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Berry Gordy Jr. and the Founding of Motown

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← Older revision		Revision as of 02:42, 23 May 2026
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	Batch Brewing Company is a nanobrewery located in the [[Corktown, Detroit\|Corktown]] neighborhood of [[Detroit]], Michigan. Established in 2015, it is recognized as the first nanobrewery in the city ~~and~~ was launched in part with a $50,000 prize from the [[Hatch Detroit]] contest, a Comerica Bank-sponsored entrepreneurship competition designed to support small businesses in Detroit.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing Co. Parties On Even During Brutal Times \|url=https://detroit.eater.com/2025/2/11/24363039/batch-brewing-company-10-years-uncertainty-economy \|work=Eater Detroit \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref> Over the course of a decade, the brewery has become a fixture in Detroit's craft beer scene, operating through periods of economic pressure that have forced many comparable establishments to close.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing celebrating 10th anniversary: What's on tap \|url=https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/2025/02/14/corktown-batch-brewing-anniversary-celebration/78629658007/ \|work=Detroit Free Press \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>		Batch Brewing Company is a nanobrewery located in the [[Corktown, Detroit\|Corktown]] neighborhood of [[Detroit]], Michigan. Established in 2015, it is recognized as the first nanobrewery in the city. The brewery was launched in part with a $50,000 prize from the [[Hatch Detroit]] contest, a Comerica Bank-sponsored entrepreneurship competition designed to support small businesses in Detroit.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing Co. Parties On Even During Brutal Times \|url=https://detroit.eater.com/2025/2/11/24363039/batch-brewing-company-10-years-uncertainty-economy \|work=Eater Detroit \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref> Over the course of a decade, the brewery has become a fixture in Detroit's craft beer scene, operating through periods of economic pressure that have forced many comparable establishments to close.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing celebrating 10th anniversary: What's on tap \|url=https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/2025/02/14/corktown-batch-brewing-anniversary-celebration/78629658007/ \|work=Detroit Free Press \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>

	== History ==		== History ==
	Batch Brewing Company was founded by Stephen Roginson and Jason Williams, who won the 2013 Hatch Detroit contest and received a $50,000 award to help launch the business.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing Company \|url=https://carriedawaydetroit.com/2015/05/27/batch-brewing-company/ \|work=Carried Away Detroit \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref> Hatch Detroit is a business competition backed by Comerica Bank that awards funding and mentorship to Detroit-based entrepreneurs. The pair envisioned a nanobrewery — a very small-scale brewing operation, typically producing fewer than three barrels per batch — paired with a limited food menu~~, a~~ model ~~that~~ distinguished Batch Brewing from the larger microbreweries entering the Detroit market at the time.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Detroit, Michigan's Batch Brewing Opening Story \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d8-MDOyvhE \|work=YouTube \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>		Batch Brewing Company was founded by Stephen Roginson and Jason Williams, who won the 2013 Hatch Detroit contest and received a $50,000 award to help launch the business.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing Company \|url=https://carriedawaydetroit.com/2015/05/27/batch-brewing-company/ \|work=Carried Away Detroit \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref> Hatch Detroit is a business competition backed by Comerica Bank that awards funding and mentorship to Detroit-based entrepreneurs. The pair envisioned a nanobrewery, a very small-scale brewing operation typically producing fewer than three barrels per batch, paired with a limited food menu. That model distinguished Batch Brewing from the larger microbreweries entering the Detroit market at the time.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Detroit, Michigan's Batch Brewing Opening Story \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d8-MDOyvhE \|work=YouTube \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>

	The ~~brewery opened its doors in 2015~~. Before opening, artist Antonio "Shades" Agee painted a mural at the location, marking the space as part of Corktown's broader artistic identity from the outset.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing Co. Parties On Even During Brutal Times \|url=https://detroit.eater.com/2025/2/11/24363039/batch-brewing-company-10-years-uncertainty-economy \|work=Eater Detroit \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref> ~~Its~~ opening was welcomed as a meaningful addition to the Detroit beer scene, which was expanding rapidly during the mid-2010s as the city's broader economic revitalization drew new investment and residents to neighborhoods like Corktown.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Detroit Welcomes Batch Brewing Co. \|url=https://www.corpmagazine.com/break-room/picture-that/detroit-welcomes-its-newest-success-story-batch-brewing-company/ \|work=Corp! Magazine \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>		Two years passed between the Hatch Detroit win and the brewery's opening. The gap reflected the startup realities of small-scale brewing: equipment purchases, licensing, and the full build-out of a Corktown taproom took time to complete even after the prize money and additional support had been secured.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Detroit, Michigan's Batch Brewing Opening Story \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d8-MDOyvhE \|work=YouTube \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref> Before opening, artist Antonio "Shades" Agee painted a mural at the location, marking the space as part of Corktown's broader artistic identity from the outset.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing Co. Parties On Even During Brutal Times \|url=https://detroit.eater.com/2025/2/11/24363039/batch-brewing-company-10-years-uncertainty-economy \|work=Eater Detroit \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref> The brewery's opening was welcomed as a meaningful addition to the Detroit beer scene, which was expanding rapidly during the mid-2010s as the city's broader economic revitalization drew new investment and residents to neighborhoods like Corktown.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Detroit Welcomes Batch Brewing Co. \|url=https://www.corpmagazine.com/break-room/picture-that/detroit-welcomes-its-newest-success-story-batch-brewing-company/ \|work=Corp! Magazine \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>

