Grand Opening: Gunflint Tavern's Brewpub

A long awaited day is about to arrive.  This Friday, the Gunflint Tavern in downtown Grand Marais will celebrate the official opening of their new brewpub.  Paul, the head brewer, anticipates having four new beers on tap for all to enjoy.

As many of you already know, Greg's brother Jeff and his wife Susan own the tavern.  Approximately two years ago, serious planning began to install brewing facilities.  This was a part of the plan when they started the restaurant, and with some solid homebrewing experience already in the family, it seemed like a logical thing to do.  The brewing system was originally used in New Zealand, and over the course of time and a couple of owners, it made its way to California.  Jeff purchased it and had it trucked to Grand Marais. 

The install, like any good remodeling project, took longer than anyone expected.  A part of that was attempting to retrofit this particular system to work in this location.  Parts had worn out or were missing; to make matters worse, the manufacturing company had gone out of business.  Jeff, Paul, Greg, and numerous contractors, from plumbers to electricians to carpenters, were quite challenged at times to make something new work for it.  Hence, the amount of time it took to get things functional was endless. After what seemed like several lifetimes, and one declaration from Paul that he hates New Zealand, it is up and running.

Paul, with his occasional assistant brewmaster Greg, brewed up Sawtooth Mountain Pale Ale in late October.  Following that came Jasper, a brown ale.  When I stopped by to see him yesterday, Paul was transferring a batch of Belgian IPA and already had filled a tank with a Belgian pale.  It is those four beers that will be flowing on Friday evening.

A soft opening was held a few weeks ago, to test out the Sawtooth.  We attended the event, and I captured this video of the first glasses being poured, and Paul's comments about the beer.  Congratulations to all--Jeff, Susan, Paul, Greg, and all of the hard-working folks who came together to make this the first brewpub in Grand Marais!

If you would like to attend, the Grand Opening begins at 5 p.m. on December 5th. Live music will be provided by the Twin Ports band Black River Revue. 

Well That Didn't Last

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It was brief.  Although it is now written (in ink) on our calendar that the lake froze on Thanksgiving Day, it was not to be.  As I had noted here previously, we woke up to a lot of ice on Thursday morning.  As far as we could see to the west, it was completely covered.  Across from us to Canada, and towards the east, we could still see a large lead, but even that was deceptive.  Initially, the lake was so calm that the shoreline and trees were reflected in that lead.  Until the snow started to fall a few hours later, it was difficult to decide if it was mirror ice or flat water.  Once the flakes came and it wasn't turning white over there, we knew that it was still open.

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While the south shore was frozen, a number of beings enjoyed it.  The humans wisely only took a step or two, testing the thickness just a foot from shore.  The animals must know something instinctively, as they ventured a bit further. In my morning walk, I saw fox tracks looping along in the bay.  Past the point I found some interesting tracks and slides. I could also see some larger canine tracks.  I had my own thoughts about who may have been walking along, but then our guests Sue and John filled in the picture for me.  They had been fortunate to see a wolf meandering the shoreline.  She had some excellent photos of him. He looked fully coated, and strong and healthy.  As to the tracks and slides, she reported that they had lots of fun watching an otter make his way along in front of Birch cabin.  Steps, steps, sliiiide; steps, steps, sliiiide.  This little guy merrily continued that activity well past the point.  Doesn't it seem like the life of an otter would be really fun?  I picture them like children, giddy with the new ice on which to play.  

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But as I said in the beginning, it was over before it began.  We didn't see any changes on Friday, and then on Saturday, the thermometer started to rise.  Large black patches and streaks appeared.  The ice was cracking, and water was seeping to the surface.  By Saturday night, the wind was beginning to blow. In the early stages of ice formation, that is a death knell.  Sure enough, by the next day, it was all gone in front of us.  Here we are, back to stage one.  The wind is continuing today, and the trees are once again frosted over from the moisture blowing up off the surface. For a while, I was thinking that we would have only five ice-free months on Gunflint Lake this year. But it looks like we are back to six--June through November with open waters. That's pretty average, and it's all right by me.

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Bitter temperatures have accompanied the wind. The lake is definitely cold enough to freeze completely, so it is once again a matter of waiting for things to calm down.  Our wind forecast only goes a few days out, and right now, it is to continue. It may be this week for a freeze, it may be next.  With a fresh slate like this, it gives us another chance at skate-able ice, once it does go.

Next on the List: Ice

Since my last post was about snow, I thought that this one could be about ice.  This morning the porch screens were covered in frost, the usual sign that moisture is escaping the lake as the waters cool down.  Sure enough, once the foggy air began to clear, we could see that ice was forming.  My initial view looked as though it was about twenty feet of shelf ice in front of us, and then open waters.  But we are seeing a bit more clearly with every moment that raises the sun higher.  For all intents and purposes, it definitely looks like the lake could freeze over completely today. 

Our morning low was -18.  The few weeks leading up to this have been very windy, allowing the lake waters to mix and cool off.  A further mark in favor of early ice is the fact that the lake overall never really warmed up all that much last summer.  It was a late ice-out, and those who braved the swimming often told me of how chilly it felt.  It's been a while since the lake froze in November.  I won't sign off yet on it being definite, but it's looking highly probable.

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

It's Time Now!

After a weekend of warmer temperatures, what little snow we had began to disappear.  We had not had the big snows that hit the lower part of the state, yet we were off to a fair start.  But when the temp goes above freezing, and there is no base, it doesn't take long for things to go.  On top of that, a bit of freezing drizzle came down on Sunday, making for early treacherous roads.  It was a bit of a relief to have the temp go above freezing, to take care of the road.

Overnight, the wind started to howl, and snow arrived.  The forecast wasn't for any huge amounts, but still, it was enough to get things looking good.  I stepped out late in the afternoon to catch these photos.

It's always nice to have snow by Thanksgiving, so we are right on schedule.  No skiing yet, but a good time for a walk in the woods.