Shelby Adolescent Health Center to host open house Tuesday Page 3a
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Oceana’s
Pirates edge Tigers in last-second thriller
Herald-Journal
Page B1
Herald-Journal Writer
After hearing a recommendation from county Administrator Sue Johnson, the Oceana County Board of Commissioners took no action regarding a proposal to combine the county clerk and register of deeds offices Feb. 11. Johnson said she performed more research about combining the of-
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Panthers win district again
Whitehall too much for Tigers Page B1
New brew in town Dave and Leslie Hansen, owners of Big Hart Brewing Company, enjoy pints of the brewery’s Dry Stout, one of 12 beers brewed at their new Polk Road micro-brewery. Big Hart Brewing Company will host a soft opening Feb. 20-21 before opening for normal business hours Monday, Feb. 22. Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
Administrator recommends against combining county clerk/ register’s offices By John Cavanagh
Three sections 26 pages
fices following a Jan. 28 public hearing where virtually everyone who spoke opposed the idea. In her written recommendation, Johnson wrote, “While I still believe efficiencies can be realized by combining the offices, it seems this may not be
ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDS NOT COMBINING OFFICES continued on 6a
Pearson resigns Main Street manager position Board chair hopes to hire new manager by July 1
By John Cavanagh Herald-Journal Writer
HART — Hart’s Main Street Manager Ingrid Pearson will be leaving the program at the end of this month. Pearson submitted her letter of resignation to Hart Main Street Board Chairman Anne Hardy Feb. 8. Pearson has accepted a position as the state director of the Kansas Main Pearson Street Program. Her last work day will be Feb. 26. “I’m going to miss everybody here so much,” Pearson said. “(It was) not
Dave and Leslie Hansen’s Big Hart Brewing Co. set to open this weekend By Ross Field OHJ Contributing Writer
On a cold weekday in early February, a building on Polk Road outside of Hart was a flurry of activity. Carpenters and plumbers scurried about putting finishing touches to an interior that features hardwoods from the forests of Oceana County and the “yellow” brick once manufactured in Pentwater. Staff members worked intently Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal over laptop computers managing a website, and from an The dining area of Big Hart Brewing Company gives diners a glimpse into the on site brewery. Dave Hansen, below, displays a pint of Big Hart’s adjacent room came the unDry Stout. mistakable smell of hops and malt undergoing the alchemy of of this dream? their son, Walt Hansen, and his brewing. For Leslie it was studying the Biercamp establishment in Ann Big Hart Brewing Company, Michigan Beer Guild’s map of Arbor, at guild events. the latest dream of Dave and craft breweries while helping “We were looking at that map Leslie Hansen, and couldn’t help noticing that will be opening there was a big gap between this weekend. And just what BIG HART BREWING CO. was the genesis continued on 7a
PEARSON RESIGNS
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Hart woman charged with embezzlement from area grocery
A Hart area woman is facing a felony embezzlement charge for allegedly taking in excess of $50,000 during a roughly six-year period while an employee at the Gale’s IGA grocery store in Hart. Hart City Police Chief Dan Leimback said Laura Yvonne Routley, 49, of 765 E. Hazel Rd., Hart, turned herself in to the Oceana County Jail Feb. 12. She is charged with one count of embezzlement by an agent or trustee $20,000, but less than $50,000. She has been arraigned in 78th District Court in Hart and bond was set at $10,000, 10 percent. Court staff believed bond had been posted as of Tuesday. Leimback said police believe Routley took money from the store from 2009 through January of this year. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine or three times the amount embezzled, whichever is greater. A district court preliminary conference hearing is scheduled for Feb. 22.
NAF announces changes to Asparagus Queen eligibility requirement Queen to receive $1,000 scholarship/ charitable donation
For the second time in five years the National Asparagus Festival Board of Directors plan to make a change in the eligibility requirement for those seeking the title of Asparagus Queen. “We are extending the eligibility requirement to now include “graduating high
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school students and older,”” NAF Queen Coordinator Christine Rickard said. After 37 years of crowning a Mrs. Asparagus the NAF board lifted the requirement that the Asparagus queen must be married prior to the 2012 contest. The then new rule required candidates be 19 years old or older. In addition to the change in eligibility requirement the NAF board also announced that the 2016 Asparagus Queen will also receive a $1,000 scholarship (for those attending college) or a $1,000 donation to the Oceana County charitable organization of her choice.
