USA, MI: Warren-based Kuhnhenn Brewing Company sets opening date

The long-awaited opening date for Warren-based Kuhnhenn Brewing Company’s new location in Clinton Township has been set, The Macomb Daily reported on February 15.

The family-owned craft brewery -- located at 36000 Groesbeck, north of 15 Mile Road -- will officially open its doors to the public on Monday, Feb. 29 at 11 a.m.

Brothers Bret and Eric Kuhnhenn have worked for more than two years to convert and expand the closed Evergreen Home & Garden Center into a 45,000-square-foot state-of-the-art bottling facility and tasting room.

Jon Piepenbrok, vice president of marketing and sales, said the Kuhnhenn crew is “extremely excited” to open their doors to the public.

“We hope to elevate the Groesbeck corridor by becoming a new destination spot, and are continuing to add to the growing craft beer culture in Macomb County,” Piebenbrok said.

Clinton Township Supervisor Robert Cannon said the craft brewery will be an asset to the community. “These microbreweries have become very popular in recent years, and the Kuhnhenns are at the top of their game,” Cannon said. “You’re going to love the look. The interior is absolutely stunning.”

Located in a mostly industrial stretch of Macomb County, the 280-seat Taproom has a full kitchen in addition to the house-made beer, wine, mead, and distilled spirits. It also features a full-scale production and distribution space,

Although Kuhnhenn’s primary focus will always be the beer, a full kitchen was constructed to offer a food aspect to complement the house-made craft beverages. The small menu is made up of artisan sausages, charcuterie and cheese boards, and small plates.

The company hosted a hiring fair last month to staff the restaurant and bar, and will have 60 new hourly and four new salary team members. As a whole, Kuhnhenn Brewing Company now employs 95 hourly and 10 salaried workers between the Clinton Township and Warren locations.

The original location at 5919 Chicago Road in Warren’s historic village will remain open and continue to produce small-batch beers while the Clinton Township facility will primarily brew large batches for distribution. The products will be available in draft form only for the immediate future.

Kuhnhenn Brewing Company was founded in 1998 as a home brewing supplies store, while the brewery was licensed in 2001. Kuhnhenn is a proud member of the Michigan Brewers Guild, Brewers Association, MBAA, Sterling Heights Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Michigan Restaurant Association.

The family formerly ran Lutz Hardware store in Warren for more than 30 years until the brothers transformed the property into a brewery. In 2012, they won a gold medal in the World Beer Cup in the American-style India Pale Ale category.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Sterling Heights Regional Chamber & Industry and the Clinton Township Supervisor’s Office will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2.

17 February, 2016