After last weekend’s ice storm and having no power for 72 hours, we had cabin fever and decided to take a trip to some breweries.  Cheryl was here back in July of ‘05 but we never posted any of that information, it was time for us to go together.

This is a large building, open spaced, and they have a small outdoor patio.  Very cool Kramer (Seinfeld)  picture on the wall and a Three Stooges picture that Cheryl has in her collection.  To see pics of brewpub click here.

We sat at the bar and ordered a sampler and tasted:  Lincoln Lager (american lager), 4X4 (4 grain ale), Red Jersey (80 shilling scottish style ale), Brown Bomber (american ale), Smooth Ride (rye pale ale, very hoppy, perfect for hop heads), and Third Shift Breakfast Stout (coffee, oatmeal stout, smooth, breakfast of champions).  They also have The Big One (a barley wine), and Doug’s Turbo Sarsaparilla (rootbeer flavor beer), we did not try either of these.

To eat Cheryl ordered the Frog Legs with Fries, and Todd ordered the Shrimp Basket with Fries and the White Chili.  Everything was good but the white chili was a little too pasty. 

We spoke to a couple of guys who were checking out some breweries.  Of  course we shared our website with them to help with their travels.  Our trips usually revolve around other activities which makes it perfect for a family to plan vacations.

We really liked the Breakfast Stout the best so we had the growler filled with it.  The first time Cheryl was here she had the growler filled with 4 X 4.  We are now on our way to Detroit.

Ratings based on our personal preferences - yours may vary (click here for our preferences).

The last time we were here almost two years ago it was Stoney Creek Microbrewery, we knew that previous to that it was Atwater Block Brewery (they did have Atwater brews) and now it’s Atwater again.  Everything is still the same as far as décor goes, but this time we took some inside pictures.  Check out the pics, (click here) We were still full from Fort Street so we did not eat here.  Next time we come here we will be sure to try the food.

The service was still on the slow side,  don’t be in a hurry when you visit here.  We ordered up a  sampler and tried:  Atwater Hell (a german beer), Atwater Dunkel (malty, smooth and dark), Salvation IPA (very hoppy, this one is for hop heads), Atwater Pilsner (still brewed from the original receipe from Germany),  Atwater Rost (pronounced roast, which means amber in German), Shamans Porter (the smoothest porter you’ll ever drink, made with Munich, Chocolate and Black grains), Vanilla Porter (not too strong in vanilla), and Winter Bock (smooth dark and very good).

Lucky for us, Hazen the head brewer was here.  What a blast talking with him and sharing information.  At the Superbowl they served the Atwater Hell, and they usually sell 6 kegs of the Hell at a Lion’s game.  This is interesting news, we thought it was pretty cool that their beers get served at major sporting events.  We then asked if by chance there might be an old Stoney Creek growler hanging around (when we were here the first time the growler was plain).  Hazen said he didn’t have any left, but he did have one of the original Atwater Block growlers we could have. He wanted someone that would appreciate it to have the last one.  Now that was awesome!  Hazen gave us the history of the building, it use to produce I beams for the Northern Hoist company.  It’s always fun finding out about an old building’s history.  We look forward to coming back here and seeing Hazen again.

Joseph came in to have his 5 growlers filled and we noticed he had the Stoney Creek one.  We asked him for it, but he wouldn’t give it up.  If anyone does have one they’d like to part with – trade ya for a Big Buck or Alcatraz.  Contact us via email by clicking on Todd or Cheryl

Now we have 3 growlers to fill as we did bring our (homemade label) Stoney Creek growler with us.  We had the one Hazen gave us, plus we purchased a current one.  In them we got the Atwater Dunkel, Shamans Porter and the Winter Bock.  The total number of different Michigan growlers is now 66.  (click here to see the growler group photo – when it was 64)

After leaving here we went over to the Renaissance Center to take the elevator to the top.  72 floors, excellent views and a rush of a ride.  Click here to see the pics.  Accidentally, we ended up with pics of Atwater Brewery from up there.

Ratings based on our personal preferences - yours may vary (click here for our preferences).

  Home  

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  Boyne River, Shorts (Apr 30, 2005)  

  2nd U.P. Trip - Part 1, Tahquamenon, Lake Superior, Vierling, Jasper (Aug 24,25, 2005)  

  2nd U.P. Trip - Part 2, Red Jacket, Keweenaw, Library, Hereford & Hops (Aug 26,27, 2005)  

  Mountain Town, Sanford - 2nd Trip (Sept 10, 2005)  

  Michigan Brewing, Jolly Pumpkin, Redwood Lodge, (Sept 24, 2005)  

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  Middle Villa, Schmohz, Hideout (Oct 1, 2005)  

  Redwood Lodge (Sep, 2004), Redwood Lodge (Oct 8, 2005)  

  Kuhnhenn, Bastone, Lilys (Oct. 21, 2005)  

  Bonfire, Etouffee (Oct. 22, 2005)  

  Cork 'N' Ale 11th Annual Fall Beer Tasting (Nov. 3, 2005)  

  Traverse City, North Peak (Dec. 2, 2005)  

  Mackinaw, Shorts (Dec. 3, 2005)  

  Lumber Barons' Charcoal Grill & Brewpub (Dec. 9 & 10, 2005)  

  Fort Street, Atwater (Feb. 25, 2006)