Because we look out for our brews.
Though we’ve never met a beer we didn’t like, it’s no secret that we all have different preferences when it comes to our choice of craft brews. Whether you’re partial to a crisp sour ale or tend to lean further in the direction of a well-hopped stout, our diversity of taste is what makes our Michigan craft beer scene special. Check out MI Brew Trail’s ever-evolving list of beer reviews as you expand your interest and share experiences with other like-minded connoisseurs.
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Beer Reviews
SUMMER 2025
Atwater Hits D Light Out of the Park
Atwater Brewery stepped up to the plate and smacked this beer “out of the park”, literally. The ultimate light craft beer, D Light was exclusive to only Comerica Park goers in 2023 but now is hitting store shelves and going directly into consumer’s beer fridges just in time for the 2024 Detroit Tigers baseball season.
I had the pleasure of drinking my first D Light on Opening Day 2023 at Comerica Park and it was love at first sip. Actually, it was more like love at first glance because the Old English D is prominently placed on the can to catch the eye of all Tigers fans. When you pair that classic Detroit D with any product, you have my attention but to have it accompanied with Atwater branding will prompt any Michigander to lean over to their pal and say “Ope, I need to try that one”.
Standing in the batter’s box at 4.2% ABV and only 95 calories, D Light is the consistent, reliable beer all Detroit baseball fans and Michigan craft beer lovers need in their regular rotation this spring and summer. It’s a golden, light bodied, refreshing ballpark beer that you now have easier access to. It’s Comerica Park in a can. One sip immediately takes your mind to sitting in the stands on a warm summer night in the stadium seats of Comerica Park, yelling “Let’s Go Tigers”.
By mibrewtrail.com
Beer Reviews
Atwater Brewery has announced that D Light is being put into distribution throughout metro Detroit areas. Now I can enjoy my favorite baseball beer from the cheap seats and the cheapest of all seats, my couch. Cheers to that!
ULTIMATE LIGHT CRAFT BEER
Buy Now
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Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
By: Atwater Beer
review by: tony garant
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
Atwater Hits D Light Out of the Park
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
review by: tony garant
to not try this beer you can join the rest of us at 9 o’clock on the 9th green for a little secret from the pros (you can ask Happy Gilmore about that). I highly recommend checking out this brew and following along with the Austin Brothers murk series.
Shooter Murkgavin IPA is available in stores and on draft around Michigan. Go to austinbrosbeer.com for more details and be sure to visit mibrewtrail.com for more Michigan beer stories and reviews.
Let’s tee up Austin Brothers Beer Company’s latest New England Style IPA in their murk series, Shooter Murkgavin IPA. The beers name is a playful nod to Christopher McDonald’s iconic “Shooter McGavin” character in the classic golf comedy, Happy Gilmore.
ABBC’s murk series has been creatively taking over the Michigan beer scene for years and it consists of a constantly rotating series of NE IPA’s that feature a slightly different malt bill each time, and always features different hops. Although the beers in the series have similar profiles, they all have their own unique twist making you want to try each one.
Not only are they pumping out great hazy (murky) IPA’s on a regular basis at their Northern Michigan facility, there seems to be a theme within Austin Brothers marketing team to keep their beer loving fans on the edge of their barstool waiting for what the next murk series beer will be named.
Many of the beers in the murk series carry a clever name that tie to pop culture. Some of their past murk series beers have featured the likes of Murk Jagger, Steve Murkel, Murk & Mindy, Murkel Myers, Magic Murk, Murk Twain, Murky Christmas, Count Murkula, Murkenstein, and the list goes on. I’d love to see some of the names that ended up on the drawing room floor for this series.
A perfect beer to throw in the golf bag as you attempt your best Happy Gilmore power swing. If you’re opting
REFRESHING NOTES OF TROPICAL FRUIT
By: Austin Brothers Beer Company
Shooter Murkgavin
IPA
Buy Now
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
review by: tony garant
Buy Now
Atwater Brewery stepped up to the plate and smacked this beer “out of the park”, literally. The ultimate light craft beer, D Light was exclusive to only Comerica Park goers in 2023 but now is hitting store shelves and going directly into consumer’s beer fridges just in time for the 2024 Detroit Tigers baseball season.
