Dark Horse Brewing Co., a popular craft brewer in the southeast Michigan village of Marshall, remains open this week after a fire struck their retail store.
According to the Battle Creek Enquirer, the fire started around 1:00 a.m. of Friday, November 5. Fire crews from both the village and township of Marshall responded, bringing the fire under control in less than an hour, and completing their work by 4:23 a.m. Later reports confirmed the fire started in Dark Horse’s General Store and Skate Shop across the parking lot from the brewery. The brewery and tap room were not damaged, and reopened for business.
The fire, which started in a storage area between the Dark Horse store and an adjoining tattoo parlor, is being investigated for possible arson. Local station WWMT reports investigators are suspicious about the speed with which the fire spread. Additionally, Dark Horse General Manager Travis Glen said the tap room had been broken into after the last person had closed it up just minutes before the fire.
Dark Horse’s General Store had just received its merchandise for the Christmas season, all of which is a total loss.
On Sunday, November 7, owner Aaron Morse posted a message on the Dark Horse web site:
Want to thank everyone for all the calls, text, and or emails about our fire on Friday morning 11-5-10. The fire was in our General Store and Skate Shop across the parking lot from the Taproom. The Taproom and the Brewery are fine and pumping out beer as usual. It is good to know we have so much support out there. We will work hard to get the building re-built and the Dark Horse Compound back to normal. Thanks Again – Aaron and everyone at Dark Horse
The Dark Horse Brewing Co. is located at 511 S. Kalamazoo Ave., just south of downtown Marshall, MI. It opened in 1997 next to a convenience store owned by Morse’s father. They have been bringing some popular beers to the Chicago area, including Crooked Tree Pale Ale, Sapient Trip Ale, and Scotty Karate Scotch Ale.
