Cheers! Canton gets its first microbrewery

Barry and Cara Boggs are making Canton a little more hip every time they pour a craft beer that they made in their own microbrewery.

They have put Canton on Michigan's ever-growing craft beer map by opening Canton Brew Works, the community's first microbrewery and tap room. It's located in the Golden Gate shopping center, on Lilley south of Joy.

"We love craft beer," Barry Boggs said, wearing a T-shirt sporting the industrial-looking Canton Brew Works logo as he brewed the latest batch of beer.

The couple, residents of Canton, used to drive out of town to savor craft beer. Then, they started making it at home. They liked their own brew so much they began entering contests, snagging a few awards in Chicago competitions.

Canton resident Jonathan Hicks, who dabbles in home-brewing, counts himself among the Canton Brew Works customers. Even before it opened, he had been to a beer-tasting gathering at the Boggs' home.

"They make some amazing beer," he said. "I'm a Canton resident and I'm a beer snob. I try to go to as many breweries as possible. Having one that's close to home — and one that's good — is amazing."

Hicks recalled trying one of the Boggs' creations called Cloud Drifter, an American brown ale with coffee added. "I like that one a lot," he said.

The independent craft beer industry is having a tangible economic impact in Michigan, which is ranked fifth in the nation by the Colorado-based Brewers Association for the most breweries. The association says the economic impact in Michigan surpassed the $1 million-a-year mark in 2012 — and continues to increase.

Mary Halfpenny, co-publisher of Michigan Beer Guide, said Michigan has about 200 breweries and the number is growing. "This number is always a moving target," she said.

Andy Sparhawk, Brewers Association craft beer program coordinator, said the industry's growth is startling.

"Every 16 hours another brewery opens in America," he said, attributing the increase to beer-makers serving up innovative styles and flavors. "It's just a fact that Americans love flavor."

Barry Boggs, who formerly had a career in website development, now works long hours at Canton Brew Works.

"If it's less than 12 (hours a day), it's a good day," he said.

Cara Boggs helps her husband make the beer and serve it, but she also has another career. She is encouraged by the customer response to Canton Brew Works, a 1,700-square-foot brewery, with an industrial decor, that can accommodate 48 patrons.

Cara Boggs said "it's very cool" to have opened Canton's first microbrewery, which draws customers from neighboring communities such as Plymouth and Westland.

"I think it's really exciting and the response we've gotten from the community so far is just fantastic," she said. "We've heard from a lot of people that this is something Canton needed."

Canton Brew Works' latest flavors are Shakedown Pale Ale; Alien AutHOPsy, which is a double IPA; Twist n' Stout, a brown stout; Cloudy Day IPA, an India pale ale; and Congeniator, a brown ale.

Barry Boggs said he expects to expand to eight taps and eventually sell carryout beer in 64-ounce growlers, or reusable glass containers. Brewery business hours are typically 4-10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, but those, too, are expected to grow after the business has its official grand opening May 15, which coincides with American Craft Beer Week, May 11-17.

Barry Boggs, who attended a brew school in Chicago, said the brewing process involves a series of tanks where water is heated, grain is added and boiling occurs. Then hops are added, the liquid undergoes a chilling process and goes into a fermenter, where yeast is added. Then, it goes into yet another barrel where it is carbonated. From there it flows to a cooler before it is poured from the tap.

Barry Boggs has a long list of craft beers he likes.

"Everything but smoked beer," he said, "It tastes like somebody poured liquid smoke in it."

Does he ever stray from craft beer? Yes, but not often.

"I'll still drink a Miller Lite if I'm mowing the lawn," he said.

For more, go to www.cantonbrewworks.com.

dclem@hometownlife.com

Twitter: @CantonObserver

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