Kraftbrau Brewery (OUT OF BUSINESS)

1/2/2008 1:23:59 PM, wednesday, january 02, 2008 [ Updated wednesday, january 02, 2008 ]
Now closed, see story below. http://media.www.westernherald.com/media/storage/paper881/news/2007/11/27/Entertainment/Kraftbrau.Closes.Leaves.Gap.In.Local.Scene-3117106.shtml?refsource=collegeheadlines ... Honestly the day Steve left they were doomed.

8/13/2007 8:27:58 AM, monday, august 13, 2007 [ Updated monday, august 13, 2007 ]
How does this place compete, being just across from Bell’s? Well, it makes one mark by focusing on lagers. When I dropped in, there were 12 taps; 8 had lagers, 3 had ales, and one had a sangria. I had six in a sampler, and found all to be very well done. The Bohemian was clearly different from their "Down Home" house brew, and they had a nice Blackberry Pilsener, and a dry-hopped "Hoppity Boop" lager. I also enjoyed the unreconstructed hippie vibe, with folk bands playing on Sunday, and a scheduled screening of "Fahrenheit 9/11." It’s a nice little place to stop in for something different. This info is from a 2004 visit. I don’t know how I failed to do a place rating until now. Maybe it got deleted?

6/26/2007 11:16:46 AM, tuesday, june 26, 2007
This place is a derelict building across from Bell’s. I was looking the other was down the street for this place because I just couldn’t fathom there being anything in this building let alone a brew pub. Inside, dark dusty, foreboding atmosphere. I was shocked that they had as many beers as they did on tap. Some were solid, some were not so great. I felt unclean while there though.

5/29/2007 6:20:11 PM, tuesday, may 29, 2007
It’s been a while since I visited, but I remember this hole-in-the-wall very well. No A/C. Interesting, if not great, selection of beers. Hops growing all over the outdoor deck. Service sucked, but I really enjoyed my visit with the wife and in-laws. It’s right across the street from Bells, so why not stop by when visiting Kalamazoo.

6/13/2006 5:32:32 PM, tuesday, june 13, 2006
HOLE IN THE WALL! Large selection of their beers, some of which are pretty good, but no guest brews. Best part is the price- like $2.50 per pint or something. Just a bartender, so service isn’t really applicable. We were at Bells so we stopped by to see what it was like and we found it interesting, but I wouldn’t make a trip especially for it.

1/3/2006 9:40:12 AM, tuesday, january 03, 2006
Trashy, decrepit atmosphere. The walls look like a section of the Wall from East Berlin. The only thing it had going for it was no smoking. Won’t fill any growlers but their own. Bad beer and not worth the 15 minutes I spent there, even if it’s across the street from Bells. Just stay at Bells a little longer and avoid this place at all costs.

6/13/2005 4:51:33 AM, monday, june 13, 2005
Got a pair of growlers one weekend evening last time I was back in K-zoo for the family reunior. They had some lound bad, I mean really loud and not well formed, rock band playing. Had to yell to the bartenter in attempt to get the beer. However, on a quieter night I could see this place being much more enjoyable.

1/24/2005 10:24:01 PM, monday, january 24, 2005
Finally, I stopped in here after a couple years of going to Bell’s. It is definitely worth the stop, to come over to Kraftbrau. A little more laid back, if that is possible, than Bells, but not nearly the size of operation. Cozy place, only popcorn to eat.