E-Malt.com News article: USA, MI: Corner Brewery launches Green Brewery Project in Ypsilanti

Corner Brewery owners Matt and Rene Greff launched their $250,000 Green Brewery Project in Ypsilanti, annarbor.com reported on September, 12.

Matt and Renee Greff remember what the corner which now is home to the popular Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti used to look like.

The 9,000-square-foot building was vacant for nearly 11 years. The Greffs purchased it in 2006 for $400,000.

The Greffs said the building has since been drastically changed.

This year, the Greffs completed a $1 mln expansion and Green Brewery Project that included a new 2,200-square-foot warehouse to be used for bottling services and several solar projects.

Rene said it took several years to find a location because the couple had a hard time finding someone to back them opening a business in the city. So they opened Arbor Brewing Company in Ann Arbor in 1995.

They came back to Ypsilanti in 2006 and were able to secure a location because they had a proven track record and brand recognition.

The business has exponentially evolved and grown, the couple says. When the Corner Brewery first opened, it had five employees.

Now, the Greffs have about 30 employees.

Rene said initially they underestimated the on-premise selling capability and were surprised at how the location turned into much more than a distribution center.

"Given the location, we weren't sure how much on-premise business we were going to do and that's been a pleasant surprise for us," she said. "We've been completely embraced by the neighborhood and we have so many local regulars that come and that's what created the demand for increasing our kitchen and adding more staff."

The Greffs just completed a $250,000 Green Brewery Project which included solar-thermal, photovoltaic, and geo-thermal technologies along with other improvements such as new windows, awnings and energy-efficient chiller equipment.

The two businesses have been dubbed as Michigan's first solar breweries.

The Corner Brewery project was completed by the end of July and will provide all of the hot water needs and up to 15 percent of its electricity. This will save the brewery $20,000 a year — nearly 50 percent of its energy bills.

The Greffs said by investing in all of these changes, they remain a step ahead, and also has allowed them to increase production.

The Greffs welcome the competition from local breweries and restaurants.

"With Red Rock and Wurst Bar opening, people are always like, 'are you worried about competition?'" Matt said. "And we're like, 'no way, the more the merrier.' It's just giving people a reason to come to Ypsilanti to try a bunch of different places. ... It is a business market here."


14 September, 2012