Tom Bodin’s lineage is about as rooted in Bayfield as it gets.
His great-grandfather moved there in 1881 from Sweden and started commercial fishing on Lake Superior. The family is still at it.
“We’ve been commercial fishing for over 140 years,” he said, smiling.
Bodin Fisheries has long been the family’s business, but Tom Bodin expanded his family’s portfolio by getting into the beer business.
The new brewery is a nod toward the proud family history. Bodin named Clipper Brewing Company after his grandfather’s boat.
The Bodin family history runs throughout the brewery. Inside, the bar is made to look like the fishing boat itself. The brewery also serves as a museum with artifacts from his family’s fishing business placed throughout the building located above The Fish House. Bodin is still putting up assorted fishing gear and other objects along with family pictures to make his home away from home just right.
Bodin began brewing beer in his basement 15-20 years ago as a hobby and launched his first beer at the brewery earlier this month. He said the name for the brewery’s amber beer was obvious: Dick’s Bronze Star Amber. It was named after his father, Richard, who served in WWII and received a Bronze Star while in the Army.
Army records tell the story. “…[I]n the vicinity of Uckange, France. Voluntarily operating a motor boat on the flooded Moselle River at a time when the velocity of the raging storm made such an action hazardous, P.F.C. Bodin carried supplies to American troops on the opposite bank and evacuated casualties to the aid station on the other shore of the river,” according to information provided by Tom Bodin. “These operations were accomplished under scathing enemy artillery and mortar fire.”
When describing the beer brewed in house, Bodin said, “It’s light, not overly hoppy, not overpowering and easy to drink.”
His wife, Janet Bodin, is very proud of her husband for the hard work he’s put into something he’s always wanted to do and is happy to help out, considering the operation a partnership. Her favorite part is hearing all the family stories and stories about Bayfield in general.
“Every time I come over, I learn something new about the area,” she said.
Lots of what they call research went into the brewery and the beer making process. This includes going to breweries in the area and across the country.
“We like to do research when not working. We have a list of our favorite breweries. When we’re there, we look at the coasters, beer handles, furniture, decorations, what kind of glasses they’re using. Of course we’re sampling the beer, too,” Janet said.
The two have enjoyed meeting everyone who has come in for a beer and look forward to the days ahead.
“We meet people from all over the US. I had no idea how many people come here for vacation,” Janet said.
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