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Initiative
Photostory
by
Alex Wolk
ABOVE: Ann Arbor locals dance the night away to live music during Hash Bash.
BELOW: The last rays of the setting sun illuminate fresh forsythias.
ABOVE: Bartender, Joe Casias, pours the first beer of the day. BELOW(lef
ic German lager. BELOW(right): The finished product.
ABOVE: Ann Arbor residents Heather Dulin (left), Guido Kettler
(center), and Richard Cox (right) gather after work on a sunny
afternoon.
When was the last time you walked into a pub and saw
fresh forsythias on every table? When was the last time you were
able to watch the sunset with your friends, throwing back a mug of
>rganic German lager? In fact, when was the last time you called
a coint toss and got a glass of beer for only $2.00? You might not
think that flowers, sunsets, and beer go together, but I challenge
you to this assumption, and so do Scott and Todd Leopold.
The Leopold brothers run and own the Leopold. Bros. of
Ann Arbor, the world's first environmetnally sustainable brewery,
located here in Ann Arbor on South Main Street, between Packard
and Madison. The eco-brewery, as often referred to, is also the
:nly brewery in the U.S. to produce an entire line of organic beer.
Interestly enough, the reason why this a "green" business is not
simply because of the beer.
Along with aesthetic beauty, the Leopold brothers can
assure that their brewery has had minimal impact on the Earth.
Building materials range anywhere from old wooden doors used in
the construction of the bar, to used chairs from an old monastery.
The brewery utilizes only natural light throughout the day and uses
low energy track lighting when necessary. Further, the left over
water from the brewing process in not simply discarded, but rather
will soon be used to grow organic herbs and vegetables in a green-
[iouse, which can be seen while sitting at the bar.
In addition to the materials and and facilities being envi-
ronmentally sound they are also healthier for you. The ventilation
system provides 4 times the amount of fresh air required, allowing
a virtually smoke-free bar. You will also find numerous plants
scattered throughout the brewery as well.
The Leo pold Bros. brewery roves to be both healthier on
your pocket book and better for the local economy as well. On
most days a pint of beer will cost you only $4.00, how-
ever, on Thursdays (flip night), if you call it in the air
when the bartender flips a coin, a pint will cost you a
mere $2.00. With numerous large chains constantly
invading Ann Arbor, Leopold. Bros. can help ensure
local economic stability, as the money you spend there
will not end up in the hands of a corporate giant, but
rather will be circulated throughout the local economy.
Perhaps the most insightful comment that I heard
came from 3 customers on one sunny afternoon. I asked
them why they liked to come here and they told me that
they support the cause, that it is inexpensive, and that
the beer is GOOD. We must not lose sight of the fact, as
Scott Leopold told me, that "The heart of the business is
good beer." After all, Todd has even grad
ermany. Thus, the Leopold brothers hav
to a sustainable business- A sustainable pi
two guys who started a pub; they are envi
and ambition to help lead us towards com