Craft Breweries In Detroit

Updated July 31st, 2019

This blog entry will detail most of the best places to drink craft beer in Detroit, as well as explore all of its breweries and brewpubs.  Detroit does not have a plethora of craft breweries such as Denver, or even Albuquerque.  But it offers enough taps to make any discriminating craft beer lover sit up and take notice.

I will enter the breweries first, followed by some of the best tap rooms.  This project might take several weeks; be patient, as updates will be forthcoming.  Breweries are listed in most recent order of visiting.

CRAFT BREWERIES IN DETROIT 

BREWERY FAISAN (Pheasant)

The garage door/window of the tap room faces Beaufait Street. 

2nd Visit January 2nd/20 

The brewery was quiet on the day after new year.  I tried two beer.  I have been waiting a long time to try the Tripel, and it was right on the mark.  One of the best beers I have ever tasted.  I came home with a 16 oz can of it.  I also tried the Paterwagen, a robust porter.  This is another beer to die for, and I brought a can of it home, too.  I am so happy, and I will be back, often!  There are now about 10 different beers on tap, many of them Belgian inspired.

1st Visit late November/19

Several new breweries are opening their doors this fall and winter, and Brewery Faisan is the first of the new breed.  Advertising a link to Belgian beers, I was very excited to visit and sample the ales.  I finally made it here about 10 days after opening.  Of course everything looks brand spanking new, including the board games on offer.  The tap room is very large, open, and friendly, and there is bar seating.  No food is served, beyond the free popcorn, though potato chips are on sale.  On a late November Sunday afternoon there was a pleasant buzz about the place, but it was very quiet by the time we left.

The brewery is in a no-man's land, not far north of Jefferson Ave. and the Detroit River.  Still, it seems miles from civilization, and in Detroit, to attract a steady customer base, this is not necessarily a plus.  I would not be keen on visiting after dark myself, and I'm pretty used to many areas of Detroit.  Beaufait St. has almost nothing else on it; a few warehouse type businesses, and a pallet company.  The street has an abandoned feel and look to it.  Still, all this can be overlooked if the beer is good, right?

 View of the bar and about half of the taproom seating.

 The fall 2019 tap list at Brewery Faisan, Detroit.  Looks promising.  I tried the Sanilac, King Eider, Periphery, and Night Heron.  A Trippel is promised within a few weeks, as well as a canning machine.

My 6 oz glass of King Eider, a dubbel.  

 

Sadly, of the 4 beers sampled, none could be considered outstanding, nor very good, nor even commendable.  All 4 lacked something in the body and the taste.  I am a huge fan of pale ales and Belgian beers, but the combination of same in the Sanilac did not work for me; it is not a combination to be trifled with.  Give me either or.  And the Dubbel just did not seem mature, as if it had been tapped too early.  The raspberry saison was not inspiring to my taste buds, and the coffee stout lacked polish and deep flavour.  This is not beer I would go out of my way to drink.

I will try a 2nd visit once the Trippel is released, and also try the Wit and the ubiquitous IPAs.  I hate raining on a parade, especially a place that two people have sunk their entire lives in to.  But in this day and age, if you want to attract drinkers to such a neighbourhood, and away from the well established areas, you had better have a top knotch product.  I have not as yet seen any other honest reviews, but I suspect that after the holiday season is over, this place is going to be rather empty much of the time unless the beer quality improves a lot.

 5 of the 7 tanks at Brewery Faisan, Detroit. 

 Looking outside from the taproom.  Our Tiguan sits out front.  Across the street is where the wild pheasants sometimes wander.

 

JOLLY PUMPKIN 

Jolly Pumpkin Detroit (image from brewery website). 

Jolly Pumpkin does not brew beer in Detroit, which is a shame.  The beer is brewed in Dexter, MI.  There are taprooms in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Royal Oak.  The Detroit taproom and restaurant (which is vegan friendly) carries the full line of brews and bottles.  They have no guest ales (see further down for a surprise, though), but they do have liquor and wine.  Jolly Pumpkin is all about barrel-aged sour beers.  And man, are they good!  I have visited at least a dozen times, trying just about everything they have.

 I began the afternoon with a sample of 4 of the sours. A flight of 4 cost $15.  This beer ain't cheap, but it is worth every hard-earned penny.  Bam Biere is their basic starter, and it is a favourite.  Today I went with Bam Noire, a darker version of their farmhouse ale saison.  Perfect in every way, and only 4.5%.  Next came Bam di Castagna, brewed with chestnuts, at 4.5%  Perfect.  Thirdly came Luciernaga, at 6.5%, a sour Belgian.  Perfect, and then some.  Lastly came one of the best beers of my entire life.  Ale Absurd, at 8.25%, is a Belgian Trippel sour aged for 17 months in California Chardonnay barrels.  Need I say more?  Yee gods, but it was mighty fine. 

