This marks our last trip for 2005.  This is our 2^nd visit here, as the old story goes, we lost notes or did not take good ones, (click here for previous visit).  We decided to visit our friend Fred who does his own homebrewing (read more in the section below).  Since Fred lives in Capac, it’s only a 30 min. drive to Port Huron from his house.  Todd’s daughter Caitlyn was with us and we all enjoyed New Years Eve at the Belle River Brewery (Fred’s house).  Quay Street is right on the St.Clair river in Port Huron so off we went.

We took a bunch of pictures this time as we didn’t take any the first time we were here. (click here for all pics).  They have an upstairs area and a downstairs area.  The bar is set up nicely and they have been in business since the winter of 1996.  The outdoor patio is very nice and we look forward to coming here in the summer. We knew the food was good, as we ate here the first time.  They didn’t have any dark brews on our first visit and we were happy to see they had quite the variety this time.

We sat in a booth in the bar area and we ordered up a sampler.  Rich waited on us – he was very polite and gave excellent service.  We hope to be able to visit sometime when the brewer is available to talk with..  We tasted Michigan Cream Ale (real light), Raspberry Wheat (strong raspberry with an aftertaste of beer), Quay Street Wheat (mild wheat), Blue Water Pale Ale (mild hop for pale ale), Scotch Ale, Nutting Better Brown Ale, Porter, and Tug B-Oat-Meal Stout (Fred’s comment, no oatmeal flavor).

Fred tasted the Scotch Ale as soon as we were brought the sampler since he wanted to order a pint of something.  He loved this Scotch Ale and rated it a 5+.  To eat we ordered the Mediteraean Cheese Dip (Parmasean, Jack, Feta, Spinach and Artichoke dip), served with pita chips.  We also tried the duck tenders and Fred and Caitlyn ordered some chicken wings.  Cheryl and Fred also got the New England Chowder and everything was very good.

They make their own rootbeer here and Caitlyn was very glad to get some of that (she rated the rootbeer “The Best I’ve Ever Had”).  We really liked the Porter and got our growler re-filled – Caitlyn couldn’t talk us into a rootbeer growler.

Based on our personal preferences, yours may vary (click here for preferences)

We have mentioned before about our friend Fred who brews at home (click here for our previous write-up).  Whenever we get a chance, we like to travel to Fred’s and the holiday weekend would be a lot of fun.

Fred has been home brewing since 1989.  He first brewed with his friend Bill and has definitely come a long way from then.  He now grows his own hops and is still giving the used grains to the neighbors horses.  His group had been brewing the all grain beer for about the last 3 plus years.  Actually, Todd and I had brewed one of the first all grains with Fred.  Back then he bottled the beer, now they are putting it into soda kegs, which is obviously a lot easier.  The group has also aquired a small fermenter now.  (click here for pics) 

While at Fred’s for the New Year Holiday we tried the Belleriver DR (Belleriver Date Rape ale, or BDR), this was a good, smooth American Ale.   We also had some Belleriver Guinness Stout (BGS) - a nice stout that tastes much better than the real Guinness.  Fred said both of these should be rated a 5.

Also in the process, nearing the kegging process, the group has Belleriver Wicked Ale (BWA) which is going to end up Belleriver Wicked Stout (BWS).  “Another mistake beer”, indicated Fred, “because of using too much chocolate malt”.  Actually, we can’t wait to taste this one.  Another one in the process is the Belleriver Oktoberfest (BOK).  We asked Fred why he’s making an Octoberfest in December.  He indicated they just got a late start since they usually only brew throughout the Winter months.

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  Arcadia, Dark Horse, Harpers (Oct 9, 2004)  

  Midland St. Ale Tour, Bay City, 2004  

  Old Boys, New Holland, Via Maria, Grand Rapids Brewing (Nov 12, 2004)  

  The B.O.B., Founders (Nov 13, 2004)  

  Thunder Bay, Kings, Bo's, CJ's (Feb 5, 2005)  

  Great Baraboo, Dragonmead, Belle River (Feb 26, 2005)  

  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)  

  Livery, Saugatuck, New Holland, Via Maria (Sept 30, 2005)  

  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)