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Craft Beer Times | Eastern Market Brewing expands with Elephant & Co. taproom in former Founders Detroit site

Eastern Market Brewing expands with Elephant & Co. taproom in former Founders Detroit site

Eastern Market Brewing expands with Elephant & Co. taproom in former Founders Detroit site

Cracking the Craft Brewing Code: Eastern Market Brewing Co.

Characterized by innovation, resilience, and a passion for high-quality brews, Eastern Market Brewing Co. has defied the odds to become one of Michigan’s fastest-growing breweries. The brewery’s journey was seeded six years ago, pouring their very first beer at Eastern Market After Dark. Since then the company has grown in leaps and bounds, and their latest undertaking underscores their continued commitment to lead, innovate and satisfy their customers’ evolving tastes.

Elephant & Co: A Fresh Concept in Detroit’s Brewing Scene

The brewery has announced a bold, fresh concept at 456 Charlotte St, Detroit: Elephant & Co. This location, formerly housing Founders Detroit, promises an immersive culinary and beverage experience, bringing together Eastern Market Brewing Co.’s wide-ranging beer offerings alongside artisanal Detroit-style pizza.

Featuring dozens of self-serve taps, this innovative venue is set to thrill beer enthusiasts with a varied selection of blends catered to satiate the palate of both the seasoned aficionado and the craft beer newcomer. Alongside the magnificent range of brews, guests can enjoy the tantalizing taste of Detroit-style pizza, adding a culinary dimension to the overall experience.

More than Just Beers and Pizzas

But the excitement doesn’t stop there. The Charlotte Street location will also be open throughout the day, serving freshly roasted coffee as part of a Dooped Donut cafe — the company’s vegan donut venture. Established at 1555 Broadway, across from Comerica Park, Dooped Donuts has gained considerable popularity for their small batch, handcrafted vegan donuts that are now also distributed to local cafes.

The Story Behind the Name

Acknowledging their humble beginnings and the journey thus far, the name Elephant & Co. was chosen as an ode to their roots. As Dayne Bartscht, Managing Partner of Eastern Market Brewing Co reflected, the name serves as a nod to their elephant logo at Eastern Market, while “& Co.” represents the many other brands under their umbrella.

A Journey of Innovation and Growing Market Reach

Eastern Market Brewing Co. is not just known for its craft beers but is also a trailblazer in the local market. Their ability to not only produce but self-distribute their beers on a large scale, further cements their foothold in the industry. In fact, the brewery is the only one self-distributing at such a scale in the entirety of Michigan.

Beer and Pizza Delivery – A Unique Concept

Ever the pioneers, Eastern Market Brewing Co.’s new venture, Elephant & Co. will include a novel service unseen in Michigan prior – pizza delivery inclusive of beer, delivered straight from the source! This ingenious business model had been first tested during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been on the cards for reintroduction. Capitalizing on their self-distribution infrastructure, complete with robust in-house logistics software, and a fleet of vehicles, Eastern Market Brewing Co. stands poised to actualize this delivery concept efficiently.

Building Futures, While Remembering the Past

Getting set to open its doors in 2024, pending state and federal brewing permits, Eastern Market Brewing Co. has plans to keep the new Elephant & Co. location buzzing in the meantime. This includes a community event on October 27, held in collaboration with Midtown Inc. and Invest Detroit, with proceeds going toward Detroit-based charities.
The interior design, overseen by renowned retail designer, JGA, will hark back to the 1950s aesthetic, when the location was a radio parts manufacturer. The decor will also pay homage to previous building occupants like the Cass Corridor Food Co-op, whose mission exemplifies the community-focused values upon which Eastern Market Brewing Co. was founded.

Perpetuating Growth: The Broader Vision

Elephant & Co. is not merely a standalone venture, but rather part of a grand vision by Eastern Market Brewing Co. to extend its reach throughout the state of Michigan. The plan is to create a network of venues, essentially a hub-and-spoke system that will propel the company further, affirming its position as a leader in the craft brewing industry.

With rebranding plans underway for their Royal Oak location (currently known as Lincoln Tap) to be an “Elephant & Co.,” the company is pushing the envelope further with explorations into Detroit-style pizza and barrel-aged beers.

Dustin

Dustin is a writer about craft beer and a professional brewer in the city of Chicago. He has written for several magazines and has over a decade of experience in the beer industry. He is currently working on a book about the history of beer in Chicago.

4 thoughts on “Eastern Market Brewing expands with Elephant & Co. taproom in former Founders Detroit site”

  1. Food aficionados in Detroit and beyond are in for a treat with the introduction of Elephant & Co. This fresh concept from Eastern Market Brewing Co. combines their wide range of brews with artisanal Detroit-style pizza, creating an immersive culinary and beverage experience. With dozens of self-serve taps and a varied selection of blends, beer lovers of all levels will find something to enjoy. And let’s not forget about the vegan donut venture, Dooped Donuts, which will also be part of the Charlotte Street location. Eastern Market Brewing Co. has truly become a leader in the craft brewing industry, not only for their high-quality brews but also for their self-distribution capabilities. The name Elephant & Co. pays homage to their elephant logo and represents the many other brands under their umbrella. Cheers to Eastern Market Brewing Co. for their innovation and growing market reach!

  2. Food enthusiasts alike will undoubtedly be drawn to Elephant & Co for its unique combination of craft beers and Detroit-style pizza. The addition of Dooped Donut cafe adds another layer of culinary delight to the experience. Eastern Market Brewing Co. continues to impress with their innovation and commitment to delivering high-quality brews to their customers. It’s clear that they are not only cracking the craft brewing code but also expanding their market reach and solidifying their position in the industry.

  3. Pizza lovers in Detroit are in for a treat with the opening of Elephant & Co. This new concept from Eastern Market Brewing Co. combines a wide selection of craft beers with delicious Detroit-style pizza. With self-serve taps and a range of blends to suit any taste, it’s sure to be a hit with both beer enthusiasts and newcomers to the craft beer scene. But it doesn’t stop there; the Charlotte Street location will also serve freshly roasted coffee from their Dooped Donut cafe, known for its popular vegan donuts. The name Elephant & Co. pays homage to their roots and symbolizes the various brands under their umbrella. Eastern Market Brewing Co. has not only made a name for itself with its high-quality brews but also stands out as the only brewery in Michigan that self-distributes on such a large scale. Their journey of innovation and growing market reach is truly impressive.

  4. Food lovers in Detroit now have something to get excited about with the opening of Elephant & Co, a fresh concept brought to you by Eastern Market Brewing Co. This new location offers a wide range of craft beers on self-serve taps, paired with delicious Detroit-style pizza. But the surprises don’t end there, as Elephant & Co also features a Dooped Donut cafe, serving freshly roasted coffee and vegan donuts. This expansion is a testament to Eastern Market Brewing Co.’s innovative and resilient spirit, and it’s no wonder they continue to grow and satisfy their customers’ evolving tastes.

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