How Blackrocks Brewery is Fostering Community in Northern Michigan

Podcast

Jan 19

In today's episode on SLOWMO with Urban You, Nicole chats with Co-Founder of Blackrocks Brewery, David Manson. In 2010 during a time of economic downturn David and his friend Andy were hit with the news that after 14 years in pharmaceutical reps, they could be apart of a large lay-off.

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In today's episode on SLOWMO with Urban You, Nicole chats with Co-Founder of Blackrocks Brewery, David Manson. In 2010 during a time economic downturn David and his friend Andy were hit with the news that after 14 years in pharmaceutical reps. They could be apart of a large lay-off. They had been home brewing for 4 years when they received this news and they decided to take a leap of faith and turned their hobby into a beloved business in Northern Michigan.

“We are born and bred Yoopers, and we’re not putting anything out there just for someone to buy it. We like our beer and we hope you like it and that’s why we’re doing what we do.”

— David Manson

The Beginning of Blackrocks Brewery

In 2010, David and Andy were looking down the barrel of economic downsizing in their industry. Looking at it as an opportunity instead of a problem, the two set out to take their basement hobby to a new level. The dream of all home-brewers; to go "legit" and open a commercial brewery, presented itself as a once in a lifetime opportunity. The two agreed upon a Nano Brewery (1 BBL brewhouse). Although they were hopeful it would be well received, they had no idea the amount of interest the locals had for craft beers. Along the way they found and hired on some awesome people to bring the brewery altogether. Blackrocks still brews beer at the original pub on 3rd St, as well as a 20 BBL production system in Marquette. two key ideas fuel Blackrocks on a day to day basis, always make the best beer possible and always have fun while doing it.

Fostering Community in Northern Michigan

“We were two corporate rejects who came together and decided we wanted to do it ( run our business) in a little bit of a different way than we knew. We started and still try and run our business with a family mindset over anything else.”

— David Manson