by John Liberty More and more breweries keep emerging in Michigan. The Michigan Brewers Guild currently has 87 members — a large majority of the breweries in the state — and it expects the number to rise for 2012, said executive director Scott Graham. Although some breweries have closed, including the Old Hat Brewery in Lawton and the Grand Rapids Brewing Co., the overall number of breweries will be up thanks to a slew of breweries in various stages of development.
The Colorado-based Brewers Association, which promotes craft beer across the country, released earlier this month its mid-year report called "U.S. Breweries in Planning." According to the Brewers Association, more than 50 breweries in 20 states have opened in the last two months of its report. The report said there are 855 breweries in planning, up from 207 in 2008; 260 in 2009 and 389 in 2010.
The report listed three of Michigan's newly-opened breweries: Patchwork Brewing Co., of Decatur; Cheboygan Brewing Co., of Cheboygan; and Greenbush Brewing Co., of Sawyer.
But there are even more breweries on the way. With help from the Michigan Brewers Guild and some KalamaBrew reporting, here is a list of some of the state's new breweries in the works.
Brauerei Becker/Western House Brewery
Where: Brighton
About: Due to open in April. According to BrightonPatch.com, it "will take over the site known by residents as the 'Pink Hotel' at 500 W. Main Street. The brewery will offer a variety of microbrews, including a brew from the American colonial area, as well as a drink that dates back to the days of the Vikings. Only a small selection of snacks will be available, keeping the focus on the beer. Current owner of the building, John Becker, and his son, Matt Becker, who will act as head brewer, both say that maintaining the historical integrity of the Pink Hotel is key in their operation. John Becker says he will spend about $1 million in buying and improving the 6000-square foot building. He says he plans to gut much of the interior to make room for brewing equipment. There are plans for a European-style beer garden that will be located between the building and the railroad tracks."
Website: brauereibecker.us
Chelsea Alehouse
Where: Chelsea
About: Due to open summer 2012. According to website, "You will enjoy fresh beer crafted on-site. Pair your beer with a sandwich, salad, soup, or munch on a warm pub pretzel. Live music and other events will make Chelsea Alehouse Brewery an exciting new venue for entertainment. Cheers, Chris Martinson Owner and Future Head-brewer."
Website: www.chelseaalehouse.com
Cotton Brewing Co.
Where: Adrian
About: From an article in the The Daily Telegram: "Brett and Krista Cotton received the Adrian City Commission's approval Nov. 21 for a liquor license for the brewery. ... Brett Cotton said he became interested in brewing beer in 2008 when he spent some time in Washington, D.C., and visited a number of microbreweries with friends, tasting a wide variety of beers. The Cottons began brewing beer for their own consumption at home and visiting microbreweries in other communities, Cotton said. He believes Adrian would be a good place for a microbrewery because none now exists in Lenawee County, Cotton said. People who want to visit a microbrewery have to drive to Jackson, Milan, Ann Arbor or Maumee, Ohio, he said."
Website: www.cottonbrewing.com
Cranker's Brewery
Where: Big Rapids
About: Due to open in March.
Website: www.crankersbrewery.com
Elk Brewing Co.
Where: Grand Rapids
About: From a Grand Rapids Press story, "Plans for a new microbrewery inside a vacant building along the Wealthy Street SE business corridor are fermenting. Elk Brewing Co., a venture lead by Eric Karns, of Grand Rapids, would occupy what had most recently been a barbecue restaurant at 700 Wealthy St. SE under a plan being presented to the Grand Rapids Planning Commission. ... Karns, a home brewer, will be joined in the venture by his wife, Lisa, and two other partners. A deal to purchase the building is contingent upon winning approval to operate the brewery inside. If all goes according to plan, Karns said he hopes to be open in 2012. 'I want to enjoy going to work and look forward to it and I love brewing beer,' Karns said."
Falling Down Beer Co.
Where: Warren
About: "We are a new microbrewery in SE Michigan. Scheduled to open in Spring 2012," according to its Facebook page.
Website: www.fallingdownbeer.com
Fifty-One North Brewing
Where: Lake Orion
About: From the Facebook page, "Attention Beer Lovers, what you've been hearing is true! Lake Orion is about to have its very own microbrewery -- 51 North Brewing Company. We will be located at 51 North Broadway, hence the name. Mary and Don Gindhart lead a small group of beer-loving, business-minded individuals that share one purpose -- to create a microbrewery like no other. We will have an amazing lineup of hand-crafted beers, wines and meads, all made in-house. Along with this diverse group of drink selections, we will offer unique food pairings to complement these libations and provide high-quality entertainment and service. All these ingredients add up to a destination perfect for individuals, couples, families and friends."
Website: 51northbrewing.com
The Grand Rapids Brewing Co. will most likely re-open in a new location.
Grand Rapids Brewing Co.
Where: Downtown Grand Rapids
About: From the Grand Rapids Press, "Grand Rapids bar owner Mark Sellers has purchased the assets of the recently closed Grand Rapids Brewing Co. with plans to reboot the brand again." It is expected to open inside the former Founders Brewing Co. location by spring, according to the Grand Rapids Press.
Harmony Brewing Co.
Where: Grand Rapids
About: From Faceboook, "A neighborhood brew-pub for Eastown. A comfortable place where conversation is the primary entertainment. Offering home made ales, an assortment of Michigan wines, and select cocktails. Enjoy simple garden inspired foods, breads, and cheeses." For more, read this story from The Grand Rapids Press.
Perrin Brewing Co.