I had the pleasure of drinking my first D Light on Opening Day 2023 at Comerica Park and it was love at first sip. Actually, it was more like love at first glance because the Old English D is prominently placed on the can to catch the eye of all Tigers fans. When you pair that classic Detroit D with any product, you have my attention but to have it accompanied with Atwater branding will prompt any Michigander to lean over to their pal and say “Ope, I need to try that one”.
Standing in the batter’s box at 4.2% ABV and only 95 calories, D Light is the consistent, reliable beer all Detroit baseball fans and Michigan craft beer lovers need in their regular rotation this spring and summer. It’s a golden, light bodied, refreshing ballpark beer that you now have easier access to. It’s Comerica Park in a can. One sip immediately takes your mind to sitting in the stands on a warm summer night in the stadium seats of Comerica Park, yelling “Let’s Go Tigers”.
Atwater Brewery has announced that D Light is being put into distribution throughout metro Detroit areas. Now I can enjoy my favorite baseball beer from the cheap seats and the cheapest of all seats, my couch. Cheers to that!
ULTIMATE LIGHT CRAFT BEER
By: Austin Brothers Beer Company
Atwater Hits D Light Out of the Park
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
review by: tony garant
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
review by: tony garant
Go to www.ascension.beer to learn more about Ascension Brewing Company and be sure to plan a trip to their taproom in Novi, Michigan. Looking for more Michigan beer content? Visit www.mibrewtrail.com for more Michigan beer stories and reviews. See you on the trail!
Let’s take a closer look at Ascension Brewing’s Millennials Candy Sour Ale, or in more direct terms an Imperial Berliner Weisse Kettle Sour brewed with sour candies. Strongly implied the sour candies used in the brewing process are Sour Patch Kids. The brewery states “we irresponsibly let the kids get into this one. Sour candy kids that is!” This beer is bright, fun, and the label certainly pops on the shelves in the beer aisle. I felt like a kid in a candy store when I first set eyes on it.
My mouth is watering just thinking about this beer so let’s dive into the profile. ABV is 7.3%. It pours a slight hazy yellow/orange and while pouring the scent hits you with sweet fruity aromas. However, when you take that first sip, just like a sour patch kid it has a tart nose and is sour forward. Then you get a little sweetness on the back end. This beer really punches your taste buds throughout. In a good way.
An extremely enjoyable beer for sour lovers. I highly recommend making this beer a full experience by dropping some of your favorite sour candies into the glass to join in on the party. Although this brew carries the name “Millennials”, Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and a select few Gen Zers (21+) will get along with this beer.
Millennials Candy Sour Ale is available in stores around Michigan.
SWEET, FRUITY AND NOSTALGIC
By: Ascension Brewing Company
Millennials Candy Sour Ale
Buy Now
Buy Now
Let’s tee up Austin Brothers Beer Company’s latest New England Style IPA in their murk series, Shooter Murkgavin IPA. The beers name is a playful nod to Christopher McDonald’s iconic “Shooter McGavin” character in the classic golf comedy, Happy Gilmore.
ABBC’s murk series has been creatively taking over the Michigan beer scene for years and it consists of a constantly rotating series of NE IPA’s that feature a slightly different malt bill each time, and always features different hops. Although the beers in the series have similar profiles, they all have their own unique twist making you want to try each one.
Not only are they pumping out great hazy (murky) IPA’s on a regular basis at their Northern Michigan facility, there seems to be a theme within Austin Brothers marketing team to keep their beer loving fans on the edge of their barstool waiting for what the next murk series beer will be named.
Many of the beers in the murk series carry a clever name that tie to pop culture. Some of their past murk series beers have featured the likes of Murk Jagger, Steve Murkel, Murk & Mindy, Murkel Myers, Magic Murk, Murk Twain, Murky Christmas, Count Murkula, Murkenstein, and the list goes on. I’d love to see some of the names that ended up on the drawing room floor for this series.
Shooter Murkgavin IPA is available in stores and on draft around Michigan. Go to austinbrosbeer.com for more details and be sure to visit mibrewtrail.com for more Michigan beer stories and reviews.
REFRESHING NOTES OF TROPICAL FRUIT
By: Ascension Brewing Company
Shooter Murkgavin
IPA
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
review by: tony garant
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
review by: tony garant
Looking for more Michigan beer content? Visit www.mibrewtrail.com for more Michigan beer stories and reviews. Follow the MiBrew Trail on social media and ask your local brewery if they have the latest edition of the Michigan Brew Trail magazine. See you on the trail!
