Episode 8 - The Details
Frank Lehnen is an old friend that has been a big supporter of craft beer, great music and neighborhood taverns. I caught up with him during Grand Rapids Beer Week, and Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival. I’ve been a longtime fan and appreciate how he keeps a certain fabric of history in all of his projects, while connecting his neighborhoods and making people happy with fresh ideas and always plenty of good beer and awesome music.
The Drinks: Mad Hatter IPA, Throwback: Beer Barrel Bourbon, lemon and ginger beer, various Dragon’s Milk Variants from MBG Winter Beer Festival, Carhartt Woodsman - oak aged pale ale.
The Music: Wealthy Street (Instrumental), courtesy of and © Drew Nelson
Guest Bios
Frank Lehnen, the son of public school teachers, grew up with his four sibling on Grand Rapids’ westside where his Grandmother from Poland immigrated to in 1915. Frank’s creativity was encouraged at a young age, often channeled through his love of music. His entrepreneurial spirit began in the high school years, complemented by studying energy conservation at Jordan College. His studies also included radio and DJing at WYCE in the early eighties. His career began in the corporate world at Michcon, before he took a leap and opened Radio Tavern on Bridge Street in 1998. Fire destroyed the Radio Tavern, yet Frank continued on to design and rehab historic buildings, opening Rocky’s Bar and Grill in 2001, Monarch’s Club in 2006 and Tip Top Deluxe in 2011. Frank is active in neighborhood development, currently serving as President of the Stockbridge Business Association and formerly serving the West Grand Neighborhood Organization. He has passion for sports, sportswriters and Jim Harrison.
Isaac Hartman is a fifteen year employee for New Holland Brewing and Key Account Manager for their Sales team. He has served as a board member of the Michigan Brewers Guild for eight years. He is married with two children Corinne (three) and Ezra (one). He and his family reside in Grand Rapids Michigan and enjoy the outdoors, music of all kinds, spending time with family, and friends. He is passionate about building a great team at New Holland, while striving to improve every day to be the best father, husband, coworker and team member he can be.