By Brice Burge
Managing Editor
Friday, September 20 will be a busy day in the city, but will also be a historic day for two MQT businesses.
Managing Editor
Friday, September 20 will be a busy day in the city, but will also be a historic day for two MQT businesses.

Blackrocks Brewery on Third Street has unleashed its first canned beer. The 51K IPA, an India Pale Ale, is the first beer to hit the can for the almost three-year old brewery. According to a story in NMU's student newspaper The North Wind, plans for other beers like Coconut Brown and Grand Rabbits Dry-Hopped Cream Ale will also be canned. Special editions of the 22 oz. tallboys will be available quarterly.
This is the first time a MQT brewery has sold their beer in a can format. The other two breweries – The Vierling and Ore Dock Brewing Company – do not can or bottle beer. Ore Dock does offer draft beer through different locations across MQT. All three offer growlers for sale (photo credit: Blackrocks Brewery Facebook page).
This is the first time a MQT brewery has sold their beer in a can format. The other two breweries – The Vierling and Ore Dock Brewing Company – do not can or bottle beer. Ore Dock does offer draft beer through different locations across MQT. All three offer growlers for sale (photo credit: Blackrocks Brewery Facebook page).

The Marquette Royales will take the Lakeview Arena ice for the first time tonight. The expansion franchise of the Minnesota Junior Hockey League (MnJHL) already have a 2-2 record after splitting the league interdivisional tournament on Sept. 12-15 in Rochester, Minn. The team is coached by MQT native Mike Stanaway, a former Finlandia Lion and coach of junior hockey teams in Oregon and New Mexico.
The MnJHL has already made their presence in MQT before the Royales concepetion. The Wisconsin Dells Ducks – who the Royales lost their second game to during the opening tournament – played against the NMU men's club team last January. The Ducks won both games of the series by a goal each. They are also coached by NMU alum Bill Zaniboni.
The first home series will be against the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Federals starting today and ending on Sunday. Tickets are six dollars for adults, four dollars for students and an active military discount is available (image credit: Royales' Facebook Page).
The MnJHL has already made their presence in MQT before the Royales concepetion. The Wisconsin Dells Ducks – who the Royales lost their second game to during the opening tournament – played against the NMU men's club team last January. The Ducks won both games of the series by a goal each. They are also coached by NMU alum Bill Zaniboni.
The first home series will be against the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Federals starting today and ending on Sunday. Tickets are six dollars for adults, four dollars for students and an active military discount is available (image credit: Royales' Facebook Page).

Today is also the NMU Homecoming Parade. Starting at the Berry Events Center parking lot, the route will go down Third Street, cut across on Hewitt and return the BEC on Front Street. The parade starts at 5:30 and the theme for this year is Ancient Myths and Timeless Tales. A full list of Homecoming events can be found here (photo credit nmu.edu).