Renovations are underway for a brewery that's coming to Grand River Avenue in downtown Farmington.
Farmington Brewing Co. will open, possibly in September, at 33336 Grand River in a space previously occupied by a coffee shop. The renovations of the 1,600-square-foot space will make room for beer-making barrels and a bar that runs the length of half the space.
Four, five-barrel fermenters (a barrel is equal to two kegs) will be just behind be the bar and be the focal point of the room.
"Our equipment will be directly behind our bar. We think it adds to the ambiance of the space to have all the equipment there. We will not be brewing during serving hours, but customers will see where we do the work," says Jason Hendricks, partner in Farmington Brewing Co. with Jason Schlaff and his father Gary Schlaff.
Hendricks and Jason Schlaff started home-brewing beer about five years ago, says Hendricks.
The two are environmental scientists and chemists, while Gary Schlaff works in marketing for a TV station.
"We started out as home brewers and began experimenting more and more and developing the recipes of beer we like to drink," Hendricks says. "As friends and family started to enjoy it along with us we decided to expand our horizons."
"It's something we love to do," he says. "We figure if you do what you love you never work a day in your life."
Farmington Brewing Co. will not serve food. It will instead partner with local restaurants to deliver food to its guests who want a meal to go with their beer. Nearby restaurant menus will be kept on hand and delivery will be made quick and easy by Farmington Brewing Co. employees.
Opening day hinges on regulatory approvals, mostly, says Hendricks, but the target date is mid-September.
The opening is much anticipated by locals, says Annette Knowles, executive director of the Farmington Downtown Development Authority. She hopes the brewers can be a part of the city's annual Harvest Moon Festival.
Facebook posters regularly ask when it's coming and say they can't wait.
It is located across the street from the Grove Street redevelopment that is remaking a tired strip mall into a more attractive retail district for new businesses.
Source: Jason Hendricks, co owner, Farmington Brewing Co.
Writer: Kim North Shine
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.