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They may have fun with their establishment’s conversation-starting name, but the family that owns and operates Dog & Pony Show Brewing in Oak Park, don’t have to rely on gimmicks or overblown messaging to attract attention and customers.
On June 11 the craft brewery and tap room celebrated its 1-year anniversary. Anyone who has launched a business will tell you that the first year or two is clearly the most challenging and the folks at Dog & Pony viewed the milestone as a cause for celebration. They had a big bash featuring live music, special beer releases and a who’s who of Food Trucks to mark the occasion.
“It’s been an incredible year,” said Kyle Gierada, who along with his wife Stephanie is the microbrewery’s majority owner. “No complaints. It’s gone as good as we could have hoped.”
Gierada’s two younger brothers, Aaron and the youngest, Josh, are also part of the family business. The three run Dog & Pony together. Kyle takes care of the business side of the operation, while Aaron handles social media, merchandising and design work and Josh is the head brewer.
BY JON BECKER
three brothers and a
brewery in oak park
Gierada’s two younger brothers, Aaron and the youngest, Josh, are also part of the family business. The three run Dog & Pony together. Kyle takes care of the business side of the operation, while Aaron handles social media, merchandising and design work and Josh is the head brewer.
They also field a lot of compliments for the 12 beers they always have on tap. The commitment to producing
quality products and putting out the red carpet for its customers stands out.
“We’ve been so lucky to have Oak Park and neighboring Berkeley behind us,” Gierada said. “We’ve had a ton of support from them. This is a special community.”
Gierada likes to give credit where credit is due and he’s quick to point out the difference Dog & Pony consultant Doug Dozark has made. A good friend, Dozark owns Cycle Brewing Company in St. Petersburg, Florida. Having his experience to rely on, especially in the early stages of the Gierada business, has been invaluable.
Recognition from your peers may be the highest form of praise and Dog & Pony has received positive feedback from well-established Michigan brewers, such as Griffin Claw, Ferndale Market and the Eastern Market, to name a few.
“It’s nice to get recognition from your peers,” Gierada said. “The craft beer community is tight-knit and we support each other.”
When Michigan Brew Trail caught up with Kyle Gierada it was a few days before the big 4th of July weekend and the Dog & Pony founder was hard at work.
“We’re brewing a corn lager this morning,” he said. “We’re also bottling barley wine that rested on vanilla beans. We’re going to release it over the 4th of July holiday.”
They produced 500 barrels of beer in their first year and have a goal of reaching the 1,000 barrel threshold this year.
“That’s not bad for our first year,” Gierada said. “We currently outsource our canning, which kind of limits us. We have a goal of starting our own canning line, so we are working on that.”
They have also made it a point to be a company that is civic minded, giving back to a community that is supporting their business. People who walk through the doors at Dog & Pony often become much more than customers to the Gierada Family. That’s part of the beauty of being part of the craft beer industry in Michigan.
If you think dreams, even ones some might consider outlandish, don’t come through you may want to ruminate over a brew or two with the Gierada boys at Dog & Pony.
“We plan to continue to do this for years to come,” Gierada said. “The entire team at Dog & Pony are extremely grateful to Oak Park and the many surrounding communities for not only a memorable one-year anniversary event but for making our first year in business special.”
Check out Dog & Pony Show Brewing and many other Michigan breweries at the Great Lakes Beer Festival at Dow Diamond in Midland on August 20. Details and tickets at www.GreatLakesBeerFestival.com.
LaGrow Organic Beer Company is the only commercially distributed organic beer in the Midwest.Two of its products, Citra Blonde Ale and a Midwest Style IPA, can be found in about 90 Meijer stores across the state of Michigan.
“We’re a 3-headed decision maker,” said Kyle Gierada. “We all switch roles from time to time. We respect each other’s roles and since we grew up together we know how to make it work.”
Childhood experiences with their Marine father were how the brothers came up with Dog & Pony for their brewery’s name. The boys, as boys do, got a bit rambunctious from time to time.
“Our Dad would come home to 3 rowdy boys running around the house and he would ask ‘what is this dog & pony show?’ We get a lot of questions about our name.”
Dog and Pony Show Brewing
14661 W Eleven Mile Rd Suite 200, Oak Park, MI 48237
(248) 850-8910
dogandponyshowbrewing.com
Dog and Pony Show Brewing
201 N. Mitchell St. Suite 102
Cadillac, MI 49601
(248) 850-8910
dogandponyshowbrewing.com
MIBREW TRAIL MAGAZINE
Summer 2022
Check out Hearst’s newest brand showcasing Michigan Breweries at MiBrewTrail.com.
Back to Top
Home
Check out Hearst’s newest brand showcasing Michigan Breweries at MiBrewTrail.com.
Back to Top
MIBREW TRAIL MAGAZINE
SUMMEr 2022