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What’s in a Name?
Salty Pecker Begins New Brewery Journey in Norton Shores
"MEET THE BREWERS" ARCHIVES
In the world of craft brewing, he is said to be a risk-taker who is not shy about making different beers.
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MANDA GEIGER: A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
As the only female brewer at Dragonmead Brewery, a popular, family-orientated brewery, Geiger is said to be a breath of fresh air in the world of craft brewing.
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JEF SMITH: high stakes brewer at loaded dice brewery
Check out Hearst’s newest brand showcasing Michigan Breweries at MiBrewTrail.com.
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MANDA GEIGER: A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
As the only female brewer at Dragonmead Brewery, a popular, family-orientated brewery, Geiger is also said to be a breath of fresh air in the world of craft brewing.
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GARY MARSHALL: MASTERMIND AT CADILLAC STRAITS
Gary is said to be a dedicated and happy family man who puts his time into high quality, craft brewing.
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GARY MARSHALL: MASTERMIND AT CADILLAC STRAITS
Gary is said to be a dedicated and happy family man who puts his time into high quality, craft brewing.
READ MORE
JEF SMITH: high stakes
brewer at loaded dice
brewery
MANDA GEIGER: A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
GARY MARSHALL:
MASTERMIND AT
CADILLAC STRAITS
Norton Shores, a scenic small town on the shores of Lake Michigan, has a new addition to the landscape that causes heads to turn and smiling conversations to begin. The source of the excitement in West Michigan is Salty Pecker Brewing Company, a family-owned microbrewery that opened its doors on September 2.
The husband wife team of Derek and Jennifer Olsen, longtime home brewers, are now living their dream as proud proprietors of their own brewery, one that has certainly caught people’s attention.
“We’ve been well-received by the community,” said Derrick Olson. “There are three nearby breweries in downtown Muskegon, so people knew what to expect. The skids were greased for Norton Shores to have their own brewery. There isn’t much on our side of town.”
The locals love having a hangout to call their own, while tourists, often in the area on bus tours, just have to stop in when they see the taproom awning with the unusual name and its logo—a pileated woodpecker.
The brewery is located at 255 Seminole Road, just off the main business corridor, Business 96, a well-traveled route that leads motorists into Norton Shores and Muskegon.
“Anyone driving from the south or from the east is going to drive right by us,” Olsen said. “The visibility is fantastic. All of the people doing brewery tours have no choice but to check out the place with the funny name and logo. The other half of our clientele our locals who are happy to have their own watering hole.”
BY Jon Becker for MiBrew Trail
What’s in a Name?
Salty Pecker Begins New Brewery Journey in Norton Shores
MEET THE BREWER
SALTY PECKER BREWING CO.
Ah, yes, the name. Let’s get to that.
“People love it,” Olsen said. “My wife came up with it. As soon as she said it, we knew we had the right name for our business. It came from a hiking trip. We have a lot of pileated woodpeckers around here. We registered the name as a Mother’s Day gift to her. People come into our taproom, get a t-shirt and have fun with it. It brings joy.”
The Olsens have a teenage son who has been known to wear his woodpecker-adorned Salty Pecker t-shirt to school.
“What can they say,”” muses Olsen. “He’s supporting the family business.”
Olsen has been home brewing since 2004 when he bought his first kit. It didn’t take long for him to get caught up in the process.
“After that I was in love with the magic of brewing,” he said. “How cool, this magical process to make beer.”
At Salty Pecker, they like to make what Olsen calls easy to drink approachable beers. There are 9 beers on tap, including Salty’s Big Red, Irish-style red ale (4.6 ABV) that doesn’t overwhelm the taste buds.
“It doesn’t have too strong of a flavor. It’s less hoppy than a lot of IPA’s,” Olsen said. “We make things a little more on the light side here. Frankly, it’s good for business. People can have 3 or 4 and still enjoy themselves. We do offer a few stronger beers for the heavy hitters as well, such as our strong scotch ale, Kilted Pecker (8.3 ABV)."
Hoppy Pecker (5.6 ABV), a very mild brew, and Cherry Popper, a light wheat ale infused with tart cherries are a few other popular customer choices.
“It’s crisp and light with no artificial flavors,” Olsen said. “Everyone likes it. It’s delicious.”
On a recent Thursday night, Derek and Jennifer Olsen got an early glimpse of what the Salty Pecker seems on track to become: a hotspot for locals to gather to watch the big game or for tourists who enjoy a taste of what the noted West Michigan craft beer scene has come to represent.
“I just tapped a butterscotch porter (6.2 ABV) last night and think everyone who came in ordered one,” Olsen said. “We have about 4,000 Facebook friends. It’s dark, roasty and mildly sweet. Good for the colder months.”
Salty Pecker doesn’t serve food but is food friendly, meaning patrons can bring in their own grub.
“We’ve partnered with a couple of Food Trucks,” Olsen said. “That’s worked out well.”
The brew house, due to popular demand, has already expanded its hours one month since opening. Originally open Thursday through Saturday from 4-10 p.m., Salty Pecker is now open from 1-6 p.m. on Sundays.
“The support has been amazing,” Olsen said. “Much love to our community.”
Caption Salty Pecker Owners photo with: Salty Pecker owners Jennifer and Derek Olsen inside Salty Pecker in Norton Shores (photo provided by Salty Pecker).