A beer could not be more Michigan made than this IPA by Short’s Brewing Company. A seasonal Fall IPA made with Michigan ingredients from the top of the glass to the bottom of the glass. Brewed in partnership with Pure Michigan this beer captures everything that Michigan stands for. When you crack this one open it’s almost like you can hear the calm, soft tones of Tim Allen’s voice describing a perfect fall day in Michigan.
Not to be mistaken for this brews Northern Michigan cousin of years past, Short’s Autumn IPA, the Fall IPA has a slightly different profile. The more recently added Fall IPA comes in at 5.2% ABV and 56 IBUs making it an easy drinking beverage for a crisp fall day. A classic American IPA with balanced hop bitterness and a nice nutty malty flavor with a kick of fruited sweetness.
What makes this beer even more uniquely Michigan is its ancestry can be directly traced back to a couple of the most prominent Michigan craft beer industry ingredient operations, Great Lakes Malting Company and the Hop Alliance. Both of which are deeply rooted in the local beer community and have paved the way for Michigan being known as “The Great Beer State”.
Similar to the beautiful fall colors across the state, Short’s Fall IPA will not be around much longer this year so be sure to go out and grab a taste of it while you can. You can find it in stores around Michigan and be sure to plan a trip to one of Short’s taprooms, the Bellaire pub or the Elk Rapids Pull Barn.
PERFECT
FOR A CRISP FALL DAY
By: Short’s Brewing Company
Pure Michigan Fall IPA
Buy Now
Buy Now
Let’s take a closer look at Ascension Brewing’s Millennials Candy Sour Ale, or in more direct terms an Imperial Berliner Weisse Kettle Sour brewed with sour candies. Strongly implied the sour candies used in the brewing process are Sour Patch Kids. The brewery states “we irresponsibly let the kids get into this one. Sour candy kids that is!” This beer is bright, fun, and the label certainly pops on the shelves in the beer aisle. I felt like a kid in a candy store when I first set eyes on it.
My mouth is watering just thinking about this beer so let’s dive into the profile. ABV is 7.3%. It pours a slight hazy yellow/orange and while pouring the scent hits you with sweet fruity aromas. However, when you take that first sip, just like a sour patch kid it has a tart nose and is sour forward. Then you get a little sweetness on the back end. This beer really punches your taste buds throughout. In a good way.
An extremely enjoyable beer for sour lovers. I highly recommend making this beer a full experience by dropping some of your favorite sour candies into the glass to join in on the party. Although this brew carries the name “Millennials”, Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and a select few Gen Zers (21+) will get along with this beer.
Millennials Candy Sour Ale is available in stores around Michigan. Go to www.ascension.beer to learn more about Ascension Brewing Company and be sure to plan a trip to their taproom in Novi, Michigan. Looking for more Michigan beer content? Visit www.mibrewtrail.com for more Michigan beer stories and reviews. See you on the trail!
SWEET, FRUITY, AND
NOSTALGIC
By: Short’s Brewing Company
Millennials Candy Sour Ale
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
review by: tony garant
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
review by: tony garant
You can find this beer available in stores around Michigan. Go to www.barrelandbeam.com to learn more about Barrel + Beam and be sure to plan a trip to their taproom in Marquette, Michigan. Looking for more Michigan beer content? Visit www.mibrewtrail.com for more Michigan beer stories and reviews. See you on the trail!
Behind every beer there is a story. That statement rings true for Barrel + Beam’s latest Amber Farmhouse Ale named “Life in Michigan”. This beer has a story, heck it has a number of stories. In fact, it has a whole catalog of stories. If you’re wondering where you’ve heard the title Life in Michigan before, you’ve probably indulged in one of the many stories they’ve told.
Life in Michigan is not just a beer name. It is an online magazine exploring the unique sides of Michigan through extraordinary stories. The brand created by Chuck and Brenda Marshall has been on the front lines of the Michigan beer scene for over a decade. Documenting and sharing their tastes and travels along the way through creative content. From covering festivals like the Great Lakes Beer Festival, Michigan Brewers Guild’s events, being on site for brew days at breweries, to visiting hop farms and every other nook and cranny of the local beer community. They’ve totally immersed themselves in everything Michigan beer.
