It's been a year in the making -- a Detroit variety store with a bar and kitchen attached. The Metropolitan Variety Store in the West Village is now open and I was eager to get down there and talk to co-owner Ashley Price, a veteran of the retail side of the craft beer industry. He and I spoke about the here-and-now while also looking ahead a bit.
In November of 2016, Wayne State Police Officer Collin Rose was shot and killed in the line of duty. As we approach the five year anniversary of Officer Rose's murder, The Officer Collin Rose Memorial Foundation teamed up with Copper Hop Brewing Company to honor Officer Rose's memory and help raise funds to support the foundation by brewing a porter called Blueberry Maple Good C.O.P. The beer is available starting November 17th at Copper Hop in St. Clair Shores and 8 Degrees Plato in Detroit, near where Officer Rose was killed. I went to SCS to hang out at Copper Hop with co-owner Ryan Balicki to talk about this charitable pairing.
Detroit punk rock group the Suicide Machines hooked up with Detroit City Distillery to collaborate on a whiskey AND on a Halloween concert (information on both here). I met up with Jason Navarro, the lead singer of the Machines -- he and I went to DCD's Eastern Market tasting room to have a cocktail or two and talk about how this unique collaboration came about.
There is a little spot on Detroit's east side that serves as a time warp -- things have changed around the 2 Way Inn since it began serving alcohol back in 1876, but little about the 2 Way itself have changed. Danielle Pantallersco is the current caretaker (or General Manager, your choice) -- her mother Mary (the GOAT) owns the bar and Danielle's grandfather bought it back in the 1970s, so it remains a family affair. I went to the corner of Mt. Elliott and Nevada and got buzzed in to have a beer with Danielle
Norden in Chelsea makes craft Aquavit, a centuries old Scandinavian cousin of gin. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Norden teamed up with Mothfire Brewing Company in Ann Arbor to benefit The Pink Fund. I went to the Ugly Dog Distillery where Norden is made to hang with President and Distiller, Robyn Cleveland to get a crash course in Aquavit and their benefit project.
What happens if during your next party you run out of craft beer? Or, maybe you're looking to put a spread of beers together ahead of time. Regardless, Hop Runner has you covered. I sat down with owner Michael Groebe to pick his brain and learn more about how I can get beers delivered to my door!
Nick Britsky, AKA Nick Drinks, has been showcasing the local spirits, cocktails and our favorite places to enjoy them for years. He joined me for a couple of flights at Loaded Dice Brewery and we talked about the vibrant craft cocktail scene in Detroit and what's behind it. Of course we talked craft beer -- malt liquor too!
Nothing surprising about a craft beer mug club. They're everywhere. But about a mugless club? One that's based on a secret society? That's what's about to happen at Brew Detroit. Their marketing and branding wiz, Dave Cicotte, invited me to the Corktown taproom to learn more. But not too much more. The rest is a secret.
Yes, this is a beer podcast but it turns out things other than craft beer taste awesome too. Detroit City Distillery is introducing a new permanent spirit to their lineup -- Four Grain Bourbon. I went down to the Whiskey Factory on Gratiot to talk to DCD co-owner Michael Forsyth to learn about the new whiskey and to hear the story behind it.
The original Urbanrest opened 4 years ago on Woodward Heights in Ferndale. Instead of growing outward, Zach and Mary Tympinski decided to dig more deeply into Ferndale, opening a second location -- this one downtown on 9 Mile -- this week. You can expect the amazing craft beers but you'll also get custard! Some of the custard is family friendly but some of it is made with Urbanrest beer. I headed downtown to Ferndale to talk with Zach and catch up.
Jef Smith at Loaded Dice Brewery in Troy is always up to something which makes his spot so much fun. As the 1-year anniversary of Loaded Dice approaches, Jef is releasing some crowd favorites -- A 3-part Fat King series and the ever popular Dank Vegas IPA. These releases are a big deal for Loaded Dice. Take a listen to find out why.
Also -- This episode has, um, what my grandmother would call 'uncouth language'. Be advised.
Two Birds is nesselled in Detroit's West Village where it offers custard, wine, beer and cocktails. Opening earlier this spring, Two Birds has caught on quickly. I went to the city's east side and hung out with co-owner Kyle Hunt to find out where drinks meet dessert
Pro baseball in Utica? The four-team USPBL has been playing at Jimmy John's Field since 2016 and it goes far beyond baseball. I went to the Macomb County ballpark to sit down with Nate Liska, the Food and Beverage Director for Jimmy John's Field, to learn about their craft beer offerings and I discovered that what's happening goes far beyond the diamond.
This is indeed a craft beer podcast but we have to expand our horizons from time-to-time, right? I went to Motor City Gas Distillery in downtown Royal Oak where Rich Lockwood and his team are doing one thing and one thing only -- cranking out amazing whiskey. I toured the facility and then sat down in the tasting room to learn more about Motor City Gas over some amazing whiskeys.
Arctic Circle Brewing Company has been in the works for almost two years but today is the day the taproom doors swing open in Chesterfield. At their industry preview night, I spoke to co-owners Eric Lehman Jr and Deven Sills about what it's like to be at the end of the beginning of the road and where they go from here.
NOTE -- There is 1 inappropriate word in this episode, so shield younger ears for this one. Apologies in advance.
Hyper-local beers are awesome, they drive the market. But, what if all beer was local, no matter where it was brewed? That's where Brew Pipeline comes in -- matching retailers and brewers while working to take the guesswork out of distribution. I spoke with Brew Pipeline President Scott Ebert about what makes the company tick and what they're working on for the future.
There was a time in Michigan when Altes was as popular as it gets when it came to beer choices. But, through consolidation and bankruptcy in the 1980s, the brand faltered and by the 90s, it was gone all together. But, a group of friends revived the brand and Altes started again appearing on shelves in 2016. I spoke to co-owner Eric Stief about the iconic brand and what's it been like bringing it back.
The original plan for Ferndale's Urbanrest was to be located downtown. Plans changed but fast forward 4 years and Urbanrest says they will open a downtown facility later this summer. I spoke to co-owner Zach Tympanski to get the details.
Brewery Faisan is dedicated to the ancient (literally) art of brewing Belgian beer. Paul and Rachel Szlaga opened the Islandview Detroit brewery in October of 2019 and like many great craft brewers in the area, they are doing things there way, bringing a different flavor to the Bell Isle adjacent neighborhood.
In an article from May's Hour Detroit Magazine, Ryan Patrick Hooper interviewed Harry Weaver III from the Brewz Brothaz to examine what it's like being a black craft beer drinker. Plus, how can things become more inclusive? It's a tough question but Ryan Patrick and Harry did an excellent job of getting the point across. Listen to the pod, read the article and check out the Brewz Brothaz.
