The creativity of brewing has always excited me. I love creating recipes inspired by our community's history, it's people, and the local foods our farmers produce.
— Ethan, The Highway Brewing Company
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THE BEERS BEHIND THE STORY
Angry Bride Amber Ale
ABV: 5.4% | IBU: 25
A malt forward amber ale with a honey like sweetness and a balanced hop bitterness. The name really needs no explanation, but the brewer insists - he must explain himself. This beer was brewed the day before the wedding - with his future wife's permission - end of explanation.
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toward what would eventually become The Highway Brewing Company. Little did he know that the small batch, that would later be dumped down the drain, would begin a passion for craft beer.
Prior to this undercover experimentation within Hillside Place at Michigan Technological University, Ethan met Erin. Their relationship spanned 448 miles, with Ethan in the Upper Peninsula and Erin in their hometown of West Branch. What brought them together were the long stretches of Michigan highways they traveled to visit one another.
Eventually getting married, and both moving back home to West Branch. Ethan and Erin started dreaming about a brewery in the heart of their downtown, and always stopped to admire one building in particular. Over the course of the next few years, that dream became reality. That building was transformed and created the home of The Highway Brewing Company.
W
hen Ethan started brewing beer in his dorm room at college, he had no idea that a path was being forged
Now, the scale of Ethan’s experiments are larger, and the distance between the couple is smaller, but the heart of both are not lost. While Ethan now brews on a 3 barrel system, rather than a home brew kit, he still is just as excited about new recipes and flavors. And while Ethan and Erin are back home in West Branch, they still enjoy road trips and exploring.
Just as highways bring people together, it is our goal to do the same at The Highway Brewing Company. Beer has a long, rich history of connecting individuals and even civilizations, and we believe that power is still very strong today.
While craft beer is what started this journey, Ethan and Erin’s vision of a small taproom has grown. We are excited to share our passion for craft in all forms with our community, whether it be through our food, our craft cocktails, or of course, our handcrafted ales.
Located in downtown West Branch, The Highway offers elevated pub fare, 16 taps, and an extensive cocktail menu.
The Highway Brewing Company opened in January 2018 and is located in downtown West Branch, Michigan. Serving delicious flavors in a historical building, The Highway offers a unique atmosphere.
With 6 flagship brews and rotating seasonal offerings all brewed on site, The Highway also features a carefully curated cocktail menu that highlights Michigan spirits.
The Highway’s interior, designed by owners Ethan and Erin Resteiner, pays tribute to the history of the building as the original West Branch Fire Hall. The multi-level brewpub offers the choice to observe Houghton Avenue through the original style windows in the 2nd floor lounge, catch some fresh air on the 2nd floor rooftop patio, or enjoy the main dining room complete with a repurposed brick bar and operating glass garage door.
WHAT's ON TAP
Highway 55 Wheat Ale
ABV: 5.4% | IBU: 20
A refreshing ale brewed with wheat, sweet orange peel, and coriander seeds. West Branch sits at the intersection of three Chippewa footpaths, one is M-55. M-55 is also one of only three state highways that extends across the Lower Peninsula from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan.
Bituminous Black Ale
ABV: 5.8% | IBU: 24
Don't let its name, or color, fool you! This light bodied black ale has a smooth roasted malt flavor and a mild, balanced bitterness. Named more after its appearance than its taste. Bitumen is a black, viscous, tar like substance used in asphalt road construction.
Hobo City Milk Stout
ABV: 4.0% | IBU: 20
This stout is brewed with lactose and flaked oats to produce a smooth and creamy beer. It has a rich roasted aroma with subtle hints of chocolate from the malt. Hobo City was where hobo's would gather in the early 1900's while passing through West Branch.
Knee High Golden Ale
ABV: 4.7% | IBU: 14
An easy drinking and refreshing ale brewed with barley and flaked maize. It has a light body with a crisp finish and a subtle corn flavor and aroma.
Chief Ogemaw IPA
ABV: 5.0% | IBU: 60
A session IPA with earth, pine, and citrus characteristics. Dry hopped with Columbus, and Cascade hops. Ogemaw County takes its name from Ogemaw Ke-Ke-To, now known as Chief Ogemaw. As Chief, he spoke before congress and ruled the Chippewas until his death in 1840.
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