Let’s just say Chuck and Brenda know a thing or two about the beer that is made in the Great Beer State. Their taste for adventure combined with the backing of Barrel + Beam, Great Lakes Malting Company and MI Local Hops made me especially eager to get my hands on the Life in Michigan Amber Farmhouse Ale. It was readily available for me to purchase at Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor where the beer was recently featured as a part of a beer and cheese pairing event.
Let’s crack this beer open and take a look inside. Upon pouring, the beer presents a stunning amber hue, glimmering in the light with a copper tint. A woody nose paired with some fruity aromas. A complex but very approachable profile. At first taste it has that pleasant farmhouse sour flavor with a toasty, malty sweetness. As the sip progresses, a gentle hop bitterness provides a nice depth without overwhelming the malt backbone.
COMPLEX,
HEARTY AND REFRESHING
By: Barrel + Beam Brewery
Life in michigan
Amber Farmhouse Ale
Buy Now
This brew beautifully marries the complexity of a farmhouse ale with the comforting warmth of an amber beer. Refreshing and hearty!
I was a bit surprised to see it comes in at 7% ABV as it is extremely drinkable. This beer would pair perfectly with a variety of different foods (especially Zingerman cheeses) but its versatile enough to enjoy on its own. In my opinion Barrel + Beam in collaboration with Chuck and Brenda successfully captured the essence of Life in Michigan. Congratulations to everyone involved!
A beer could not be more Michigan made than this IPA by Short’s Brewing Company. A seasonal Fall IPA made with Michigan ingredients from the top of the glass to the bottom of the glass. Brewed in partnership with Pure Michigan this beer captures everything that Michigan stands for. When you crack this one open it’s almost like you can hear the calm, soft tones of Tim Allen’s voice describing a perfect fall day in Michigan.
Not to be mistaken for this brews Northern Michigan cousin of years past, Short’s Autumn IPA, the Fall IPA has a slightly different profile. The more recently added Fall IPA comes in at 5.2% ABV and 56 IBUs making it an easy drinking beverage for a crisp fall day. A classic American IPA with balanced hop bitterness and a nice nutty malty flavor with a kick of fruited sweetness.
What makes this beer even more uniquely Michigan is its ancestry can be directly traced back to a couple of the most prominent Michigan craft beer industry ingredient operations, Great Lakes Malting Company and the Hop Alliance. Both of which are deeply rooted in the local beer community and have paved the way for Michigan being known as “The Great Beer State”.
Similar to the beautiful fall colors across the state, Short’s Fall IPA will not be around much longer this year so be sure to go out and grab a taste of it while you can. You can find it in stores around Michigan and be sure to plan a trip to one of Short’s taprooms, the Bellaire pub or the Elk Rapids Pull Barn.
Looking for more Michigan beer content? Visit www.mibrewtrail.com for more Michigan beer stories and reviews. Follow the MiBrew Trail on social media and ask your local brewery if they have the latest edition of the Michigan Brew Trail magazine. See you on the trail!
PERFECT
FOR A CRISP FALL DAY
Pure Michigan Fall IPA
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
review by: tony garant
By: Barrel + Beam Brewery
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
review by: tony garant
It’s the Lions time to shine and this beer is rapidly becoming Lions nation’s beverage of choice. Next time you’re packing beer to go watch the Lions, I recommend you report this beer as eligible.
Like football season this beer won’t be around forever. You can find this beer available in stores around Michigan. Go to www.ellicottvillebrewing.com to learn more about Ellicottville Brewing Company and check out some of their other beers. Looking for more Michigan beer content? Visit www.mibrewtrail.com for more Michigan beer stories and reviews. See you on the trail!
Hey Lions fans! I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that there has been a new beer circling around tailgate parties and watch parties across the state of Michigan this football season. The Detroit Lions inspired Detroit Fan Zone IPA by Ellicottville Brewing Company is capturing the hearts and fridge space of the Lions faithful.
You might be wondering why a brewery in a small ski town in Western New York took the initiative to craft a Detroit themed beer. Well, like the rest of America they have taken notice and are inspired by not only Dan Campbell, Brad Holmes and company but by the unwavering support of the Lions fanbase. Detroit Fan Zone IPA is specifically dedicated to the unique culture of Detroit Lions fans that take over Ford Field on Sundays in downtown Detroit. The can art even highlights a number of real-life Lions super fans.
