Tag Archives: Grand Rapids Beer

Wyoming set to have a brew, or two, with TwoGuys Brewery

Owner and brewmaster Tom Payne is in the process of renovating two buildings in the Wyoming Park area for TwoGuys Brewing (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

After nearly 10 years of working a small business plan, and recent action by the City of Wyoming, TwoGuys Brewing has taken over an old firehouse and a rundown one-time 7-Eleven convenience store in the Wyoming Park neighborhood and — with any luck to match hard work — should be serving up craft beer for guys and gals who like microbrews in 2017.

 

Tom Payne of TwoGuys Brewery. (WKTV)

“Now its about six months of demolition and renovation, were we turn this ugly old 7-Eleven into a beautiful tap room,” Tom Payne, managing partner and brewmaster of TwoGuys Brewing, said Nov. 10 at a friends-and-neighbors open house at what will be the new brewpub. “We are hopeful for September 1” to open.

 

“This business came about about 10 years ago,” he said. “I realized I was not just another home brewer, at least I did not think so. I had entered beer in outside competition, outside of just (treating) my normal friends, and it was taken very well. I said ‘You know what? I think we’ve got something here.’ And then my wife and I, after hours and hours of talking, we said ‘This is something we are going to do.’ At that time we put together a 10-year plan, and we are at the end of that 10 years. It is time for TwoGuys Brewing to open.”

 

An old 7-Eleven story will become TwoGuys Brewery’s taproom. (WKTV)

Opening the brewery and brewpub involved the leasing of two buildings located across from each other on Porter Street SW, the old 7-Eleven at 2356 Porter Street SW and an unused fire station at 2385.

 

An old city fire station will become TwoGuys Brewery’s brew house. (WKTV)

The leasing of the fire station to Tamaz LLC (an LLC doing business as TwoGuys Brewery) by the city was part of three actions taken by the Wyoming City Council in late November. The actions included granting the business a liquor license, a waiver of city zoning code to allow for the sale of alcohol within a certain distance from a church or residential area, and the lease of the old fire station, which had been used by the city for a meter shop and a temporary laboratory but was currently vacant.

 

City support of business

 

“The City of Wyoming has been absolutely instrumental in this,” Payne said. “We approached the city three or four months ago, we completely laid out our business plan and what we wanted to bring to Wyoming Park. They put together a timeline … a ‘we need you to do this and we need you to do this’, and we have done everything the city has asked for. … They have been fantastic.”

 

Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt made clear the reason for the city’s actions:

 

“Our region is increasingly embracing craft beer,” Holt said. “You can look around our community and see the many brewpubs that have sprung up over the last five years. We are pleased that TwoGuys Brewing has identified Wyoming as its location and feel that it will be a welcomed by the neighbors — and by Wyoming residents in general.”

 

Several of those neighbors visited the open house on Dec. 10 as well, and Payne said he expects to be an attribute to the neighborhood.

 

“The biggest reason (for placing their business in Wyoming) is that this is where we live, my wife and I,” he said. “I grew up in Wyoming Park. I graduated from Wyoming Park. I have lived, aside from my time in the Marine Corps, in this area and it has always been my home. When we decided to open up our brewery, it was going to be where we live and provide our neighbors with something they could certainly be proud of.”

 

About that name …

 

And the name of of TwoGuys? Where did it come from?

 

“10 years ago, there was me and one of my best friends, Charlie, I had gotten him started brewing,” he said. “So, long story (made short), we entered another competition and took best of show on an IPA (India Pale Ale), which at the time had no name. We brewed this beer at Founders. We brewed 10 barrels having won the best of show. … About half an hour before tapping, Founders said ‘You guys need to name this thing something.’ I told them ‘Its just the two of us, we are just two guys, so how about TwoGuys IPA?’”

 

Now, though, the name takes on another context, Payne said.

 

“Our TwoGuys, today, is, well … everybody’s two guys. You’re the other guy. My grandson is the other guy. Everybody is the other guy. I am just one guy. It is all about community, which is what brought us to Wyoming Park. … I will consider every guest that comes into these doors, starting next year, as the family, as the other guy.”

 

Plans at this point the business will focus on an array of craft-brewed beers — maybe wines, meads and sodas — as well as what the business calls a “pub-centric” menu of food. Payne’s brewer pedigree includes his having been involved with Osgood Brewing in Grandville as well as head brewer at 57 Brewpub and Bistro in Greenville.

 

“We are going to focus on traditional styles, beers that you don’t necessarily find everywhere else,” he said. “A lot of English style ales that no one brews around here …  I am not knocking any other brewery in town, there are some fantastic ones, but it is going to be all about the other guy, what they like.”

 

Tentatively, seating at the brewpub will be for about 80 with a possible outdoor patio planned. The property has about 18 parking spaces in front, with about 50 possible behind the building and another 25 or so across the street at the old firehouse.

 

Best of the Breweries in West Michigan: Central Michigan

Founders 3This three part series will go over the different breweries throughout West Michigan. Part two takes us through Central Michigan. Try out all the breweries and see why West Michigan is the beer capital of the United States! If you missed part one, you can check it out here.

