USA, MI: Boatyard Brewing Co. to start on-site beer sales and brewery tours in May

Boatyard Brewing Co. in Kalamazoo has received state approval for its microbrewery at long last, mlive.com reported on March, 20.

Owner Brian Steele said he and co-owner Dan Gilligan received the microbrewery license on March, 19.

"We are ecstatic; we are happy," Steele said. "It was a good day."

Steele said he and Gilligan plan to serve beer on-site and offer brewery tours in May. In the meantime, he hopes to conduct tastings of their beer around town.

Steele said they also need to finish construction on the taproom. Steele and Gilligan, long-time homebrewers, have continued to make beer on their small homebrew setup. They had said earlier this year they would order a seven-barrel brewhouse system to start making in beer in larger quantities.

The owners now expect full production and distribution of Boatyard beer by mid-June.

Steele said the business still needs its occupancy permit from the city of Kalamazoo, but that he expects the process to move quickly.

Steele said he and Gilligan are aiming to have a summer solstice party to celebrate the brewery's opening.

22 March, 2013