Follow Sean Inman to the best in craft beer
The Detroit Historical Society has put together a six-part series on beer and brewing in Detroit from the beginning of the city until now and it I shall an interesting slice of history. Each episode covers a time frame and moves along very well with lots of nuggets of info like who was one of the first brewers in the city and why did a certain Mr. Cadillac choose him? Or that Belgians from Flanders we’re a sizeable immigrant group.
Look for it HERE.
We have come to the final brewery feature of the month. We land at Batch Brewing Company.
One of their ideas is The Feelgood Tap that raises funds to support local and regional nonprofits throughout Michigan.
The plan being that beer bars, breweries, and other craft beer-loving restaurants (not just Batch Brewing) pick a “beer from their menu, raise the price by $1, and let consumers do the giving.” The Feelgood Tap at Batch Brewing is double the amount $2 – $1 from you, and $1 from us.
And what beers would I choose? Here they are…
Palewise Kölsch
Derby Kiss Witbier
Son Of A Batch IPA – American
Keeping Up With the Juices IPA – American
Blue Sailor Stout – Milk / Sweet
Requited Belgian Strong Golden Ale
No, they only do the one lager (Vienna, no less) and they are contract brewed (that is not necessarily bad) but even without a lack of a taster tray, I would look for the throwback visual look of Lake Brothers lager.
Lager – “Drawing inspiration from the region’s oft-forgotten brands of yesterday, we set out to create our Lager. An American, all-malt lager, our beer is brewed with Cluster and Liberty hops, Midwestern malted barley and the purest of Great Lakes water. Amber in color, this beer pours brilliantly clear with a rich malt aroma, subtle hop character and a pleasant finish. Refreshing, flavorful and drinkable, our Lager is everything a great beer ought to be!”
To start in Detroit, I am going very on point with Motor City Brewing Works which started up way back in 1994 making it the oldest operating brewery in the city.
Situated perfectly near both Comerica Park the home of the Detroit Tigers and Ford Field the home of the Detroit Lions (as well as cultural institutions for those not into sports), if I find myself in the re-awakening city, I would try the following:
Bohemian Lager
“Motor City Bohemian Lager is an original Detroit beer style. We use Noble Hops and pure Detroit water to bring out the crisp, clean flavor that made Detroit famous.”
Corktown Stout
“Motor City Corktown Stout is an Irish Style Dry Stout is named after Detroit’s historic Corktown neighborhood. Thick, rich and dark from generous additions of roasted barley balanced with imported East Kent Golding and Fuggle hops.”
Belgian Tripel
“Tripel is a classic Belgian style golden ale, with a perfect balance of delicate fruit esters and subtle spicy notes.”
Motor City Ale – Muscle Series
“Motor City Ale – once known as Strong Ale, until the ATF got wind of its powers, this Ale is inspired by traditional English style barley wine made with 100% malted barley, and no malt extract. Utilizing the first runnings of three different mashes to get this light bodied high alcohol flavor it is delicate, smooth yet strong. An homage to Detroit’s resilience,power and above all strength. Tap Room regulars like to refer to it as the Strong Ale.”
June was tough. In a good way but I am glad that the big L.A. fests are in the rearview and I don’t feel like I am missing some cool event every ten minutes. Here is what will be going on this month…
~ e-visits to three breweries from Detroit. Batch Brewing, Lake Brothers and Motor City Brewing Works
~ special featured reviews of a random set of beers as I catch up from L.A. Beer Week
~ Heads-Up on Los Angeles Beer Events
~ Three suggested beers to buy this month. One light, one medium and one dark
~ A Book & A Beer reads George Lucas – A Biography
~ I will tap the Firkin and give my no holds barred opinion on the craft beer world.
Here are two events to get your July started in the Los Angeles craft beer world:
1) July 1st – Canada Day at Southland Beer
2) July 7th-9th – Bravery Brewing 5th Anniversary Weekend
Not a fan of the Lebkuchen cookie but it is a great Christmas Ale name. And it is straight outta Detroit. Plus the label looks like a nice sweater. Anyway, here is the beer description from Atwater Brewery: “Exactly what is Lebkuchen Christmas Ale? It’s a specially brewed spiced beer that uses a Maris Otter pale malt that brings a bit of sweetness with a honey malt at it’s center. The Ale uses a very light spicing of ginger and almond to brighten the ale and bring forward some of the sweetness and honey notes.”
I have a feeling that Jason Momoa might be on to something or has a crystal ball because anytime that I hear that buildings and land are available, it sets me to thinking that breweries would be well served to subscribe to the theory of “Build it, and they will come”. Detroit has an opportunity to be a brewing destination a la Field of Dreams if they can governmentally help foster it through a regulatory system or at least not hinder it like the city of Los Angeles actively does.
Check out this article from Willamette Week and prepare to be impressed by the discerning taste of the former Khal Drogo.
I,for one, will be rooting him on to succeed.