Rockford Brewing Company

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cider. There’s also beer for the little ones. Root style. Every brewery starts down a different path. Many filled with potholes and forks in the road. Jeremey’s path to opening Coopersville Brewing started with a fork, literally. Born and raised in Coopersville, he left for a life in Chicago after graduating college in 2006. Before craft beer, Jeremy’s first discovery and passion in the big city was food. He told me a story about his first week in the Chicago. Walking down the street and seeing a small Thai restaurant. Something he hadn’t been exposed to growing up in Coopersville. The owner, maître d', and head chef (all the same person) gave him the grand tour. Starting with the herb garden, where he grew all his own ingredients for the restaurant and ending with a plate of Pad Thai in front of him. Jeremy could only describe it as the best Pad Thai he’s ever to this day. Looking for something just as good, he said “he’s been chasing the dragon ever since.” The fuse was lit and his eyes were now fully open. From Pad Thai his love for food turned to barbeque. Immersing himself into all things meat. How do you do everything he asked himself? Where do the meats come from? How is it prepared? Learning the ropes of what it is to do an 8-hour slow cook. Jeremy loves that barbeque is uniquely American. That passion for world class barbeque will be an addition to Coopersville Brewing. Opening in June, One Eyed Pete’s BBQ Restaurant will be located under the same roof. Served through a window inside the brewery. Chef Dan West is taking his own and Jeremy’s recipes, combined with his background and years of knowledge to put out one “dope” menu. As Jeremy put it. They shared a rough draft of the menu with me. I got to admit, instant mouth water. Lots of sharables like the Guac and

Chips made with Smoked White Fish, Bacon, Charred Poblano, Dried Cherries, and Lime! Or an Open Face Country Fried Collard Green Sandwich. They’ll also have BBQ Dinner Plates served with your choice of 1 to 3 different meats. And like the beers, all very reasonably priced! While still in Chicago, Jeremy and his now wife discovered a new passion, craft beer. It’s hard not to with breweries like Revolution and Goose Island. After 10 years living in Chicago, they moved back to Michigan. Sights set on opening a brewery and bringing both his new passions back home. Jeremy decided to repurpose a building that his family has owned since the 80’s. It sits directly next to the family business, Fun-nSun RV. From a laundry mat to multiple pizza joints, the building has been home to many different businesses over the years. Now with support from an excited community, an owner well versed in beer & BBQ, and an entire craft beer loving state, Coopersville Brewing Co. is here to stay. Coopersville Brewing Co. has built a great team to operate the brewery and restaurant. Along with head brewer Jim Goodburn and chef Dan West, Sean Sorensen is the General Manager of both C.B.C. & One Eyed Pete’s. He takes care of all the house duties. Besides the cows, Sean’s face will be one that’s a constant at the brewery. So, the next time you find yourself traveling along I-96 between Grand Rapids and Muskegon turn off at exit 16. Pass on by the fast-food, hit that roundabout, and you’ll find yourself at Coopersville Brewing Co. Beer, food, music, and sports all under one roof. Sounds like a good time to me! Like Christopher Wallace said “it was all a dream.” Jeremy, his family, and the team at Coopersville Brewing Company turned that dream into reality.

34 | www.MiBrewTrail.com MI Brew Trail | Summer 2021