Brite eyes brewing

Kalamazoo microbrewery Brite Eyes Brewing Co. aims to raise $12,500 on Kickstarter for brewing equipment

KALAMAZOO, MI -- A microbrewery startup in Kalamazoo is turning to Kickstarter to raise $12,500 they need to buy a brewing system.

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Brite Eyes Brewing Co. LLC, owned by Brian and Shelby Pierce, launched their 30-day goal on Nov. 11, and so far have just over $1,200 raised for their 1-barrel brewing system. The upgraded system will allow Brite Eyes to brew up to 520 barrels of beer a year.

Brian and Shelby Pierce said in a press release the brewery aims to open a tap room in 2014, and that the owners are looking at several buildings in the Kalamazoo area for the "best location for long-term success."

Brite Eyes, which has participated in the November Art Hop in Kalamazoo and plans to participate again in December, aims to be a brewery and a coffee house. It will have a deli menu that will includes sliced meats, salads, soups and house-baked bread.

Brite Eyes has until Dec. 11 to make its goal. Kickstarter will not charge anyone who pledges for their donations unless the full $12,500 is pledged.

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We're working hard to open the next great craft brewery in Kalamazoo, MI. We need to upgrade our current brewing system to meet demand.

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Brite Eyes Brewing Co. looks at South Burdick building for future brewery and coffeehouse

Brite Eyes Brewing Co. received a zoning variance Thursday for a microbrewery and coffee shop at 1156 S. Burdick St. Katie Alaimo

KALAMAZOO, MI — The owners of a microbrewery are eyeing a South Burdick Street building for their business.

Brite Eyes Brewing Co. is proposed for 1156 S. Burdick St. near the intersection of South Burdick Street and Crosstown Parkway in Kalamazoo .

Owner Brian Pierce on Thursday received a use variance from the Kalamazoo Zoning Board of Appeals to allow the building to be used as a coffee house and microbrewery. Under the city's zoning code, only brewpubs, not microbreweries, are allowed in the community commercial zoning district.

A business designated as a microbrewery by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission can brew beer for on-site consumption as well as for off-site sales. A business with a brewpub license can brew beer only for on-site consumption and can sell food as takeout or for onsite consumption.

The Zoning Board of Appeals voted 6-0 to approve the use variance.

Pierce plans a coffee house and microbrewery with a deli-style food menu, similar to other microbreweries in Kalamazoo including Tibbs Brewing Co.. Rupert's Brew House and Gonzo's Biggdogg Brewery .

Being able to sell beer for off-premises use will allow Brite Eyes to participate in local and regional beer festivals, and self-distribute, Pierce wrote to the zoning board in a memo.

"This will allow us to generate over three times the revenue we would with a brewpub license, creating additional jobs and needed tax revenue for the city and state," Pierce wrote.

Brite Eyes will open each day with coffee, close with beer

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The next addition to the Southwest Michigan craft beer scene hopes not only to serve high quality cold ones, but some of the best hot beverages in town, too.

In a way, Brite Eyes Brewing Co. owes its forthcoming existence as much to non-drinkers as it does to those who enjoy tipping back a craft brew or two.

"My wife does not drink," says Brian Pierce, Brite Eyes founder and brewer. "I love craft beer, but when I drag her to a craft beer bar they don't always have something for her."

Which is why besides offering a rotating list of beers, Brite Eyes will also function as a coffee house, art studio, and local craft and food market.

"It's going to be a unique atmosphere. We're going to have a merch area that will be like a little general store and Kalamazoo gift shop. Very similar to Made in Kalamazoo. We'll have our stuff, some craft folks who have merchandise, a newsstand, so you can grab a paper, coffee you can take home, bread from Victorian Bakery," Pierce says.

Named in part for the Brite Tank, a large, stainless steel vessel used to carbonate and store beer, Brite Eyes will be located at 1156 S. Burdick Street and will give Pierce, a musician, former deli worker and home brewer, a chance to blend three of his passions: art, food, and libations.

Pierce has spent the past year in full on fundraising mode, and is now about ready to start retrofitting the former indoor farmers market building to house his brewing equipment, a kitchen and the coffee house and pub.

"We've been in fundraising mode for a while and now were looking to get into the build out," Pierce says. "In November we want to get to work on the building. We're thinking about two months build out and then a soft opening period where we have the coffee house and deli going while we're being licensed for the brewhouse. Once we can serve beer we'll have the grand opening in the spring."

During the day, Brite Eyes will function as a full-on coffee house and lunch spot serving coffee locally roasted by Johnny Java and offering a menu of gourmet sandwiches, salads, and soups then transition into brewery mode during the late afternoon and evening.

"We want to be more of a place where people come with their laptops and get some work done, or have a business lunch, maybe come after work for a couple drinks. We won't be open late, maybe 9 p. m. during the week 11 p. m. on the weekend," Pierce says.

Pierce hopes the business will draw people down South Burdick and function as a place where people either begin their evenings out or stop by on their way home from work.

Though Brite Eyes will start small, Pierce says if the reception is strong enough there is room in the building to expand.

"The little strip of property out front on the corner of Burdick and Crosstown is city owned, but the owners of our building are working on acquiring that so we can put a beer garden in," Pierce says.

Other potential expansions could be expedited as Pierce has first right of refusal of the back space which is currently an artists studio, and also first right or refusal in purchasing the building outright if the owners choose to sell.

"If that comes to pass we could put a much bigger brewery out back," Pierce says.

First though, Pierce is just wants to get Brite Eyes open and give area beer and coffee fans somewhere mutually agreeable to gather.

"Somewhere to bring the coffeehouse world and the brewery world together--somewhere where you can sit and hang out with friends no matter what you choose to drink," Pierce says.

For more information on Brite Eyes Brewing Co. visit: briteeyesbrewingco. com

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Details

C-Brite Sanitizer Cleaner is a great way to clean and sanitize all your home brewing and wine making equipment. It is safe to use on all plastics, glass and metals.

Keep out of reach of children

Danger! Highly corrosive to eyes. Can cause irreversible damage. Causes burns to skin. Irritating to nose and throat. May be fatal if swallowed. Will burn with the evolution of chlorine and toxic gases.

Do not get in eyes, on skin or clothing. Wear goggles or face shield and rubber gloves when handling. Avoid or face shield and rubber gloves when handling. Avoid breathing dust or fumes. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. Remove and wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

IN CASE OF FIRE, if possible isolate container in open air or well ventilated area. Flood with large volume of water.

Containes: Sodium Dichloro - s - triazinetrione dihydrate; Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Tripolyphosphate

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