Daniel B.
Yelp
So there's a world class brewery in an office park outside of Ann Arbor, in the town of Dexter. It specializes in beers that make many people's palates writhe and squirm. And if this isn't odd enough, the brand is tied to gourds with a ribbon of Hawaiian culture that laces through it all.
I love it!
For me, the beer is five stars all the way! Sure, I have my favorite JP brews, and not all of them fill me with the same delight. But that holds true for all the world class breweries I adore.
This was my very first visit to the mother ship. I have popped into the Ann Arbor location a small handful of times. But it is a wonderful experience to be where these beers are made. I will certainly need to return once the pandemic has fully receded, and hopefully they may even have a tour.
Regrettably, on this trip, the outdoor patio was being reconstructed. That meant this was my very first time eating indoors, outside of my home, since the pandemic began. It felt very safe, and I totally enjoyed the experience.
The beer was the star of the show, as it should be. I had a single hopped sour pale ale, which was delicious!
The food was much much better than it needed to be. At least mine was. I had the Fried Chicken Bites from the "Snacks" section of the menu. It had basil, radish, green Szechuan peppercorn, and hot sour cream. The plate was $14 and was more than enough for a meal in and of itself. Care was clearly taken in its preparation. The crust was crisp. The chicken juicy. There was that telltale tingle of green Szechuan peppercorn that lets you know it's present, without being overwhelming. But it was the bright aromatic pop from the whole leaves of basil that really made the plate sing!
These really weren't "bites" but more like large strips. I ate them with a knife and fork, not because I enjoy being pretentious with bar food, but as finger food they would have been unwieldy. And if I'm being my totally honest and picky self, I would have preferred the basil in a chiffonade so it would be easier to get a little bit with every mouthful.
My daughter ate all of her kids cheeseburger, which came with fries. The patty had a nicely caramelized crust. She ate the whole thing, but to me the taste and the texture of the beef left me lacking. Plus it came with a HUGE seeded bun, which I imagine would be much better for bigger burgers. The kids size, not so much.
Service was friendly and enthusiastic. The bartender checked in to make sure I knew the beer I ordered was made in a sour style. And I totally get why they do that, but it makes me weep sad tears in my beautiful beer.
How many perfect glasses of beer must JP have to dump because people don't know they've walked into a rare find in the American brewing scene, that just makes sour beers?
Pucker up and embrace the tart! Revel in the funk! Be wild. And celebrate the weirdness that this amazingly idiosyncratic brewery resides in such a straight laced place. Fortunately, JP has personality to spare.
