USA, MI: Third Life Brewing aiming at summer opening

Jamieson Hanna had a dream to open his own brewery. That dream may soon become a reality, the Manistee News Advocate reported on March 11.

Hanna, the former head brewer at North Channel Brewing Company is leasing a space at the Iron Works building at 254 River St. in Manistee. The brewery itself will be in the space that was previously occupied by Cafe 1907.

"About a month after I left my previous career employer, Ken Armour reached out to me and said 'hey, I've got a space ... do you want to come look at it?'" Hanna said.

He didn't think anything of it at the time — but after looking at the space he was sold, and signed the papers for the property.

Hanna said he is planning to open Third Life Brewing this summer.

He received some equipment for the brewery this week, which was purchased from Seven Saws Brewing Company in Massachusetts. The brewers drove from Holden, Massachusetts to deliver the equipment to Hanna.

Brewers Paul Mulroy and Troy Milliken helped Hanna lift some of the heavy equipment, along with Wes Smit and Dave Lindenau who work with Hanna. Milliken and Mulroy joked that they now have a permanent presence with their equipment in Hanna's brewery.

Hanna is still waiting for several licenses and the brewery is not yet fully operational. He said he is "still considered a brewery in planning."

Hanna is awaiting approvals from the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Michigan Liquor Control Commission along with a Manistee City Council resolution.

"I will be operating on a one barrel electric brewhouse for the time being — 20-plus week lead times on new equipment — with a total production capacity of around 300 barrels per year," Hanna said.

In an email to the News Advocate, Hanna wrote that his brewery will be unique.

"Being an avid outdoor enthusiast, much of the brand itself will be incorporating as much of the natural elements the greater Manistee area has to offer," he said. "The brewery will serve as an advocate and contributor to organizations that preserve the natural beauty of our region."

He also noted the beer he plans to serve will be light beers.

"To supplement the outdoor lifestyle and brand, much of our beers will be focused on the lighter end of the spectrum. However, I will be producing a wide range of styles," Hanna said.

Hanna also spoke about having extensive experience with brewing.

"I have been brewing professionally for about a decade now in Michigan, starting in Detroit and for a brewery in northern Michigan for the last three. I also plan on producing non-alcoholic beers, wine and cider," he said.

He said that while the space is small, it adds to the charm of the brewery.

"One of the important things for me ... when you come in you're going to drink beer brewed by the brewer and served by the brewer himself as well. So it's going to be very personable ... small and quaint ...," he said.

It will be community driven and community focused Hanna said.

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