We stopped off at Big Buck Brewery in Gaylord. I had the raspberry wheat and Jim had the Blackriver (oatmeal) stout. Very good! We also had crackers, cheese and venison sausage, some beer cheese soup and venison reubens. Very tasty, even if our bartender tried to charge is for an extra beer. It was an excellent day, and now we have just one hour left of driving until we get to the Mackinac Bridge to go to St. Ignace. We’ll see you all tomorrow!

We stopped in Frankenmuth to have quick one. Jim is drinking the .38 Special Bitter and I’m having the Farmhouse Ale. Both are much better than at Redwood Lodge. Good atmosphere, but most of these places are looking at me funny when I pull out my Michigan Brewers Guild membership card to get $1.00 on my first pint. It’s starting to tick me off!

Jim and I were expecting more. A couple of brewmasters recommended this place, but the beers were just okay. I had a Kolsch while Jim had an English Ale. To put it simply, they were nothing to write home about, especially considering all of the award banners hanging from the ceiling. Oh well… At least we can say we went there.

Just finished Rochester Mills Beer Company. I had a Cherry Cream Ale, and Jim had a Wheat beer. Thanks to signing up for their Text message E-Club, we were able to get a sample of their ESB and the Stout. I thought that the wheat had a funny odor, but it tasted okay. The Cherry Cream Ale was okay, but nothing to write home about. Had a boring talk with someone about gambling. We stoprd for gas, and now we’re off!

Just left Black Lotus Brewery. We both had a delicious Black Forest Oatmeal Stout! Great hospitality from the Brewmaster/co-owner. We discussed the World Expo of Beer in Frankenmuth, the Michigan Brewers Guild and the Summer Beer Festival. A cool conversation! We also tried a classic Belgian Strong Ale! 12%…. Yikes! Glad it was just a sample.

Just left Copper Canyon. Great beers! I had a Belgian with Rose Petals while Jim had a great beer called Summer Zest. He really liked it! Thanks to the hospitality of Brewmaster Todd, we also tried a MeinBock. The beers were only $2.50 each! You gotta go there! Thanks again Todd!

At Motor City Brewing Works now, which is located near the Wayne State University campus. I tried a sample of the Old Gear Oil (Flemish Sour Brown), but it was too sour for me (Kiara will love it when she’s old enough). Instead, I had a Summer Brew, and Jim had a GhettoBlaster. Jim called my beer an Oberon Lite, but said it was good. It is!

One brewery down, 6 to go. My nephew, Jim, had the Monte Christo and a Turbo Sasparilla, while I had a Brewery Burger and a Keppen Farm Stout. We both had Beer Cheese soup. Jen joined us on this first stop. She had the Chicken Fried Chicken and a iced tea. Of course, the beer and food was excellent! Brewmaster Doug was there to wish us well on our journey.

As you can tell, my wife is pregnant. We are expecting in September. We are excited but nervous.

My wife is new to the blogging game, and she couldn’t remember how to access the blog as her. (Say it with me, ‘Click the location indicator, choose your location, then type in your password.) More end user training… but she pays well! Heck, I’m just happy she’s blogging!

And for the record, I AM carrying high, but that’s because I need to start pushing away from the computer and start exercising. I’M FRIGGIN’ HUGE!

I am excited but scared we are now 22 weeks and I can feel the baby moving and sometimes its a little painful. I don’t remember feeling this way with Kiara but all babys are diffrent. I am carrying high and everyone except the doctors say its a boy but I will be happy with a girl or boy I don’t care. Thanks for listening to me bable. Jen