Despite being a new kid on the block, Right Brain Brewing Company has already garnered quite the reputation for off the wall beers that somehow manage to both bend credulity and taste good. Some of the more notable off-the-wall batches include the Pie Whole (brewed using whole pies from Grand Traverse Pie Company) and the Mangalista Pig Porter (which uses real pig heads and apparently tastes like “bacon in a bottle”). Of course I was quite obliged to stop by on my (somewhat) recent visit to Traverse City. There I met up with Tim, a fellow AQ alum, former history study-er, and all-around nice guy. While there I managed to snag a little bit of time with Grant, the Operations Manager.
Maybe the best place to begin explaining Right Brain is with the new location, which is at 225 East 16th Street in Traverse City. It’s a little off the beaten path, so don’t be alarmed or dissuaded in your quest if you find yourself straying from the tree-lined downtown and amid clapboard homes instead. Right Brain has only been titillating customers with eccentric brews from the 16th Street location since Labor Day of 2012. The bar is housed in what used to be a factory that made trim moldings. (I never knew trim molding was made in factories, but I suppose it does need to be made somewhere.) In a massive team building project, staff and community members constructed the magnificent quirkiness that is now the Right Brain taproom over summer 2012.
The owner of Right Brain, Russell, didn’t always own a brewery renowned for bending the rules and creating off the wall brews. In fact, he used to be a barber. He started brewing on the side and quickly became known for his creative products. As word spread about his beer, demand multiplied until, finally, Russell decided that he should open a facility that could handle public need.
Back to the taproom, however. Not only the beer is directed by Russell’s inventiveness; when Russell decided to open a taproom, he wanted to make sure it was a community center and not just a watering hole. For that reason, there are no TVs, no smoking, and no food (Nonetheless, there are some small snacks available and recent acquisition Chef Mike is adding some interesting victuals. Like waffle sandwiches.), all endeavoring to create an atmosphere ripe for conversation. The decor is a mix of brilliant hues, non-matching seating set-ups, and local artwork. The walls are bright solid hues presided over by a tall ceiling.
Right Brain distribution has grown by leaps and bounds since opening the new facility and they plan to add one more option for their far away fans; cans. Coming to a beer distributor near you (soon), Right Brain plans to distribute at least the Willpower in cans. To take on this new part of business, they plan to use the mobile canning line that has been making its rounds throughout the great Mitten state.
While I was visiting I made sure, with Tim’s help, to sample quite of a few of the beers available (I didn’t want to place restrictions on my experience). The first of many was the Flying Squirrel, a creamy brown ale with a full body. It has a slight coffee aroma and delicious chocolate malt undertones. I enjoyed it at the time, but sitting in my 80 degree apartment, I have to advise on drinking in the fall, rather than during the height of Michigan humidity.
I’m sure many of you are familiar with the CEO Stout, which was voted favorite stout in Michigan in a recent Drink Michigan poll. It’s produced from a proprietary blend of beans from Great Northern Roasting Company that only go into the stout. The coffee flavor is perfectly balanced with malts and spares the drinker from an overpowering roasty flavor that is the bane of a many a coffee-flavored ale.
While I was visiting, the Spear Beer was on tap. If you haven’t heard of this offbeat brew by now, prepare to have your mind blown. Every year Right Brain get 80 pounds of the first batch of asparagus from Norconk Farms and they dump it all in a batch of beer they call the Spear Beer. Though I initially tried for the novelty factor, I enjoyed it. It was crisp and refreshing while maintaining a good roasted asparagus flavor. And yes. It did make my pee smell.
The Looping Owl is the drunken 10 weeks-aged version of the Northern Hawk Owl Amber Ales, one of Right Brain’s signature beers. The Looping Owl maintains the caramel and nutty tones that make the Northern Hawk Owl so delicious, but adds enough whiskey from the aging to be present and not crush the rest of the flavor. A creamy mouthfeel makes this beer a pleasure to gulp down.
Whether you’re an adventurous beer drinker or someone who just enjoys a quality beverage and good company, Right Brain is a destination of choice. With a fun, quirky atmosphere and a staff who aim to please (and achieve said goal), it’s well-worth the trip. If that’s not enough to convince you, there’s always between 15 and 25 deliciously strange beers on tap, so odds are you’ll find something you like.
Beer to try: The Hundred Horses. This medium body beauty features everything I want in a malt-forward beer. With sweet malts and distinct chestnut flavor, this beer is a must-try.
Cheers.
Year of Beer 