When the Sima family decided to build a brewery in New Buffalo, overlooking the Galien River and its surrounding wetlands, they chose a name based on a spirited legend that’s been perpetuated by the community for decades.
Tucked into a 3.5-acre parcel between Red Arrow Highway (U.S. 12) and the still-active Amtrak train line, Ghost Isle Brewery was opened in April 2019 by Jim and Elizabeth Sima and their son, Bob, who learned the art of brewing at Chicago’s esteemed Siebel Institute of Technology.
“The name Ghost Isle comes from a tiny island in the marsh. (It’s) known fondly as Ghost Island by kids who grew up in the area,” says Tyler Ream. “Rumor has it the island is haunted.”
Jim was among those kids who spent time exploring, swimming, and fishing around Ghost Island, which is identified as Riveria Island on maps. In fact, many locals over the age of 60 are likely to be familiar with the island’s cryptic past. Little is actually known about Ghost Island, but it’s believed to be an old Indian camp. Given the Miami, Iroquois, and Pottawatomi tribes all lived in the area at one time or another, this seems plausible. Now that the brewery is open, Jim spends time researching and documenting the history and folklore associated with the mysterious island.
The Sima family has longstanding ties to the community — four generations, in fact. In the 1950s, Jim’s grandfather purchased large tracts of land including 156 acres that were later donated to the Chikaming Open Lands conservancy and are now known as the Louis J. Sima Great Lakes Marsh.
Autumn is an especially vibrant time around the marsh, as the trees, grasses, and other native flora go through their colorful transformation. Ghost Isle Brewery provides a front-row seat to the seasonal show.
“Ghost Isle is well known for going all-out on Halloween decorations, inside and out,” Ream notes. “The deck becomes a cozy spot with bales of hay, pumpkins, gourds, skeletons, and more. The staff tends to meet the occasion with elaborate costumes, as well.”
As weather permits, the brewery’s outdoor patio, with seating for more than 100, remains a popular gathering space for locals and those passing through on a color tour. A fire pit adds to the ambience, while also providing much-needed warmth on chilly fall days.
“My wife, Tici, and I discovered Ghost Isle Brewery shortly after they opened,” says David Bartlett, who travels the Lake Michigan coast from Saugatuck/Douglas to New Buffalo a couple times each year to enjoy time at Ghost Isle.
“Being fans of ghost stories and the like, we just had to visit when we saw the sign. Now, any time we’re in the area, it’s a must-stop for their crafted beers and great food options. Our favorite thing is sitting on the patio and catching a glimpse of the Amtrak speeding by on raised rails about 50 yards away.”
Beyond the glass overhead garage doors, the 7,000-square-foot taphouse and brewery offers another 100 seats, including 30 at the one-of-a-kind bar crafted of Buchanan walnut by area woodworkers.
Behind the bar, there are 18 taps serving up the brewery’s signature New Buffalo Pilsner, cool-weather seasonal stouts and porters, and Märzen-style Oktoberfest brews. Most are crafted in-house on the 10-barrel steam-jacked system by head brewer Dale VaDerra, an award-winning brewer from Arizona who sources local hops and other ingredients.
A handful of guest taps give customers added regional options. If committing to a pint of just one style is scary, a flight might be the way to go, with four 5-oz. samples. As a brewpub with a Class C liquor license, Ghost Isle also serves classic and specialty cocktails, wine, cider, and seltzer, plus a handful of non-alcoholic options.
Ghost Isle offers a diverse menu to complement its beer, including appetizers such as firecracker shrimp, salads with house-made dressings, sandwiches such as the Classic Isle burger, and a handful of land and sea entrees. For the kids, there are chicken tenders, macaroni bites, hot dogs, and a chargrilled 7-oz. burger. Desserts feature house-made, locally sourced specials from head chef Ryan Martin.
Ghost Isle offers brewery tours, live music on Fridays and Sundays into the fall, and the occasional cornhole match on the patio.
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Ghost Isle Brewery
ghostislebrewery.com
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