“The NAF hopes this will encourage candidates to consider running as well as giving us the opportunity to give back to the community that has supported us for 43 years,” Rickard said. The 42nd Asparagus Queen and runnerup will be crowned Saturday, June 4 at the culmination of the festival’s Asparagus Banquet and Pageant one week prior to the festival June 10-12 in Hart. Rickard said she plans to host an informal
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Attempted Shelby robbery suspect arrested
Veltman
A suspect has been arrested in connection with the Jan. 7 attempted armed robbery of the Mitt Stop at 269 S. State St. in Shelby. Police arrested Timothy Veltman, 31 of Shelby and charged him with attempted robbery. His bond was set at $10,000, 10 percent has been posted. According to Oceana County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Craig Mast, the Shelby Police
SUSPECT ARRESTED
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Big Hart Brewing Co. Whitehall and Ludington, and thinking maybe this would be a good place for a brewery,” Leslie explained. For Dave, it always came down to the water. “There are a lot of fantastic beers being made in Michigan, and they are making them with water that doesn’t even come close to Hart’s water quality. Our water is the best in the state. It comes right out of the ground, there’s nothing added to it,” Hansen said. “We are using artesian well water to brew artisan beer,” said Dave. Big Hart Brewing Company will be serving locally made and sourced beer and food in a building that will seat 150 patrons in the bar and dining areas. In the warmer months patrons will have access to an 80-seat Beer Garden on the west side of the building, and to the 25-seat patio facing Polk Road. And it has taken a team to get this far. Not only have numerous local craftsmen been on board, but also folks with vast experience in the restaurant and brewing business. Phil Thomson is the general manager, and comes to Big Hart with a wealth of knowledge of all things beer. “I worked for New Holland Brewing Company for the last eight years,” said Thomson, “and I’m really well-acquainted with the beer scene in Michigan and on the national level.” Thomson is a certified cicerone, one of only a few in the state of Michigan. A cicerone in the brewing world is equivalent to a wine sommelier, a master who is knowledgeable about all types of beer, and of every step and ingredient in the brewing process. Thomson has put the staff of Big Hart Brewing through extensive training. “Our expectations, to put it mildly, are high,” said Thomson. “There can only be one best, and we intend to be the best. It’s a high bar to set.” “We’re going to go for it,” said Leslie. “We want everybody to know what the bounty of Oceana County is all about. Beer tourism is a huge draw now in Michigan, and locally sourced food is something we believe in.” Preparing this bounty of the county will be executive chef, Quinton Meddles, who comes to the kitchen of Big Hart Brewing with a wealth of experience. “A really good thing happened when Quinton came in,” Dave said. “He prepared some food for us, and it was absolutely fantastic.” “I want the menu to be reflective of what is available during each season in Oceana County,” said Meddles. “And I want that menu to also reflect the continuing evolution of my cooking knowledge.” “We want the producers of the food to be able to come in here and tell their friends, this came from our farm,” adds Thomson. And that local source of products extends to the beer that is being brewed, as Big Hart has 400 pounds of hops grown by Major Farms in eastern Oceana County on hand. Turning those hops into beer will be the job of head brewer, Teo Watson-
Oceana’s Herald-Journal • February 18, 2016 • 7a
Big Hart Brewing Co. beers
from Page 1a
Belgian Brown
A balance of fruity notes that compliment a roasty caramel flavor from a hint of brown English malt against a backdrop of bready German malts.
Smoked Porter
A proper blast of smokey flavor from German beechwoodsmoked malt tempered with an array of English roasted malts. The hop bitterness blends with the aggressive smokey flavor and itself lends to the roasty malt character
English Brown
Light toffee and toasted bread notes accentuated by a light dash of hops come together for this refreshing all-British malt beer.
