In a popular 80's sitcom that centered around a bar owned by a retired Boston Red Sox pitcher there was a premise that everyone new your name, alluding to the bars friendly atmosphere. Of course this was just a make-believe bar that only existed in the minds of script writers.

As you pull up to Liberty Street Brewing, you can tell this building has some amazing history. Built in 1895, this building served as a meat market, an antique shop or two, and a pub. This historic landmark now serves as Michigan’s latest facility producing craft beer.

When I think of the selections available to explore amazing beer, personally not too many on this list would be a place to get dressed up and take my wife for a nice anniversary dinner. Big Rock Chop House is the exception. I know we’re here to read about the beer, but let me start with the food. I can honestly say that the meals here are equal to the beer.

For awhile, Jeff and I had been searching for a place (and by “place”, I do mean “bar”) to call our own. We tried Bar A near our house, and it was too smoky and the beer too generic. We tried Bar B in downtown and it was too trendy and the beer too overpriced. Then we tried the Corner Brewery and, like Little Bear’s bed, it was just right.

One of the most important lessons I believe I have learned over the past several years of attending beer festivals is this: While checking out the bigger breweries is fun (Founders, New Holland, ect.), don’t overlook the others. Case in point: The Livery. At the 2008 Michigan Summer Beer Festival, the group I was with had one consensus: The beers served by The Livery were amazing and their Tripple Weizenbock was our unanimous favorite!