Something Good is Brewing at Cap 'N' Cork

Beer kits from Cap 'N' Cork

Michiganders know good beer and have many award-winning Michigan breweries to choose from when they want a satisfying brew. Instead of searching for the perfect beer, some craft brew enthusiasts choose to make their own at home, and Cap 'N' Cork Homebrew Supply in Macomb Township provides everything the novice and the advanced homebrewer needs.

I had the opportunity to visit Cap 'N' Cork for its Basic Brewing Class, presented by Cap 'N' Cork's owner, Andy Moore, on a Saturday afternoon in January (Cap 'N' Cork also holds wine and mead making classes). Moore began working at Cap 'N' Cork thirteen years ago and purchased the business three years ago, and he has experience brewing with Black Lotus Brewing in Clawson and Sherwood Brewing Company in Shelby Township.

Cap 'N' Cork carries a wide variety of grains

Moore says now is the best time to begin homebrewing because high-quality ingredients and equipment are readily available. Cap 'N' Cork carries Michigan-made malt and hops (unfortunately, there are no Michigan-made yeasts for brewing), as well as pre-packaged beer kits with recipes that Moore and his staff created (the store also sells kits for making wine and cheese). The kits contain all of the ingredients and instructions needed for a novice brewer to make his or her first batch of beer. Moore's recipes include "clones" of several famous brands that allow customers to re-create their favorite craft beers at home.  For customers who do not live near the store, Cap 'N' Cork has an online store.

Filling Up at the Michigan Beer Growler Company

A growler to keep you warm in the winter.

I love craft beer, but I have a confession to make: I had never bought a growler of beer until my recent visit to the Michigan Beer Growler Company ("MBGCo"). MBGCo opened this past fall on the corner of 13 Mile and Southfield Road in Beverly Hills, bringing Oakland County one of its first growler filling stations.

Growlers are 64 oz. jugs that breweries fill directly from their tap, seal, and then sell to costumers to take home. Until recent changes in Michigan law, beer drinkers who wanted to purchase a growler (or the smaller 32 oz. howler) of their favorite beer could only do so at the brewery that produces the beer.

A great selection of craft beers awaits at MBGCo

MBGCo has taken advantage of more liberal growler laws by providing twenty-six craft beers (most of which are Michigan brews), two hard ciders, and two pops on tap. Its customers can take brews home in growlers or howlers or drink pints or flights of multiple 4 oz. beers on site.

The Twelve Michigander Days of Christmas

Bronner's in Frankenmuth is Michigan's home of all things Christmas

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a robin in a cherry tree.

On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me two McClure's pickles and a robin in a cherry tree.

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me three coney dogs, two McClure's pickles, and a robin in a cherry tree.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me four Shinola watches, three coney dogs, two McClure's pickles, and a robin in a cherry tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me FIVE PETOSKEY STONES, four Shinola watches, three coney dogs, two McClure's pickles, and a robin in a cherry tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me six Michigan craft beers, FIVE PETOSKEY STONES, four Shinola watches, three coney dogs, two McClure's pickles, and a robin in a cherry tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me seven Herman Miller chairs, six Michigan craft beers, FIVE PETOSKEY STONES, four Shinola watches, three coney dogs, two McClure's pickles, and a robin in a cherry tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eight Mackinac Island Fudges, seven Herman Miller chairs, six Michigan craft beers, FIVE PETOSKEY STONES, four Shinola watches, three coney dogs, two McClure's pickles, and a robin in a cherry tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me nine bags of Better Made chips, eight Mackinac Island Fudges, seven Herman Miller chairs, six Michigan craft beers, FIVE PETOSKEY STONES, four Shinola watches, three coney dogs, two McClure's pickles, and a robin in a cherry tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ten cans of Vernors, nine bags of Better Made chips, eight Mackinac Island Fudges, seven Herman Miller chairs, six Michigan craft beers, FIVE PETOSKEY STONES, four Shinola watches, three coney dogs, two McClure's pickles, and a robin in a cherry tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me eleven Stormy Kromers, ten cans of Vernors, nine bags of Better Made chips, eight Mackinac Island Fudges, seven Herman Miller chairs, six Michigan craft beers, FIVE PETOSKEY STONES, four Shinola watches, three coney dogs, two McClure's pickles, and a robin in a cherry tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me twelve beef pasties, eleven Stormy Kromers, ten cans of Vernors, nine bags of Better Made chips, eight Mackinac Island Fudges, seven Herman Miller chairs, six Michigan craft beers, FIVE PETOSKEY STONES, four Shinola watches, three coney dogs, two McClure's pickles, and a robin in a cherry tree.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!