SAUGATUCK, Mich. - The next craft beer in West Michigan might be one you brew. Saugatuck Brewing Company is helping everyday people brew their own beer directly in their tap room.
Joe Herrick has been helping Michiganders brew on their premises for years.
"We're trying to do our best to create better beer drinkers," he said.
Saugatuck Brewing provides the ingredients, equipment, and expertise. Herrick told FOX 17 his is the only brewery in Michigan where customers can brew on premises. And while it's a fun, it's also a way to learn about a growing industry in West Michigan, Herrick said.
"It’s educational and at the end of the day you get a tangible product: six cases of beer."
Judd Hardin and her husband Tom have brewed on premises twice, and they say it's a great way to spend time together.
"It was easy," said Judd Hardin. "You get what you want and they make sure the beer turns out well."
Roughly $300 gets you a four-hour brewing session and half-barrel batch of beer.
You can even customize your own beer labels.
"This is basically the same thing if you bought a Mr. Beer kit," said Herrick. "It’s almost the same thing just on a lot bigger scale, with much better equipment. And you don’t have to clean up after. I get to do that."
The beer takes three weeks to ferment in a place they like to call The Nursery. If you can't wait to have a cold one, there's always beer in the tap room.
