While living in Madison, Wisconsin, Nick VanCourt and Marina Dupler happily immersed themselves in the craft beer scene. An avid homebrewer, Nick decided to pursue brewing professionally and sought an internship at a local brewpub. From there he enrolled in Siebel Institute, studying in Chicago and later Germany and in several European countries. The two happily returned to Michigan, joining a start-up brewery in the Upper Peninsula. The call to create a brewery that solely focused on farmhouse, Belgian and barrel-aged beers led the two to found Barrel + Beam in 2016.

Feeling confident in their niche in the craft brewing industry, and armed with a little seed money, the couple had to create a business plan before approaching local banks for funding. They were connected to Lance Wolf, an Upper Peninsula Region SBDC consultant. The SBDC was able to help file LLC’s for both the real estate company and brewing business. Through numerous meetings and conference calls, Lance and Nick created financial projections to include in Barrel + Beam’s business plan, and assisted in structuring the business plan to take to the bank.

“The SBDC played a huge part in helping us take the business from concept into the bankers’ hands,” Nick commented. “They were monumental for funding purposes. Without their assistance and support we would have suffered from rejection time and time again.”

With their loan approved, the two could move forward in purchasing an area landmark. “We were thrilled to be able to call the old Northwoods Supper Club, which was constructed in 1933, the home of Barrel + Beam,” said Marina. In fact, the building had been vacant for a decade and had fallen into disrepair. But the log beams were as strong as ever and the name Barrel + Beam is a nod to them, and the barrel-aged beer the brewery has become known for. After a $2 million renovation, the building is now re-opened to the public and serves as both a tasting room and event space.

Since opening, Barrel + Beam has utilized self-distribution, personally delivering their specialty ales in over 100 retail locations and restaurants in both Michigan and Wisconsin. Primary locations consist of the Marquette/Keweenaw areas of the Upper Peninsula and the Grand Rapids and Detroit areas of the Lower Peninsula.

“We specialize in farmhouse ales, in which we bring new and old world ingredients together. We are also proud to say Barrel + Beam is one of just a handful of breweries in Michigan that specifically focuses on this type of ale,” Nick explained. “Without the SBDC we would not be what we are today. The SBDC helped Barrel + Beam go from a nonexistent to a self-sustaining company.”

The future for Barrel + Beam is promising. Nick and Marina are dreaming of expanded brewery and event space as part of a phase 2, when the remaining 6,000 square feet of the original building will be renovated. “Our goal is to be the best brewery of the farmhouse niche, not necessarily the best value beer,” Nick said. “With the help of the SBDC we feel as if this goal is in reach, if it hasn’t been reached already.”

To learn more about Barrel + Beam “like” their Facebook page or check out their website!

Published: August 7, 2019