Let’s breakdown the game film for this brew. After playing “Where’s Waldo” with the can you’ll see this IPA has an ABV of 5% which is on the lighter side for an American IPA. It pours a golden orange hue with a creamy off-white head. The aroma has a nice blend of apricot and lemon peel notes with a subtle piney undertone. The taste delivers a balanced attack of tropical fruit sweetness and then the light bitterness of hops on the backside. This beer’s overall profile is similar to most Detroit Lions fans, fresh, vibrant and welcoming. The balanced body of this beer means you could have a couple of these down before halftime.
Because of the light, balanced makeup of the Detroit Fan Zone IPA pretty much any beer drinker will enjoy this brew. Whether you’re a craft beer rookie or a craft beer veteran. Whether you’re a casual Lions fan or the guy who is leading “Ja-Red Goff” chants at your kid’s soccer game, you’ll enjoy this brew.
VIBRANT,
CRISP AND WELCOMING
By: Ellicottville Brewing Company
Detroit Fan Zone IPA
Buy Now
Behind every beer there is a story. That statement rings true for Barrel + Beam’s latest Amber Farmhouse Ale named “Life in Michigan”. This beer has a story, heck it has a number of stories. In fact, it has a whole catalog of stories. If you’re wondering where you’ve heard the title Life in Michigan before, you’ve probably indulged in one of the many stories they’ve told.
Life in Michigan is not just a beer name. It is an online magazine exploring the unique sides of Michigan through extraordinary stories. The brand created by Chuck and Brenda Marshall has been on the front lines of the Michigan beer scene for over a decade. Documenting and sharing their tastes and travels along the way through creative content. From covering festivals like the Great Lakes Beer Festival, Michigan Brewers Guild’s events, being on site for brew days at breweries, to visiting hop farms and every other nook and cranny of the local beer community. They’ve totally immersed themselves in everything Michigan beer.
Let’s just say Chuck and Brenda know a thing or two about the beer that is made in the Great Beer State. Their taste for adventure combined with the backing of Barrel + Beam, Great Lakes Malting Company and MI Local Hops made me especially eager to get my hands on the Life in Michigan Amber Farmhouse Ale. It was readily available for me to purchase at Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor where the beer was recently featured as a part of a beer and cheese pairing event.
Let’s crack this beer open and take a look inside. Upon pouring, the beer presents a stunning amber hue, glimmering in the light with a copper tint. A woody nose paired with some fruity aromas. A complex but very approachable profile. At first taste it has that pleasant farmhouse sour flavor with a toasty, malty sweetness. As the sip progresses, a gentle hop bitterness provides a nice depth without overwhelming the malt backbone. This brew beautifully marries the complexity of a farmhouse ale with the comforting warmth of an amber beer. Refreshing and hearty!
I was a bit surprised to see it comes in at 7% ABV as it is extremely drinkable. This beer would pair perfectly with a variety of different foods (especially Zingerman cheeses) but its versatile enough to enjoy on its own. In my opinion Barrel + Beam in collaboration with Chuck and Brenda successfully captured the essence of Life in Michigan. Congratulations to everyone involved!
You can find this beer available in stores around Michigan. Go to www.barrelandbeam.com to learn more about Barrel + Beam and be sure to plan a trip to their taproom in Marquette, Michigan. Looking for more Michigan beer content? Visit www.mibrewtrail.com for more Michigan beer stories and reviews. See you on the trail!
COMPLEX,
HEARTY AND
REFRESHING
By: Ellicottville Brewing Company
LIFE IN MICHIGAN
AMBER FARMHOUSE ALE
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
review by: tony garant
Buy Now
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
review by: tony garant
Whether you order Honey Lav on tap at Blackrocks’ iconic yellow house on 3rd street in Marquette or if you purchase it from your local beer store or at a pub downstate make sure you get your hands on some this May – August while it’s in season. If you want the full Blackrocks experience, visit Presque Isle Park just minutes from the brewery and jump from a 15-foot cliff (known as the “Black Rocks”) into the cold waters of Lake Superior.
Looking for more Michigan beer content? Visit www.mibrewtrail.com for more Michigan beer stories and reviews. Follow the MiBrew Trail on social media and ask your local brewery if they have the latest edition of the Michigan Brew Trail magazine. See you on the trail!