We have never eaten anything beyond the superb pizzas here, going with vegan cheese on the Brussels sprouts version (not on the menu--you have to ask for it).  This pizza is so good, and is perfect with a glass of Bam Biere.  After food, I ordered another flight.

The head brewer at Jolly Pumpkin is also head brewer at North Peak Brewery in Traverse City, MI.  These are more regular beers, not sour.  Jolly Pumpkin carries the full line of North Peak ales (and bottles).  So the taproom is really a two-in-one.  The drinker (me) wins double!

The beer is running low--time to order more!  On the left side are beers from North Peak.  Far left was Deb's, a merely okay Hooked IPA session ale, at 3.9%.  Next up is a signature beer of theirs.  Diabolical IPA (6.66%) is a pretty firm entry in the IPA category.  Perk was next, a fabulous coffee-rye ale, brewed with Mighty Good coffee.  At 6.8%, this is one of the best coffee ales I have ever had.  Lastly came Dusk, a winter ale (!), a big and malty ale.  At 8%, I would love to drink this all winter, morning, noon, and night (with some Perk thrown in there once in a while, too).

 The taproom at Jolly Pumpkin in Detroit was pretty busy at 3:30 when we arrived, but much less so when we left around 5:30.  More than 25 ales were on tap from two breweries.

I love this place.  It sits in one of the best city enclaves anywhere in the world, with unique shops (including Third Man Records and Shinola), and Motor City Brewing across the road, and Traffic Jam Brewery 30 seconds walk away.  If you have never tried sours, Jolly is a very good place to sample the best there is.  If you really don't like sours, then North Peak is waiting for you.

DETROIT BEER COMPANY

Downtown Detroit has become one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in the world, and yet there are only two micro breweries right down there.  It is puzzling, at the very least.  Detroit Beer Company has been a big supporter of downtown way before the city became so popular.  Located close to Grand Circus Park and Comerica Park (Tiger Stadium), it sits right across the street from the Detroit Opera House.  The People Mover Broadway Station is only steps away.  I have visited many times, and I've found the beer quality to be irregular.  I've had very few truly memorable beers here, and quite a few forgettable ones.

On my visit of July 23rd/19 I found 11 taps open to all drinkers, and one extra reserved for mug club members.  A nice selection, and perhaps the most taps I've ever seen here.  Their website is not up to date on all their offerings.  Here is my round of 5 tasters.

I tried their pale ale, a saison, a wit, an ipa, and the coffee porter.  All were pretty good! 

Some of the brewing tanks at Detroit Beer Company.

 There is a long bar, as well as high tops near the large windows facing Broadway.  There is table sitting at the back.  It is a cozy pub, and you can choose bright sunlight or dark pub.  The brewery sits in a very vibrant downtown Detroit. 

The food menu is extensive, unless you are vegan.  There is very little choice.  You can hold the cheese on their veg burger, but they won't knock the price down.  $13 for a veg burger is pricey.  You can get a pizza with no cheese, but again, it's the same price.  Makes me wish that Unburger would open a downtown location.

GRANITE CITY BREWERY 

Permanently Closed as of March 2020.

Located in the Renaissance Center, downtown Detroit.

The Renaissance Center in Detroit is one of the great architectural disasters of our time.  Completed in 1977, it now consists of 7 towers, 5 of which are pretty high.  Offices and a large hotel are located here.  The apartments and condos were never built.  Walking around inside is like walking around the set of a bad SF movie from that era.  There are some very cool views and vistas inside, and the complex looks amazing from the Windsor side of the Detroit River.  But GM, who now owns the building, took away most of the plants and cool sitting areas, and repleaced it with corporate style desks and seating areas.  Very, very uninspired interior. I will say no more about this. 

Granite City is a chain brewery that really belongs in the suburbs.  Everything about this very large bar and restaurant makes one feel suburban.  That's not a bad thing, unless you are amidst a very vibrant and happening city.  Their beer isn't always good, and vegan food is scarce on their large menu.  We snuck inside on July 23rd just as a big rain storm was arriving.  It was fun sitting inside, nice and cozy and surrounded by brewing tanks, as horizontal rain fell outside in sheets.

