Oktoberfest Dinner & Brew Cruise on MI Princess

Rupert’s Brew House was the first to open of the current wave of nanobreweries sweeping Kalamazoo which also includes Tibb’s, Boatyard Brewing Company, and Gonzo’s Biggdogg. Rupert’s is also currently the smallest brewery in operation of the bunch, still brewing off the 1.5 barrel system they opened with last October. The brewery is located in the historic Oakland pharmacy building at 773 W. Michigan Ave and while Michigan already features dog-themed beers, breweries, and even beer blogs, Rupert’s Brew House is the only brewery I’ve visited that features it’s own resident dog, Captain Stooby, a Great Dane approaching 200 pounds that happened to tolerate my visit while taking his afternoon nap.

If you’ve not paid a visit to Kalamazoo in a couple years, a lot has been going on with their local brewery scene. While staples like Bell’s and Olde Peninsula brewpub continue to thrive, the biggest news is of course Arcadia Brewing Company’s recent move from Battle Creek to Kalamazoo with a new productions facility, pub, and restaurant. But while this maybe the most visible and apparent recent addition to Kalamazoo brewing community, behind the scenes another craft brewing revolution is current in progress at the nanobrewery scale with the introduction of several new smaller breweries with brewing systems of 3 barrels and less. To put this in perspective, Bell’s recent expansions have put them in the capacity to brew 500,000 barrels or more a year.

Here we are, just a few days away from WINTER BEERFEST! I have assembled my top 25 list for this year, and my is it sounding delicious! Breweries from all over the state are bringing their brightest and best for the festival, anxious to share their fantastic brew with all of you!

In a building on E Patterson in the North side of Kalamazoo, we find a building that not too long ago had been a glass blowing studio. While parts of the building are still reserved for other artists, Boatyard Brewing has been working diligently to set up their new home. Through the process of cleaning out and then setting up the space there have been a mishap or two. They had originally hoped to go into production toward the end of 2012 but through a mishap with the filing of background check paperwork, their licensing hearing has been moved to the middle of February.