Spring is upon us in Michigan and although at times the weather may not be aligned with our calendar in the mitten state, the seasonal beer calendar changes for no one. The breweries with exceptional seasonal brews have us at their mercy as we quietly wait for our favorite seasonal beers to be born again. The birds are starting to chirp and the bees are beginning to buzz and soon Blackrocks Brewery fans will be buzzin’ on the release of the seasonal American Wheat, Honey Lav. A staple seasonal Michigan brew that stings you in the spring and lasts all summer long.
This beer holds no secrets and is about as straight forward as you can get. The name Honey Lav gives you a good idea on what the ingredient list consists of. No surprise to find out it is brewed with Michigan honey and full lavender flowers. Very fitting for a honey bee to be front and center on the beer can’s label. Sitting at 5.2% ABV and 17 IBUs, let’s enter the hive and get to know this beer a little better.
This sweet nectar of a brew pours a beautiful, hazy golden hue. The aroma of the beer has a calming scent with strong notes of fresh, fragrant floral qualities. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better the floral notes are complimented by that beautiful, subtle honey sweetness. The flavor profile is similar to the aroma but with the locally sourced honey taking more of front seat role on the taste. The sweetness plays a central role but it’s never too much. Smooth, sugary sweetness followed up by the light floral elements hitting you on the backend.
FLORAL,
GOLDEN AND SMOOTH
By: Blackrocks Brewery
HONEY LAV
SEASONAL ALE
Buy Now
Behind every beer there is a story. That statement rings true for Barrel + Beam’s latest Amber Farmhouse Ale named “Life in Michigan”. This beer has a story, heck it has a number of stories. In fact, it has a whole catalog of stories. If you’re wondering where you’ve heard the title Life in Michigan before, you’ve probably indulged in one of the many stories they’ve told.
Life in Michigan is not just a beer name. It is an online magazine exploring the unique sides of Michigan through extraordinary stories. The brand created by Chuck and Brenda Marshall has been on the front lines of the Michigan beer scene for over a decade. Documenting and sharing their tastes and travels along the way through creative content. From covering festivals like the Great Lakes Beer Festival, Michigan Brewers Guild’s events, being on site for brew days at breweries, to visiting hop farms and every other nook and cranny of the local beer community. They’ve totally immersed themselves in everything Michigan beer.
Let’s just say Chuck and Brenda know a thing or two about the beer that is made in the Great Beer State. Their taste for adventure combined with the backing of Barrel + Beam, Great Lakes Malting Company and MI Local Hops made me especially eager to get my hands on the Life in Michigan Amber Farmhouse Ale. It was readily available for me to purchase at Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor where the beer was recently featured as a part of a beer and cheese pairing event.
Let’s crack this beer open and take a look inside. Upon pouring, the beer presents a stunning amber hue, glimmering in the light with a copper tint. A woody nose paired with some fruity aromas. A complex but very approachable profile. At first taste it has that pleasant farmhouse sour flavor with a toasty, malty sweetness. As the sip progresses, a gentle hop bitterness provides a nice depth without overwhelming the malt backbone. This brew beautifully marries the complexity of a farmhouse ale with the comforting warmth of an amber beer. Refreshing and hearty!
I was a bit surprised to see it comes in at 7% ABV as it is extremely drinkable. This beer would pair perfectly with a variety of different foods (especially Zingerman cheeses) but its versatile enough to enjoy on its own. In my opinion Barrel + Beam in collaboration with Chuck and Brenda successfully captured the essence of Life in Michigan. Congratulations to everyone involved!
You can find this beer available in stores around Michigan. Go to www.barrelandbeam.com to learn more about Barrel + Beam and be sure to plan a trip to their taproom in Marquette, Michigan. Looking for more Michigan beer content? Visit www.mibrewtrail.com for more Michigan beer stories and reviews. See you on the trail!
COMPLEX,
HEARTY AND
REFRESHING
By: Blackrocks Brewery
LIFE IN MICHIGAN
AMBER FARMHOUSE ALE
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
review by: tony garant
Buy Now
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
review by: tony garant
Fruity aromas accompanied with lingering notes of sweet tropical fruits and earthy hops flavor. Extremely low bitterness making this a very crushable NE IPA. It’s exactly what you would expect from this brewery and stays true to the murk series legacy.
