172 S. Meridian Street Cedarville, MI 49719, (906) 484-1213
Les Cheneaux Distillers
This blog is just as much about traveling the state and finding new places to play as it is about beer. My love for the Upper Peninsula began as a youngster on a two week long family camping trip. Hitting all the hot spots from The Soo to Ironwood. Up in the Keweenaw Peninsula down to Escanaba and everything in between. It only grew while living there. I was stationed for 3 years just south of Marquette while in the Air Force.
For us trolls south of the bridge, I know many don't cross and go east. I rarely do. Usually it's north and a little west to Tahquamenon Falls. Maybe west on Route 2 on your way to Pictured Rocks, Marquette, or the Porcupine Mountains. Can't forget about Copper Harbor and the epic mountain biking. Well if you do make that right turn over the bridge there's a hidden gem in a little town called Cedarville.
Those that live near by, travel to Drummond Island, or island hop are already familiar. Les Cheneaux Distillery was new to me. Happy to have found them and Cedarville. Freshly brewed beer and a micro-distillery under one roof... Yes Please! Inside it's one big open room. Huge poured concrete bar with a dining area. Along with a lounge where you'll find a few comfy couches. Big menu with Paninis & Piadinas. Small and large plates to order. Along with pizza to have with your beer. Or cocktail.
Dark Side of the Brew
It was high noon on a Saturday. My first stop of the day. I had many miles of U.P. road ahead of me. For that reason I couldn't sample any of their spirits like I wanted to but did enjoy two delicious beers. ISLAND HOPPER 9.2%, dry hopped double IPA. Hoppy, strong, and a bit bitter just like it should be. Named for the a chain islands in the area. Some connected by bridges, some only accessible by water. Cannot wait to get back this summer and hop around on my kayak! Next I tried their American stout an 8%'er called DARK SIDE OF THE BREW. This was on nitro which I'm not usually a fan of. Allow me to beer nerd out for a second... The addition of Nitrogen to a beer gives way to much smaller bubbles, creating a smoother, creamier experience. Sometimes I feel it steals from the flavor, but not in the case. A thick stout with just a little smoke flavor.
Island Hopper IPA
Cedarville is my kinda town. Small, tucked away from crowds. Fresh air and fresh water. A nice bright sunrise over Lake Huron. So much to do outside plus the great beer! Excited to camp a weekend or two this summer paddling around the waters of The Les Cheneaux Islands. 36 of them to be exact. Check out this site for more info. http://lescheneaux.org/
Part of the interior decoration. One of the nicer canoes I've seen. What you see when you walk to the restrooms
This was great to wake up to.
This is shorts and sweet, but hoping it gives you the itch to cross the Mighty Mac as soon as possible. You don't have to wait for spring or summer to enjoy the U.P. Grab a set of snowshoes or cross country skis and hit the trails. Or you can spend time in your car and seek out some of the nearly 200 water falls. Now frozen, I find them just as beautiful if not more compared to summer or fall. Don't forget the 21 breweries! If you live north of the bridge I'm just preaching to the choir. You know how amazing the place you call home is!
Have to give a shout out and thank you to Gina and Bri. Kept me company while I was there. Gave me a little knowledge on the brewery and the islands. Hope to see you again in a few months.
Copper art work on the from of the building.
PINTS, 3.75