	In February 2025, Batch Brewing Company celebrated its 10th anniversary — a milestone that's increasingly uncommon in the craft brewing industry, where a significant share of operations close within their first five years. The ~~brewery's founders~~ acknowledged the difficulty of sustaining a small hospitality business amid rising ingredient costs, supply chain disruptions, and ~~broader~~ economic headwinds that have hit Michigan's restaurant and bar industry hard since 2020.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing Co. Parties On Even During Brutal Times \|url=https://detroit.eater.com/2025/2/11/24363039/batch-brewing-company-10-years-uncertainty-economy \|work=Eater Detroit \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing celebrating 10th anniversary: What's on tap \|url=https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/2025/02/14/corktown-batch-brewing-anniversary-celebration/78629658007/ \|work=Detroit Free Press \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>		In February 2025, Batch Brewing Company celebrated its 10th anniversary, a milestone that has grown increasingly uncommon in the craft brewing industry, where a significant share of operations close within their first five years. The anniversary was marked with events at the taproom and coverage in local press. Roginson and Williams acknowledged the difficulty of sustaining a small hospitality business amid rising ingredient costs, supply chain disruptions, and the economic headwinds that have hit Michigan's restaurant and bar industry hard since 2020. Many Detroit-area craft breweries didn't survive that stretch. Batch Brewing did.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing Co. Parties On Even During Brutal Times \|url=https://detroit.eater.com/2025/2/11/24363039/batch-brewing-company-10-years-uncertainty-economy \|work=Eater Detroit \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing celebrating 10th anniversary: What's on tap \|url=https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/2025/02/14/corktown-batch-brewing-anniversary-celebration/78629658007/ \|work=Detroit Free Press \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>

	~~By 2026, the~~ brewery continued to expand its community programming. The BOSS BBQ ~~2026~~, a two-day music and barbecue event, was held at Batch Brewing Company, reflecting its established role as a venue ~~for neighborhood events beyond its core function as a taproom~~.<ref>{{cite web \|title=BOSS BBQ 2026 at Batch Brewing Company \|url=https://www.freep.com/things-to-do/events?_evDiscoveryPath=/event%2F41735025t-boss-bbq-2026-at-batch-brewing-company \|work=Detroit Free Press \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>		The brewery has continued to expand its community programming beyond the taproom. The BOSS BBQ festival, a two-day music and barbecue event, was held at Batch Brewing Company, reflecting its established role as a neighborhood venue.<ref>{{cite web \|title=BOSS BBQ 2026 at Batch Brewing Company \|url=https://www.freep.com/things-to-do/events?_evDiscoveryPath=/event%2F41735025t-boss-bbq-2026-at-batch-brewing-company \|work=Detroit Free Press \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref> In May 2025, the brewery hosted a Claude Young ambient set during Movement festival weekend, part of a Reset Fest programming series that drew attention for coaxing the Detroit techno figure out of retirement for a one-off performance.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Claude Young emerges from retirement for one-off ambient set \|url=https://ra.co/news/84898 \|work=Resident Advisor \|access-date=2025-06-01}}</ref> Batch Brewing also hosts an annual celebration recognizing International Women-Owned Businesses, now in its second year, adding a civic dimension to its event calendar that extends the brewery's role as a community space.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Only a few days away from our 2nd Annual International Women-Owned Businesses celebration \|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DVg_aL1j36Z/ \|work=Instagram (@batchbrewing) \|access-date=2025-06-01}}</ref>

