Brew Detroit LLC — a 68,000-square-foot, Corktown brewing facility led by Keith Sirois, CEO of Big Boy International — opens today, with the goals of creating jobs, supporting local breweries, and bringing manufacturing back to the city.
“We built a state-of-the-art facility that will be brewing, canning, bottling, and kegging beer,” says David Crawford, a member of Brew Detroit and a spokesman for the facility that carries a maximum capacity of about 1 million cases of beer.
Located in the former home of Detroit Ball Bearing Co., 1401 Abbott St., Brew Detroit is a place where other breweries looking to expand their projects can utilize the facility’s resources. Crawford says the business would like to start out with four or five collaborations.
The facility serves as a brewing home to Atwater Brewery, BADASS American Lager, Motor City Brewing Works, and Big Red Beverages. Erika Brockberg, director of retail operations, says it was one of the few well-maintained buildings that had enough space and high enough ceilings to fit Brew Detroit’s brewing equipment.
“Because of the craft beer boom, brewers need a lot of capital to get started,” Crawford says. “Brew Detroit collaborates with breweries to help lessen the capital needed.”
The facility also has a 7,000-square-foot tasting room, which keeps 10 beers on tap and uses a two-barrel brewing system for keeping small batches, allowing for a constant rotation of creative and seasonal craft brews.
Though they do not serve food, a variety of local food trucks will be on-site during weekend hours. Guests can order carryout from nearby businesses using menus provided at the bar.
“The way we are functioning, if the taproom can pay for the rent (of the 68,000-square-foot building), then we are in good shape,” Crawford says. “Right now, we aren’t making money, (although) we should break even in six months.”
Between the manufacturing facility and taproom, Brew Detroit has 30 employees and expects to grow to 50 employees by the end of 2017.
“A benefit of the collaborative efforts is that you get to learn from the best brewers in town,” says Brockberg.
For more information about Brew Detroit, which will offer public tours on Saturdays, visit brewdetroit.com.
