Atwater in the Park Open at Long Last

The traditional German beer garden, Atwater in the Park, officially cut the ribbon at their grand opening this past Saturday. The park served up a variety of craft brews and a menu selection that goes above and beyond the traditional idea of pub food.

"We wanted to create a place for people to get together and enjoy local beer and food. The community seating of the park does that, and the atmosphere the church creates really takes it over the top." said owner Mark Reith.

The biergarten, seating 100, has outdoor heaters, community seating, a fire pit, outdoor bar with 10 taps, and merchandising room selling home-brew equipment and Atwater gear.

Inside, the refurbished church has been put to full use. It includes a host stand that was the former church's pulpit, pews that provide seating for 80 people, a back room for private parties that seats 40, 40 draft handles at the indoor bar, and brewing equipment placed before the stained glass on the altar.

The 5-hectoliter (4-barrel) Braukon brewing equipment, imported from Munich, and located on the altar, will brew the park's small-batch beers. 25 beers made throughout the year by the main Atwater Brewery will be featured on the tap handles as well as 15 unique brews that will only be available at the park.

The Epicurean Restaurant Group is doing the brewery's food on site. Coach Insignia's Executive Chef, Kevin Green, designed the German-themed menu. Pork belly corn dog, pretzel flatbread, beer cheese soup, fried German pickle chips, goulash, pierogies, German pizza with brawtwurst and sauerkraut, and the Bier Garden Kielbasa Challenge: 40 ounces of beer-braised kielbasa links, sauerkraut, and caraway mustard.

Weekly specials include:
Monday- Build your own sliders ($1 each)
Tuesday- $2 tacos, your choice of beef, chicken, or chorizo
Wednesday- Traditional German fare
Thursday- Steak night, 12oz or 16oz New York Strip
Sunday- Service industry night happy hour from 8pm-close
The park's Happy Hour is Mon-Fri from 2pm-6pm and offers $2.50 select drafts. All the food and drink specials are available to dine-in guests only.

"There are future hopes of bringing a similar concept to the city of Detroit" said Reith, "but for now Atwater in the Park acts as a research and development for such a project."-By Courtney Ochab
· Finally! Atwater in the Park Opens Saturday [-ED-]