Tasting adventures that bring you back

Photo credit: Mitten Exploration

Michigan is gaining national attention for its award-winning craft beers, wines, spirits and ciders. Some of the best are made in the U.P. Our brewmasters, winemakers and distillers hone their craft in a land surrounded by fresh water. They create new flavors from locally grown fruits, honey, grains and hops; age their art to perfection; then fill your glass with beverages as light and crisp as a U.P. fall evening to as robust as a Lake Superior gale.

Your quest to find your U.P. favorites will take you to micro-breweries, wineries, a distillery, pubs and festivals in our cities, college towns, islands and rural countryside. Try a microbrew (perhaps the Porcupine Pale Ale) in the heart of Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Sip the velvety smooth and smoky Leon Millot in Bark River. Or enjoy an effervescent, wild apple hard cider in Hancock. The more you taste, the more often you’ll find reasons to return.

Microbrews and spirits taste better UP here

A favorite, year-round pastime that pairs perfectly with outdoor fun is a taste search for the best Michigan U.P. beers and spirits. Whether you try them by flights or by the glass, you will find handcrafted ales, lagers, malts, porters, stouts, whiskeys and more. Our talented brewmasters and distillers perfect their grain-to-glass skills at nearly two dozen breweries and distillers from Ironwood to Drummond Island or Menominee to Copper Harbor. Using local ingredients and small batch fearlessness, these makers serve up some adventurous new flavors and traditional go-to favorites.

Throughout the year we celebrate Michigan’s Beer State status at several U.P. festivals from late July to October. Check for updates here. And visit the individual websites below to learn more about their brews, spirits and events.

Delight your palate with our wines & ciders

Photo credit: Marissa Kobe

Wine and cider artisans who make Michigan’s Upper Peninsula their home are hardy individuals. This land and its waters embolden them to make delicious drinks from cold-hardy grapes and fruits, aging them to a level of palate-pleasing dryness or sweetness. Try their liquid art in tasting rooms across the U.P. or request a bottle at local restaurants. Our wineries and restaurants welcome new to experienced wine connoisseurs, happily answering your questions, guiding your exploration and suggesting food pairings for the favorites you choose to bring home or back to the hotel or cottage.

Start your wine tasting tour by visiting the websites below. There you will learn more about the wines, ciders, summer concerts and special events throughout the year.