We are going to take yet another break today from our trip throughout the Upper Peninsula and come back down state for the afternoon to show a brewery a little closer to home some love. I was saddened by the news last week of Arctic Circle Brewing Company in New Baltimore, Michigan deciding to close their doors sometime in December. So we are going to pay them a visit today on the page to support them before they pour their last pint.
Arctic Circle opened their doors in 2021, and quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the brewing world. In the 3 years that they have been in business, they have created an enormous amount of fanfare and hype surrounding their beer. This is one of the breweries that people ask me if I have made it to on a consistent basis while I am bartending. I have never heard anyone say anything negative about their experiences at Arctic Circle.
As you guys know, in addition to this page, I contribute to the Better On Draft website. Arctic Circle is the reigning champion of our annual March Draftness segment on the page. All of these factors combined have left me shocked since they announced that they are closing their doors in December.
The brewing industry itself is on some very hard times at the moment. Between rising costs, changes in consumer spending habits, less foot traffic in taprooms, and a ton of other factors a lot of breweries are struggling at the moment. Arctic Circle even with all the hype and quality beers that they are producing, sadly proved to not be immune to these concerns.
The taproom at Arctic Circle is a nice little cozy space. The bar itself is a decent sized bar with the ability to seat 10 to 15 thirsty beer drinkers at it. There are quite a few tables scattered around the space for you and your friends to enjoy some good beers and good times during your visit. They are located in a strip mall area, so there is no outside seating.
When it comes to the food options at Arctic Circle, they do not have a kitchen on site, but they do offer a few different food trucks on occasion. Check their website and social media to see if food will be offered on your next visit to the taproom. If no food truck is available, you are always welcome to bring in outside food for your enjoyment while you have a couple of beverages.
Over the next month plus, Arctic Circle will continue to offer their weekly trivia night on Wednesday nights. In addition to that they do have one last comedy show scheduled on Friday December 13th, so if you are looking for one last night of laughs at the brewery, Arctic Circle has got you covered. There are various other events happening throughout the waning days of their operation to celebrate what they have accomplished over the last 3 years. Check their socials to see if there are any events happening during your visit to the brewery.
Now we are at the part of the review where we get to talk about the beer at Arctic Circle. As of the typing of this review, they have plenty of options available on their taplist. Those options include Blood of a Yeti- Sour Ale, The Last Style Bender- New Zealand Pilsner, Premium Anchor Bay Pils- American Lager, Ten Craft Commandments- NEIPA, Arctoberfest- Marzen, Port of New Baltimore- Porter, Lehman Stout, and quite a few more options. I am hoping to make it there this coming Saturday afternoon for one last sampling of their taplist.
Some of the beers that I have tried on my visits to Arctic Circle include their C3 Vienna- California Common, Lehman’s Brown, Mango for Jasmine- Hazy IPA, and Drake’s Revenge- Rye Beer. My favorite from my visits to Arctic Circle was their Juneteenth 2022, which was an Imperial Coffee Stout. This beer was darker than my soul (I didn’t know that was possible), it was made with ingredients coming from Africa, which included Uganda and Ghana cocoa nibs and Blackstrap Molasses. This beer was roasty with a very pronounced coffee flavor and also had some subtle fruit notes and finished slightly creamy and smooth. Don’t let the smoothness fool you though, this bad boy checked in at 11% ABV. This beer was meant to be sipped on very responsibly, multiple of these would catch up with you real fast.
If you are looking to enjoy one last pint at a fantastic brewery that is sadly closing way too soon, sometime in the next month or so, head out to Arctic Circle Brewing Company in New Baltimore, Michigan. Let’s send them out with as much love as they have shown us as beer lovers over the past three years. Prost!
Hours of operation:
Wednesday-Friday 4 p.m to 10 p.m.
Saturday Noon to 10 p.m.
Sunday Noon to 6 p.m.
Closed Monday and Tuesday
#brewery #DrinkLocal #craftbeer #michiganbeer #beerlovers #beer
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