Fun with brewery names

The craft brewery revolution is still going strong.  Michigan, for example, now has about 100 breweries, with several more in various stages of planning.  Other states are experiencing similar growth in their brewing industries.  One of the things I particularly enjoy is finding out the names of the new breweries and where the names come from.  I noticed that some of the names are amusingly similar in some interesting ways.  Here are some examples.

Right Brain Brewery (Traverse City, MI)/Left Hand Brewing (Longmont, CO)

Schmohz Brewing Company (Grand Rapids, MI)/Shmaltz Brewing Company (Saratoga Springs, NY)

Clown Shoes (Ipswitch, MA)/Jester King Craft Brewery (Austin, TX)

Boulder Brewing Company (Boudler, CO)/Stone Brewing Company (Escondido, CA)

Mt. Pleasant Brewing Company (Mt. Pleasant, MI)/Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project (Westport, MA)

Witch’s Hat Brewing Company (South Lyon, MI)/Magic Hat Brewing Company (South Burlington, VT)

Goose Island Beer Company (Chicago, IL)/Frog Island Brewery (Ann Arbor, MI)

Short’s Brewing Company (Elk Rapids, MI)/Red Jacket Brewing Company (Calumet, MI)
Original Gravity Brewing Company (Milan, MI)/Final Gravity Brewing Company (Decauter, MI)

Cheers,

Zymus

Left Hand Brewing Company

Colorado has long been a state known for its great beers.  The only good thing about some of my family members moving to Denver is that when I visit, I get to sample some excellent beers and visit the taprooms of some of these breweries.  The Left Hand Brewing Company taproom is one of these.

Left Hand Brewing Company and Taproom

The brewery is located in a somewhat industrial part of Longmont, Colorado next to a little, pleasant river.  It was a hot summer day when we visited, so we sat out on the porch.  The taproom was small, only served beer (and bar snacks), but had an excellent selection of beers on tap.

Taproom Selections

While we enjoyed a few beers, several patrons came and went.  The place seemed to be a destination for cyclists, who arrived dressed in full cycling gear (in one case with a Left Hand Brewing Logo on the short).  They would have a pint and then head on their way.

Bike rack at the Left Hand Brewing Company

While we enjoyed all of the beer we sampled, I particularly liked the one called "Wake Up Dead."  Strange name, strange concept, but an excellent imperial stout (10.2% ABV).  My brother liked it too.

Enjoying some "Wake up Dead"

The label

Cheers,

Zymus