	== Location ==		== Location ==
	Batch Brewing Company is situated in [[Corktown, Detroit\|Corktown]], one of Detroit's oldest surviving neighborhoods, bounded roughly by the Lodge Freeway to the east and the historic Michigan Central Station to the west. The neighborhood has undergone substantial reinvestment since the mid-2010s, driven in part by Ford Motor Company's acquisition and redevelopment of the Michigan Central Station complex, which has drawn tech firms, restaurants, and creative businesses to the area.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing celebrating 10th anniversary: What's on tap \|url=https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/2025/02/14/corktown-batch-brewing-anniversary-celebration/78629658007/ \|work=Detroit Free Press \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>		Batch Brewing Company is situated in [[Corktown, Detroit\|Corktown]], one of Detroit's oldest surviving neighborhoods, bounded roughly by the Lodge Freeway to the east and the historic Michigan Central Station to the west. The neighborhood has undergone substantial reinvestment since the mid-2010s, driven in part by Ford Motor Company's acquisition and redevelopment of the Michigan Central Station complex, which has drawn tech firms, restaurants, and creative businesses to the area.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing celebrating 10th anniversary: What's on tap \|url=https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/2025/02/14/corktown-batch-brewing-anniversary-celebration/78629658007/ \|work=Detroit Free Press \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>

	Corktown's mix of preserved 19th-century brick buildings, independent bars, and locally owned restaurants has made it one of Detroit's most visited neighborhoods. Batch Brewing's presence ~~on the strip~~ contributes to a cluster of food and drink destinations that draw visitors from across the metro area. ~~The brewery~~ sits within walking distance of other Corktown ~~staples~~, making it part of a walkable commercial corridor unusual by Detroit standards, where most neighborhoods remain heavily car-dependent.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing Co. Parties On Even During Brutal Times \|url=https://detroit.eater.com/2025/2/11/24363039/batch-brewing-company-10-years-uncertainty-economy \|work=Eater Detroit \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>		Corktown's mix of preserved 19th-century brick buildings, independent bars, and locally owned restaurants has made it one of Detroit's most visited neighborhoods. Batch Brewing's presence contributes to a cluster of food and drink destinations that draw visitors from across the metro area. It sits within walking distance of other Corktown businesses, making it part of a walkable commercial corridor that's unusual by Detroit standards, where most neighborhoods remain heavily car-dependent.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing Co. Parties On Even During Brutal Times \|url=https://detroit.eater.com/2025/2/11/24363039/batch-brewing-company-10-years-uncertainty-economy \|work=Eater Detroit \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>

	== Offerings and Culture ==		== Offerings and Culture ==
	Batch Brewing produces handcrafted beers on-site and serves a food menu that has evolved since the brewery's opening ~~in 2015~~. The founders originally ~~envisioned~~ a limited food program to accompany the beer, ~~a model~~ consistent with nanobrewery ~~operations~~, and the kitchen ~~component~~ has ~~continued to be~~ part of the taproom experience.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Detroit Welcomes Batch Brewing Co. \|url=https://www.corpmagazine.com/break-room/picture-that/detroit-welcomes-its-newest-success-story-batch-brewing-company/ \|work=Corp! Magazine \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref> Food vendor pop-ups have been incorporated into the weekly schedule, with rotating offerings that supplement the in-house menu and give local food entrepreneurs a platform.<ref>{{cite web \|title=We have returned to the Batch Brewing Company menu \|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DWR4cULjwnU/ \|work=Instagram (@batchbrewing) \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>		Batch Brewing produces handcrafted beers on-site and serves a food menu that has evolved since the brewery's 2015 opening. The founders originally planned a limited food program to accompany the beer, consistent with the nanobrewery model, and the kitchen has remained part of the taproom experience. Food vendor pop-ups have been incorporated into the weekly schedule, with rotating offerings that supplement the in-house menu and give local food entrepreneurs a platform.<ref>{{cite web \|title=We have returned to the Batch Brewing Company menu \|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DWR4cULjwnU/ \|work=Instagram (@batchbrewing) \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Detroit Welcomes Batch Brewing Co. \|url=https://www.corpmagazine.com/break-room/picture-that/detroit-welcomes-its-newest-success-story-batch-brewing-company/ \|work=Corp! Magazine \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>

