Grand River Brewery is currently applying for permits for a new location in Clawson, according to city records. The new brewery and tasting room will be located at 1 E 14 Mile Rd, Clawson MI. The space was once occupied by gastropub Pumachug, which permanently closed its doors in 2022.
Grand River Brewery started in Downtown Jackson over ten years ago when owner John Burtka purchased a historic building and decided to turn it into what was known as the Grand River Marketplace. A few years ago, chef-turned-restaurant-consultant Justin Dalenberg joined as CEO In 2018 to help the company reach its next level. In 2018, the brewery expanded into its second location in Marshall, located at 101 W. Michigan Ave.
Led by Head Brewer Wyatt Andrews and Assistant Brewer Caleb Moore, Grand River Brewery puts a unique twist to traditional beer brewing methods and draws inspiration from all around the world. “The GRB brewers remain authentic to the brewing experience from the beginning to the end, starting with sitting around sampling beers and dreaming up recipes. The process of brewing is as social as drinking beer is, so our brewers wanted to craft beers that have their own stories to share in the circle,” indicated on the brewery’s website.
“We want to be the place where all the problems in the world will eventually get solved – a judgment-free zone where people can have conversations and have fun. And we wanted to give people a reason to go out: so we decided to build a good place ourselves in the Michigan community,” Dalenberg told What Now Detroit over the phone.
According to the records, the new Clawson location will be a micro-brewery, an indoor tasting room, and an outdoor space. There will also be live music, magic shows, and comedy performances. Community organizations can also use the brewery as a venue to host their own events. The Clawson location is at the end of the process and waiting for a final inspection. The location will serve home-brewed beer, home-crafted wine, and bread and meat from Grand River’s own butchery shop and bakery. The restaurant will also partner with local providers for fresh produce. The Clawson location will open in December, once the final inspection is cleared.
“It’s one thing to take something out of the package and serve it on a plate, another when we actually produce everything you consume. We make the wine and beer you drink, bake the bread you eat, take care of the animals whose meat you will consume, etc,” Dalenberg said.
Grand River Brewery is also planning to open a new location in Brighton, MI, and is currently in the permitting process. The Brighton location is anticipated in spring, 2024. “Ideally, we want to open before St. Patrick’s Day. That is always our biggest celebration in the year at our Jackson location,” Dalenberg told What Now Detroit.
