Inside: Corner Brewery in Ypsi

Status: It's not surprising the home of the famed Oktoberfest inspired Matt Greff to start brewing his own beer after studying abroad in Munich, Germany.

“At that time, in the early ’90s, there weren’t many places around here where you could get fresh, full-flavored beer like I tasted in Germany,” says Greff who founded the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti on June 1, 2006. “So, I started brewing like a mad man.”

“He started brewing in the kitchen, and gradually took over the counters with his equipment,” says his wife Rene Greff. “Then he moved to the basement. Finally I said, 'I think you need to start a brewery.'”

Thus the Corner Brewery was born.

“You can’t find atmosphere like this anywhere else," says regular Archie Crawford, who proves his love for brew by showing off his tattoo of the Sacred Cow India Pale Ale symbol.

The Greffs own Arbor Brewing Company in Ann Arbor as well.

Gear: It's mostly jeans and t-shirts here, but more dressy looks are seen when the brewery hosts private parties. Relaxed, casual clothes are generally the order of the day, but if you're looking for something new to wear, there's Corner Brewery merchandise for sale, including hoodies and tank tops.

Mood: “Corner Brewery has a really awesome, open atmosphere,” says customer Brian Bett. “It feels like the kind of place where you could walk over to any booth and say hello.”

The large, loft-like space features brick walls, high ceilings and deep-hued wood. The brewery also has wi-fi, which is a definite plus for the students who stop in for a brew.

“It’s like a coffee shop, but they have beer,” says Isaac Kosel, 23, a pharmacology student at Washtenaw Community College. “I like beer more than coffee, so it works for me.”

Pick me up: The bar is 20-plus feet long, and you can find ales, lagers and ports for any mood, as well as some Michigan wines. A mug of beer is $4.25, and happy hour runs all day Monday and from 4-7 p.m. Tues.-Fri. In the summer, the outdoor beer garden seats 200.

Limited food is available with sandwiches, cheese and crackers and other snacks on the menu. Guests are encouraged to order in from local restaurants, and menus are available behind the counter. In addition, you can join the Mug of the Month club for $75 a year and get your own personalized mug, discounts and special invites to beer tastings.

Entertainment: There's also a cozy corner of the brewery with a comfortable spot where guests can curl up with board games and warm themselves by the fire. This laidback joint doesn't boast regular bands or events each week, but you can expect them to pull out all the stops for Oktoberfest and New Year's Eve, which this year, will feature a special food menu and a beer countdown, along with the sounds of local band Third Coast Kings.