Brewing in Boyne: Stiggs to serve up beer, food starting in January [Petoskey News Review]
- Ryan Bentley Dec 17, 2016
BOYNE CITY — As he prepares to open Stiggs Brewing Co., Mike Castiglione sees a couple of reasons why its downtown Boyne City setting should be favorable for business.
Castiglione expects a soft opening for the brewery at 112 S. Park St. during the first week of January and plans a grand opening on Jan. 27.
“Boyne City is a vibrant small town,” Castiglione said. “It’s really growing.”
And, with Stiggs joining other beer-focused establishments downtown — including two beer bars which have opened during the past year — “I think if you’re a beer connoisseur, you’ll come to Boyne City to try them all.”
The bar at Stiggs will feature more than 30 taps. About seven of the brewery’s own beer selections will be available at launch, with many of the other taps devoted to brews from other Michigan producers. Michigan-focused selections of wines and spirits will be part of the beverage lineup, as well.
Stiggs also will serve lunch and dinner daily, along with brunch on weekends. Steak, fish, lamb and poultry options will be among the menu selections, as will burgers and salads. Where possible, Castiglione said the brewery plans to incorporate local ingredients in both its food and beer offerings.
A Charlevoix native, Castiglione spent a few years working as a clinical microbiologist downstate before his recent return to Northern Michigan. With chef Mark Kassa providing leadership on the culinary side, Castiglione will head up the brewing operation on Stiggs’ lower level. He brings a homebrewing background as well as experience job-shadowing at several Michigan breweries.
“You really learn quite a bit when you’re in there talking with the owner and get in there hands-on,” he said.
Castiglione expects Boyne Lager, a Vienna-style lager, will be something of a flagship brew for Stiggs, and noted that kegs and smaller containers of its offerings will be available for off-site consumption. He hopes to eventually brew beer for outside distribution, but noted that an additional location would be necessary to do so.
Stiggs occupies a building originally constructed in 1899 as part of a local lumber operation. It was moved to its current location in 1918, where it served for many years as an office for Northern Michigan railroad operations. Having obtained a tax incentive for historic preservation through the federal government, Castiglione aims to maintain the building’s flavor from the railroad era. Some original flooring and walls remain in place.
Along with its main bar/dining area — where bottlecaps decorate the tabletops and bar — Stiggs will offer two private dining rooms as well as a seasonal outdoor patio area.
Stiggs has a website at www.stiggsbrewingcompany.com , and can be reached by phone at (231) 497-6100.