	The brewery ~~also~~ hosts live DJ sets. DJ Dan Austin, founder of the local history project "Historic Detroit," has performed at the taproom, a booking that reflects Batch Brewing's interest in connecting its space to Detroit's broader cultural community rather than operating strictly as a drinking establishment.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Detroit Welcomes Batch Brewing Co. \|url=https://www.corpmagazine.com/break-room/picture-that/detroit-welcomes-its-newest-success-story-batch-brewing-company/ \|work=Corp! Magazine \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref> Events like the BOSS BBQ festival ~~demonstrate~~ the brewery's capacity to host ~~larger~~ programming that brings together music, food, and community engagement ~~under one roof~~.<ref>{{cite web \|title=BOSS BBQ 2026 at Batch Brewing Company \|url=https://www.freep.com/things-to-do/events?_evDiscoveryPath=/event%2F41735025t-boss-bbq-2026-at-batch-brewing-company \|work=Detroit Free Press \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>		The brewery hosts live DJ sets as part of its regular programming. DJ Dan Austin, founder of the local history project Historic Detroit, has performed at the taproom, a booking that reflects Batch Brewing's interest in connecting its space to Detroit's broader cultural community rather than operating strictly as a drinking establishment.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Detroit Welcomes Batch Brewing Co. \|url=https://www.corpmagazine.com/break-room/picture-that/detroit-welcomes-its-newest-success-story-batch-brewing-company/ \|work=Corp! Magazine \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref> Events like the BOSS BBQ festival and the Claude Young ambient set during Movement weekend show the brewery's capacity to host programming that brings together music, food, and community engagement.<ref>{{cite web \|title=BOSS BBQ 2026 at Batch Brewing Company \|url=https://www.freep.com/things-to-do/events?_evDiscoveryPath=/event%2F41735025t-boss-bbq-2026-at-batch-brewing-company \|work=Detroit Free Press \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Claude Young emerges from retirement for one-off ambient set \|url=https://ra.co/news/84898 \|work=Resident Advisor \|access-date=2025-06-01}}</ref>

	The mural painted by Antonio "Shades" Agee at the brewery's exterior remains a visual marker of the space. Agee's work is part of a long tradition of public murals in Detroit that use building facades as canvases for community expression~~, and the~~ piece has served as an identifier for the brewery's location since before it opened.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing Co. Parties On Even During Brutal Times \|url=https://detroit.eater.com/2025/2/11/24363039/batch-brewing-company-10-years-uncertainty-economy \|work=Eater Detroit \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>		The mural painted by Antonio "Shades" Agee at the brewery's exterior remains a visual marker of the space. Agee's work is part of a long tradition of public murals in Detroit that use building facades as canvases for community expression. The piece has served as an identifier for the brewery's location since before it opened, and it's become inseparable from the brewery's public image in Corktown.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing Co. Parties On Even During Brutal Times \|url=https://detroit.eater.com/2025/2/11/24363039/batch-brewing-company-10-years-uncertainty-economy \|work=Eater Detroit \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>

	== Hatch Detroit ==		== Hatch Detroit ==
	The Hatch Detroit contest, which Batch Brewing won in 2013, is an annual competition that awards funding and business support to Detroit-based retail and food entrepreneurs. Comerica Bank is the primary sponsor. Winners receive a $50,000 cash prize along with mentorship, legal support, and marketing assistance. The contest was created to accelerate the return of independent brick-and-mortar businesses to Detroit neighborhoods and has funded dozens of local businesses since its founding.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing Company \|url=https://carriedawaydetroit.com/2015/05/27/batch-brewing-company/ \|work=Carried Away Detroit \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Detroit Welcomes Batch Brewing Co. \|url=https://www.corpmagazine.com/break-room/picture-that/detroit-welcomes-its-newest-success-story-batch-brewing-company/ \|work=Corp! Magazine \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>		The Hatch Detroit contest, which Batch Brewing won in 2013, is an annual competition that awards funding and business support to Detroit-based retail and food entrepreneurs. Comerica Bank is the primary sponsor. Winners receive a $50,000 cash prize along with mentorship, legal support, and marketing assistance. The contest was created to accelerate the return of independent brick-and-mortar businesses to Detroit neighborhoods and has funded dozens of local businesses since its founding.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Batch Brewing Company \|url=https://carriedawaydetroit.com/2015/05/27/batch-brewing-company/ \|work=Carried Away Detroit \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Detroit Welcomes Batch Brewing Co. \|url=https://www.corpmagazine.com/break-room/picture-that/detroit-welcomes-its-newest-success-story-batch-brewing-company/ \|work=Corp! Magazine \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>

