Just in time for holiday parties all across the region, Jay Fettig’s team at North Pier Brewing Company in Benton Harbor has delivered a brew that the rehabilitated Ebenezer Scrooge might have enjoyed in the company of Bob Cratchit.
North Pier Brewing has released ‘Old Shuck,’ a traditional London Porter with medium-bodied flavors, an intensely rich dark color, and low ABV. They tell us the easy-drinking version of the traditional working-man’s beer is an ode to Old Shuck, the ghostly demon dog that roamed the countryside of 16th-century England. A richly deep, dark brown color with medium body and bitterness, Old Shuck features big coffee aromas, making it would could be the perfect roasty ale to drink around a fire with friends, after a day on the slopes, or while enjoying the holidays with family.
Brewmaster Steve Distasio says Old Shuck is brewed with London ale yeast and four different malts that pair perfectly with a late addition of earthy English Fuggle hops. The dark brown color belies its smooth warm flavor and approachable 5% ABV. He says Old Shuck aims to replicate a classic London porter, which was enjoyed after a long day’s work and before heading home to family.
Says Distasio, “While studying brewing in the U.K., I sampled many traditional London porters and was blown away by the lighter-bodied, easier-drinking style – which you don’t usually see in porters here in the U.S.” He adds, “From the beginning, I knew I wanted to create an amazing London porter that represented the true characteristics of this very old style: a beer with warm, rich flavors but not the sweetness, bitterness, or high ABV commonly found in porters today.”
Old Shuck joins North Pier’s flagship beers, Buckrider and The Conjurer, available for purchase in 4-packs of 16-ounce cans. Buckrider is the brewery’s 6.7% ABV Belgian-style twist on an IPA, and The Conjurer is an aromatic Belgian Golden Strong with a surprising 8.7% ABV.
Jay Fettig himself says, “We’re focused on brewing the best styles of beer possible and excited to offer a classic London porter to our local community and beyond.” The North Pier owner says, “Our trio of beers available in cans represents our mission of ‘Brewed To Wander’ and gives independent beer fans a locally-brewed option they can take on-the- go, whether on the trail, at a tailgate, or in with friends.”
North Pier recently added six 45-BBL outdoor fermenters and an off-premise storage facility to increase their total capacity from 800 BBL per year to 4,000 BBL per year.
North Pier Brewing Company can be found on draft and in cans at restaurants, bars, and craft beer retailers throughout southwestern Michigan, including in Berrien County, Holland, Grand Rapids, and Lansing. North Pier offers a rotation of mainstay beers and limited varieties in its Benton Harbor taproom located at 670 North Shore Drive. For more information, you can visit NorthPierBrewing.com.
Jay opened North Pier Brewing in May 2016. With Steve Distasio at the brewing helm, North Pier salutes those who wander by exploring the unique traditions of European-style ales with the Great Lakes community. The family-friendly taproom and outdoor beer garden is located less than a mile from Lake Michigan and features 12 rotating beers on tap, which visitors can enjoy by the glass on-site or to-go in growlers and cans.
