The family owned and operated nano brewery, Erratic Ale Co, has made itself at home in Dexter at 8080 Grand St, Suite 3.
Owners Brian and Deb Schroeder are transplants from the Hoosier state. They describe their journey as akin to the movement of glacial fractals or erratics. They had prior careers, traveled hither and yon and landed in Dexter in 2015.
Some twenty years ago, Brian was a speech therapist working with stroke recovery and Neurological rehabilitation patients when he took up home brewing. Deb was Vice President of purchasing for Toyota which required various moves and hence the ‘glacial rocks settling where they settle’ type of origin story.
Deb runs Early Pour, the coffee component of their business, which features an array of unique flavors such as blueberry, matcha and lavender.
The blueberry nitro cold brew latte is a refreshing mix of calm flavors that make for a perfect summer beverage. It is not too sweet, meaning, it pairs well with many of Erratic’s menu items.
They use Black Diesel beans and feature croissants, muffins and scones from The Lakehouse Bakery.
Erratic currently has 13 rotating beer taps and four local wine pours (a collaboration with Cherry Creek Cellars).
Erratic is the “whole craft beverage experience” as Deb puts it.
Erratic’s has a tidy pub menu, primarily pretzels and panini which use Raterman Bread. The bread purveyor, Nick Raterman, is opening a Bistro next door to Erratic in late summer or early fall.
There’s also a rotating food truck most Fridays, a nice pairing for their weekly trivia event.
Brian insists that “they don’t take themselves too seriously” and that’s reflected in the quirky names of his portable labors of love.
For example, there is an amber ale called “Hints & Allegations” matching “caramel malt richness” with Cascade and Willamette hops and a bourbon-barrel-aged ale named after Brian’s brother, “Knocking On Kevin’s door.”
Essentially, there’s a beer, wine or coffee for any mood or finicky palate.
The dog-friendly outdoor space is an excellent spot to gather with friends or listen to weekly live music.
Erratic is tucked in at the far end of Grand Street, a short but healthy walk away from Main Street. If you’re traversing your way to Erratic from Main you’ll pass Carosello Pasta, which has fantastic reviews.
Brian does all the bottling by hand and they’re available in bombers only, think growler but more bombastic.
“We do limited bottling,” Brian said. “We usually do that in the fall going into the holiday season, some of the favorites we have with styles (a chai-spiced stout and a Belgian Trippel among others) that lend themselves to bottle condition, ones that will spend some time in a bottle and not suffer for it.”
Dexter is a supportive community and also gives back to Washtenaw county on the whole.
Deb started the Good Neighbor Tap in November 2021 as a way to give back to the community.
Each month they pick a charity or nonprofit to donate $2 per pint sold from a certain tap. Since the program began, they have raised over $9,500.
These are erratic times, come down to Grand Street in Dexter for an Early (and often) Pour and drink your errs away.