Saugatuck Brewing is my lunch destination when I head up to Hamilton, Michigan to pick up clay. Their lunch offerings are not extensive, however, the atmosphere, service, and of course the beer is worth every bit of the stop. As of my last visit (See West Michigan Brewery Mini Tour June 2, 2009 post) head brewer Dave Turner was brewing his Last Day IPA, with plans to move on somewhere else. Well, evidently Dave enjoyed SBC, because he is back and brewing up some great beer.
SBC Head brewer Dave Turner checks the gravity and alcohol levels during brewing
I sampled a few beers, Singapore IPA (5.0% ABV), Barry's Best Bitter ( 5.4% ABV), and Baltic Porter (6.4% ABV) before deciding on a pint of Koln Kolsch (4.6% ABV). The Kolsch was a great session beer and SBC's version was very true to the traditional style. Owner Barry Johnson's training includes a degree from the Siebel Institute of Technology & World Brewing Academy in Chicago, and he prides himself on being very true to styles in his brewhouse.
Bar tender Joe pours up my Koln Kolsch
A growler each of Barry's Best Bitter and Singapore IPA came home with me for my Studio Open House and Beer Tasting. The bitter is a nice British Bitter with good balance between the malt and bitter flavors. And the Singapore IPA - what can I say, I'm a hop head. The Singapore is very similar to their single batch Simcoe Tribute IPA, which I tasted in June and is on my top ten list for 2009. Both had that wonderful citrus hop flavor that I love.
SBC Koln Kolsch
Dave's brother Jon was the first brewer at SBC and returns to help whenever he can. On the day that I was there, they were brewing several batches on their brew-your-own system that is right in the pub. Look soon for their Double IPA, Belgian Double brewed with Currants, American Pale Ale, and the one that I am looking forward to an Imperial Oatmeal Chocolate Stout.
Dave's brother Jon pours chocolate in his batch of Imperial Oatmeal Chocolate Stout
As I was enjoying my time at the bar, I joined in some conversation with some other beer geeks as I usually do. Chris and Terry were from the East side of the state and take a beer tour every year. With the economic situation as it is, the last couple of years, they have stayed right in Michigan and have not been disappointed in any way. This year they centered their three day trip out of Gr. Rapids and had been visiting breweries that they had researched on Beer Advocate. However, after having a couple of experiences that didn't meet their expectations, they found themselves at SBC. They were very glad that they had and spent most of their afternoon there, with only great things to say about SBC and their beer.
Chris and Terry's sampler board
Saugatuck Brewing Company is about 75 miles from my home in Goshen, and takes a good one and one half hours to get there.