A perfect beer to throw in the golf bag as you attempt your best Happy Gilmore power swing. If you’re opting to not try this beer you can join the rest of us at 9 o’clock on the 9th green for a little secret from the pros (you can ask Happy Gilmore about that). I highly recommend checking out this brew and following along with the Austin Brothers murk series.
Shooter Murkgavin IPA is available in stores and on draft around Michigan. Go to austinbrosbeer.com for more details and be sure to visit mibrewtrail.com for more Michigan beer stories and reviews.
Let’s tee up Austin Brothers Beer Company’s latest New England Style IPA in their murk series, Shooter Murkgavin IPA. The beers name is a playful nod to Christopher McDonald’s iconic “Shooter McGavin” character in the classic golf comedy, Happy Gilmore.
ABBC’s murk series has been creatively taking over the Michigan beer scene for years and it consists of a constantly rotating series of NE IPA’s that feature a slightly different malt bill each time, and always features different hops. Although the beers in the series have similar profiles, they all have their own unique twist making you want to try each one.
Not only are they pumping out great hazy (murky) IPA’s on a regular basis at their Northern Michigan facility, there seems to be a theme within Austin Brothers marketing team to keep their beer loving fans on the edge of their barstool waiting for what the next murk series beer will be named.
Many of the beers in the murk series carry a clever name that tie to pop culture. Some of their past murk series beers have featured the likes of Murk Jagger, Steve Murkel, Murk & Mindy, Murkel Myers, Magic Murk, Murk Twain, Murky Christmas, Count Murkula, Murkenstein, and the list goes on. I’d love to see some of the names that ended up on the drawing room floor for this series.
The aforementioned beers are great but let’s not forget this is Shooter’s tour! Shooter Murkgavin IPA comes in at 7.1% ABV, 50 IBUs and uses a combination of Sabro, Ekuanot, and Mosaic hops. As you can imagine it pours a very murky orange with a creamy white head.
CITRUSY,
EARTHY AND LUSH
By: Austin Brothers Beer Company
Shooter Murkgavin
IPA
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Spring is upon us in Michigan and although at times the weather may not be aligned with our calendar in the mitten state, the seasonal beer calendar changes for no one. The breweries with exceptional seasonal brews have us at their mercy as we quietly wait for our favorite seasonal beers to be born again. The birds are starting to chirp and the bees are beginning to buzz and soon Blackrocks Brewery fans will be buzzin’ on the release of the seasonal American Wheat, Honey Lav. A staple seasonal Michigan brew that stings you in the spring and lasts all summer long.
This beer holds no secrets and is about as straight forward as you can get. The name Honey Lav gives you a good idea on what the ingredient list consists of. No surprise to find out it is brewed with Michigan honey and full lavender flowers. Very fitting for a honey bee to be front and center on the beer can’s label. Sitting at 5.2% ABV and 17 IBUs, let’s enter the hive and get to know this beer a little better.
This sweet nectar of a brew pours a beautiful, hazy golden hue. The aroma of the beer has a calming scent with strong notes of fresh, fragrant floral qualities. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better the floral notes are complimented by that beautiful, subtle honey sweetness. The flavor profile is similar to the aroma but with the locally sourced honey taking more of front seat role on the taste. The sweetness plays a central role but it’s never too much. Smooth, sugary sweetness followed up by the light floral elements hitting you on the backend.
Whether you order Honey Lav on tap at Blackrocks’ iconic yellow house on 3rd street in Marquette or if you purchase it from your local beer store or at a pub downstate make sure you get your hands on some this May – August while it’s in season. If you want the full Blackrocks experience, visit Presque Isle Park just minutes from the brewery and jump from a 15-foot cliff (known as the “Black Rocks”) into the cold waters of Lake Superior.
Looking for more Michigan beer content? Visit www.mibrewtrail.com for more Michigan beer stories and reviews. Follow the MiBrew Trail on social media and ask your local brewery if they have the latest edition of the Michigan Brew Trail magazine. See you on the trail!
FLORAL,
SMOOTH AND
GOLDEN
By: Austin Brothers Beer Company
HONEY LAV
SEASONAL ALE
Tony Garant is a Michigan beer enthusiast from Alpena. Follow Tony and his “Adventures from Lake Michigan, to the Thumb, to the Mackinac Bridge, to the back of the fridge on Instagram @sippinwiththemitten and at SippinWithTheMitten.WordPress.com
review by: tony garant
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