The market for craft beer has been steadily increasing for well over a decade, and West Michigan is home to a plethora of fantastic breweries and each has a unique lineup of their signature craft beers. Having beer brewed so close to home gives West Michigan the luxury of drinking fresh and local.

So what is craft beer? According to the Brewers Association, craft beer is three things: small, independent, and local. These breweries are small in the sense that they make less than 6 million barrels of beer annually. They are independent if less than 25 percent of the company is owned by an alcohol industry member that is not a craft brewer and traditional if the majority of total beverage alcohol volume in the brews are traditional or innovative ingredients or fermentation methods.

What does West Michigan have to offer? Craft beer is brewed all over West Michigan. Make sure to check out one or all of these great breweries near and around Grand Rapids!

Central Michigan Breweries

Founders 2Founders Brewing Company

Founders Brewing Company has built its brewery on the exploration of recipe development and brewing techniques. Carving a niche out of the craft industry, they have built their reputation on producing very unique beer and have been recognized by beer enthusiasts around the world.

Fun Fact: Founders has won six World Beer Cup medals, four European Beer Star medals, and three Great American Beer Festival medals across eight different beers.

BreweryVivantBrewery Vivant

Brewery Vivant is a fantastic East Hills Neighborhood microbrewery and pub located in a sustainably renovated historical chapel. They combine their passion for great beer and food, environmental sustainability, service, and a focus on community.

Fun Fact: Much of the inspiration behind Brewery Vivant comes from the small breweries that dot the countryside in Southern Belgium and Northern France.

Cellar-Brewing-CompanyCellar Brewing Company

Cellar Brewing Company is a Microbrewery, Winery and Distillery located in Sparta MI and provide their guests with a relaxed casual atmosphere. They have 16 beers on tap and always keep them filled for your consumption!

Fun Fact: Cellar Brewing Company’s Mug Club program gets your great discounts and you even get to drink out of your own mug every time you go in! Mugs are personalized with your name and number!

PerrinBrewingPerrin Brewing Company

Located in a small farming community just 10 miles north of downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, Perrin Brewing Company isa microbrewery and taproom which strives to bring a world class experience to every person who walks through their doors.

Fun Fact: Perrin does a Yoga + Beer summer series! $5 at the door gets you one hour of yoga and a beer!

rockfordbrewingRockford Brewing Company

Rockford Brewing Company produces world class beers using traditional and innovative brewing techniques and ingredients. They strive to create unique beers with influences from countries around the world including the newest emerging craft beer location that has the world watching; Michigan.

Fun Fact: Rockford Brewing Co.’s flagship beer is Paradigm MPA, which is a Michigan Pale Ale produced with 100% Michigan grown ingredients!

newhollandNew Holland Brewing Company

New Holland Brewing Company’s deep roots in the craft industry go all the way back to 1997. Their beer and spirits are served alongside fresh-made food in their Restaurant & Pub in downtown Holland. Their beer-centric food menu complements all of their beers!

Fun Fact: Many of New Holland’s draught only specialties are brewed on their nine barrel pub system!

grandrapidsbrewingGrand Rapids Brewing Company

The beer Grand Rapids Brewing Company produces includes a recreation of the iconic Silver Foam, along with several other beers brewed to honor their Grand Rapids heritage, leaders, landmarks as well as their Grand Rapids Brewing Company family.

Fun Fact: Grand Rapids Brewing Co. is Michigan’s only USDA certified organic brewery.

GravelbottomGravel Bottom Craft Brewery & Supply

Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery & Supply was established in 2013 in Ada, Michigan. They have crossed the country with stacks of recipes kept in journals, sketched business plans on scrap paper, and enjoyed their evolving product along the way.

Fun Fact: Gravel Bottom offers a huge selection of the freshest brewing supplies and classes for every level. They’ll help you get started on your own brewing adventure!

ourbrewingcompanyOur Brewing Company

Our Brewing Company is a quaint craft brewery in Downtown Holland. They pride themselves on small batches, mad scientists, and neighbors on every stool. They’re always coming up with new and different beers like their Pickle Tickle Smash IPA and Pecan Pie Porter.

Fun Fact: Our Brewing Co. will have awesome live music the month of August including The Whiskey Charmers, Matt Plessner, Big Brother Jon, and Brotha James and they’re all free to attend!

jamesportJamesport Brewing Co.

Jamesport is brewpub that brews their own beer onsite, as well as having a full-service bar, a great wine list and an assortment of domestic beers. Their full dining menu includes appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches & burgers, lunch entrees, desserts, wraps, dinner entrees, pasta, a kids menu, and both hot & cold drinks.

Fun Fact: Hoppy Hour at Jamesport Brewing Co. is Monday-Friday, 4pm-6pm.

oldboysbrewhouseOld Boys’ Brewhouse

Located on the Shore of Spring Lake, Michigan, Old Boys’ Brewhouse was founded in 1997 with a commitment to their community, fresh beer, and fresh food. Whether you drop in for refreshment or nourishment or both, their fantastic staff will make sure to make your experience fun and enjoyable.

Fun Fact: Old Boys’ Brewhouse has a canine-oriented theme to the influence and memory of a Chocolate Labrador!