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May 2009
Take Your Own Northern Michigan Microbrew Tour

Take Your Own Northern Michigan Microbrew Tour

Love beer? Of course you do. Find some of the nation’s best right here in Northern Michigan, including Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City, Shorts in Bellaire, Jolly Pumpkin on Old Mission and more, and make it a vacation.

May 21, 2009 Lauren Marmion with MyNorth.com Staff

Head on a self-guided Northern Michigan Michigan microbrew tour from Ludington to Lake Superior, with plenty of snacks—and naps—along the way.

Jamesport Brewing Company

410 S. James St., Ludington, 231-845-2522

Sip

Apricot Wheat, an American-style wheat beer with just a trace of apricot.
Hefeweizen, a German-style wheat beer with notes of spicy clove and a hint of banana. Served with a fresh orange or lemon slice.
German Kölsch, a light and easy medium malt, subtle on the hops.

Snack

At the brewery. The Crabby Onion is brilliant bar food—jumbo onion rings stuffed with crab, ginger, and green onions and a little bleu cheese dressing.

Sleep

Stay the night in exquisite historical excellence, The Cartier Mansion Bed and Breakfast, 409 East Ludington Avenue, Ludington. Choose from 5 guest rooms ranging from $170 to $240 per night. Call 877-843-0101 for reservations and availability.

Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant with Northern United Brewing Co.

13512 Old Peninsula Dr., Traverse City, 231-223-4333

Northern United Brewing Co., previously the Bowery at Bowers Harbor Inn, has been transformed into a 55 barrel and bottling system. Tastings available in July. Adjacent to the brewery stands The Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant serving Michigan brews.

Sip

Bam Bière from the Jolly Pumpkin Brewery in Dexter, Mi. A naturally cloudy artisan farmhouse golden ale.
Majestic Wheat—an unfiltered American-style wheat beer.
Diabolical I.P.A. is bright golden with a citrusy-hop bitterness.

Snack

Share slow smoked pulled pork nachos with pepper jack, dried cherry salsa and cilantro lime sour cream.

Sleep

The Neahtawanta Inn, 1308 Neahtawanta Rd., Traverse City. Settle in for the night at a bed and breakfast on the water in the the century-old Neahtawanta Inn. Call 800-220-1415 for reservations and availability.

Buy the Microbrew Issue Now! Read about the brains behind Right Brain Brewery, chart your own microbrew tour, learn about Jolly Pumpkin and Northern Michigan hops!

Right Brain Brewery

221 Garland St., Traverse City, 231-944-1239

Sip

Will Power Pale Ale is an American-style pale ale with cascade hops. A crisp, snappy flavor and Right Brain's most popular seller.
Wicked Garden Wheat. Oven roasted Michigan beets give it not only sweetness, but also a deep pink hue with a light pink foam on top.
Sun Cup Wheat is an American-style wheat beer, made with Canadian wheat and California lemon peel. Just a sassy, refreshing summer sipper.

Snack

No restaurant, but you can “carry-in” here! Get mighty sandwiches at Folgarelli’s (424 West Front Street, Traverse City), or sample some of Traverse City’s own Pop-kie popcorn from the bar. Crazy-good flaves like Cherry Capital Crunch, Chocolate Explosion, or even Dill Pickle.

Sleep

Traverse City’s historic Park Place Hotel puts you within easy walking distance of all city destinations—beach, brewery and otherwise. Call 231-946-5000 for reservations and availability.

Short’s Brewing Company

121 North Bridge St., Downtown Bellaire, 231-533-6622

Sip

Brewer Joe Short calls his Huma-Lupa-Licious a hop "theme park" in your mouth. Shorts’ best selling IPA. The 2009 Anniversary Ale, brewed with 250 pounds of blood oranges, 12 pounds of blood orange zest, and fermented with green pepper corn. Nicie Spicie is loaded with citrus, ground coriander and a four pepper blend.

Snack

Shorts’ smoked whitefish pate’ is a favorite or a tall-stack from the delicatessen. Back by popular demand, The Pod, roast beef with portobello mushrooms, bacon and honey mustard topped on ciabatta bread. Shorts’ craft pizzas are always a hit—try the smoky-sweet ham and pineapple pie. Jalapeños add a devilish edge.

Sleep

The Applesauce Inn Bed and Breakfast. A cheery foursquare farmhouse with featherbeds, fireplaces, and evening desserts. Call 231-533-6448 for reservations and availability.

Lake Superior Brewing Company

At the Dunes Saloon, N14283 Lake Ave., Grand Marais, 906-494-2337

Sip

Blueberry Ale, a light, crisp, American-style wheat ale with a tinge of blueberry—always a hot summer seller.
The Belgian, strong and clear—like the closeby Lake Superior waters

Snack

Scotch Eggs right from the kitchen at Lake Superior Brewing Co., a 2008 Best Eats from Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine. A hard-boiled egg coated in Italian sausage, then honey beer mustard, made with their puddingstone wheat beer, rolled in raw egg and Japanese breadcrumbs, fried up and served with more honey beer mustard.

Sleep

Sunset Cabins, perched on the Old Sucker River overlooking Lake Superior these cabins are snug and sweet, with crisp kitchens, cable, decks, picnic tables, fire pits, charcoal grills, and paddle boats. Call 906-494-2693 for availability and reservations.