Arbor Brewing Co. owners looking to open brewery in Fenton
The owners of downtown Ann Arbor’s Arbor Brewing Co. and Ypsilanti’s Corner Brewery are interested in expanding into Fenton, MLive reports.
Arbor Brewing Co. is one of four businesses that submitted proposals to redevelop Fenton's old Fire Hall.
Photo from MLive
Matt and Rene Greff with their Arbor Brewing Co. India partner, Gaurav Sikka.
Photo courtesy of Matt Greff
There were previous plans in the works for Michigan Brewing Company to open a restaurant and small brewing system in the space, but the deal recently fell through.
Fenton’s Downtown Development Authority announced two weeks ago it would accept proposals from those interested in redeveloping the building, and released the names of four businesses this week.
Among the other businesses: The owners of the Clarkston Union and the Union Woodshop in Clarkston; the owners of Lockhart BBQ in Royal Oak, Royal Oak Brewery and Detroit Beer Company; and the owners of Tavern 131 in Milford and Ciao Amici in Brighton.
Arbor Brewing Co. is also in the midst of an international expansion, with the opening of a brewery in Bangalore, India planned for sometime this year.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
Gordon
Fri, May 18, 2012 : 12:33 a.m.
A2 is correct violations are important. Ross is correct also. If you have been in the food business you realize that an inspection is a moment in time. Not every thing is always a 100% correct all the time. Hot & Cold is important as various nasties grow between certain temps. On the other hand if the place is busy this commonly gets out of hand for a short period of time and no one gets sick. Ross is correct in pointing out A2 is harsh. Corner& Ann Abor Brewery are great places the brunch on Sunday was excellent.
treetowncartel
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 6:36 p.m.
Mmmmm, Lockhart BBQ, their burnt ends are phenomenal.
Ignatz
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 5:11 p.m.
Good for the Greffs. They've done a great job with both Arbor and the Corner. Judging from the crowds I usually run into, many folks prefer their ways of brewing.
Patti Smith
Thu, May 17, 2012 : 12:23 a.m.
Totally. Haters gonna hate.
Goofus
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 4:42 p.m.
I'd be much excited about ABC's excellent efforts for expansion if their beer actually tasted good or was chilled cold enough to be palatable.
Patti Smith
Thu, May 17, 2012 : 12:22 a.m.
You are entitled to your opinion but, as Jeff says, good beer is generally not served super cold. Think about it. When you drink macro brews, what are you tasting? Cold.
SEC Fan
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 11:51 p.m.
Jeff is absolutely correct. We (Americans) have been trained by the mass breweries to drink way too cold beer...beer they' ve had to over-chill to hide the poor taste (bud, coors, etc). ABC serves it the right way to allow the true flavors to come out. Keep up the good work.
Jeff Renner
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 5:24 p.m.
There's no disputing taste, but good beer's flavor is muted by being too cold. It just numbs the taste buds. And I think ABC's beers are good beers.
a2cents
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 5:12 p.m.
name is on target
Ross
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 3:15 p.m.
A2 Comments.... what is your problem? Places get violations... then they correct them, or they are not allowed to stay open. Half the things you list as critical violations are truly unimportant. Locations of sinks? Hot and cold holding? Who cares. Their food is tasty, has never made me sick, and they are a LOCAL, charitable, quality organization. Feel free to stop going there yourself, but please stop denigrating their name.
A2comments
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 11:19 p.m.
Ross- Thanks for your health expertise. Clearly the standards the inspectors use are wrong and it's not critical. I now to your expertise. Happy salmonella!
Hmm
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 3:47 p.m.
Agreed this guy is on some kind of mission, to what end I have no clue?
A2comments
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 2:30 p.m.
Question is - would they have the same low sanitary standards as they do for their other two locations? Hopefully they won't be given permits before agreeing to maintain a clean and healthy environment. Please don't contribute your dollars to food establishments that don't comply with health department rules. Besides risking your health, you're encouraging them to not comply. Here's where you can lookup any Washtenaw establishment: http://www.swordsolutions.com/inspections/pgesearchresults.asp?County=28. Arbor Brewing is not the only bad one, their Grizzly Peak competition also has numerous critical violations. I was appalled to see the huge number of critical violations for Corner Brewery (6) found during a 2/2/12 inspection, including food being served that had expired: Violation (Critical) Backflow prevention (5-402.11) Violation (Critical) Handwashing Sinks, Location (5-204.11) Violation (Critical) Hot and cold holding (3-501.16) Violation (Critical) Materials, Approved (5-201.11) Violation (Critical) Ready-to-Eat Food, Disposition (3-501.18) Violation (Critical) Warewashing Chem.San., Temp/pH (4-501.114) These violations make the ones at Arbor Brewing on 3/5/12 look tame, but they have many non-critical violations (10): Violation (Critical) Backflow Prevention Device/Req (5-203.14) Violation (Critical) Controlling Pests (6-501.111)
tom swift jr.
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 8:03 p.m.
I suspect that the local restaurants would prefer you ate at home as well.
a2cents
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 5:11 p.m.
No excuse... they know better. I avoid places with 3 or more crits. Too many other places do care.
Hmm
Wed, May 16, 2012 : 3:47 p.m.
Thank you for your in depth health dept reporting DBH. You seem a bit obsessed by health dept ratings though perhaps you should just stick to eating at home if it bothers you so much?