- Detroit Beer Company
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Detroit Beer Co.
Detroit Beer Co. Industry Alcoholic beverage, Restaurant Founded 2003 Founder(s) Drew Ciora, Mike Pelsz Headquarters Detroit, Michigan, United States Products Beer Website http://www.detroitbeerco.com/ Detroit Beer Co. is a brewpub located on Broadway Street in downtown Detroit, Michigan, United States. Detroit Beer Co. opened in the fall of 2003 and is part of a trio of local breweries, including the Royal Oak Brewery (1995) and the Rochester Mills Beer Co. (1998). The Detroit Beer Co. was launched by Drew Ciora and Mike Pelsz, who purchased and renovated the historical Hartz building at a cost of $5.3 million.[1] The Hartz Building was an early 20th-century surgical supply store and was renovated to accommodate a restaurant, brewery equipment, office space, and even a loft apartment.[2] Within close proximity of both Comerica Park and Ford Field,[3] it has certainly made its impact on the culture that is the Motor City.
Contents
History
Significant to the development of Detroit Beer Co. is its location in Detroit, Michigan. The city of Detroit continues to work hard at its revival and renaissance begun in the 1990’s and Detroit Beer Co. has become a part that revival, as well.[4] Detroit Beer Co. is housed in the historic 100-year-old Hartz Building at 1529 Broadway Street; it is part of the Broadway Avenue Historic District located on a single block along Broadway Avenue between Gratiot and East Grand River.[5] The Hartz building is in the center of a cultural and sporting spot in Detroit, with the Detroit Opera house standing across the street, and Comerica Park and Ford Field both short walks away. The six-story Hartz building was built in 1902; it was name after J. Frederick Hartz, who was Chairman of the Board of the J.F. Hartz Company, a medical and surgical supply company.[6] The building declined during the latter part of the 20th century and in the early 2000’s the Hartz building underwent a complete renovation by Kraemer Design Group with the Detroit Beer Co. in mind; the building also has mixed-use functions. The Kraemer Design Group planned a brewery and pub in the basement, first and second floor, loft offices on the third, fourth and fifth, and finally a loft apartment on the sixth floor. While the renovations updated the building to fit the current surrounding locale, the historic character of the building was preserved and it is being considered for a listing on the National Register of Historic places.[7]
Front of Hartz BuildingThe Beer
Detroit Beer Co. has an extensive selection of award winning ales and lagers that are brewed on-site. The brewhouse was constructed to fit the space requirements of the historic Hartz building; the basement houses four fermentation tanks. The design of the brewhouse, along with the sophisticated beer delivery system, permits the brewery to offer up to 8 house beers on tap at any time. The brewmaster, Kevin Rodger, oversees the brewery operation.[8]
Detroit Beer Co. has seven beers offered year round: Broadway Light, Detroit Lager, Detroit Red, Local 1529 IPA, and The Detroit Dwarf (named after the "Nain Rouge" dward who haunts the city and serves as a harbinger of doom), The People Mover Porter (named after Detroit's downtown public transportation system) and Steam Tunnel Stout.[9]
Awards
The company's first award was won at the first annual Michigan Brewers Olympics in 2004. It is still on display behind the bar, even though nobody knows what it is anymore (it's the one with the king, holding a scepter and flanked by roller skates). Events included a race where contestants picked up a 55 pound bag of grain and ran 15 yards to a pallet and stacked it, 20 times, and then had to slam a can of Stroh's, a Keg toss, a quiz, and, finally, an obstacle course.
At the Great American Beer Festival, the Detroit Dwarf took the bronze in the category of "Beer with Yeast" in 2004 and gold in the category "Dusseldorf Alt" in 2008. The Detroit Lager won bronze for "Bohemian Pilsener" in 2007.
The Detroit Dwarf also took home the silver medal for "Dusseldorf Alt" at the World Beer Cup in 2010.
At the World Expo of Beer, Lager holds a gold medal once again for "Bohemian Pilsener".
A since discontinued brew, St. Brigid's Oatmeal Stout was awarded the gold for "Oatmeal Stout" at the Michigan Beer Cup in 2004.Le Nain Rouge
The famed Detroit Dwarf actually has some historical significance. Its mascot, the Nain Rouge (French for "Red Dwarf") has been known as the mythical demon responsible for all of the hardships that have befallen the city of Detroit over the decades. The brew was given its namesake for the "devilish" hops flavor balanced by a red malty undertone, each characteristic of a German Alt-style beer.
Le Nain Rouge/Detroit DwarfReferences
- ^ Detroit Free Press 2003-08-30 Brewpub Readies for Downtown City's Restaurant Scene, Gallagher, John
- ^ Kraemer Edge - Hartz Bldg
- ^ Midwest Microbrews - Detroit Beer Company
- ^ Midwest Microbrews - Detroit Beer Co.
- ^ Proposed Broadway Avenue Local Historic District
- ^ Proposed Broadway Avenue Local Historic District
- ^ Kraemer Edge - Hartz Bldg
- ^ Detroit Beer Co.
- ^ Midwest Microbrews - Detroit Beer Co.
External links
Categories:- Beer brewing companies based in Michigan
- Companies based in Detroit, Michigan
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