Captains log January 18, 2008
We got a late start heading out as I was informed that we had to run over to Kalkaska (30 minutes out of the way) then pick up my paycheck. Finally got on the road about 12:30 headed north. Then i was told we had to stop in Cheboygan to look at a trailer. hour later we finally crossed the bridge about 3:30 pm headed to the Tequamenon falls brewery. Then the weather kicked in about half hour before Newberry so it was 15 mph for the next 3 hours trying to find the brewery after the retard at a hotel gave us bad directions. We finally rolled into the brewery about 7:30pm for a good bite to eat and a couple good brews. There we ran into a friend from our hometown who said we could stay at his cabin. This wasnt our plan of gettin to marquette that night, but weather is nothing to reckon with. So to the cabin we went.
Next morning headed out to superior brewing in Grand Marais. Some goods beers there, and some of the best hot wings ever, we then headed to marquette to meet up with Brichards at The Vierling. Awesome place and great brews to boot. It was then onto Jasper ridge brewing following Brian. A plethora of appetizers and beers later it was time to head out again. I want to stop here and give mad props to Brians wife who let him join us at Jasper ridge after the Vierling.
We arrived in Houghton about midnight and soon crashed at my buddy clay's place. The next day we trekked out for the Keweenaw Brewing co and The Library for lunch and drinks. MMm special barley wine on tap for a bonus! These are two of my favorite places.
Sunday we headed to our farthest north destination of the Michigan house cafe for a notorious oat stout made on a 15 gal batch. And that it was, the chef/brewer gave us his "tour" and showed us his sabco set up. Very cool. However, they were out of the stout so we settled on some of the other bottles they had for drinking. My first was a 90 min DFH IPA while my buddy picked out some delicious stout, then a sammiclaus. Wow strong stuff. I had another vanilla porter and we jetted out. a quick stop at the grocery store for some brews we cant get at home and then back to the house to pack and head for Escanaba.
Rolling into Escanaba about 730-8 we found Hereford and hops. This verywell could have been my favorite place of the tour. Pub tender was very fun and we soon got caught in the fun and shenanigans with the waitstaff. After several, they announced they were closing for the evening so we headed back to get our motel room at the Hiawatha motel, then headed back out to another loboy joint where they had KBC amber on tap. Couple of those and back to the room to crash.
This morning we headed for home with a stop at threefold winery, but found it was appointment only. No luck but got a call from the owner later. Next time. We picked up a couple growlers from each brewery so now i have all the growlers I need. We will be having a tasting for the friends who couldnt make it up with us next week.
Enjoy the pics, ask the questions. We had a blast, now we gotta work on the LP tour
