KALAMAZOO, MI --

Greg "Gonzo" Haner, a longtime homebrewer and the former brewmaster at Olde Peninsula Brewpub, said he plans to open a new microbrewery in downtown Kalamazoo.

Gonzo's Biggdogg Brewery will be located at 140 S. Westnedge Ave., in an approximately 11,000-square-foot space formerly used by the

car dealership.

Orrin B. Hayes will continue in business on its adjacent property on West Michigan Avenue.

Haner said he will lease the property from the Hayes family and expects to open the brewery in late fall. He said he worked with Southwest Michigan First to find the property. Construction is expected to begin in mid-to-late February, Haner said. He said the architect will be

and the construction company is

.

"We're going to try to hit the spectrum to appeal to everyone," Haner said of his beers. "I have about 69 beers on paper right now to make. I think that will keep me busy for a while."

Haner started homebrewing in 1992. He was the brewmaster at Olde Peninsula Brewpub when it opened in downtown Kalamazoo in 1996. He left Olde Peninsula in 2003. He then worked at

from 2003 until last year when he was laid off. Haner said he ran Kalsec's research brewery for six years.

"This is someone who has an established reputation in Kalamazoo," said Rob Peterson, business recruitment and retention director for Downtown Kalamazoo Inc.

Peterson said Biggdogg, along with the future additions of

and

, "adds another chapter to our beer story."

Peterson also said two downtown Kalamazoo restaurants are seriously considering brewing their own beer, one as early as this year.

"We're not done adding locally brewed beer to the Kalamazoo tap," he said.

As for Biggdogg, the garage area where the Orrin B. Hayes detailed cars will be home to his 15-barrel system, which he's already ordered.

The former dealership showroom will serve as the taproom.

Haner said he plans to sell beer on draft and in kegs initially. If business goes well early on, he will likely invest in a bottling line.

Haner also said he signed a distribution deal with Kalamazoo's Imperial Beverage.

John Liberty can be reached at 269-370-7372 or jlibert1@mlive.com. Follow me on Twitter @JohnTLiberty