E-Malt.com News article: USA, MI: A microbrewery to open in Brighton in April

Matt Becker wants Brighton's first microbrewery to be a fun place to hang out, play darts and imbibe one of the 10 homebrews on tap. He is proposing to put a brewery in the "pink hotel" building at 500 W. Main St. He makes beers from the Victorian and Colonial Age, but he also creates a "daily drink of the Vikings", Livingstondaily.com reported on August, 16.

Matt Becker, along with his father, developer John Becker, plan to restore the building back to its 1873 condition on the exterior, with 1870s hotel signs, restoring the brick and possibly putting in original chimneys.

On August, 15, the Brighton Planning Commission approved the site plan for the brewery as well as plans for a new, upscale bridal boutique shop at 209 W. Main St. Both projects will go to the City Council for final approval Sept. 1.

Matt Becker, who has been homebrewing for 20 years, said he's very happy to have the "pink hotel," which is one of the oldest buildings in Brighton. The building, located next to the railroad tracks, was originally called the Western House Hotel. It was a bar in the 1980s, and it's currently used for offices and low-rent apartments.

"We want the building to be the jewel of Brighton as it once was," said Matt Becker, who lives in Green Oak Township with his wife and one child.

He's hoping to open the place in April.

Becker said he's been thinking about setting up a brewery since 1996. He loves how brewing beer is a mixture of art and science.

John Becker, chief executive officer of a company that designs and builds industrial equipment, said he's investing an estimated $1 mln in the project. He will own the building, and his son will operate the brewery.

John Becker said they want to keep the building as close to its original look as possible.

"When we saw the building, we fell in love with it," he said.

The Beckers also plan to work with local agencies to try and find housing for the residents who live in the building.


17 August, 2011