There are some positives about Granite in Detroit, though.  Firstly, it is so large that there will always be room, no matter how busy it might get.  The outdoor seating gives views into downtown and across busy Jefferson Avenue.  Secondly, a flight of four beer costs $4.99.  That, my friends, is awesome.  But so what, you may say, if the beer is not the highest quality.  Not to worry, because a nice feature of Granite is their guest tap list.  Don't like Granite beer?  Order 4 of the guests.  I compromised, ordering 2 of Granite's own brew, and two guests.

 I tried The Bennie, finding it watery and with not much flavour.  Broad Axe was pretty good, a very dark, somewhat bitter stout.  I could drink this one again.  I tried The Hef from Frankenmuth, finding it watery and quite bland.  This is supposed to be an award winning beer.  No comparison to a really fine German Hefe.  I also tried the Ginger Peach cider from Vandermill.  Yummy!

 My flight at Granite City.

 The bar at Granite City, Detroit.  Are we in the big city, or a suburban hotel chain?

Guest taps change frequently, so it doesn't hurt to check back once in a while.  A Belgian Strong is tapping August 1st, so I may pop back in for a wee taste.  They do not serve single small pours.  Outside of the 4-serving taster, you must buy a pint.  Unfortunate.  However, they did provide a very, very, very tiny taste of the Gypsy Goddess, which was sweet but pretty decent.

ATWATER BREWERY 

Located in Detroit's Rivertown Warehouse district, Atwater has been around town a long time. 

Atwater Brewery is one of the biggest breweries to set up shop in Detroit, and it has been here for a long time.  They have since opened a branch in Grand Rapids (as if that town really needed another brewery), and a German-themed one in nearby Grosse Pointe.  They also have national distribution for their bottled beer.  The best beer they brew is called Vanilla Java Porter.  Since I have a six-pack of it in my fridge at home, I gave it a miss today, even on nitro.

Atwater has very uneven quality with their beer, and if you stray much beyond the porter, you may be disappointed.  And despite the board showing a wide range of beer styles and a large number of selection, they were out of 3 of the 4 beer I had selected for my flight today.  Really?  They were out of Decadent Chocolate nitro (though they had the regular version on tap); they were out of Detroit Pale Ale; they were out of a Trippel, and something else.  The waitress (Ashley) substituted the Better Life Choices IPA for the pale, which I found flavourful but watery.  The VooDoo Vator Doppelbock was very fine indeed, and the Mint Double Decadent Chocolate Ale was superb!  Deb tried the Safe Space IPA, a welcome addition at only 3.1% ABV.  More breweries seem to be attempting some very low and even non-alcohol beer, and I really support this endeavour.  Freshest is bestest.  I also tried the Lip Lock Cherry Stout, and found it lacking in a real cherry sense.

 With 25 beers on their menu, Atwater is in the big leagues of Detroit Brewing. 

 View from our hightop table looking towards the bar, and beyond into the brewery itself. 

The taproom is spacious, with regular tables, hightops, and bar seating.  The food menu includes vegan options, but beware the prices and the portions.  We ordered the vegan brat, and essentially received a (delicious) hot dog with some potato chips for $13.  We found it seriously overpriced.  For what we received, $9 might be a more acceptable tab.  Live and learn.  Though we sat a long time after finishing up the food, Ashley never came to clear our plates away.  Live and learn.  We will stick to beer on any future visits.

There is a fenced parking lot across the street (free), and street parking.  The Detroit River is just a few steps away, and the Detroit Riverwalk. 

 

BREW DETROIT 

Entrance. 

Don't be put off by the minimalist entrance.  This is one of Detroit's most fun breweries to spend time quaffing ales.  The four-sided bar is lit from above by a large skylight, and a TV screen in each corner shows sports, news, a movie channel, and something else.  We sat facing the movie channel.  There is comfortable seating away from the bar, as well as upstairs.  There is shuffleboard and pinball downstairs, as well as board games.  Upstairs is a pool table.  Brew Detroit sells cans of several of its ales, and will custom can anything on tap in their 25 oz "Big-Ass Cans."  I left with a 4-pack of Red Ales, and a large can of the ESB.

 They also sell swag.

Brew Detroit Beer Menu, part 1.

 Beer menu part 2.

 Beer menu part 3. 

There were 17 beers on tap on my visit.  In addition to brewing their own, they rent out their canning system to anyone who wants to use it.  And they feature some customer brewed beers, two of them former Detroit brewing giants whose beer is now back on the market thanks to Brew Detroit.

 My tasting board, for $10.  

