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 My Top 10 Michigan Beers

1) Wizard Burial Ground Belgian Quad, from Brewery Vivant 11.7%

2) Big Trouble in A Little Can stout, from Starving Artist Brewing Co. 17%

3) Northwoods Hospitality American Wild Ale, from Barrel + Beam 11.2%

4) Devil Dancer Triple IPA, from Founders Brewing Co. 12%

5) Big Doedish Imperial IPA, from Witch’s Hat Brewing Co. 9.2%

6) Gnomas English Barleywine, from Blackrocks Brewery 10%

7) Sweet Potato Souffle' Rye Ale, from Odd Side Ales 11%

8) Boxer NEIPA, from Old Nation Brewing Co. 7% (no longer in production)

9) MYKISS IPA, from Blackrocks Brewery 7.5%

10) Mutational Meltdown Barrel Aged Sour, from Speciation 8%

POND HILL FARM

5699 S. Lakeshore Dr., Harbor Springs, MI 49740 (231) 526-3276

Pond Hill Farm 

If you weren't aware the Yellow Brick Road and Emerald City do exist. Or if you prefer, a Pot of Gold at the end of the rainbow. Where you ask? Along M-119, the Tunnel of Trees. Rated one of the top 10 scenic drives in this great U.S. of A.

Now you won't encounter a brainless scarecrow or a heartless man made of tin. You will however find an absolute amazing brewery tucked inside the states best piece of property.

Tunnel Vision Brewery is just a small part of Pond Hill Farm. A place that offers some of Northern Michigan's best beer. Here though it's not just about the beer.....

Conspiracy of Ravens Rhubarbs Porter

Conspiracy of Ravens Rhubarbs Porter

Food - you want fresh you got it. Garden & farm to table.

Wine - a tasting room with some award winning grapes.

A store with fresh produce and jams - you'll need two baskets for all your goodies.

Pumpkin patch - it's not just for mom and dad.

Mt biking, hayrides, hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing. It all adds up to the place you need to be when visiting the Harbor Springs, Petoskey area.

   

Photo courtesy of T.F.

Photo courtesy of T.F.

7 Mile Point IPA

7 Mile Point IPA

So Tunnel Vision Brewery.... many, many great options. The first beer I ever had here was their Conspiracy of Ravens Rhubarb Porter 9.5%. They describe it as "The rhubarb comes through in the dark chocolate, coffee and smoky malts, making this one enjoyable porter. Hops provide a spicy herbal note". This beer blew me away! If it's on the list I'm ordering it. 7 Mile Point IPA 7.7%. "This is a standup double of an IPA. Subtle grapefruit rind in the nose followed up with piney and citrus hop flavors". Talk about a stellar IPA. This is a staple here and one of their best. Kafui Coffee Stout 4.5%. Tunnel Visions description, "This is brewed in honor of our Head of Field Production, KK and his motherland Ghana. It’s made with star anise, Ghana Cocoa Nibs and coffee grown and roasted by his family in Ghana. It comes through as a smooth deep, chocolaty sweetness and a coffee finish". Not every stout needs to be 8% and over. Especially when it has so much flavor like this one. I do love my coffee and love it even more in my beer. This beer has it in spades! I've also sipped on Beer Laimbeer an American Pale Ale 5.1%. "An ale that’s quite pale and similar to an aggressive pale Pistons’ Bad Boy with some few hops". Just had this in May when I stopped in during the Zoo de Mac bike ride. A nice way to break up a 50 mile pedal.

Master Beet

Master Beet

Beer Laimbeer

Beer Laimbeer

Fuggled Up Lager

Fuggled Up Lager

Like I mentioned before beer isn't the only thing they do well. Are you an active person no matter what time of year?  In the Spring and Summer there are miles and miles of hiking trails thru the woods. Or a quiet walk across grassy fields. You can also get up close and personal with Falls amazing colors. Once the snow starts to fall grab your snowshoes, X-country skis, or fat tire bike. Their groomed trails are great to get the family and friends out on. If you make it to the top of the vineyard anytime of year you'll witness a breathtaking panoramic view of Lake Michigan and the surrounding countryside.

Jason, Jennifer, Roy, Lucy, Tim, and Me. Finishing our trek thru the woods.

Jason, Jennifer, Roy, Lucy, Tim, and Me. Finishing our trek thru the woods.

   Pond Hill Farm schedules both educational and recreational field trips for the little ones. The livestock barn is open year-round to feed pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, and geese. Before you go check their event schedule. They offer Barn Dances. Farm to Table Dinners. Fall and Winter Weekend Festivals.   

   This blog would not be complete without mentioning The Squash Rocket. Fill your bucket up with fruits and vegetables. Load the larger than life slingshots. Pull back as hard and as far as you can. Then let it rip! Your ammunition will fly 100's of feet thru the air into big, open fields that will feed their goats, sheep, and compost for next year's crops. They know the drill too. Once the fruit and vegetables land you'll see all the four legged friends scurry for lunch.  

   You can go for a drink and just sit at the bar, but why would you? There's just too much going on at Pond Hill Farm not to take advantage of. Like I said earlier whether it's before or after your visit, don't miss that drive or pedal thru the Tunnel of Trees. It's amazing anytime of year, but we all know northern Michigan offers the best Fall Foliage!

PINTS, 4.75

BIER'S INWOOD BREWERY

MACKINAW TRAIL WINERY & BREWERY