ELK RAPIDS

There’s a distillery tucked away in Northern Michigan that makes a one-of-a-kind spirit -- and it should be on your radar.

CEDAR SPRINGS – Holland Christian soccer fans had broken into the ‘I believe that we will win’ song when Michael Pierce took a pass and buried it into the net with 2:46 to go in regulation. Pierce’s goal iced Holland Christian’s 4-1 victory over Elk Rapids in Wednesday night’s Division 3 state semifinal game at Cedar Springs High School.

After two halves and two overtimes, Freeland was one penalty kick away from a regional semifinal win. But Elk Rapids got the penalty kick that Freeland didn’t, advancing to Thursday’s Division 3 regional championship game at Clare against Alma.

Frankfort’s Ed Schindler became the final Detroit Lions High School Coach of the Week winner after leading the Panthers to a win over Elk Rapids to finish the regular season. The Lions will send a $1,000 donation to the Frankfort football program and invite Schindler to Ford Field, where they will honor the nine 2022 Michigan High School Coaches of the Week at a Detroit Lions game. The Lions will also pick a Coach of the Year, who will receive a $2,000 donation to the high school football program. The Lions Coach of the Year program is in its 26th year and has awarded $479,000 to Michigan high school football programs. If you would like your local high school sports news delivered free to your inbox daily, click here and sign up for one of our local high school sports newsletters

Ladies -- I mean, witches of Elk Rapids -- gathered on Sunday for the group’s first Witches Full Moon Paddle.

Short’s Brewing announced Wednesday that its Pure Michigan Autumn IPA is now available for an extended time and with extended distribution beyond Michigan. For the past several years, the brewery has worked with the Pure Michigan team to promote Northern Michigan tourism via this beer. “We are once again thrilled to partner with Short’s Brewing Company, a long-standing Michigan company, to commemorate this time of year with the fourth annual release of Pure Michigan IPA brewed with 100 percent Michigan grown and harvested ingredients,” said David Lorenz, Vice President of Travel Michigan. “Michigan has a wealth of opportunities to enjoy throughout the fall season, whether it’s taking a fall color tour, visiting one of our dynamic urban city centers, exploring any number of our trails across that state, or savoring Short’s Pure Michigan IPA with friends and loved ones.”Due to demand, Short’s moved Pure Michigan Autumn IPA from a one-time drop to a three-month seasonal run with distribution out of Michigan in 2021. Pure Michigan Autumn Ale can be found on draft and in 12 oz.

ELK RAPIDS, MI – Short’s Brewing Company is partnering with one of Michigan’s musical stars to release its first non-alcoholic drink. Strings, a Grammy winner, got his start playing in Northern Michigan at places like Short’s Bellaire Pub and Brewery. RELATED: Inspired by ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ Short’s Brewing buys motel for seasonal workers to live in“We talked about creating a non-alcoholic beverage for a long time and hop water was a great first product. Fans are getting a sneak peek of the hop water at Billy Strings’ shows at the Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary, North Carolina this weekend. Cans will be available at select venues during Billy Strings’ summer tour.

CEDAR SPRINGS – Unity Christian pounced when misfortunate struck Elk Rapids early into Wednesday’s Division 3 state semifinal soccer game. We got some really nice goals.”Unity’s Emily Timmer, Jordan Steen and Ava Lutke all knocked in goals past Elk Rapids’ Gwen Carroll, who replaced Jennema. Elk Rapids won their first regional championship and played in their first state semifinal game. (Jennema) will need an X-ray,” Elk Rapids coach Andrea Krakow said. “Ella Bosscher played really well, and so did Bri Rose and Grace Malefyt.

ELK RAPIDS, MICH. -- The annual Paddle Antrim Festival, one of Northern Michigan’s premier paddlesports events, is once again welcoming paddlers to enjoy a weekend of exploring the Lower Peninsula’s Chain of Lakes region. Registration is now open for the 2022 Paddle Antrim Festival, to be held this year September 15-17. Now in its seventh year, the non-competitive event highlights the wide range of paddling opportunities along the Chain of Lakes Water Trail, a 100-mile paddling pathway spanning four counties across Northwest Lower Michigan. The festival offers many distance opportunities along the water trail, allowing paddlers of all skill levels the chance to participate. For more on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail and Paddle Antrim, as well as info and registration details for the Paddle Antrim Festival, visit paddleantrim.com.

