(Load the car and write the note...)
This tale begins as all my favorite stories of Americana begin: a meandering road trip with no real agenda, small towns, windmills, and of course the glorification of alcohol.
Being far too old and no where near fueled up enough for a gonzo style tell all á la Hunter S. Thompson, I hit the road to grab a couple of beers, maybe some lunch and tag-a-brew.
(Tell the ones that need to know, we are headed north....)
Out past Frankenmuth, between a little triangular patch of earth where Sanilac Rd, Tressla Rd., and Saginaw Rd. criss-cross and then cross-criss sits this wonderful brewery that should be getting far more attention than it has.
(The highway sets the traveler's stage)
Parking in their dusty, dirt parking lot there was a giant farmland across the way. In the far distance, spinning giants, windmills pulling in the days catch. The opposite side was a cute little set of homes.
Walking in, the brewery is decorated with historical references to the great inventors and inventions thought existence while a touch of steampunk aesthetics. The team who put this together had a great admiration for both the sciences and the science fiction. At times some if it was a bit in your face, but overall just a beautiful place.
(Your dreams to catch the world a cage....)
First I will start with the beer. That's the reason I hopped in the car in the first place right? They had a nice selection if styles, including Browns, Ambers and stouts. Unlike most breweries they were not IPA heavy. I really enjoyed the Red and the Brown, they were both very easy drinking and traditional in flavor and ABV. What stood out to me was the amber. The flavor spectrum was completely different than what I was typically used to from an amber and it made me take notice. I also was able to try their Juicy ipa and irish stout. The IPA was a bit more fruit forward than I was used to, and the irish stout was delicious. Reminded me of the Nips coffee flavored hard candies. Thoroughly enjoyable, well made beer.
Finally, the food. I dare you to study this menu and literally not drool over every item. Not only is there a wide variety of choices, but each item looks more delicious than the next. Being a brewery AND smokehouse, they smoke all their meats in house and seriously everything I saw go by looked delicious. I ordered the po'boy with tots after much deliberation. I really wanted some meats but just wasn't hungry enough to justify such a heavy meal. Let me tell you, I missed out on nothing. This was seriously the best po'boy I've had. Typically shrimp is the main protein, but they used fish tenders that were so perfectly balanced between crunchy and flaky. Decorating and flavoring the this deliciousness was a layer of coke slaw, tomatoes and some sort of aoli which brought out such a delicious flavor I couldn't believe it came from such a simply built sandwich.
(My hands they shake, my head it spins...)
I seriously can not wait to come back and try more foods on this menu. I'm calculating of it's worth a weekly 90+ minute drive for lunch. That's how good it was to me. It was such a complete experience. Great aesthetics, great food and drink, great service by a friendly and welcoming staff and owner.
Go here!
FULL DISCLOSURE: my favorite novels have nothing to do with road trips or Americana. Give me a child murdering clown, a psychotic obsessed with the font of his business cards or an illegal underground fight club created by a guy with a very severely split personality. read more