We are going to start a monthly column interviewing brewers from different breweries and picking their brains. The first one is Dark Horse Brewery in Marshall, MI. Check out our interview with Aaron "Mega Party" Morse!
Aaron “Mega Party” Morse is the brains behind the kick ass beer
coming out a brewery located in a small town in Michigan known as Dark Horse
Brewery. They have been making some the
“best fu*%ing beer made in the great state of Michigan, period!” And thank
God. We caught up with Aaron to pick his
beer soaked brain for a bit and get a peek at the method behind this delicious
madness. Enjoy!
Big Beer Trail: What was
the first craft beer you had that made you want to start brewing?
Aaron Morse: Bells Solsun (Oberon) and Bells Pale Ale
BBT: How did you come up
with the name Crooked Tree?
AM: I was in college when we started the original Dark Horse which was a brew pub and I was working on beer artwork and names, and I was just one that came up in the process no real big story with it.
AM: I was in college when we started the original Dark Horse which was a brew pub and I was working on beer artwork and names, and I was just one that came up in the process no real big story with it.
BBT: What breweries are
you impressed by right now?
AM: I am impressed by a lot of Michigan breweries because we are
all putting out some of the best beer in the country if not the world, Michigan
residence should be proud of our beer industry because we have some very
talented and passionate brewers kicking ass and making great beer. Some of the
breweries I am impressed with are not only because of the beer they put out but
their passion for the industry and what they have done for the industry over
the years. Bells is always impressive from what Larry started with to what he
and his team have built it to impresses me every time I stop either at the cafe
or the production facility and if it wasn't for Larry Bell and Bells beer I
don't know if I would be in the industry. Mill King, because Scott King
has done it his way from the beginning and never quit. Founders, because
they make some fucking great beers. Jolly Pumpkin, cause Ron is the funk
master. Kuhnhenn Brothers, cause again they are making some kick ass,
push the envelope beers. Get ready world their new production faculty is
coming and we'll be able to get more of their beer. Shorts, New Holland, and as
for Michigan I could go on and on, there are a ton more great breweries I could
list but it would take up the whole interview. As for out of Michigan a few
that come to the top of my head- Surly cause they make some great beers and
they are some great guys. Russian River, Allagash, Cigar City, Lagunitas,
Left Hand Brewing Company which I am most of the time sporting one of their
hats in warm weather, and again i could go on and in case there are so many
great breweries making some of the best beer in the world hands down.
BBT: How did the 5 stouts
of winter come about?
AM: The 5 Stouts of winter came about one because Stout is a
great style of beer for that time of the year, but for me stout is great
anytime of the year. I had been to Bells the year they did the 9 stouts
of November and I kinda spun off of that idea. I love making stout so I sat
down and started writing. Plead the Fifth which originally was 750 ml
Imperial Stout but the Fed's didn't like that name cause they said it was
misleading was a beer that was Trent Thurstons first beer to work on writing.
Trent is still with us and is our longest standing employee having been with us
for 12 years. He now works in the cellar in the production facility.
BBT: What music is
playing when we are working?
AM: That depends on the day and who turns on the stereo! Could
be Metal, Speed Grass, Blue Grass, Outlaw Country (non top 40), Rock and Roll,
classical, usually you can walk in and hear about anything but rap and
occasionally you even hear a little of that, but I would say for sure Metal
dominates the air waves at Dark Horse.
BBT: In your opinion,
what does Dark Horse do better than anyone else?
AM: I wouldn't say we do anything BETTER than anyone else, but I
would say we do things "The Dark Horse Way" and we will always do
things that way which if your wondering what that is- It's our way or no way,
work hard, pay your dues, don't compromise for anything or anyone and take
pride in everything we do.
BBT: What advise do I
have for homebrewers?
AM: Well the one piece of advise all professional brewers give,
be clean clean clean clean, make sure all your equipment is clean. Don't
be afraid to try things, things that people tell you won't work or you can't do
are the best ones to prove them wrong on. Know your ingredients, learn what
flavors grains and things impart in beer, if you know flavors then making beers
taste the way you want them too is a lot easier.
BBT: If you were not
running Dark Horse what would you be doing?
AM: Prolly running a brewery somewhere else or for someone else.
As much as I love owning and running my brewery there are days I think about
how nice it would be to come to work, brew beer, and go home and not have to
take the business home with me everyday. But as nice as that would be I
wouldn't trade it for the world. What ever it was I would be doing it would
have to do with something that was challenging, I was my own boss and had to be
hands on.
BBT: Where do I see Dark
Horse and craft beer in 10 years?
AM: Well I see craft beer doing nothing but increasing in market
share for total beer sales. I remember back 15-20 years ago when people were
saying Craft Beer was a "fad", well I am happy to be part of the
proving that wrong. Craft beer is here to stay and only getting bigger and
better.
As for Dark Horse we have numerous expansion plans and we are
going to continue on our path and keep the quality of our beer at the highest
of importance. We have purchased a piece of property by our current production
facility and will be building a new production, the construction on the
creamery, bakery, sugar shack and distillery continues with hopes to have them
all open this year and the following.
BBT: What kind of beer
would you like to brew that you haven't yet?
AM: I just want to continue to brew big and bold beers that
people love to drink. I want to keep our beer portfolio full of fun and
exciting beers and beers that people are excited to have us put out.
BBT: Will Nickelback ever
be invited to play the 4 Elf party?
AM: I would have to say NO. I don't think Nickelback will ever
be invited to anything that has to do with playing at Dark Horse. The band
themselves are always invited to the brewery to have a beer! I don't have
any issue with the band members themselves, I just hate their music.