Follow Josh VanDyke on TwitterThe Newaygo girls soccer team poses with the Division 3 district championship trophy. BIG RAPIDS – The Newaygo girls soccer team went 0-17 in 2018. The Elk may have proved to be the more experienced and deeper team in a 4-0 win but the entire Newaygo soccer community came away grateful for the journey that the 2022 edition of the Lions girls soccer team put together. 5-ranked team in Division 3 advances to face Grand Rapids Catholic Central in Thursday’s regional championship game from Big Rapids High School. The Cougars defeated host Big Rapids 2-0 in the second game of the evening.

A consultant who was hired to make peace in a northern Michigan community is offering some tough medicine.

ELK RAPIDS, MI – Two men were in danger after the motor fell off their fishing boat and the vessel began to take on water Sunday morning. A 48-year-old Leelanau man and a 54-year-old Long Lake man were fishing near Elk Rapids in Antrim County when the motor fell off their 21-foot aluminum fishing boat. The boat immediately began to take on water and eventually capsized, throwing both men into 49-degree water. As Reszka approached the vessel, he noticed two boats also coming to the rescue – an Elk Rapids Fire Department rescue boat and a fishing boat. Upon arrival, Reszka saw the two men were standing on the sunken boat up to their chests in water.

For a limited time at the end of March, Short’s Brewing Company is releasing Double Soft Parade, a variant of its wildly popular fruit ale made with raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries. Double Soft Parade will be brewed using the same recipe as the original high-gravity version that debuted in the 2007 Imperial Beer Series. “Not all of our wild experiments are for everyone—but Soft Parade is a beer that people love at first sip. “Double Soft Parade is going to be a real treat. Double the fruit, double the fun.”Soft Parade is available year-round, and over time has evolved into its own spin-off brands including Soft Parade Shandy, a blend of the fruit ale and lemonade available starting early April, and Soft Parade Seltzer, which debuted last summer and again in late 2020.

ELK RAPIDS, MICH. -- After a delayed start, Short’s Brewing is welcoming patrons to its new indoor tap room in the city of Elk Rapids. The tap room celebrated its soft opening last week, after a months-long delay from its original projected opening date. We are also happy to have another reason for folks to come to Elk Rapids year round.”The Pull Barn will have 20 drafts, plus packaged products and growlers available to go. More information is at shortsbrewing.com/visit-us/production-facilityShort's Brewing has opened a year-round indoor tap room at its Elk Rapids production location. | Photo by Kevin Marquardt, courtesy of Short's Brewing Co.RELATED:Short’s popular ginger-lime Mule Beer to become flavor for cannabis-infused gummies13 Traverse City Airbnbs, some of the best-rated spots in Northern MichiganHow this ‘End of Earth: 2 miles’ road sign became a part of Upper Peninsula lore

ELK RAPIDS, MI – Short’s Brewing Company is rolling out additional beers crafted by the shuttered Arcadia Brewing Company. The Northern Michigan company announced plans to bring back Arcadia Brewing Company products through its alterative beverage brand, Superfluid Supply Co. in June of 2020 by releasing its iconic Whitsun Wheat Ale. The re-launch was a success, leading Short’s to announce a 2021 lineup of heavy hitters for 2021 including two rotating products, a bi-annual offering and quarterly seasonal beers. Hopmouth, a double IPA that was a fan favorite, will be released in summer 2021 and Jaw-Jacker, a pumpkin-spiced latte of fall beers, will be available in Mid-September and available through October. Arcadia Brewing was founded in Battle Creek in 1996, and later expanded with a multi-million-dollar production brewery and taproom in Kalamazoo in April 2014.

