Liberty Street Brewing in the Freep

January 30, 2009

Here is an article from the Freep about Liberty Street. By the way, I got some growlers of their IPA and Stout and they were both great beers.

New brew on tap in Old Village

By Stephanie Angelyn Casola
OBSERVER STAFF WRITER

Joe Walters is living every home-brewer’s dream. On Dec. 8, he opened the doors of Liberty Street Brewing Company in Plymouth’s Old Village. Now he’s not just serving up pilsners and porters to friends, he’s a partner and general manager of the area’s only microbrewery.

The microbrewery is in the midst of a weeklong grand opening celebration, with more than just fresh beer on tap.

Walters began working on this venture more than two years ago. He scouted locations across the area, beginning in Chelsea. The Liberty Street spot proved the eighth time was the charm.

It took perseverance but Walters can finally welcome customers Ð about 100 at a time Ð into the charming historic building. The brewhouse was custom-built next door and the upstairs tasting room was renovated to match the charm of 115-year-old red brick walls and warm wood that make the main bar a cozy escape.

Pint glasses gleam along mirrored shelves at the main bar downstairs. Tall tables and barstools beckon customers with a taste for hand-crafted beer. As for the décor, Walters said, “it is all done very elegantly.”

Elegant yes, but hardly pretentious. Customers can come in and expect to find 12 hand-crafted beers on tap upstairs or downstairs. Six varieties Ð Liberty Street’s Blonde, Irish Red, Pilsner, IPA, Stout and Porter Ð will be mainstays at the bar. The other taps are reserved for Walters’ own creativity, seasonal specials. Imagine Pumpkin Pie Ale in the fall and you get the picture.

This month, Walters will introduce his Liberty Light Pilsner, a cold-aged lager brewed in a classic German style.

Though Walters lives in Farmington Hills he’s looking to relocate to Plymouth and said the community has been very welcoming already. “The demographics are perfect,” he said. There isn’t another microbrewery for at least 12 miles, he estimated. And that means Walters has cornered the market on freshness and quality in western Wayne County, and he’s serving it up by the pint or half-pint.

Those measurements are true, too. Patrons drink from 10- or 20-ounce beer glasses and pay $3-$5. They have the option to sample beer at 5 ounces for $1.50 or order up a sampler of four for $5.

Half-gallon growlers, holding 64 ounces, are sold to-go for $17 though a discount is offered on refills. And refill on a Sunday or Wednesday for just $9. He’ll soon add one-liter Snarlers to that list. They’ll be pressurized to keep the beer fresh longer and allow patrons to cellar-age them. Five-gallon kegs are also available, and run about $40.

Beer might be the focus, but it’s not the only item on the menu. Walters blends his own root beer and serves soda, coffee and other drinks. A light food menu features his specialty Pulled Pork Sandwich, Cheese Filled Breadsticks and the popcorn is always free. Patrons are encouraged to order from area delivery menus and have food from other establishments delivered right to their table – it’s a service meant to make up for a tiny kitchen.

Though the establishment has only just opened, Walters said he is receiving “a lot of positive feedback. People have come from St. Clair Shores. It’s a destination.”

The upper tasting room, with airy windows overlooking Liberty Street, is available for rent and he’s already received requests.

Posted in Brewery/Brewpub, Brewing, Michgan products, beer