Pileated Brewing Aims to Play with Beer Styles

Jay Howe and Andrew Collins taught together at Huron High School, then homebrewed together for years as members of the Ann Arbor Brewers Guild, and now they are partners in yet another brewery coming to our fair city: Pileated Brewing Co.

Originally founded under the name Divergent Brewing, the future brewery is located in the rear of the same building that houses the PTO Thrift Store on South Industrial Hwy. The name change came about due to a trademark dispute with a brewery in Ohio, they explain. "We may have taken some slack from the state of Ohio, but growing up in Ann Arbor means that you don’t allow Ohio to get to you."

The new name refers to the pileated woodpecker, which has a striking red crest – not unlike the red beards sported by both of the brewery's founders.

I reached out to Jay and Andrew to find out more about their plans.

Ypsilanti's Cafe Ollie Closing for Renovations

The bad news: Cafe Ollie, the hip and homey little bistro on Ypsilanti's Cross Street, is closing this Sunday. The good news: Owners Mark Teachout and Danielle Scherwin Teachout will re-open their Depot Town business as a full service bar and restaurant re-christened Ollie Food and Spirits.

The even better news: This Sunday they are hosting a "Goodbye-Hello Party" with all the food and drink you can consume for $20. After Sunday, the cafe will be closed as it undergoes renovation. And don't worry: the ice cream, coffee, tea, and baked goods aren't going anywhere. They'll move next door to a side business dubbed the Cream and Crumb.

I pinged Danielle with a few questions about Ollie's transformation.

Fermenta to Host Workshop on Using Local Grains in Craft Beverages

Grizzly Peak head brewer Duncan Williams will speak on using Michigan-grown grains.

The rapid growth of Michigan's hop industry has received a lot of attention, but what about our great state's grain growers? The planting and processing of barley has also expanded hand-in-hand with the continued emergence of craft brewing and distilling, and now those in the beverage business can learn more about how and why to incorporate Michigan-grown grains into their products.

Fermenta, a collective of Michigan women, in conjunction with Michigan State University and agriculture consultancy New Growth Associates, is hosting "Local Grains for Craft Beverage Production: A Malt Workshop" February 28 at the Ypsilanti Market Place.  The event includes a roundtable of industry professionals, including Grizzly Peak head brewer Duncan Williams; a presentation on MSU's barley research initiatives; a malt sensory and flavor profile seminar with a tasting; and a networking happy hour.

Tickets are $15 for Fermenta members and $25 for non-members. The workshop is a precursory event to the annual Great Lakes Hop & Barley Conference, which will take place in Detroit March 2-3. For more information, including a detailed agenda, and to buy tickets, go here.

Tickets On Sale for Rat Fest 2017

Rat Fest is back February 4 for its seventh incarnation at the Arbor Brewing Microbrewery in Ypsilanti. The popular annual event showcases beers brewed by area homebrewing clubs on Arbor's 10-gallon brewing system, dubbed the Rat Pad.

The event will take place from 1-5 p.m, and follow the same format as previous years, offering 28 different small-batch beers brewed by members of the Ann Arbor Brewers Guild, Pontiac Brewing Tribe, Sons of Liberty, and four other homebrewing clubs. Beers from past events have included such creative takes as Golden Graham Brown Ale, Orange Creamsicle Ale, Shebrew Rye Caraway Ale, Tangerine Coffee IPA, and Loaded Baked Potato Stout.

Tickets are $30 in advance ($35 at the door, if available) and can be purchased by calling the brewery at 734-480-2739 or picking them up in person. The cost includes unlimited beer samples, a commemorative glass, and hot dogs and other appetizers. You know what to do!

Edelbrau to Revive Traditional Brewing Methods to Craft Full Flavored Beers

The Ann Arbor area will welcome another new brewery later this year, with Edelbrau Brewing Company targeting a summer opening in Pittsfield Township. Principals Spike Oliver and Teo Watson-Ahlbrandt plan to explore historical methods of brewing to craft their beers, with the goal of providing a uniquely flavorful experience for drinkers. Later on I'll post an interview with Spike elaborating on that theme, but for now here is the official press release:

PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – How are the traditions of beer defined? Can traditional beer-making methods enhance the modern approach to brewing?

Those are two vital questions that brewer Teo Watson-Ahlbrandt and business development veteran Spike Oliver will explore at their new brewery, Edelbrau Brewing Company. With the sustained emergence of craft brewing, the pair believe their approach, which weaves together history, artistic expression, and modern science, will give Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan something unique to look forward to.

“The traditional aspects of craft beer are often forgotten as the market expands and focuses on quick turnaround,” says Watson-Ahlbrandt. “We want to pay homage to Old World methods of making beer as well as traditional beer styles, taking what has been forgotten and re-interpreting it for today’s palate.”

“We’re challenging ourselves to create a portfolio of beers that reflects something new from something old,” adds Oliver. “An artist has the flexibility to work in water color, oil, spray paint, clay, or other media to create a piece of art. The end result and the experience will be unique depending on which medium is chosen.”

With a production facility secured at 719 W. Ellsworth Rd., Watson-Ahlbrandt and Oliver are actively looking for additional space to open a pub with a retail store and taproom where they can also host events and conduct brewing classes. They are targeting an opening for August of this year.

“Right now we’re working on getting licensed and making flavorful and unique beers that we can distribute to the Ann Arbor area,” says Oliver. “But our full vision is to create a space where Ann Arborites can feel cozy, have a great pint of beer, learn about brewing, and be entertained.”

Become a Real Expert at Upcoming "BeerSavvy Bootcamp"

Certified Cicerone Annette May drops some knowledge.

Sure, you can name all your favorite "dank" hops. You've memorized all the double IPAs and imperial stouts on the Internet's "best beers" lists. You know which #whalezbro brews to trade for which other #whalezbro brews. You have a beer cellar. Hell, you've even authored more than a thousand reviews on the rating sites. Why, you're a beer expert!

Are you?

Do you know the six core beer styles that form the foundation for the many others?

Can you detect – and name – the most common off-flavors found in beer?

Do you know what their causes are?

Do you understand proper service techniques for both bottle and draft beer?

If you answered no to any of these questions, you may want to check out the "BeerSavvy Bootcamp" class being offered Tuesday, January 24, at Liberty Street Brewing in Plymouth. The class is designed to prepare participants for the Certified Beer Server exam, the first level of certification offered by the Cicerone Certification Program.

Tickets are $99 and include the class and a study book, but not the cost of the CBS exam itself. Of course, you're not required to take the exam; anyone who is looking to boost their beer IQ is welcome. Learn more and register online here.

HOMES Coming: Inside Ann Arbor's Next Brewery

Owner Tommy Kennedy and head brewer Nick Panchamé of HOMES Brewery.

Like many people in their mid-30s, Tommy Kennedy wondered what was next for him in life. He had a family and a career in health care he enjoyed, but somehow something seemed missing. That something was beer.

"On my 34th birthday – February 20, 2015 – I challenged my wife and a few close friends to help me think of what I could pursue that I would be most passionate about, and we landed on starting a brewery," he says.

Two years of hard work, eight investors, and a loan from Ann Arbor State Bank later, and HOMES Brewery – named for the mnemonic device schoolchildren use to memorize the names of the Great Lakes – is just about ready to open its doors for business.

"We're shooting for late February or March. All the licensing and the unseen work is done, now it's mostly the cosmetic stuff," he says, gesturing toward a pile of lumber stacked haphazardly on the rough, unfinished floor, "And we should probably make some beer."