Demand for Fresh Michigan Beer
The Rochester Mills Beer Co. opened its doors in 1998 in the Western Knitting Mill building in Downtown Rochester. The historic red brick has become part of the logo the 
brewery still uses and offers patrons a sense of tradition, as well as character. Just two blocks east of Main Street, on Water Street, the brewery has lots of free parking, outdoor seating, and fresh-brewed, local beer.
Now into their 14th year of crafting good local flavors of beer, they have opened a huge production facility in Auburn Hills: 48,000 square feet of cutting edge beer-making technology. Rochester Mills Beer Co. beer will soon be available in restaurants and bars around town and across Michigan. They will also be producing some of their more popular brands in 16 oz. cans that will be available in stores.
Tom Vella, president of Hubert Distributors, stated, “With the opening of the Rochester Mills Brewery these exceptional local beers will now be widely and readily available throughout Oakland County and across Michigan. We are excited to be adding them to our offering. Fans of Rochester Mills beers should check the local beer section of their favorite store and should also ask the server at their local pub or restaurant if they are offering Rochester Mills beers. As new locations are added, updates will be posted on the Rochester Mills webpage and social media outlets.”
Why Cans and not Bottles?
A ribbon cutting held on April 20 showcased the new production brewery which welcomed industry people and media. This 50 barrel facility will soon be producing cans of Cornerstone IPA, Rochester Red Ale, and Milkshake Stout. Mike Plesz, president and founder, tells how “light can hurt beer,” even in colored glass bottles, and that cans are the way to go.
Brand new fermentation tanks and high-speed canning lines will allow the facility to produce 100,000 barrels per year. The building is large enough to increase to 200,000 barrels per year in the future. Plesz states, “This expansion is an investment in our future to make sure that they are ready to make as much beer as necessary to meet the demand.”
You’re Invited
A special public open house is scheduled for Saturday, May 12 from 1-5 p.m. and Rochester Mills “Mug Club” members may come an hour early at 12 noon. The tour is free and so are the samples. Keg beer will be on tap mid-May around town from the new production space. Then the first canned beer will start to roll out this summer.
Public tours will also be a regular feature of the facility once they are in the groove.
New Production Brewery Rochester Mills Beer Co. 3275 Lapeer West Road (west of M24, just north of the I75 overpass) Auburn Hills, MIVisit their website for more info: www.beercos.com
Restaurant and Brewery (Downtown Rochester)
Rochester Mills Beer Co.
400 Water Street
Rochester, MI 48307
Michael Dwyer is a freelance writer and travel columnist. Michael writes about happenings in the Rochester area, travels across Michigan and destinations around the world. Contact him at Michael@RochesterMedia.com
About Michael Dwyer