MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Thousands were sipping on drinks from all around the Midwest during the annual U.P. Fall Beer Festival.
Clear skies and a gentle fall breeze set the perfect stage for this year’s up festival.
“We are so fortunate to have what I would call perfect weather, mid 60’s, sunny, not windy,” remarked Scott Graham, the Executive Director of the Michigan Brewers Guild.
The festival is put on by the Michigan Brewers Guild, the guild works to promote breweries around the state, the U.P. festival is one of a handful the guild puts on throughout the year.
“We have so many great breweries throughout the state, that’s why they call it the great beer state,” added Graham.
87 breweries had stands set up at this year’s festival and they all brought their own specialties. over 500 different beers were on tap. For some, picking a favorite was hard. Alex Brown, who traveled with his family from bergland, couldn’t decide on what beer was his favorite but said all of them were very tasty.
The festival is about more than just drinking beer though, it’s an opportunity for brewers and those in the industry to catch up with each other and exchange ideas. It also gives families a chance to have some fun as a group
“It is a yearly family tradition, we make necklaces and screen print shirts,” commented Brown.
The Brewers Guild says they are already beginning to plan for next year’s festival.