When Ryan Sylvester and Ben Fleckenstein opened the doors of their Paw Paw microbrewery in 2010, they had no idea what they were in for.
Just weeks after the
Paw Paw Brewery Company's January 2011 grand opening, the brothers-in-law realized that this was no part-time gig. Both men quit their full-time jobs, began staffing the pub and expanding their beer selections.
"It was a huge success right away," Sylvester says. "We thought we would keep our other jobs and each do this part-time. But about a month afterward, we both had to put in our two weeks notice."
Six months later, Fleckenstein and Sylvester had already outgrown their small brew pub and opened a 12,000-square-foot production facility nearby. And today they have grown to employ seven people, including the owners.
"We still do brew some beer at the pub," Sylvester says. "We started with three beers and now have about eight with some holiday brews that rotate during the seasons."
Winter Concord Blonde has been served since fall, with Twisted Pumpkin Ale thrown in for a Halloween treat. On St. Patrick’s Day, beer aficionados will be treated to the release of Long Lock Hefeweizen, and summer beer drinkers can look forward to the Raspberry Wheat that will be on tap all summer long.
There is a simple lunch menu now of Pannini sandwiches, including Reuben, club, Italian and southern barbecue to choose from along with lunch specials during the week. The pub and brewery on East Michigan Avenue has room for 76 people and is often packed to standing-room-only on weekends, says Sylvester.
Not bad for two guys who started brewing beers at home with friends and relatives as their taste-testers.
"This exceeds both of our expectations and we’re still pushing forward," Sylvester says. "We’re hoping to start bottling very soon."
Writer: Kelle Barr, Second Wave
Source: Ryan Sylvester, Paw Paw Brewing Company
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