Pure Michigan Pints

Burn ‘Em Brewing

Michigan City, Indiana

[All opinions expressed are solely my own. No compensation was given nor freebies for this review. I do not count food towards the overall score as not all breweries have food (or have different companies that do their food). ]

I’m breaking my own rules. I always say I’m focused on “Michigan only” breweries. I appreciate breweries in other parts of America—and the world for that matter—but my primary focus is on breweries located in my great home state of Michigan.

This has not changed. But I am willing to occasionally break my own rules (rules are more like guidelines anyway) and take a look at a brewery very close to the Michigan border (one that has the name “Michigan” in its city name) but is located in Indiana.

(By the way: I did technically break form in reviewing a cidery some time ago when I blogged about Farmhaus Cider Co. in Hudsonville, Michigan.)

Cue in … Burn ‘Em Brewing. Their Instagram page stood out to me for some time: their kitchen appears to be very creative, and the brewery looked like somewhere I wanted to try. I got my chance on a trip back from Missouri visiting family …

Beer Selection—4.5/5

There’s a healthy selection of beer to choose from here. While they have a few ciders from other places, they produce a fair amount of beers all over the spectrum—lighter beers, IPAs, hipster IPAs, and darker brews. Naturally, I experimented with a flight of four: I tried the Pilztachio (a pilsner lager finished with pistachio flavoring coming in at 5% abv); the Hipster Juicebag IPA (6.5% abv); Red Dead Velvet, a red stout brewed with milk sugar, cocoa nibs, and finished with bourbon soaked vanilla beans coming in at 7% abv (I’d never tried a red stout before); and The Big Breakfast (9.5% abv), a breakfast stout with maple syrup.

All four were good. I tried the grapefruit variant of the Hipspter Juicebag and a taste of Kreamed Corn, an Indiana cream ale, as well. I almost wish I had sampled two flights.

Vibe—4/5

This brewery is definitely its own place; I appreciate that about it and that it’s not tied into other businesses. It has its own parking lot. It’s not part of a strip mall. They have their own kitchen. It’s very spacious and feels well-organized. The bar on both sides provides ample seating. A slight industrial vibe clings in the air—perhaps the building was some type of warehouse in a past life. It’s been adapted, but doesn’t quite feel like a restaurant.

It just is, and I dig it here.

Service—4/5

The bartenders were very friendly and chatty. They complemented each other well—what one lacked in getting, the other filled the gap perfectly by asking if I needed another beer or a box for my leftovers. I felt taken care of. It would have been cooler if I had a server more into beer, but you can’t win them all.

The bartender said I looked familiar. I’m not sure if this means I look ordinary, one of the fine citizens of Michigan City, or like someone who frequents breweries often (and maybe writes about these experiences).

Beer Quality—4/5

Their beer is a yes. I didn’t even try all of the beers I wanted to; I got distracted by the vibes, the food, and relaxing after being on the road for seven hours.

They know what they’re doing with Hipster Juicebag—it’s a beer any hipster would love or anybody hoping onto the Hazy IPA bandwagon. (I’ve already been here and do love these beers.) The pistachio beer was reminiscent of Short’s Brewing for me and their pistachio cream ale. Who did it fist? I’d guess Short’s, but it’s still not something incorporated into beer that you see too often. It was refreshing with a twist.

The red stout didn’t exactly strike home for me, but I could see the merit in it. The breakfast stout was true to style (but I would have probably appreciated it more without the barrel).

Food—10/5!!!!

This place needs to be on every foodie’s list in the Midwest. Their Facebook and Instagram pages highlight their creativity every single week. Week after week this place produces interesting, good-looking food specials that make me wish I lived closer. This week, three of the specials were: purple sweet potato gnocchi in a miso sauce with mushrooms and greens; cowboy mac with beef chili, candied jalapeno, cheese, sour cream, and Fritos; and peanut Thai chicken wings.

The chicken wings hit right, providing the right amount of spice with the interesting Thai peanut sauce. The mac also struck all the creamy, crunchy, spicy, and savory notes I’d want any mac and cheese to capture. This is just the special menu; I didn’t even dig into their regular menu, which looks nothing short of fantastic.

The creole influences shine through, and I love the incorporation of seafood into their menu as well. I know restaurants in Holland (where I live) could never get away with including this much flavor into their menus because the communities have much, much blander palates.

Overall—Strongly Recommend 16.5/20

A part of me was afraid this place wouldn’t live up to all the hype its social media (and therefore myself) created for it. But I had to try this brewery; it did not disappoint. If you’re ever in the area, it’s a must go. Even if you’re not in the area and want to casually plan stopping here “on the way,” I’d recommend doing just that.