	For Roginson and Williams, the Hatch Detroit win was the financial catalyst that made the brewery viable. Small-scale brewing operations face significant startup costs — equipment, licensing, build-out — that are difficult to finance through traditional lending. The $50,000 award, combined with the visibility that came with the contest win, helped the founders secure additional support and complete the Corktown build-out that opened two years after their victory.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Detroit, Michigan's Batch Brewing Opening Story \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d8-MDOyvhE \|work=YouTube \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>		For Roginson and Williams, the Hatch Detroit win was the financial catalyst that made the brewery viable. Small-scale brewing operations face significant startup costs, including equipment, licensing, and build-out expenses, that are difficult to finance through traditional lending. The $50,000 award, combined with the visibility that came with the contest win, helped the founders secure additional support and complete the Corktown build-out that opened two years after their victory.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Detroit, Michigan's Batch Brewing Opening Story \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d8-MDOyvhE \|work=YouTube \|access-date=2025-02-25}}</ref>

	[[Category:Breweries in Michigan]]		[[Category:Breweries in Michigan]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:56, 22 May 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:~~[https://biography.wiki/a/Aretha_Franklin~~ Aretha Franklin] Amphitheatre}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre}}
	The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, formerly known as Chene Park Amphitheatre, is a 6,000-capacity outdoor concert venue located on the Detroit riverfront, approximately 1.5 miles east of Downtown Detroit.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Named in honor of the "Queen of Soul," the venue hosts a diverse range of musical performances and events~~, and~~ stands as a ~~significant~~ component of the city's ongoing riverfront revitalization efforts. Originally conceived as a means to redevelop the area and provide a world-class entertainment space, the amphitheatre has become a cornerstone of Detroit's cultural landscape.		The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, formerly known as Chene Park Amphitheatre, is a 6,000-capacity outdoor concert venue located on the Detroit riverfront, approximately 1.5 miles east of Downtown Detroit.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Named in honor of the "Queen of Soul," the venue hosts a diverse range of musical performances and events. It stands as a key component of the city's ongoing riverfront revitalization efforts. Originally conceived as a means to redevelop the area and provide a world-class entertainment space, the amphitheatre has become a cornerstone of Detroit's cultural landscape.

	== History ==		== History ==
	The origins of the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre date back to 1980, when then-Mayor Coleman A. Young proposed the construction of an amphitheatre along the Detroit River.~~<ref>{{cite web \|title=Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre \|url=https://grokipedia.com/page/Aretha_Franklin_Amphitheatre \|work=grokipedia.com \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>~~ This initiative was part of a broader urban revitalization plan aimed at transforming the riverfront into a vibrant public space. The Riverfront Music Theatre at Chene Park officially opened in 1984,<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> initially designed with a capacity of 2,000 and without permanent structures. The original construction cost was $2.2 million.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>		The origins of the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre date back to 1980, when then-Mayor Coleman A. Young proposed the construction of an amphitheatre along the Detroit River. This initiative was part of a broader urban revitalization plan aimed at transforming the riverfront into a vibrant public space. The Riverfront Music Theatre at Chene Park officially opened in 1984,<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> initially designed with a capacity of 2,000 and without permanent structures. The original construction cost was $2.2 million.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>

	Over the subsequent decades, Chene Park underwent several upgrades, including the addition of permanent seating under a distinctive canopied roof.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> These expansions brought the venue's capacity to its current 6,000, transforming what began as a modest outdoor stage into a fully equipped amphitheatre capable of hosting major touring acts alongside local programming.		Over the subsequent decades, Chene Park underwent several upgrades, including the addition of permanent seating under a distinctive canopied roof.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> These expansions brought the venue's capacity to its current 6,000, transforming what began as a modest outdoor stage into a fully equipped amphitheatre capable of hosting major touring acts alongside local programming.

	In August 2018, Aretha Franklin — Detroit~~'s most celebrated musical daughter —~~ died at her home in the city at the age of 76. Within weeks of her passing, city officials moved to honor her ~~legacy by renaming the venue~~. The ~~Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre~~ was officially renamed ~~in tribute to~~ the ~~Detroit-born musical icon~~ later that year.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Digital signage commemorating the new name was installed along Atwater Street in 2019.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The park itself takes its original name from Charles Chene, a French immigrant who once owned land along the Detroit River's shore, reflecting the area's deep roots in the French colonial history of the region.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>		In August 2018, Aretha Franklin, the Detroit-born soul legend, died at her home in the city at the age of 76. Within weeks of her passing, city officials moved to honor her memory. The venue was officially renamed the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre later that year.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Digital signage commemorating the new name was installed along Atwater Street in 2019.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The park itself takes its original name from Charles Chene, a French immigrant who once owned land along the Detroit River's shore, reflecting the area's deep roots in the French colonial history of the region.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>