Where: Alpine Township
About: Expected to open in the spring. According to a story in the Grand Rapids Press, "A proposed microbrewery in the Comstock Park area already plans to expand and it hasn’t even brewed a drop of beer yet. Perrin Brewing Co. recently won unanimous Planning Commission approval for an expansion that is five times larger than what it originally proposed to add to its facility at 5910 Comstock Park Drive NW, off Six Mile Road. Instead of a 2,400-square-foot cooler attached to the 11,070-square-foot building, owners Jarred Sper and Randy Perrin now plan a 12,213-square-foot addition with an internal cooler and a separate area for tastings that can accommodate up to 153 people."
Rockford Brewing Co.
Where: Rockford
About: Due to open in the spring. According to the Grand Rapids Press, "Part-owner Brien Dews said reaction to plans for the tap room and brewery in a rustic, two-story building has been positive. Dews, a City Council member and owner of All Good Time Clock Service, partnered with fellow residents Seth Rivard and Jeff Sheehan to start the only brewery in town. Sheehan has made beer professionally for about 10 years, most recently at New Holland Brew Pub in Holland. Rivard, an IT engineer for Alcoa Howmet in Whitehall, and Dews have brewed as a hobby for several years. The trio hopes to use locally grown ingredients to make up to 700 barrels a year of traditional brews, seasonal beers with a variety of flavors, and possibly some wine. The tap room will not have a kitchen, but food might be served from the Poindexter Specialty Marketplace through a window in the same building at 12 E. Bridge St."
Sunset Boulevard Brewing Co.
Where: Kalamazoo
About: It is open for lunch only, no beer yet. According to its Facebook page, it's open from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call 269-343-0711 for more information.
The sign at the new White Flame Brewing Co.
White Flame Brewing Co.
Where: Hudsonville
About: Had to push back Dec. 15 opening date, expecting to open soon;"We will be a production brewery with a small taproom for our guests to enjoy our beer. We plan to have 10-12 taps with 5 standards and the rest in rotation. We will also be selling beer to go in 1/2 gallon growlers as well as distributing to your favorite neighborhood pub via keg," according to its Facebook page.
Website: whiteflamebrewing.com
Witch's Hat Brewing Co.
Where: South Lyon
About: To open Dec. 26: "Our little family started at the Witch's Hat in South Lyon in 2007 when we said "I do." When life dealt us lemons we decided to make beer. Here we are - trying our hand at the Beer Lover's Dream."
Website: witchshatbrewing.com
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Alaskan Survives On Beer While Stranded
by Nick Carbone Clifton Vial wound up stuck in a snowdrift off a rural highway in eastern Alaska, his truck lacking the usual survival necessities. All that lay in the back was a few cans of Coors Light, frozen solid. And as any college student knows: beer is food. Even the relatively bland Coors Light contains calories to keep a person functioning. Foodless for nearly 60 hours, Vial munched on the frozen beer. Bear Grylls would be so proud.
Vial says he ate the beer like beans from a can. “I cut the lids off and dug it out with a knife,” he told the Anchorage Daily News. The 52-year-old lived off the ration of a couple of cans for more than three days while rescuers searched for him.
Vial had taken a drive late Monday night, getting stuck in a snowdrift 40 miles north of Nome. Far out of cell phone range and ill-dressed for the situation in tennis shoes, jeans and a cheap jacket, Vial huddled for warmth in a sleeping bag and shrouded his shivering feet in a towel. He turned on the engine occasionally to listen to the radio and get the heat flowing, but it was no match for the -17 degree temperatures. And by the third day, Vial’s gas gauge was toeing the “empty” line.
When he failed to show up to work Tuesday afternoon, the search was on for the missing man. It wasn’t until Thursday afternoon, nearly three days since his truck became lodged in the snowdrift, that a Nome rescue crew happened upon him. When towed safely back to civilization, Vial’s beer diet quickly hit the skids. He told ABC News he’s drinking a gallon and a half of water each day to rehydrate. Fortunately, his Coors binge wasn’t all that unhealthy – he didn’t even gain a beer belly. In fact, Vial lost 16 pounds while he lay stranded.
Vial says he ate the beer like beans from a can. “I cut the lids off and dug it out with a knife,” he told the Anchorage Daily News. The 52-year-old lived off the ration of a couple of cans for more than three days while rescuers searched for him.
Vial had taken a drive late Monday night, getting stuck in a snowdrift 40 miles north of Nome. Far out of cell phone range and ill-dressed for the situation in tennis shoes, jeans and a cheap jacket, Vial huddled for warmth in a sleeping bag and shrouded his shivering feet in a towel. He turned on the engine occasionally to listen to the radio and get the heat flowing, but it was no match for the -17 degree temperatures. And by the third day, Vial’s gas gauge was toeing the “empty” line.
When he failed to show up to work Tuesday afternoon, the search was on for the missing man. It wasn’t until Thursday afternoon, nearly three days since his truck became lodged in the snowdrift, that a Nome rescue crew happened upon him. When towed safely back to civilization, Vial’s beer diet quickly hit the skids. He told ABC News he’s drinking a gallon and a half of water each day to rehydrate. Fortunately, his Coors binge wasn’t all that unhealthy – he didn’t even gain a beer belly. In fact, Vial lost 16 pounds while he lay stranded.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Hanson to Sell Beer
Hanson are prepping the launch of 'MMMHop', their own brand of beer. The squeaky-clean pop trio hope to make the brew, an India Pale Ale, available to fans sometime in early 2012.
"We of course make records, they are fundamental to what we do, but we wanted to create a brand so that our fans have a greater experience," Zac Hanson told reporters. "What is vital is that Hanson merchandise is quality and not made solely with the purpose of profit."
"We have a board game and even a record player to play our last record on, but we will never make dolls, lunch boxes or toothbrushes that play our songs, for example. It's vital our fans have trust in everything Hanson do," says Hanson. "In fact, we are soon going to be selling our own beer, I'm not even joking. MMMHop IPA, anyone?".
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