Ok, had to go to Manistee this past week and due to logistics they sent me home early on Friday (yeah, I know it sucked...)
Anyway, on the way home, I decided to pull into Ludington and check out Jamesport. I've lived in Reed City for close to 2 decades and somehow never knew this was here. Well, I found the place and went in. Nice place. Restaurant and bar areas with several beers on tap.
I asked for the menu and while having a look, another customer asked me what kind of beer I was looking for. Well, I didn't know. We started chatting and he said he makes mead and I mentioned I make beer.
I knew they gave tours, so I asked the bartender when the tours are. She said the brewmaster was downstairs cleaning some kegs, and he said come on down. YES!
I find my way downstairs and meet Tom Buchanen (sp) the Brewmaster. You couldn't meet a nicer person! He gave the lowdown on his equipment (3.5 bbl setup) and process. We chatted about beer, breweries in the state, etc. He mentioned a beer festival that is coming up this summer (August 22nd IIRC) in Ludington with a homebrew contest involved!
The customer came down and chatted for a little bit with us and then the two of us left Tom to do his thing while we sampled more beer. Being a lightweight I drank about 6 sample glasses of IPA, Mild, Bitter, Weizenbock, and some others I can't remember. All were good, except the weizenbock. I reinforced my opinion that I don't like that style. It was not terribly nasty, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to those who like that style. THey are just not for me.
I also sampled the Onion Rings with a bleu cheese and something or other dip. This thing came out looking like it was made in a fancy french restaurant! And it tasted fantastic!
This is a very nice brewpub with a very good menu and top-notch beer! No fancy beer names, just called what they are, but they are done well. I'm ready to plan our camping trip to Ludington State Park and a romantic evening with the wife at Jamesport. Another growler added to my collection too!
Anyway, on the way home, I decided to pull into Ludington and check out Jamesport. I've lived in Reed City for close to 2 decades and somehow never knew this was here. Well, I found the place and went in. Nice place. Restaurant and bar areas with several beers on tap.
I asked for the menu and while having a look, another customer asked me what kind of beer I was looking for. Well, I didn't know. We started chatting and he said he makes mead and I mentioned I make beer.
I knew they gave tours, so I asked the bartender when the tours are. She said the brewmaster was downstairs cleaning some kegs, and he said come on down. YES!
I find my way downstairs and meet Tom Buchanen (sp) the Brewmaster. You couldn't meet a nicer person! He gave the lowdown on his equipment (3.5 bbl setup) and process. We chatted about beer, breweries in the state, etc. He mentioned a beer festival that is coming up this summer (August 22nd IIRC) in Ludington with a homebrew contest involved!
The customer came down and chatted for a little bit with us and then the two of us left Tom to do his thing while we sampled more beer. Being a lightweight I drank about 6 sample glasses of IPA, Mild, Bitter, Weizenbock, and some others I can't remember. All were good, except the weizenbock. I reinforced my opinion that I don't like that style. It was not terribly nasty, and I would not hesitate to recommend it to those who like that style. THey are just not for me.
I also sampled the Onion Rings with a bleu cheese and something or other dip. This thing came out looking like it was made in a fancy french restaurant! And it tasted fantastic!
This is a very nice brewpub with a very good menu and top-notch beer! No fancy beer names, just called what they are, but they are done well. I'm ready to plan our camping trip to Ludington State Park and a romantic evening with the wife at Jamesport. Another growler added to my collection too!