Ok, so I had heard from the brewmaster at Jamesport Brewing (Tom) in Ludington, that he heard there was a brewpub in Big Rapids. That was this summer. He thought it might have been The Gate bowling alley and bar and grill, but it just never seemed to be a good fit in my mind.
Well, last time I went to siciliano's Market in Grand Rapids for ingredients, the owner mentioned that twice someone had stopped in to get supplies for a brewpub in Big Rapids. I mentioned the Gate and he said he didn't think so. Well, I knew that the Blue Cow had a real good beer selection, and did monthly beer tastings on site. I have no idea why I never thought about them before, but it suddenly struck me as the perfect fit. The owner of the LHBS did say that he heard they were using 5 gallon corneys and putting the beer on tap. Basically it was a homebrew setup with a retail outlet.
So, this past weekend I talked the wife into going to lunch with me at the Blue Cow. After not seeing the beer listed on their menu, I asked the waitress about it and she said yes, they do have their own beer. An IPA and an Ale.
Ok, so I ask what kind of Ale and she said she didn't know. I got a sample glass to taste and it was high alcohol and high hops. I thought she got me the IPA by mistake, but she said that was the ale. Six Strung Strung Ale. (That's what I heard anyway.)
There was confusion, but I ordered a glass of the IPA anyway, and it was pretty much what I'd expect from an IPA. Just a bit tart to my toungue, but not bad. Otherwise a solid representation. Then a manager came out with 2 samples and compared the color to my IPA. Sure enough, the IPA was the IPA, so the taps weren't mixed. I asked about the Ale and she said it was a Strong Ale Ah.... So that explains.
Anyway, the two beers were pretty solid examples of their styles. They weren't that dissimilar in my mind. I would have expected their two beers to be much more different from each other. Like a wheat and an IPA, or something like that. Two beers that would please two very different types of drinkers.
But no matter. The beer was not bad, and perhaps in the future there will be more variety, or perhaps the tap will rotate. Due to the confusion over the name, I ended up getting a glass of the strong ale on the house.
So if you are ever in Big Rapids and are curious, check out the Blue Cow's line of "homebrew". You may have to ask for it. Gunslinger IPA and Six String Strong Ale.
I'd love to check out the brewing over there and help out or just see what their process is like.
Well, last time I went to siciliano's Market in Grand Rapids for ingredients, the owner mentioned that twice someone had stopped in to get supplies for a brewpub in Big Rapids. I mentioned the Gate and he said he didn't think so. Well, I knew that the Blue Cow had a real good beer selection, and did monthly beer tastings on site. I have no idea why I never thought about them before, but it suddenly struck me as the perfect fit. The owner of the LHBS did say that he heard they were using 5 gallon corneys and putting the beer on tap. Basically it was a homebrew setup with a retail outlet.
So, this past weekend I talked the wife into going to lunch with me at the Blue Cow. After not seeing the beer listed on their menu, I asked the waitress about it and she said yes, they do have their own beer. An IPA and an Ale.
Ok, so I ask what kind of Ale and she said she didn't know. I got a sample glass to taste and it was high alcohol and high hops. I thought she got me the IPA by mistake, but she said that was the ale. Six Strung Strung Ale. (That's what I heard anyway.)
There was confusion, but I ordered a glass of the IPA anyway, and it was pretty much what I'd expect from an IPA. Just a bit tart to my toungue, but not bad. Otherwise a solid representation. Then a manager came out with 2 samples and compared the color to my IPA. Sure enough, the IPA was the IPA, so the taps weren't mixed. I asked about the Ale and she said it was a Strong Ale Ah.... So that explains.
Anyway, the two beers were pretty solid examples of their styles. They weren't that dissimilar in my mind. I would have expected their two beers to be much more different from each other. Like a wheat and an IPA, or something like that. Two beers that would please two very different types of drinkers.
But no matter. The beer was not bad, and perhaps in the future there will be more variety, or perhaps the tap will rotate. Due to the confusion over the name, I ended up getting a glass of the strong ale on the house.
So if you are ever in Big Rapids and are curious, check out the Blue Cow's line of "homebrew". You may have to ask for it. Gunslinger IPA and Six String Strong Ale.
I'd love to check out the brewing over there and help out or just see what their process is like.