I have had their Cerveza Delray before at a downtown restaurant, and it paired really well with Mexican food.  Deb was with me today, and as she is on a no/low alcohol lifestyle, she was happy to see the Absil Sessions on tap, at 3.8%.  I tasted it and found it a bit watery but with good flavour.  I liked the Hefe, though it was far from the best I have ever had.  The ESB was featured on nitro and regular tap:  I drank the nitro version in-house and brought home a can of regular.  It was a fantastic version of an English ale, one of the best I have ever tasted.  It wasn't served really cold, either, a major plus for this beer style.  I finished up with the Raspberry Stout, which was loaded with raspberry flavour, and rich chocolate overtones.  Best served in small glasses, this was a really good finisher.

So far there are only two breweries in Corktown.  Brew Detroit is a one minute walk from Batch Brewing, across a lovely and very well cared for park.  Both breweries are favourites of mine, and highly recommended. There is free parking outside the door.

 

FOUNDERS DETROIT 

Tucked behind the Masonic Temple, seemingly in a no-man's-land. 

Founders is one of my favourite breweries, so when they announced that they were going to refurbish an old wreck of a building and open a brewpub near downtown Detroit, I was quite ecstatic!  I really like their All Day IPA, and their Breakfast Stout.  My only complaint is that they do not offer cask ale.

Most of the beer produced by Founders is brewed in Grand Rapids, MI, their main headquarters.  However, they have a number of small brewing tanks at their Detroit location, and so something local is always on offer.  In addition, they brew several beer (in Grand Rapids) that can only be found at the Detroit taproom.  They used to have a fabulous gear store here, just inside the entrance, but on today's visit it was gone, and additional seating was there instead.  Not a bad idea; several times I have come here and could not find anywhere to sit, so I left.  Beware of hockey nights, as the Red Winds play close by.

 The Detroit tanks.  Today two local beer were on tap.  I tried one of them, the Pear Wheat, and found it quite fabulous.  I did not try the Double IPA. 

 A lovely quiet Tuesday at the Founders Brewpub in Detroit.  It was getting much busier when we left, around 1 pm.

 Beer board close-up for Tuesday, May 21st, 2019.  I sampled the Crisp Pear Wheat, the Cerise, and Blushing Monk (all 5 oz pours).  Deb had a pint of their 0.5%, and found it tasty and enjoyable, and almost like a real beer.  The Cerise was my favourite today, followed by the Pear and then the Blushing Monk.

 R to L:  Pear Wheat (*** 1/2 stars); Cerise (4 ****s); Blushing Monk (***s).  In behind is Deb's pint of Founders' 0.5% beer.  

There is free parking in a small lot, as well as free street parking (for now).

 

BATCH BREWING COMPANY

Welcome to Batch Brewing Company!  

The front door and part of the summer outdoor deck, Batch Brewing Co.

 The business end of Batch! 

I am so happy to have access to great beer outside of Midtown.  Midtown is definitely the hot spot for craft beer lovers, and if you are only in town for one visit, then by all means go to Midtown.  However, there are two fine brewery taprooms in Corktown, along with some good restaurants.  Batch is always my first choice outside of Midtown.  They have a very wide range of small batch brews, and almost all of them are very tasty.  On today's visit I tried a flight of five ales, and enjoyed them all.  I was also happily surprised to see that they now offer a small menu of vegan food options, along with their regular snack food such as nachos and fries.  It is a really friendly place to drink, though I am not crazy about the benches and picnic style tables inside.  Being an old time pub lover, I like booths and private tables.  There are a lot of board games, including a few good ones behind the bar.

Beer board #1 at Batch, on Thursday, May 9th, 2019.

Beer boards #2 and 3 at Batch, on Thursday, May 9th, 2019.

 A quiet mid-afternoon at the Batch Brewing taproom.

 My flight today--see the list below.

 My flight today.  See image, above.  #1 is on the far right; #5 is on the far left.

The E-Crusher Session IPA is really very good!  And at 3.9% ABV, it is a true session ale, like the ones in England.  The Grandpa Beer is a very fine Cream Ale, a type of beer I have a true crush upon.  I came in hoping to find a Maibock, and the Spring Fest bier did a serviceable job of pleasing me.  The Handsome Stranger is what I would call a "ladies Saison," sweetened somewhat with hibiscus and black currants.  I finished up with a very full-bodied doppelbock, almost too rich with sweet malt, but excellent in small helpings.  It was the strongest beer today, at 10% ABV.  

