ALPHA, Mich. (WLUC) – This month, almost every screen at the Big 10 Sports Bar & Grill in Aplha is tuned in to college basketball.
The bar even added a basketball court furnishing to its walls, in honor of March Madness.
Big 10 Sports Bar & Grill Bar Manager Amber Hurkmans has worked in the role for 15 years. She says it’s one of the busiest times of the year.
“Very busy. March Madness is crazy. Everybody loves it,” Hurkmans said. “Everybody fills out their brackets, loves basketball. Yeah, we’re pretty busy this time for sure.”
March Madness came early this year in Iron County, thanks to postseason runs by the Forest Park Trojans.
Alpha Michigan Brewing Company Taproom Manager Sarah Fredericksen says customers are eager to watch basketball.
“It started with our local boys, Forest Park Trojans,” Fredericksen said. “Last week, we started with playoff games, championship games there. And then, kind of rolled into the March Madness season. I definitely noticed people coming out, watching their brackets a little more than usual.”
Alpha Brewing itself is competing against other Michigan breweries in a vote contest online.
Fredericksen says fans of Alpha Michigan Brewing Company can visit the Facebook page to join in.
“There is this March Draftness going on, and it’s our second or third year participating,” Fredericksen said. “So, all you have to do is go and vote for your favorite brewery each week, or every few days they start a new round.”
The brewery has teamed up with Dina Mia Kitchen in Iron River to offer a pizza and drink special through the weekend of March 21.
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