E-Malt.com News article: USA, MI: Glasshouse Brewing to open in Ann Arbor

Steve Payeur, along with his sons Brent and Brad, is a co-owner of a brewery that hopes to begin construction on its facility in the next week or so, Mlive reports on April 13th.

"As soon as we get the permit, we're starting the next day," Steve said. "My contractors are all lined up. They've been champing at the bit for the last seven months."

The 1,800-square-foot brew house will be located in the back portion of the family-owned Diamond Glass & Feiner's warehouse located at 2350 W. Liberty St. in Ann Arbor. Construction on the facility should only take a couple of months.

"We're all really excited to get started and our contractor said it shouldn't take too long for construction," Brad said.

The total investment for construction and to open the brewery is about $400,000, Steve said.

A dedicated craft-beer fan, Brent has been brewing at home for years and it spurred an idea that the three men are now investing in.

"We started off small at first and it kind of grew and grew," Brad said, adding the original idea was to brew and sell to local bars and restaurants.

After speaking with an architect, the family realized they had space to do much more than what they originally planned.

Steve owns a farm in the area and there are plans to grow their own hops and barely as a way to provide more unique flavors to the beer. Brad said that process hasn't started yet and will be the biggest challenge once it's up and running.

Plans for the brewery have been in place for more than a year and the company has already received its licenses from the state and federal governments to brew. However, holdups in the city processes delayed the start of construction for several months.

The family acknowledges the tremendous growth of craft beer in the Ann Arbor market over the last few years and knows there are already several brewers in the area with more coming soon. However, Brent points to the how much growth there has been in the west side of the state where there are several breweries near each other competing and still being successful.

The Payeurs think that success can translate to the Ann Arbor market as long as brewers offer a product that people want to have.


15 April, 2015