There is a beautiful small park just across the street from Batch, and if you cross it to the next street and turn slightly left, you come to Brew Detroit, another craft brewery with an impressive tap list.  Also within walking distance is one of Detroit's better sandwich shops, Mudgie's.  They have wine and craft beer and some great food.  To get here, simply turn left after leaving Batch.  Do not cross the street.  One block along is Mudgie's, a very busy but fun place to eat and drink. 

There is free parking in a small lot at Batch, as well as free street parking. 

TRAFFIC JAM AND SNUG

The exterior is of TJs is not very exciting.  It's the inside that counts.  For years they had no sign out front.  However, the urinal has been on the wall since day 1. 

Traffic Jam is Michigan's oldest brew pub.  They finally got their license to brew in 1992.  At that point they were the only micro brewery serving food in the State.  Now there are over 400 breweries in Michigan, many of them doing the same.  TJs is mostly a restaurant, though it could also be called a gastro pub.  In addition to beer making, they make cheese and bread, too.  The inside is crammed with antiques, old paintings, cozy nooks, and several dining rooms.  The bar is called The Snug.  The food is always great, and they have vegan options.  Their own beer list is usually pretty short, supplemented by guest ales.  Beer is served in pints and half pints.

 The cocktail board (left), and the beer board (right).

 On my recent visit TJs offered three of their own brew, along with two guests.  I tried the White Walker Wheat, which seems like a good summer day drinking beer.  I also had the Nain Rouge Velvet Stout, which was totally amazing!  Well done!  None of their in-house beer was over 5% ABV.

 Interior of TJs.

 Some of the wall decorations.  The place is a bit like an antique gallery, and is fun to explore. 

There is free parking for customers right across the street.  Pay the parking, and you will be refunded in the restaurant or bar.

EASTERN MARKET BREWING COMPANY 

 Located just one block east of the main central market area.  

For my second visit here, I tried four short pours.  In addition to their taps, they offer a limited food menu, including at least one vegan appetizer option.  There are many board games, including classic ones as well as more adventuresome ones.  Beware, as they have some wonky hours on weekdays.  Saturday is market day, and you will have a tough time getting in here.  I visited Friday at 5 pm.  It was busy and there was a nice buzz, but it wasn't crazy.  I really like this place, though its history as a slaughter house/butchery is pretty scary.  The restored space is Class A now, but the meat hooks on the wall tell their own story.

A recent tap list.  I sampled plum surprise, which was wonderful, story horse nitro irish stout, which was solid, market day ipa session neipa, and white coffee stout.  All were good solid beers.  My least favourite was the IPA, and my favourite was the plum. 

Looking outside from inside.  Eastern Market is filled with colourful murals, and is really fun to explore, even when stores are closed.  Just down the street is a craft distillery, and around the corner is Red Bull Arts, Detroit.  After sampling some beer, I attended an opening at the gallery.

 The back of the brewery can be seen from the main market area.  Murals are everyone in Eastern Market. 

There is free parking in Eastern Market, but beware Saturdays or special market days.

MOTOR CITY BREWING COMPANY 

This is a really fine little pub, an urban gem I might even call it.  The inside is small but cozy.  In good weather there is a rooftop deck, and downstairs there is a very small garden for drinking.  They brew on premises, and sell their bottles and cans at the pub (and do growler fills).  There is good food, especially their small pizzas.  Some of their beer is very, very good.

There is a horseshoe bar, a 2nd straight bar area , and several tables.  However, it is small, and can fill up fast.  On Wednesdays part of the pub turns into an art gallery for one night exhibits of art from local artists.  The staff is very friendly and helpful.  It is a very cool place to hang out.  Not only that, but it forms part of the greatest craft beer street in Detroit, a dense neighbourhood of taps, along with some of the best independent gift shopping in the city.  Parking is very limited up front, but there is plenty in the back.

 The front door.

 Today's tap board.  The Ghettoblaster beer has an unfortunate name, as it is a first rate English mild ale, at 3.8%.  If only it came on cask. 

Today I tried the double-oat malt stout, the double dark red, the coconut porter, the Belgian tripel, and the Imperial stout.  I found the Imperial too boozy to drink, and left most of it in my glass.  The tripel was outstanding, and I liked the double-oat stout and the coconut porter.  The double dark red was okay.  I've had the pale ale many times on other visits, and it is very good.  They also make an excellent cider.

View of the bar and taps, with the 2nd bar in the foreground.  There is music but no tvs.

 Some of the tanks are outside.  Part of the garden is in the foreground. 

There is free parking behind the small taproom, and perhaps two or three spaces in front.  You will be charged if you park in Traffic Jam's lot.

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CRAFT ALE TAPROOMS IN DETROIT

coming soon......

Mapman Mike