Wolverine State Brewing Co. set to open soon
WENDY OCHOA
Staff Writer
E. T. CROWE COURTESY PHOTO
By the middle of October, fans of craft beer will have a new brewery to frequent in Ann Arbor as Wolverine State Brewing Co. will open its brewery and taproom on Stadium Blvd. in what used to be an appliance store.
Wolverine, which currently brews its standard American lager under contract with Michigan Brewing in Webberville, east of Lansing, will offer its flagship beer plus a host of other flavors from the mind of head brewer Oliver Roberts.
He plans to make at least five brews aside from Wolverine Beer, including Golden Hopportunity; The Pride of Biscuitville, which will use a biscuit malt from Belgium; and Faustian Stout, a Baltic porter made with a lager yeast.
Partners Matt Roy, Trevor Thrall, and E.T. Crowe hope to have created what Roy calls a beer version of a coffee shop — a neighborhood place to hang out and socialize. It has two large-screen TV’s, wireless Internet and a dart board.
E. T. CROWE COURTESY PHOTO
Wolverine, unlike other breweries in Ann Arbor, will not be a brewpub with a high-end food menu. The location will house the brewery and a tap room, which will have capacity for about 150 people. The owners will have snacks like pretzels and popcorn on hand.
However, they’ve made delivery arrangements with several Stadium Boulevard-area restaurants, including Gourmet Garden, Izzy’s Hoagie Shop and several pizza places.
The taproom has a decidedly Michigan theme. Painted on one wall is a mural of the state of Michigan with stars noting many of the cities that have craft breweries. The tables are decorated with nautical maps of the Great Lakes.
The taproom isn’t the only thing to have a Michigan flair. Some of the beer offered in the taproom will use locally grown crops. Roberts said he will be using 400 pounds of wheat from a Washtenaw County farmer for a beer he is calling “Wench’s Westside Wheat.”
He also hopes to have locally grown barley, hops, and malt — and by next fall have a seasonal all-Washtenaw County beer offered on tap.
