USA, MI: Third Monk Brewing Company opened in South Lyon on June 26

There wasn't a lot of fanfare before Third Monk Brewing Company opened on June 26, Hometownlife.com reported on July 2.

But word has gotten out and the place has been hopping ever since.

"The response was far beyond expectations," said Jim Robinson, Third Monk Brewing’s co-owner with Darlene Dunlop. "We've got a lot of locals who have been watching the activity and wondering when we would open. So we turned on the sign and we had a lot of people come in. We were comfortably busy."

The "idea" for the quiet opening, Robinson said, "was to engage response."

South Lyon is quickly becoming the place to go for craft beer lovers.

There's Scrooge & Barley, a home craft brew supply business, and now Third Monk Brewing at 228 S. Lafayette, South Lyon.

Robinson wasn't surprised that the Third Monk Brewing opening lured in so many people without publicity. The atmosphere in Third Monk Brewing is quaint.

"Craft beer is raging across the United States," he said. "This is a national phenomenon."

In fact, he said, there is more craft beer sold in the U.S. than the Budweiser brand sells.

"Before the opening we were brewing in advance so we'd have several beers to put on tap," Robinson said. "Initially we thought we needed three barrels and now we realize we need five."

Each barrel holds 31 gallons of brew, and Robinson hopes to ramp up beer production and host a well publicized grand opening when he's ready.

03 July, 2015