Today we’d like to introduce you to Joel Brower.
Hi Joel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am actually doing this interview on behalf of Odd Side Ales. My name is Joel Brower, and I am the Operations Manager for the production plant in SW Grand Haven. Chris Michner is the owner. We also have our original taproom in downtown Grand Haven.
Odd Side was founded in 2010 by Chris Michner who loved to homebrew through college with his friend Kyle Miller who has worked for Odd Side since day one. It started, and the taproom still operates out of the Historic Story and Clark Piano Factory on Washington Ave. in downtown Grand Haven. Odd Side started with a small 1-barrel system, brewing a collection of traditional and off-the-wall brews out of the backroom of the pub. As popularity grew and space was needed, Odd Side leased a suite in an industrial park off Hayes St. dedicated to production. We began distributing our beer to retailers and bar/restaurants creating a need for an even bigger space. In 2015 Odd Side purchased the 44K sqft building across the parking lot from the space they were leasing and renovated it into massive production facility as well as expanding the taproom. In 2019 Odd Side expanded the taprooom once again into what is now a 7K sqft taproom and coffee bar. We have 50 taps offering our beers, wines, cocktails, and some cold brewed coffees as well as exceptional hot coffee and lattes.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
In the beginning, it was the wild west. We couldn’t make beer fast enough. With the boom of craft beer and the ever-increasing competition on the shelves, it has been a bit of a struggle in the past few years. We have seen people’s tastes change from wanting the thickest stout to the clearest seltzers. We have adapted and continue to adapt with a fantastic line of seltzers and new to this year a line of cocktail-inspired beverages. We strive to be a brewery known for its diverse and eclectic beers and beverages.
We’ve been impressed with Odd Side Ales, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
A local craft brewery creating MANY styles of delicious beers and beverages.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
We define success first by knowing we have a wonderful staff that we are extremely proud of for all the hard work they do from receiving raw materials all the way to the pour at the tap handle. Second and just as important is the smiles on the faces of everyone who enjoys a pint, can, or bottle from any of our hand-crafted beverages.
Contact Info:
- Website: oddsideales.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/oddsideales/
- Facebook: facebook.com/oddsideales
- Twitter: Odd Side Ales (@OddSideAles) / Twitter