ELK RAPIDS, MI – There’s a new flagship beer at Short’s Brewing Company. We’ve tested many versions of session IPA as seasonal and specialty drops and dozens of pub only releases. Lil’ Huma is our first year-round offering for a low cal/carb/abv IPA.” Joe Short, Founder of Short’s Brewing Co. said. Don’t get me wrong, I still love my fair share of Huma Lupa Licious, but Lil’ Huma has brought more flexibility to my beer drinking career. Lil’ Huma will be replacing Juicy Brut in the Short’s flagship line up and can be found across Short’s distribution footprint.

ELK RAPIDS, MI – Shorts Brewing Company is offering something new for its fans across Michigan and beyond. The Michigan-based brewery, through its sister company Superfluid Supply Co., announced plans to bring the beverage to retailers on Nov. 9. At the time, it was a blend of cider and wine and we served it in a paper bag,” Scott Newman-Bale, CEO of Superfluid and Short’s Brewing Co said. Canpagne will be available at Short’s Pub in Bellaire and at their tasting room in Elk Rapids. “We could not be more excited to launch Canpagne with our friends at Short’s Brewing.

CEDAR SPRINGS – South Christian goalkeeper Nik Schepers made two huge saves in Wednesday night’s shootout, and they helped sent the Sailors to Saturday’s Division 3 state championship game. South Christian won the shootout 4-1 as all four Sailors scored, and it came after the Elks nearly took the lead in overtime. “That was the game right there,” South Christian coach Jason Boersma said. It is a rematch of last year’s state final in which Grosse Ile defeated South Christian in a shootout. South Christian jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Thom DeVries scored on a penalty kick with 29:15 to go in the first half.

ELK RAPIDS, MI – Short’s Brewing Company is releasing a super-sized variety pack this holiday season. A highlight for fans of the Northern Michigan brewery each year, this year’s Super Hoppy Holiday variety pack comes as an 18-pack of 12oz cans. Pulling off a pack like this is a huge undertaking, Short’s staff said, demanding tons of tank space and two days spent hand-packing each individual case. RELATED: Bell’s releases first ever holiday variety pack featuring new beer, Juicy Gossip“With the increased demand we’ve been experiencing, it would have been easy for us to skip this variety pack to catch up on flagships. This is a super limited release, so if you see some, you better get it, Short’s staff noted.

Little seemed to separate Shelby’s and Oakridge’s boys soccer teams this season. Just a brief, yet crucial moment in an overtime period of Wednesday night’s Division 3 regional semifinal matchup in Clare. GOAL SHELBY - Joseph Hayes heads in a corner kick from Riley Garcia to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead in the first overtime. — Andy Roberts (@ARoberts_WLB) October 29, 2020The win sends the Tigers (8-3-2) to Saturday’s regional finals at noon against Elk Rapids (18-2-4), which blanked Ogemaw Heights 3-0 in the night’s first match. Shelby and Oakridge, which settled for a tie early in the West Michigan Conference season, both won their programs' first-ever district championships last week.

ELK RAPIDS, MICH. -- Short’s Brewing Company will have something new on tap for its Northern Michigan visitors later this fall. The popular brewery’s Elk Rapids location, which is the site of its production facility and “Pull Barn” outdoor beer garden, will soon be opening an indoor tap room. The tap room will offer indoor seating for 50 people, with 20 drafts on line. “We wanted to make our Elk Rapids experience better for our guests," said Tyler Glaze, Short’s Brewing Co.'s chief operating officer. READ MOREShorts Brewing brings back fall IPA made with 100% Michigan ingredientsBeer of the Week: Your one-stop party pack from Short’s

DETROIT - Here's what is coming up on Local 4 News at 11:Sexual assaultA former nurse is accusing a local doctor of sexual assault. Marijuana lawsuitThe ongoing drama over how the city of Warren awards its marijuana licenses has led to a secret recording played for a Macomb County circuit court judge. Uniquely DetroitThis week's Uniquely Detroit takes viewers on the road to Elk Rapids for a very special resort that goes back 81 years. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.