Fresh brewed suds will soon make an appearance in downtown Brighton after city council approved the site plan for the Western House Brewery, which will take over the site known by residents as the "Pink Hotel" at 500 W. Main Street. 

The brewery will offer a variety of microbrews, including a brew from the American colonial area, as well as a drink that dates back to the days of the Vikings. Only a small selection of snacks will be available, keeping the focus on the beer. 

Current owner of the building, John Becker, and his son, Matt Becker, who will act as head brewer, both say that maintaining the historical integrity of the Pink Hotel is key in their operation.

John Becker says he will spend about $1 million in buying and improving the 6000-square foot building. He says he plans to gut much of the interior to make room for brewing equipment.

There are plans for a European-style beer garden that will be located between the building and the railroad tracks.

The Pink Hotel, as it’s still referred to, was constructed as a hotel in the late 1800’s and was originally named the Western House Hotel.  The brewery was then named as an echo of the long-gone hotel, and was chosen in an effort to help preserve a piece of the history of downtown Brighton, the Beckers say.

The Beckers hope to open the brewery by April 2012.