Double Ipa
A strong American-style IPA that packs a full-power hop aroma blast in each sip. A small amount of Belgian sugar amps up the strength while leaving it drier than an all-malt beer.
Imperial stout
A rich, chocolatey strong stout with hints of stone fruit and a distinct warming presence.
Agave Amber
Made as a loving tribute to the famous cactus, this strong hoppy amber ale blends German malts, blue agave syrup and American hops. Andrew Skinner • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
Big Hart Brewing Co. staff members include, from left to right, Brad Edwards, assistant general manager; Phil Thomson, general manager; Dan Buozis, assistant brewer; Teo Watson-Ahlbrandt, hear of brewing operations; and Quinton Meddles, chef. Below, Watson-Ahlbrandt checks on the brewing process.
“We’re going to
A classic aggressive hop aroma. As a session beer it is low in gravity (alcohol) but is positively bursting with hops.
American Blonde
A refreshing beer, with restrained hop aroma, lets the fine German malts take the stage for a round.
Helles Alt
A throwback to older brewing methods. More golden-pale than most modern German amber versions.
Dry Stout
A tribute to the classic Irish stout, this low gravity beer strikes a balance between roasty malt and refined hop character that pleases to the last drop. Dark roasty flavours are dominant but are more chocolatey than bitter.
Malt Cider
Not quite hard cider, not quite beer, this strong hybrid of the two has a distinct apple character with a lingering malt sweetness. Features a local apple blend from Fleming’s Cider in conjunction with a strong malt base made from the British grown Maris Otter malt and just a tiny dash of hops.
— Leslie Hansen Co-owner Big Hart Brewing Co.
“We’ll be able to brew up to 50 kegs a week when we really get it rocking.” Taking in the big dining room and all of the people working to make Big Hart Brewing a reality, Dave smiled, and said, “We have put together an awesome team here. We want to make
sure that when someone visits us, it is a memorable experience, every time.” Big Hart Brewery Company will host a soft opening Saturday, Feb. 20 from 4-11 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 21 from 4-10 p.m. Normal business hours take affect Monday, Feb. 22.
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Big Hart Brewing Co. also offers a “Mug Club.” Limited to 400 people, the $40 yearly subscription allows for members to 16 oz. pours for the same price as a 12 oz. pour for everyone else, discounts and the ability to earn points ($1) for every $10 spent.
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Big Hart Brewing Company, 4086 W Polk Rd, in Hart is open: Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (kitchen closes at 10 p.m.), Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. (kitchen closes at 11 p.m.) and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (kitchen closes at 9 p.m.).
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By pairing lightly roasted Vienna malt with pale British base malt, Big Hart has created a piquant and almost winey backdrop for one of its hoppiest beers on the menu. The malt leaves it a bit closer to the amber spectrum than many American IPAs.
Session Pale Ale
go for it. We want everybody to know what the bounty of Oceana County is all about. Beer tourism is a huge draw now in Michigan, and locally sourced food is something we believe in.,” Ahlbrandt who also brews for Walt Hansen’s Biercamp in Ann Arbor. Watson-Ahlbrandt comes to Big Hart following stints at Dark Horse Brewing Co. in Marshall, Mich. and Arbor Brewing Company in Ypsilanti, Mich. While Watson-Ahlbrandt will be on hand part-time, assistant brewer Dan Buozis, a Hart native with years of brewing experience will be running the system on a day-to-day basis. “I have over 30 years of experience in home brewing,” said Buozis. “My interest in brewing began when I worked at a brewery in Germany. My first job was sweeping the floors in a brewery. That’s how it all got started.” “It never would have happened without Dan,” said Dave Hansen. Big Hart’s brewery is a 10-barrel system capable of brewing 20 kegs each week on average. By the State of Michigan’s legal definition, Big Hart Brewing Company is a micro-brewery, and it will be able to sell only beer brewed on the premises. Growlers will be available for take-out, and eventually Big Hart may begin bottling their brews on site. However, Big Hart will be making kegs of their brew available to local dining establishments. “It’s so fun to walk up to a big brewing system like this and make beer.” said Buozis.
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