ELK Brewing nears completion, beer brewing to begin at Grand Rapids' newest brew pub

The road to pulling back the first tap of microbrew has been a lot longer than Eric Karns ever expected since he and his wife Lisa received Grand Rapids Planning Commission approval in Sept. 2011 to build ELK Brewing. But now the equipment is in place, and Eric plans to get the first batch of porter started this weekend.

The brewery, named for Eric and Lisa's initials, is nearly complete inside. Eric Karns, his business partner Taylor Carroll, and Eric's dad Larry Karns, a building contractor, have put in most of the muscle to convert the 5,300-square-foot former Southern Fish Fry at 700 Wealthy St. SE.

The brewpub sits on the corner of Wealthy St. SE and Henry St. SE, a formerly downtrodden area enjoying a resurgence of economic vitality with the repurposing of a gas station into Donkey Taqueria, and the rehabilitation of a second corner gas station into what might be a new home for Jonny B'z Dogs and More.

The 100-gallon, three-barrel brewing system was new to Karns, an avid home brewer. But he says his first test batch of porter turned out perfectly, and he's ready to get the brewing underway this weekend.

"Our plan is to have a porter, a black IPA, an IPA, a Scotch ale, a brown ale, and an Extra Special Bitter," Karns says. "We will have all of these as our mainstays, and will brew seasonally and add to our mainstays with the possibility of going up to 12 taps. But we'll start with six, so I can stockpile the beer we have so we don't run out."

The pub won't serve food, but patrons can bring their own eats from surrounding restaurants, or can order food delivery from Jonny B'z. The brewery will seat 80 people, and will eventually brew with the goal of distribution. But for now, Karns says it will be enough to get the brews in patrons' glasses and get them coming back for more.

"Having all the development here turns this corner into a destination spot," Karns says. "Other than just coming here and having a beer and leaving, you can park here and spend a whole evening here."

Karns hopes to have the pub open by the beginning of April.

Design: Lott3Metz Architecture

Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
Images courtesy of ELK Brewing

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