Blackrocks Brews Up a Passion For Beer
By mug, glass, or can the Blackrocks Brewery is serving up some of Michigan’s finest craft beers!
Micro brewing craft beer is taking Michigan’s Upper Peninsula by storm. (photo by Ron Caspi)
April 2, 2014 – Marquette, MI – Blackrocks Brews Up a Passion For Beer and is currently producing some of the finest microbrews available on the market right here in our small community of Marquette on the Shores of Lake Superior where the Blackrocks name was inspired. The beer they produce is continually selling out and it seems no matter how much they increase production they still can’t keep enough on the shelves.
Craft beers from the Blackrocks pub in Marquette, MI. (photo by Ron Caspi)
It’s as if they’ve found a way to capture some of the essence of Marquette into their brews and in doing so have created a product that people from our community are taking pride in, feeling that it’s their beer. “People from Marquette are happy and excited to have something of quality produced right here. It’s a good representation of what can be done here,” says co-founder Dave Manson.
Exterior view of the Blackrocks brewhouse on Third St. Marquette, MI. (photo by Ron Caspi)
What began as a need for a creative outlet for partners/owners David Manson and Andy Langlois has grown into a thriving business that beer drinkers can’t seem to get enough of. The idea born during their work trips together in pharmaceutical sales started as a backyard hobby. With a heater and a couple of small kettles they brewed 5 gallons at a time on the weekends just having a good time. Says Manson, “It’s fun to make something and enjoy it later.” This lasted about 4 years as they moved up to a 10 gallon system and a small community began to develop around their fermentation process as curious friends gathered regularly to watch, sample, and ask questions. It was during this time that their first few recipes took shape as their home brew process yielded some beers that were consistently being enjoyed and the talk began to form into a dream of growing their creative hobby into an actual business.
Custom mugs made individually for patrons decorate the interior of the Blackrocks pub. (photo by Ron Caspi)
In 2010 opportunity came knocking on their door as the pharmaceutical company they both worked for began letting people go… the dream was about to get serious. At this point they invested in the equipment and a location to to officially set up shop. By the end of the year, after purchasing a location and equipment they were ready for business. On December 28th, 2010 upon opening their doors for the first time at high noon, there was a line out the door and they ran out of beer entirely before the end of the day! Since then they have become a thriving brew house and a “must go” for local residents and visitors alike. Langlois speaks about the outpouring of support and encouragement by the community from the start saying, “You can tell that people really care about what we do and they’ve been there for us the whole way… it hits you in the heart.”
8 taps at the bar feature regular favorites like 51K and Coconut Brown as well as new variations brewed on a weekly basis. (photo by Ron Caspi)
Manson attests some of their success to doing the right thing at the right time. Since the late 90’s craft beers have exploded making a solid place for themselves alongside the traditional beer conglomerates. Manson says he was surprised early on by the popularity of the Blackrocks due to his misconception of Marquette being a “Bud town.” One of Manson’s favorite aspects of the business is watching people’s palettes evolve. They love seeing people who come in first time and ask “What do you have that tastes like Bud?” then keep returning and asking for the darkest hoppiest beer they have. Says Manson, “That’s a real gratifying thing to experience with them as they evolve and try different things.”
Co-owner Dave Manson serves up beer from the tap at the Blackrocks pub. (photo by Ron Caspi)
View from upstairs at the Blackrocks brewhouse. (photo by Ron Caspi)
Patrons are greatly appreciated at the Blackrocks not only because they fill the pub with lively good energy but also because they help decide what beers will be sent out into the larger world via their canning production. According to Manson the taste testing of their patrons removes some of the risk and allows them the luxury of moving forward into production with confidence. A beer that meets the liking of their brewers must also receive a thumbs up in the pub as well! Says Manson, “the brew house allows us to be more creative and experimental pushing the envelope more because we can test things out immediately with our patrons.”
Blackrocks brewer Chris Hutte aka “Friar Chut Monk of the Mash, Gangster of the Great White North, Friend of Woodland Creatures Everywhere” mixes the grains into a heater to begin the micro brewing process. (photo by Ron Caspi)
After visiting the micro-brew house to view the starting process of mixing the grains I developed a whole new love for beer myself. One smell of the fragrant grains as they are poured into the mixer and I was hooked. A hearty cloud carrying the aroma of hot breakfast cereal on a cold morning filled the room connecting me with the origins of the brewing process and bringing me a full circle appreciation of the beer in my glass hence forth! The pub itself brews twice a week to support their demand on tap. Brewer Chris Hutte (aka Chutt) says they are, “always trying new beers. That’s how we started off, by trying different stuff rather than serving the same eight beers all the time. People seem to like that a lot more.” Of course they keep the house favorites in stock all the time but every week they are creating new varieties.
Blackrocks brewer Chris Hutte flushes the tank system with water in preparation for the brewing process.
After continually having to increase their brewing capacity to meet the demand they now have 8 taps at the brew house and in 2013 entered into larger production by opening a canning facility here in Marquette. According to Langlois the first cans of beer off their assembly line were the first ones produced in Marquette since pre-prohibition times making them a part of our local history in my opinion.
Blackocks beer on the cannery assembly line in Marquette, MI. (photo by Ron Caspi)
With a current production capacity of about 4,500-5,000 barrels of beer yearly (that’s around 50,000 cases!) they are shipping Blackrocks west to Munising, into the eastern U.P., and as far south as Grand Rapids and Lansing downstate. Even with their increased production they still can’t keep the shelves full. So, just how far do they want to go with this high demand and success? Langlois and Manson both say they’re not sure at this time but it’s important to them to maintain their current culture of fun and passion. They’ve woven this attitude of fun into every aspect of their business from the versatile staff as they work together on the line in the canning facility and behind the taps of the pub to the camaraderie of their patrons and the taste of the beer in their mugs.
Steve Farr aka “Pirate of Propaganda (left) and Nevin Brownell aka “Can Rancher” share a laugh while working the line at the Blackrocks canning facility in Marquette, MI. (photo by Ron Caspi)
The Blackrocks Brewery in Marquette is content for the moment with the scale of production they have achieved although well aware that the demand is likely to keep growing. “There’s a hunger for beer,” says Manson. “For now if we can fill the state on a regular basis, give employees a good wage, and keep it fun that would be good for us.” As for Langlois, he had this to say, ” it’s another day, the sun is shining, and it’s a great place to be!”
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