	== Aretha Franklin ==		== Aretha Franklin ==
	Aretha Louise Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 25, 1942, and raised in Detroit, where her father, the Reverend C.L. Franklin, led the New Bethel Baptist Church on Linwood Avenue. Detroit shaped her voice, her faith, and her career~~, and the~~ city remained central to her identity throughout her life. Franklin recorded for Columbia Records before signing with Atlantic Records in 1967, a move that produced a string of defining recordings including "Respect," "Chain of Fools," and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." She was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1987, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.		Aretha Louise Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 25, 1942, and raised in Detroit, where her father, the Reverend C.L. Franklin, led the New Bethel Baptist Church on Linwood Avenue. Detroit shaped her voice, her faith, and her career. The city remained central to her identity throughout her life. Franklin recorded for Columbia Records before signing with Atlantic Records in 1967, a move that produced a string of defining recordings including "Respect," "Chain of Fools," and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." She was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1987, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

	Franklin performed at the amphitheatre that now bears her name on multiple occasions during its years as Chene Park, appearing before hometown audiences on the riverfront she knew well. Her death on August 16, 2018, prompted an outpouring of grief across Detroit and around the world. The renaming of the amphitheatre in her honor was widely seen as a fitting tribute — connecting her name permanently to the Detroit riverfront and to the tradition of live music she had long championed in her home city.		Franklin performed at the amphitheatre that now bears her name on multiple occasions during its years as Chene Park, appearing before hometown audiences on the riverfront she knew well. Her death on August 16, 2018, prompted an outpouring of grief across Detroit and around the world. The renaming of the amphitheatre in her honor was widely seen as a fitting tribute, connecting her name permanently to the Detroit riverfront and to the tradition of live music she had long championed in her home city.

	== Geography ==		== Geography ==
	The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre occupies approximately nine acres of land<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> and features roughly 820 feet of shoreline along the Detroit River.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Its location approximately 1.5 miles east of Downtown Detroit places it within the city's East Riverfront area.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The amphitheatre ~~is situated~~ adjacent to both Milliken State Park and Harbor to the west, and Valade Park to the east, creating a continuous stretch of public space along the riverfront. This positioning ~~provides~~ attendees ~~with~~ expansive views of the Detroit River as a backdrop to performances, with the Windsor, Ontario skyline visible across the water.		The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre occupies approximately nine acres of land<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> and features roughly 820 feet of shoreline along the Detroit River.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Its location approximately 1.5 miles east of Downtown Detroit places it within the city's East Riverfront area.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The amphitheatre sits adjacent to both Milliken State Park and Harbor to the west, and Valade Park to the east, creating a continuous stretch of public space along the riverfront. This positioning gives attendees expansive views of the Detroit River as a backdrop to performances, with the Windsor, Ontario skyline visible across the water.

	The surrounding area is undergoing continued development, with plans for expansion of Milliken State Park and the introduction of mixed-use developments nearby.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The site's proximity to the river and existing parks contributes to its appeal as a recreational and entertainment destination. ~~The amphitheatre's location also benefits from accessibility~~ to major roadways and public transportation options~~, facilitating access~~ for visitors from across the metropolitan area.		The surrounding area is undergoing continued development, with plans for expansion of Milliken State Park and the introduction of mixed-use developments nearby.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The site's proximity to the river and existing parks contributes to its appeal as a recreational and entertainment destination. Access to major roadways and public transportation options makes the venue reachable for visitors from across the metropolitan area.

	== Culture and Programming ==		== Culture and Programming ==
	Since its opening in 1984, the amphitheatre ~~— initially as Chene Park —~~ has hosted a wide variety of musical genres, with jazz holding a particularly prominent role in its programming history.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Classical music has also been a significant component of the venue's programming, with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra performing there following the closure of Ford Auditorium. The venue has additionally featured performances encompassing folk, blues, bluegrass, R&B, hip-hop, and various world music styles, reflecting the broad cultural diversity of Detroit and its surrounding region.		Since its opening in 1984, the amphitheatre has hosted a wide variety of musical genres, with jazz holding a particularly prominent role in its programming history.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Classical music has also been a significant component of the venue's programming, with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra performing there following the closure of Ford Auditorium. The venue has additionally featured performances encompassing folk, blues, bluegrass, R&B, hip-hop, and various world music styles, reflecting the broad cultural diversity of Detroit and its surrounding region.

