Craft Beer is King With Plymouth-Based Sons of Liberty Homebrew Club

Something is brewing within the confines of Old Village's Liberty Street Brewing Company, and it's not just the latest suds on tap at the Plymouth microbrewery.

The Sons of Liberty Homebrew Club has provided aspiring brewers a place to sample and critique members' homebrewed beers since its founding in the brewery's basement in the summer of 2010.

The club, which meets monthly—often at Liberty Street and sometimes at members' homes or other nearby businesses—has a simple mission for its approximately 30 members.

"We're a club about the enjoyment of brewing and tasting beer," member Harry Jachym of Plymouth said. 

With Michigan-run craft breweries making a significant dent in the state's beer marketplace, Jachym said homebrewing has become an emerging trend for both hobbyists and those with larger aspirations.

"I think we're seeing a whole lot more (homebrewers) lately," Jachym said. "The craft brew industry in Michigan has at least the fifth-most breweries in the nation and it's growing every week."

For George Hotelling of Canton, the club offers a place for him to share his passion with other local beer enthusiasts. 

"Anyone can go off and brew on their own," he said. "Coming to a club, you get to get a lot of feedback from people, you get to try out other people's beers, get ideas and collaborate."

For more information check out the group's website at www.solhbc.org.