USA, MI: Dearborn Brewing opens on August 7

John Rucinski had Dearborn Homecoming solidly in his sights as he made final preparations to open Dearborn Brewing, The Detroit News reported on August 8.

"There was no way we were going to miss this," Rucinski said. "I thought we'd have a soft opening ahead of it but it didn't work out that way."

Rucinski and his wife Sheila opened the doors of Dearborn's first microbrewery on August 7, the first day of the city's annual festival, a multi-day affair featuring music, food and activities that allows more than 30 Dearborn-based nonprofit groups to raise money for causes that support the community.

Rucinski said the microbrewery features ales using recipes he's fine-tuned in his 15 years as a home brewer.

August 7 was "crazy, absolutely crazy," Rucinski said. "We opened our doors at 3 and I don't think we took our foot off the gas all night." Rucinski said they went through 12 kegs on August 7, and called his bar staff "rock stars" for keeping up with the opening night crowds.

"We were slammed open to close," said server Leslie Parsons.

Dearborn Brewing uses a 7-gallon system with four 300-gallon fermenters.

The microbrewery got off the ground with a $25,000 Kickstarter campaign with many contributions coming in right at the end. "It was nerve-wracking," Rucinski said, "but it was a huge help."

"I just hope I make beer and people like it," Rucinski said. His favourite beer among the current offerings is the amber, a malty, slightly toasty brew that was the result of a home-brewing accident.

"I messed up a recipe but my friends said 'you have to make this again,' so I had to recreate an accident," Rucinski said.

Dearborn Brewing offers a cream ale, an amber, a brown and an IPA featuring Cascade hops, all available in flights, pints and growlers. It's at 21930 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn.

12 August, 2015