	The renaming of the venue to honor Aretha Franklin ~~underscores~~ the importance of music and cultural heritage in Detroit.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The amphitheatre has welcomed ~~renowned~~ artists including Smokey Robinson, the B-52's, the Manhattan Transfer, Anne Murray, Robin Thicke, ~~[https://biography.wiki/m/Miles_Davis~~ Miles Davis], Aretha Franklin herself, and comedian Sinbad.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Jazz pianist and producer Robert Glasper has performed at the venue,<ref>{{cite web \|title=Robert Glasper Detroit Tickets, Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre \|url=https://www.songkick.com/concerts/42930187-robert-glasper-at-aretha-franklin-amphitheatre \|work=Songkick \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> ~~and the~~ venue's recurring Wednesday Night Jazz Series continues to anchor its summer calendar as one of Detroit's most consistent live jazz offerings.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Wednesday Night Jazz Series \|url=https://thearetha.com/tm-event/wednesday-night-jazz-series-4/ \|work=The Aretha \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Rap artist Juvenile is among the acts scheduled to perform at the venue in the 2025 season, reflecting the amphitheatre's continued programming across genres.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Juvenile Announces Show at Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre in Detroit \|url=https://themetrodetroitnews.com/juvenile-announces-show-at-aretha-franklin-amphitheatre-in-detroit/ \|work=Metro Detroit News \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>		The renaming of the venue to honor Aretha Franklin shows the importance of music and cultural heritage in Detroit.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The amphitheatre has welcomed artists including Smokey Robinson, the B-52's, the Manhattan Transfer, Anne Murray, Robin Thicke, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin herself, and comedian Sinbad.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Jazz pianist and producer Robert Glasper has also performed at the venue.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Robert Glasper Detroit Tickets, Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre \|url=https://www.songkick.com/concerts/42930187-robert-glasper-at-aretha-franklin-amphitheatre \|work=Songkick \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The venue's recurring Wednesday Night Jazz Series continues to anchor its summer calendar as one of Detroit's most consistent live jazz offerings.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Wednesday Night Jazz Series \|url=https://thearetha.com/tm-event/wednesday-night-jazz-series-4/ \|work=The Aretha \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>

	The venue serves not only as a performance space but also as a gathering place for the community, ~~fostering~~ a sense of shared experience and cultural pride. Its programming has consistently reflected Detroit's role as a city with deep musical roots — from Motown to techno to jazz — and the amphitheatre remains one of the most active outdoor stages in the Midwest during the summer concert season.		Programming doesn't stop there. For the 2025 season, rap artist Juvenile was among the acts scheduled to perform, reflecting the amphitheatre's continued range across genres.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Juvenile Announces Show at Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre in Detroit \|url=https://themetrodetroitnews.com/juvenile-announces-show-at-aretha-franklin-amphitheatre-in-detroit/ \|work=Metro Detroit News \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The 2026 summer concert series was announced with a similarly broad lineup. R&B artist Babyface is scheduled to perform on July 12, 2026,<ref>{{cite web \|title=The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre announces 2026 summer concert series \|url=https://www.wxyz.com/news/the-aretha-franklin-amphitheatre-announces-2026-summer-concert-series \|work=WXYZ Channel 7 \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> and hip-hop artists G Herbo and Skilla Baby are booked for July 10, 2026.<ref>{{cite web \|title=G Herbo x Skilla Baby at The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre \|url=https://www.facebook.com/TheArethaFranklinAmphitheatre/posts/g-herbo-x-skilla-baby-will-be-at-the-aretha-franklin-amphitheatre-on-july-10th-%EF%B8%8F/1395775249023851/ \|work=Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre on Facebook \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> That range, from jazz to R&B to hip-hop, is characteristic of how the venue has evolved its programming over four decades.

			The venue serves not only as a performance space but also as a gathering place for the community, building a sense of shared experience and cultural pride. Its programming has consistently reflected Detroit's role as a city with deep musical roots, from Motown to techno to jazz, and the amphitheatre remains one of the most active outdoor stages in the Midwest during the summer concert season.

	== Facilities and Attractions ==		== Facilities and Attractions ==
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	== Getting There ==		== Getting There ==
	The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre is accessible by a variety of transportation methods. The venue is located near several major roadways, including I-75 and I-375, facilitating access for drivers.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Public transportation options include the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) bus system, with several routes serving the area. The QLine streetcar, while not directly adjacent to the amphitheatre, provides access to the riverfront area from other parts of the city. Bicycle parking is ~~also~~ available, encouraging alternative modes of transportation. The proximity to the RiverWalk allows for pedestrian access from Downtown Detroit and other nearby neighborhoods. Parking options are available in designated lots and along surrounding streets, though availability may be limited during major events.		The Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre is accessible by a variety of transportation methods. The venue is located near several major roadways, including I-75 and I-375, facilitating access for drivers.<ref>{{cite web \|title=THE ARETHA \|url=https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2022-08/02_ERAS_The%20Aretha.pdf \|work=detroitmi.gov \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Public transportation options include the Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) bus system, with several routes serving the area. The QLine streetcar, while not directly adjacent to the amphitheatre, provides access to the riverfront area from other parts of the city. Bicycle parking is available, encouraging alternative modes of transportation. The proximity to the RiverWalk also allows for pedestrian access from Downtown Detroit and other nearby neighborhoods. Parking options are available in designated lots and along surrounding streets, though availability may be limited during major events.

