Did You Ever Drink Michigan’s Legendary Big Mac Beer?
There's a strong brewing tradition in the Upper Peninsula and one of those brews came from Menominee, Big Mac Beer.
The beer was the product of the Menominee-Marinette Brewing Company which existed in the Southern UP from 1933-1961 and was first known for a light beer called Menominee Champion.
RustyCans.com tells the story of Big Mac beer which was introduced shortly after the construction of the iconic bridge:
However, in about 1958 they came out with another brand, Big Mac, apparently to capitalize on the fame of the new bridge. The brand did not last very long. The brewery was purchased in early 1959 by a new group of owners. A story in the April 1959 Brewers Digest noted that would continue making Silver Cream and Old Craft beer, but made no mention of Big Mac. Perhaps the brand had been discontinued by then. In any case, even with new owners the brewery struggled and it closed in 1961.
You can find some Big Mac nostalgia on Ebay including this 12 ounce can.
Looking for more Upper Peninsula beer nostalgia? Check out the history of Bosch Beer, brewed on the opposite end of the UP in the Keweenaw.