Page 11 - Leisure Living Magazine August 2016

Put-in-Bay Brewery & Distillery Is Celebrating 20 Years
themed craft
beers, “We have
a great custom-
er base, craft
beer is on fire.”
owners Carl and Chris Krueger have totally re- modeled the restaurant and bar, making way for more patron seating. With new furniture and restrooms, the brewing area has moved upstairs while the original brewing room and patio have been transformed into a sleek distillery, artistical- ly showcasing the vodka and rum bottles. Shelv- ing was crafted from downed trees behind the Surf Shop. But, you can still snap photos and see remnants of the original location with everyone’s
When Carl and Chris met at The Ohio State University in the mid ‘80’s, they worked summers at Put-in-Bay while pursu- ing degrees. “We just fell in love with the island,” Chris says. The two also tried working at Myrtle Beach, but returned because they missed the Lake Erie
island vibe.
In 1994 the couple cast the winning bid at
auction for the island’s former firehouse. “Our lives changed forever that day,” Chris emphasized. After doing much research, “we wanted to do something the island didn’t have already, choos- ing to become a manufacturer of beer. It was an untapped market.” Flash forward 20 years, and the brewery and distillery are booming.
Continued on page 12
By JD Noll, Feature and Food Writer
Now cele- brating its 20th anniversary, the Put-in-Bay Brewery add-
ed distillery to its license in 2013, making vodka and rum. “The distillery is catching on,” co-owner Chris Krueger says.
Successful- ly serving up its own island
favorite statute of “Jake,” the notable John Belushi charac- ter in the film “Blues Broth- ers.”
Besides the addition of spirits,
Chris and Carl Krueger
323 Buckeye Boulevard Port Clinton, Ohio 43452
419-734-7140
fax: 419-355-8073
1908 Hayes Avenue Fremont, Ohio 43420
H
aynes Financial services Patrick J. Haynes
Helping Small Businesses Stay In Balance For Over 45 Years
haynespj1@yahoo.com
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