Grand River Brewery plans farm-to-table eatery in former Ginopolis'

BRIGHTON — A well-established restaurateur who runs a brewery, bakery, butchery and spirits distillery said he's excited to bring a new joint to downtown Brighton.

Grand River Brewery is based in Jackson, but owner Justin Dalenberg has expanded to new locations. Up next is a restaurant for farm-to-table meals, with a brewery, tasting room and live entertainment in the former Ginopolis' of Brighton, at 201 W. Main St. Dalenberg hopes to open in May.

"Where we differentiate from other breweries is we’re about food," he said.

The restaurant sources fresh fruits and vegetables, including from Prelip Farms in Britton. Menu items change with the seasons.

"We take pride in that," he said.

Dalenberg has a butchery, bakery and commissary inside Manchester Market in Washtenaw County, which supplies his various restaurant ventures. The butchery will supply the meat, including locally-raised beef from Noggle Farms. The bakery will supply items like sandwich bread and pretzels.

The business makes its own Texas-style brisket and Carolina-style pulled pork. Belgian-style fries are cooked in rendered beef tallow. The eatery also serves "high-end" steaks, lake fish, salmon, rice and beans, as well as many other dishes.

There's no doubt Grand River Brewery also focuses on Michigan-sourced alcohol, including their own beer and liquor.

"We'll have a working brewhouse in the (Brighton) restaurant," Dalenberg said. "We'll make a special beer just for Brighton."

They also operate a distillery in Jackson and produce vodka, gin, rum, whiskey, agave spirits and stout-aged bourbon.

"The wine comes from several wineries and vineyards in Michigan," Dalenberg said. "The main one is Cherry Creek in Brooklyn that we used to own."

Wine also comes from Brengman Brothers in Traverse City, Fenn Valley Vineyards in Fennville, and Lemon Creek Winery in Berrien Springs.

Grand River Brewery expanded to Marshall in 2018 and to Clawson in December. Dalenberg said future plans include locations in Trenton and Adrian.

"With every location, I want to be unique to the town and unique to the building. Brighton is going to have its own charm and character," he said. "You’ll see some tributes to Michigan’s outdoor splendor. We'll bring the outside in."

He's also interested in coordinating downtown events and participating in existing ones.

"We like to be a driver of events," Dalenberg said.

The new location has a basement for live music, arcade games, foosball and art galleries. The business will also host classes and special dinners.

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Dalenberg owns Doll n' Burgers in Jackson and Tecumseh, Manchester Market, Jerry's Market in Tecumseh, and Alpena Great Outdoor Adventures, among other businesses. He's a managing partner for North Channel Brewing. His wife, Roberta Dalenberg, co-owns Veritas, a steak and seafood restaurant in Jackson, and Male's Grocery in Alpena.

Ginopolis', a barbecue smokehouse restaurant, bar and live entertainment venue, announced in July 2023 they were closing, at least temporarily, and never reopened. The closure came several months after Ginopolis' rebranded to Cowgirl's Country Bar and Grill, then reverted back.

— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at [email protected]. 

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Grand River Brewery plans farm-to-table eatery in downtown Brighton