UPside of Life: Who needs to hit up the bar when you can just brew the suds yourself?

There's a culture out there that many people are either just discovering or weren't even really aware it existed--homebrewing.

The make-it-yourself beer mentality hasn't left the Upper Peninsula out of its embrace, either. Homebrewers are found throughout the U.P., making up lagers and stouts and IPAs right in their own homes. Heck, that is where many of these new breweries (such as Blackrocks, Soo Brewing and the soon-to-be-open Brickside) originated.

Escanaba, it seems, is the area that has most embraced the concept, even forming a band of merry suds and wine makers into a club known as the Bay de Noc Brewers.

The club began in spring 2008 and has been on a roll ever since, focusing on teaching members and non-members alike about beer appreciation and the ins and outs of a successful brew operation. And this club is more than just about brewing--it's about giving back to the community from which it sprang.

"One of the Bay de Noc Brewers' main goals is to give something back to the community through our craft," says member Josh Marenger.

That's why the Brewers host UPtoberfest, an annual event in which wine and beer fans can come to Escanaba and try a large variety of either beverage from Michigan companies. The UPtoberfest will be taking place this weekend and tickets are available at the gate or through advance purchase online.

The club also annually hosts the U.P.'s only homebrew competition in conjunction with the U.P. State Fair and have been known to be involved in such events as RibFest, the Big Ole Lumberjack Festival and a beer and food pairing at local arts centers.

The cost for a year of being in the club is just $24--less than you'd spend on a typical magazine subscription--and the club meets on the second Saturday of each month, with the exception of November when they meet on the first Saturday (even homebrewers know better than to compete with firearm deer season).

"On the odd months we focus on a beer style--what it should look, taste and smell like. Also how to brew it and what food it pairs well with," says Marenger. "On the even months we do a presentation on some aspect of homebrewing."

Marenger says anyone with an interest in making beer or wine should consider joining the club, as well as those looking to explore the world of craft beer but not necessarily brew their own. And you can try before you buy--the club allows attendance to two meetings before requesting dues.

"Depending on what topic we're covering at the meeting, it may seem like we're talking way over people's heads. Rest assured we do have meetings aimed more for the beginner, and the style meetings are accessible to almost anyone who is open to tasting something new," says Marenger. "All of our members are very accommodating people and are more than happy to answer questions. After all, we were all beginners once."

Sam Eggleston is a full-time freelance writer who was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula. He has had his fair share of craft beer in his life, but has not yet tried to create his own intoxicating concoctions. He can be reached via email.