Wolverine State Brewing Co made a major expansion last year, both in its production facility and its tap room.
The Ann Arbor-based craft brewer that specializes in lagers added a rental hall to its tap room on West Stadium Boulevard in the old Big George's space. The Gulo Room, named after its signature pale ale lager, has proven quite popular for a broad range of local clientele.
"I have rented it out for baby showers and birthday parties," says E.T. Crowe, co-owner & marketing director of
Wolverine State Brewing Co. "Groups seek it out and hold presentations there."
Wolverine State Brewing Co specializes in lagers, a light-specialty beer that often takes a month longer to brew than the average ale. The company got its start in 2006 contracting its brewing out to a larger brewery. It opened its current location on the west side of Ann Arbor in 2010, which currently houses its tap room and production facility.
The brewery installed three new fermentation vessels late last year, allowing the firm to up its production. It sold 1,100 barrels of lager last year and is on track to hit 1,500 barrels in 2013. The overall production numbers are lower than other breweries because lagers are more difficult to brew.
"Lager yeast moves slower and has to be much colder," Crowe says. "Our infrastructure has to be much more intense."
Wolverine State Brewing Co has hired three people over the last year, including a brewer, a brewery worker and a bartender. It now has a staff of 12 people and is looking to capitalize on its most recent gains.
"This was a huge leap to make inside of a year," Crowe says. "We are now sitting tight this year and catching up."
Source: E.T. Crowe, co-owner & marketing director of Wolverine State Brewing Co
Writer: Jon Zemke
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