Pure Michigan Pints

Salty Pecker

Muskegon, MI (Norton Shores, MI)

This is my own subjective review. I’m highly opinionated. It’s out of 20 total (based on Beer Selection, Vibe, Service, and Beer Quality; I grade harshly and my 4 is probably most people’s 5. Also, I don’t count food against breweries in the total because not all breweries need food to be good and some are in a partnership with nearby restaurants.

Note: Since this article was written, Salty Pecker has permanently closed.

This brewery popped up in Muskegon (Norton Shores if we’re being technical) at an odd location. Fun fact: It’s actually on the same road as the high school I graduated from. Formerly a coffee house occupied the space—only to fail and close suddenly with litte notice. Buildings in the surrounding area have met similar fates (see also: Verdonis). I get it; it’s a shit location.

Most people who pass by it are either going out on their way to Seaway or coming in. My point is that you have to know about it. And even when I see it, most of the time I am on my way in or to where I currently live: Holland.

I gave Salty Pecker a try. In fact, I’ve visited four times so far in total.

Beer Selection—4/5

Surprisingly, they have quite a few beers. Somewhere between ten to twelve beers were on draft to be exact, including: a light cream ale, a delicious watermelon lime beer, a few IPAs, browns, and two stouts. Since their inception two years prior to my visit (about the same time I first went) they’ve completely re-vamped their draft menu (according one of the brewers); there’s only one or two beers they still put on from that time period—one being a butterscotch porter.

They had cider and seltzer on draft when I visited as well.

Something to note: they do rotate beers frequently.

Vibe—3/5

Salty Pecker has added to their décor over the course of the two years between my first two visits. However, honestly, it’s lacking. It’s not bad and the bar area is decent—could be better if it was wood, but that’s my personal preference. I noticed they added a few arcade style machines at the entrance. You can only work with what you have, right? There’s the fireplace that I’m pretty sure has been there since it was a coffee house (don’t quote me on that).

It could just use more to create a unique vibe.

Service—5/5

The service was absolutely great. One of the brewers served me. He was very knowledgeable of all the beers, could tell me about previous batches, and explain their overall progression and vision. Having this insight into Salty Pecker was interesting. He explained overall they’re trying to make their beers smoother and less bitter. He also offered a few tastes of up-and-coming beverages. (I got to try their 7.5% pina colada seltzer before it got tapped for Burning Foot Festival.)

Beer Quality—4/5

The beer tremendously improved from the first time I had it; showing positive steps by improving means a lot to me when it comes to breweries. Breweries that tend to stay the same and not evolve—or worse, not brew the beer their customers ask for, tend to fail.

My favorite at the time of writing this review is Bigfoot—a double-chocolate caramel pecan stout—that hits perfectly. There’s sweetness there, but it’s not overbearing. The pecan really shone through. The only downside to this beer: It’s one of the smoothest 12% abv (alcohol by volume) beers I’ve ever had. I literally did a double-take after sipping it.

The butterscotch porter hits as well. And the Silverwood Summer—a watermelon lime wheat ale—was the perfect refreshing summer beer.

Food—N/A

They offer some kind of frozen pizzas. (I’d rather throw a pizza in the oven at home for a cheaper price myself.) You can bring your own food in as well.

Overall

I recommend checking this brewery out. It’s a little bit off the beaten path in Muskegon as it’s not downtown or in a well-traveled part. I’m cheering for this brewery and hope they make it. This also goes to show never judge a brewery on the first impression alone.

Breweries, like people, can evolve.

Total—16/20