Craig Manning | Author
Cadillac’s Clam Lake Beer Co.
Jan. 25, 2020
It’s 3:00 on a Thursday afternoon, but Clam Lake Beer Co. is already bustling with regulars. The taphouse and brewery, which is located right on the main drag of S. Mitchell Street in downtown Cadillac, is a popular local hangout spot no matter the time or day. In the winter, it&rsq...
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Drop the Needle: Wax is Back
Jan. 25, 2020
Not so long ago, vinyl records were considered a dead format. When the compact disc made its debut in the early 1980s, many viewed it as the vinyl killer. Here was a new format of music distribution that improved upon its predecessor in virtually every way, from convenience and portabilit...
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Cheboygan Brewing Co.'s Imperial Cinnamon Hefeweizen
Jan. 18, 2020
Winter is prime time for imperial stouts and barrel-aged beers, but what if you’re not a fan of those big, heavy, dark brews? The Imperial Cinnamon Hefeweizen is a perfect winter beer for folks who prefer the hue of their ales to stay on the lighter side of the spectrum. On the one ...
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Say Cheese
Nov. 30, 2019
“Holiday fact: Everybody loves a cheese platter.”
That’s the wisdom of Sue Kurta, owner and cheesemaker at the Kingsley-based Boss Mouse Cheese. We happen to agree with her: Not many things are more essential to a festive holiday gathering than a careful...
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Why Your Favorite European Wine/Cheese/Whisky/Coffee Is About to Get Pricier
Nov. 30, 2019
If you’re planning to put imported wine on your holiday table this season, it could cost you.
Thanks to a series of tariffs imposed on select products from the European Union (EU), U.S. consumers are likely to pay more for Scotch whisky, Italian cheeses, German coff...
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The Local
Nov. 16, 2019
Not so long ago, Jamie Wentworth was 99 percent certain her restaurant had burned to the ground. Wentworth, who owns The Local in Elk Rapids, was heading home from the restaurant with her husband, Drew, when they got a call from a friend saying the building was on fire. As Wentworth tells...
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Suttons Bay Ciders' Barrel Rider
Nov. 2, 2019
There might not be a better view on Leelanau Peninsula than the one from the Suttons Bay Ciders tasting room. Especially amidst the full splendor of northern Michigan fall color, simply walking through the door of Suttons Bay Ciders or spending a few moments on the deck is enough to make ...
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The local musicians you must hear now
Nov. 2, 2019
Doesn’t matter if you’re into blues, funk, folk, rock, or country, or whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing cover band or a singer/songwriter known for deep, personal confessionals. Northern Express has you covered. Below, we’ve rounded up 10 terrific musicia...
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13 Ways to Get Your Halloween On
Oct. 19, 2019
Which do you prefer: trick or treat? Whether you’re seeking scream-worthy scares or hoping more for candy, laughs, and family friendly fun, northern Michigan has the Halloween event for you. Consider Northern Express your guide to the best Halloween parties, haunted houses, ghost hi...
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Old Mission’s Peninsula Grill
Oct. 5, 2019
Located almost smack-dab in the middle of Traverse City’s 19-mile-long Old Mission Peninsula, the Peninsula Grill can fairly be described as “off the beaten path” for the majority of Traverse City residents — let alone for those around northern Michigan. From the b...
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The Right Wine, Right Now
Oct. 5, 2019
What’s the best wine to drink in the fall? How can you get the most bang for your buck at the local wine shop? What trends or challenges are currently shaping the world of wine? Northern Expresstapped three wine experts to find out what’s tasty, trending (and a steal!) locally...
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Tandem Ciders' Coloma Blue
Sept. 28, 2019
If you’re a hard cider fanatic, and you haven’t visited Tandem Ciders yet this year, now’s the time. The rustic tasting room — located in an off-the-beaten-path barn near Suttons Bay (2055 N Setterbo Rd, 231-271-0050) — has been packed most of the summer. Wit...
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Homegrown Football Heroes Hitting the NFL & College Turf
Aug. 31, 2019
The end of summer is here, which really only means one thing: football. The NFL regular season commences on Thursday, Sept. 5 with a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears. The first NCAA college football games of the year, meanwhile, were played last Thursday, Aug. 29. ...
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The North's New Sex Ed
Aug. 24, 2019
What should a modern sexual education curriculum look like? How much should teachers tell kids about sex in a school environment? And what topics are parents truly comfortable with their kids learning?
These questions have been batted around for years, often with no clear...
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Traverse City's Silver Spruce Brewing
Aug. 24, 2019
Michigan might just be the craft beer capital of the world, if only evidenced by the types of buildings that have been turned into craft breweries over the past decade. Brewery Vivant, based in Grand Rapids, sits in a space that used to be a church, while Traverse City’s own Filling...
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The Tribune Ice Cream & Eatery
Aug. 17, 2019
Tucked near the end of Leelanau Peninsula, in the quaint, unhurried downtown of Northport, diners will find a restaurant that is among northern Michigan’s best-kept secrets. The Tribune Ice Cream & Eatery is a small breakfast and lunch spot located just a stone’s throw awa...
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Vernors Cherry Pie
July 27, 2019
A cherry crumb pie from Grand Traverse Pie Company is the ideal summer dessert. But if you’re looking for something a little more unusual, try this summertime exclusive: Grand Traverse Pie Company’s Vernors Cherry Pie. Exactly what it sounds like — a classic Montmorency ...
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So. Many. Gigs.
July 20, 2019
A duo of singer-songwriters, who just so happen to be married, embark on a worldwide tour with one goal: Play a show every day for 365 days straight. Along the way, they experience the ups and downs of touring life, the power of music to transcend boundaries, and whether their commitment ...
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Where to Dine Waterside
July 13, 2019
No matter what dish or drink you order from the menu, come summertime, it all pairs well with a scenic waterfront view. Fortunately, northern Michigan offers no shortage of such spots. Allow Northern Express to be your guide to some of the best waterside dining experiences in the...
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Pinkus Münster Alt
June 29, 2019
Last week, 7 Monks Taproom in Traverse City made history by becoming the first establishment in North America to tap a keg of Pinkus Münster Alt, from the Pinkus Müller brewery in Münster, Germany. We were on hand to try one of the very first pours, and it did not disappoin... Read More >>