I had the chance to stop by White Flame Brewing in Hudsonville, yes, Hudsonville, last week, with their brewers assistant, and Pilot Malt House Production Manager Ryan Hamilton. We talked White Flame Brewing, Michigan Craft Beer, art, life, and shared a flight of some great White Flame Ales.
Jenn and Bill White did not realize they were both home brewers until they moved in together and they both owned the same Williams Brewing Homebrew kits; they brewed some beer together. When they made the decision to open a craft brewery, they inquired around several communities and Hudsonville was the most welcoming and supportive and so was born White Flame Brewing Co. 2011. A little history lesson. Hudsonville voted to allow alcohol sales on November 6, 2007, ending its run as the last dry city in Michigan. White Flame is Hudsonville’s oldest brewery.
“Blood, Sweat, and Beers”
White Flame hired Andy Steenbergen as a brewer and since opening has expanded to 11 taps offering an excellent variety of American style ales. My flight started with their Eagle Eye Rye, an amber ale with a 6% ABV and a good amount of hop flavor. These guys stuff 30 Lbs of Rye into every 2 barrel batch! Next I tried the Super G IPA made with Galena hops and lots of malt. This beer is pushing 90 IBUs. Third in my flight was the Pale Otter Porter, named for the Maris Otter malt used. This porter does not disappoint. The Maris Otter comes through and this is delicious. Next I tried the Andy’s Double Tap, named not because it’s a “double” but for the double tap required when killing zombies! A session ale at 4.5%, it’s not my style but a very drinkable session with notable flavor. Last on this board was the Red Shoes Pale Ale. Made with Habaneros, this beer is tasty! A combination of Cascade and Zythos hops lends great backbone and the pepper does not overpower.
White Flame ‘Super G’ can by Chad Vugteveen
One of the great bonuses at White Flame is the awesome flash art of Chad Vugteveen hanging on the walls. Chad is an excellent artist and his work hanging in White Flame is ‘would be labels’ for their styles. They have done a canning run of their ‘Super G’ with Michigan Mobile Canning and Chad’s art translates beautifully.
White Flame Brewing is a perfect example of what a Michigan Craft Brewery can be and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, meeting Bill White and local printer Joe Boyer of West Coast Dry Goods and sharing a beer and some good conversation with Ryan Hamilton.
A few shots from inside White Flame Brewing Company
MiCraftBeerCulture 