Blackrocks Brewery
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Craft beer brewing |
| Founded | December 28, 2010 in Marquette, Michigan, United States |
| Founder | David Manson, Andy Langlois |
| Headquarters | Marquette , United States |
Area served | Michigan, Wisconsin |
Key people | David Manson, Andy Langlois |
| Products | Craft beer (notably 51K IPA, Grand Rabbits cream ale, Mykiss IPA) |
| Website | blackrocksbrewery |
Blackrocks Brewery is a craft brewery located in Marquette, Michigan, United States. Established in 2010 by former pharmaceutical sales representatives David Manson and Andy Langlois, the brewery initially operated from the basement of a Victorian-era residence, while utilizing the upper floors as a taproom.
By 2013, increasing customer interest led to expansion efforts, including the addition of an outdoor patio and enhanced brewing capabilities through the purchase of a nearby former Coca-Cola bottling facility. In the early 2020s, Blackrocks further enlarged its indoor taproom by acquiring and renovating an adjacent building.
, Blackrocks stands as the second-largest craft brewery within Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Its signature brew, 51K, is an American IPA that holds a significant portion of the local market.
Founding
David Manson and Andy Langlois founded Blackrocks Brewery on December 28, 2010, following job losses in pharmaceutical sales caused by the late-2000s economic downturn. Both men were passionate homebrewers who expedited their transition into the craft beer sector after being laid off.
The name "Blackrocks" is inspired by the rock formations found in Marquette’s Presque Isle Park, representing the founders' bold "leap of faith" into brewing despite having little prior industry experience. This naming choice has helped establish a strong local brand identity and market presence.
Taproom
Blackrocks Brewery’s customer-facing taproom operates out of two historic houses at 420 and 424 North Third Street in Marquette, Michigan. A distinctive fence made from repurposed skis donated by visitors surrounds the property.
The brewery began in a 2100-square-foot Victorian home at 424 North Third Street, which was over one hundred years old when it opened. The venue includes two floors for guests and a spacious year-round patio equipped with fire pits to accommodate Marquette’s cold winter climate.
On its opening day, founders Manson and Langlois sold out their first beer batch, prompting swift growth in brewing capacity and outdoor seating options. By 2017, the patio expanded to dimensions of 37 by 28 feet and featured winter igloo structures. During the COVID-19 pandemic, tents and campfires were added to maintain outdoor service.
To address rising demand and limited indoor space during winter months, Blackrocks purchased the neighboring property at 420 North Third Street in February 2020. This mixed-use building doubled the available interior area, adding two floors that include a second bar, a live music stage, a fireplace, and a mural. Although initially scheduled to open in December 2020, pandemic-related delays pushed the launch to late 2021; an outdoor deck was added in 2022. The city mandated noise reduction measures for this outdoor space.
In 2024, Blackrocks commenced another phase of taproom expansion aimed at increasing overall space, enlarging the upper-level outdoor deck while preserving original porch columns, and tripling brewing capacity. This renovation was finalized in 2025.
Mug club
Shortly after its establishment, Blackrocks introduced a "mug club" program where customers purchased personalized large ceramic mugs showcased in the taproom. These mugs granted members access to beer servings larger than the usual glass size. Initially, the club was capped at 50 participants, each paying US$40, but growing interest led to continuous membership increases. By 2013, the club expanded to 1,100 members, and by 2015 it reached a limit of around 1,400 due to space limitations.
As of 2022, new memberships are infrequently available and linked to a "golden ticket" campaign—an inventive marketing tactic inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory—in which tickets are concealed on public lands during specific intervals. This strategy fosters deeper customer interaction and brand loyalty while preserving exclusivity within their target audience.
Operation
Blackrocks started with a single-barrel brewing setup located in the taproom’s basement but swiftly upgraded to a three-barrel system in response to strong demand. In 2013, the company purchased a 9,000-square-foot former Coca-Cola bottling facility and installed a twenty-barrel brewing system, boosting annual production capacity to 2,200 barrels. This upgrade included adding a canning line that allowed distribution beyond the taproom. Between 2015 and 2016, Blackrocks extended its market presence throughout Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and into Wisconsin.
To accommodate ongoing expansion, a 24x24-foot addition was constructed in 2018, and two 120-barrel fermenters were installed in May 2024. Mid-2024 also saw an enhancement of the taproom brewing system from three barrels to seven barrels to support maintaining sixteen distinct beer taps throughout the year.
By 2025, Blackrocks had become the second-largest craft brewery in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula after Keweenaw Brewing Company. The brewery produced roughly 10,400 barrels in 2024, marking an almost 20% decrease compared to the prior year. Production volumes were recorded at 12,687 barrels in 2023, about 10,000 barrels in 2021, and showed consistent growth from 5,066 barrels in 2016 to 7,500 barrels in 2018. These figures underscore Blackrocks’ strong market position and sustained growth within the regional craft beer sector.
Beer
Blackrocks currently offers three canned beers available year-round: 51K IPA, Grand Rabbits cream ale, and Mykiss IPA (as of April 2025). The top-selling product is the 51K IPA, named after a local ski marathon covering fifty kilometers plus an additional kilometer leading to the brewery. It was among their initial canned beers alongside Grand Rabbits and the now-discontinued Coconut Brown.
Out of fifteen seasonal brews released annually, regional publication MLive recognized Honey Lav—a honey and lavender-infused wheat ale—as a favored summer option.
| Name | Style | ABV | IBU | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51K | American IPA | 7% | 68 | Year-round |
| Grand Rabbits | Dry-hopped cream ale | 5.5% | 16 | Year-round |
| Mykiss | American IPA | 7.5% | 60 | Year-round |
| Honey Lav | Wheat ale with honey and lavender | 5.2% | 17 | May–August |
| Ray's Fiesta Time | Mexican light lager | 4.8% | Not listed | April–June |
| Float Copper | Amber lager | 5% | 20 | February–April |
| Super Deluxe | Helles | 4.8% | 17 | May–July |
| Coconut Brown | Brown ale | 6% | 18 | Discontinued |
Recognition
In 2013, MLive included Blackrocks among the top ten emerging breweries in Michigan. The publication later honored their Honey Lav as "beer of the week" in both 2020 and 2021, while also recognizing Mykiss as one of the state’s top ten beers. The Detroit Free Press lauded Mykiss, describing it as "one of Michigan's finest IPAs." By 2022, VinePair placed Blackrocks within its list of the 25 leading breweries nationwide, emphasizing its expanding presence and strong position within the craft beer sector.
See also
Further reading
External links
- Official website
- Pure Michigan promotional video (2014)
- 2016 interview with brewery co-founder, TV6 & FOX UP
- MLive photo gallery (2024)
- MLive photo gallery (2025)