Presidential Brewing Co. restaurant and brewery opens in Portage

Yet another brewery is opening in West Michigan, I mean hey we are beer city, but this one has a different spin to it. Husband and wife team Jake and Kayleigh Lohse are tossing their hats into the brewery ring with Presidential Brewing Co.

The brewery is located 8302 Portage Road, and opened yesterday, March 26.

The whole idea of opening a brewery started when he and other family members would get together to try new beers as it gained in popularity they decided to try brewing their own batch. Their first beer recipe was for The  Oatbama Stout, a beer that is on tap at the brewery now.

Lohse says it was the best accident of his life!

“We never intended to open a brewery but what we found is we really like bringing people together, and I like drinking beer and I like making beer,” he said. “It turns out beer helps bring people together.”

On tap at the new brewery Tuesday are:

    • Calvin Creamidge, a 5.6 percent (alcohol by volume) cream ale for $4.75
    • Fake Brews, a 6.5 percent coffee blonde for $6.25
    • Ryesenhower, a 6.5 percent rye IPA for $6.25
    • Teddy Brewsevelt, a 6 percent brown ale for $4.75
    • Oatbama, a 5.6 percent oatmeal stout, for $6.25
    • Write-in ballot: Hallertau Blanc, a six percent IPA for $4.75
    • Yes we Köln, a 5.7 percent kölsch made in collaboration with Territorial Brewing Company, for $4.75
    • The Big Lewinsky, a 9.4 percent Imperial Brunette, a collaboration with Tantrick Brewing Co., for $7.50
    • Barbara Bushels, a 7.3 percent Apfelwein cider for $6.25

The building, was previously a laser tag and mini golf business, that they have transformed into the brewery and restaurant space.

Presidential Brewing Co. is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The brewery is closed Wednesday.