Alexander Alusheff

Lansing State Journal

MASON – For the last few months, Brian Rasdale watched as potential customers walked in the door of BAD Brewing Co. in downtown Mason only to walk back out because it was too packed.

“It would happen three days a week,” said Rasdale, who opened the 1,500-square-foot brewery in 2012. “It was too full.”

He bought the building next door that housed a vintage shop at 448 Jefferson Street in May 2015 to expand his tasting room and later began building a patio and beer garden behind the brewery. The roughly $90,000 renovation and expansion wrapped up this month and BAD Brewing opened the new space last weekend. With an extra 800 square feet of space on the inside and a 1,200-square-foot patio outside, the brewery can accommodate 180 people.

Lansing's craft beer scene is booming

It was roughly one-third of that number before.

“It feels good,” said Rasdale, who celebrated the expansion with a pig roast and live music. “I’m very proud of what we’ve done. It’s great the way the Lansing (region's) beer market is coming together.”

In its nearly four years in business, BAD Brewing has become a gathering place for the community, said Doug Klein, executive director of the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce.

“BAD Brewing is a destination,” he said. “It gives people something to talk about and visit. It’s a great place to gather with its new patio.”

The brewery features the food truck Good Bites from Tuesday through Saturday on the back patio, Rasdale said. It has also since expanded from 13 beers on tap to roughly 20. Its next block party is slated for Sept. 10.

Contact Alexander Alusheff at (517) 388-5973 or aalusheff@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexalusheff.