ride, you will have to be up early to see the dogs in action. Area lodging is available at Chamberlin’s Old Forest Inn in Curtis or Halfway Lake Resort north of Newberry, both of these options are located on area lakes where it seems like you can see colors changing right before your eyes. Fall tours at Nature’s Kennel generally last about 2 ½ hours which leaves enough time in the afternoon for a trip to Tahquamenon Falls State Park (40 minutes from Nature’s Kennel), a must-see stop on a color tour of the Upper Peninsula.

Tasha Stielstra is co-owner of Nature’s Kennel Iditarod Sled Dog Racing and Adventures in McMillan, MI. Her husband, Ed is a 7-time Iditarod finisher. They own nearly 160 Alaskan Huskies and two small children, Fern and Nate. Tasha does the marketing and managing for their touring business, chases puppies down the trail, and spends a great deal of time playing with monster trucks (with 2-year old Nate). Nature’s Kennel can be found online at www.natureskennel.com or on Facebook at Nature’s Kennel.

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A Picture Perfect Fall Color Tour

October 12, 2012

in Guest Blogger,Posts by Region

Jesse Land, founder of Things to do in the U.P., is back to take us on another fall color tour around the Upper Peninsula. If you missed his last two posts, be sure to check out his recommendations on tours around the Keweenaw Peninsula and the central area of the U.P.

For more ideas on fall color tours around Michigan, see this week’s Pure Michigan fall color report on michigan.org.

So far, I’ve taken you on one fall color tour through the rugged Keweenaw Peninsula, and on another “off the beaten path” through the central U.P. Today, I’m going to lead you from Marquette to Grand Marais, via the one of the Upper Peninsula’s crown jewels, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. You’ll definitely want to bring your camera along for this one!

Before we get started, Marquette has oodles of great places to stay. A couple of my favorite are the historic Landmark Inn and newly constructed Hampton Inn, both of which are within walking distance from Marquette’s many excellent eating and drinking establishments. (The Vierling is one of my favorites.)

Breakfast in Marquette

Both of the aforementioned hotels have good breakfast options. That said, the Sweetwater Café has been woven into the fabric of the Marquette breakfast scene for as long as I can recall, and is well worth a look. According to their website, they serve “both old fashioned favorites and unique dishes inspired by flavors from around the world.” Having eaten there more than a few times, I’d say that’s a very accurate description. Drink some coffee. Eat breakfast. Leave with a smile on your face.

The Morning Drive

Now that you’ve got a full belly and some caffeine in your system, lets’ hit the road! M-28 east stretches about forty five miles east from Marquette to Munising. It’s a pretty drive full of fall color. It also hugs the Lake Superior shoreline most of the way so you’ll see “the big lake” appear through gaps in the vibrant hardwoods every now and again.

Pictured Rocks – Via Boat Tour!

To make the most of your day, get to Munising in time to catch the 10:00 AM Pictured Rocks boat tour. The “regular cruise” lasts about two hours and forty minutes, and will show you some of the most popular Pictured Rocks sites, including Miners Castle, Lovers Leap, Grand Portal, and many others! It’s the best way to see much of what Pictured Rocks has to offer in a relatively short period of time. (2012 tours run through October 21^st)

The Famous Highway H-58

Highway H-58, stretching from Munising to Grand Marais, is a wonderfully curvy drive. You’ll pass by the White Birch Forest (brilliant in fall) and wind through an endless stand of hardwoods as you drive east toward Grand Marais.

If you’re up for a hike, I’d recommend the venturing off on the three mile (round trip) hike to Chapel Falls. It’s roughly midway between Munising and Grand Marais, and leads down an easy trail through a forest of hardwoods that are always full of color in autumn.

H-58 boasts several scenic turnouts, but I’d highly recommend stopping at the Logslide Overlook. Once literally used to slide huge logs down the 300 foot drop to Lake Superior, Logslide is now a gorgeous scenic overlook that offers wonderful views of the Au Sable lighthouse to the west and the expansive Grand Sable Dunes to the east.

Destination Grand Marais

A little further east lies Grand Marais, a wonderful little harbor village that fills up in the summer but offers travelers some elbow room in the fall. As far as places to stay here, I’ve heard great things about the Hill Top Cabins, though they’ve always had no vacancy when I’ve called! (I’m thinking that’s a good thing.)

I recommend checking out the one of a kind Lake Superior Brewing Company for great pizza, fresh fish and locally brewed beer. And if you end up staying the night, the West Bay Diner is a standout breakfast spot!

If you do even some of what I’ve recommended, at the end of the day you should have a good handle on what Pictured Rocks is all about, and you’ll hopefully also have filled up your camera with picture perfect memories!

Jesse Land is the founder of Things to do in the U.P., a website dedicated to helping people discover the best of the Upper Peninsula. For regular Upper Peninsula travel tips, follow Things to do in the U.P. on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thingstodointheup.