At the fault of one momentarily delinquent city (Detroit) Michigan, unfortunately catches the brunt end of way too many jokes, when it in fact has a lot to offer, especially when it comes to beer.  There is rich and vibrant German heritage that speckles mid and northern Michigan.  In fact instead of serving Chicken Cordon Bleu and Champagne at her wedding in Saginaw Michigan, my sister and her German husband proudly served Kielbasa, sauerkraut, and beer, of course.

The Bavarian beer tradition is soon to be revived in a little town called, Frankenmuth, affectionately known locally as “Michigan’s Little Bavaria.“  The Frankenmuth Brewery, opened in 1892, was actually one of Michigan’s largest distributing breweries until it ran aground upon a series of bad luck.  In 1996 it was damaged severely by tornado.  After rebuilding, the brewery had to shut it’s doors again in 2006 as it fell victim to the credit crisis and was unable to refinance nearly 4 million in loans.

Michigan’s Little Bavaria is about to have its brewery back, however!  Good news to a town with a love affair with the sudsy beverage.  In fact, the brewery intends on pumping out 2,000 barrels of beer in its first year, a lofty but attainable goal that just might land some beer in bottle shop near you.  Such good news is often bittersweet, though, as the historic brewery will be under new management:  Steward Capital Management Inc.

For those who life in the area, a trip to Frankenmuth just might be worth your time, especially if you are craving a little international rendevous with Bavaria but have a budget the size of a few tanks of gas.  You may have already missed Frankenmuth’s World Expo of Beer, but you still might be able to make Bavarian Fest, or Frankenmuth’s Oktoberfest.

Regardless of where you might be reading from, the opening or reopening of a brewery brings a little cheer in any economic climate!  Cheers!