	{{#seo: \|title=Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre — History, Facts & Guide \| Detroit.Wiki \|description=Explore the history, geography, and cultural significance of the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre in Detroit, Michigan. \|type=Article }}

	[[Detroit Riverfront]]		[[Detroit Riverfront]]

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	```mediawiki		```mediawiki
	Altes Beer is a Detroit-brewed lager first produced in 1910, originally marketed as "the beer that bewitches." ~~After~~ ceasing production in ~~Detroit~~ in ~~1974,~~ the brand went dormant for decades before ~~being revived by~~ Detroit National Brewing Company LLC. In 2024, Livonia-based Benchmark Beverage Co. acquired the brand and took over its production and distribution, continuing its connection to Detroit's industrial brewing heritage.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Brew Detroit owner acquires longtime Detroit beer brand \|url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/food-drink/benchmark-beverage-acquires-altes-beer/ \|work=Crain's Detroit Business \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Altes, a beloved made-in-Detroit dad beer, is back in town \|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/food-drink/how-three-brewers-revived-altes-a-beloved-made-in-detroit-dad-beer-21607997/ \|work=Metro Times \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>		Altes Beer is a Detroit-brewed lager first produced in 1910 at the Tivoli Brewery on the city's East Side, originally marketed as "the beer that bewitches." It grew into one of the region's most recognized working-class brands before ceasing production in 1974 during a period of widespread consolidation in the American brewing industry. The brand went dormant for roughly five decades before Detroit National Brewing Company LLC revived it in the early 2020s. In 2024, Livonia-based Benchmark Beverage Co. acquired the brand and took over its production and distribution, continuing its connection to Detroit's industrial brewing heritage.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Brew Detroit owner acquires longtime Detroit beer brand \|url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/food-drink/benchmark-beverage-acquires-altes-beer/ \|work=Crain's Detroit Business \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Altes, a beloved made-in-Detroit dad beer, is back in town \|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/food-drink/how-three-brewers-revived-altes-a-beloved-made-in-detroit-dad-beer-21607997/ \|work=Metro Times \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>

	== History ==		== History ==
	Altes Beer was first brewed at the Tivoli Brewery, located on Detroit's East Side at the corner of Mack and Hurlbut, in 1910. The brewery's European-trained brewmasters sought to replicate the crisp, refreshing lagers common in their homelands, catering to the tastes of Detroit's growing industrial population.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Michigan enacted statewide prohibition in 1918, a year before the federal Volstead Act took effect, and by that point Altes had already become a popular choice among Detroiters. According to the brand's own history, brewing continued informally during the prohibition years, with the beer distributed through speakeasies throughout the city — though this account relies on company lore rather than independently verified historical records.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>

	Following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Altes quickly regained its regional ~~popularity~~. The brand continued to grow alongside Detroit, becoming known for its "sealed-in flavor" by the 1940s. In 1947, the brewery sold over half a million barrels, reflecting ~~its~~ broad appeal among factory workers and sportsmen ~~alike~~.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Throughout the 1960s, Altes remained a prominent Detroit brand, sponsoring local teams including the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Tigers. The brewery also introduced Fassbier, a draft beer marketed for its consistently fresh taste.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Brewing in Detroit ceased in 1974 during a broader period of consolidation in the American beer industry, ~~and~~ the ~~brand went quiet for the better part of five decades~~.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Altes, a beloved made-in-Detroit dad beer, is back in town \|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/food-drink/how-three-brewers-revived-altes-a-beloved-made-in-detroit-dad-beer-21607997/ \|work=Metro Times \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>		=== Origins and Early Growth ===
			Altes Beer was first brewed at the Tivoli Brewery, located on Detroit's East Side at the corner of Mack and Hurlbut, in 1910. The brewery's European-trained brewmasters sought to replicate the crisp, refreshing lagers common in their homelands, catering to the tastes of Detroit's growing working-class and industrial workforce.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Michigan enacted statewide prohibition in 1918, a year before the federal Volstead Act took effect, and by that point Altes had already established itself as a popular choice among Detroiters. According to the brand's own history, brewing continued informally during the Prohibition years, with the beer distributed through speakeasies throughout the city. That account relies on company lore rather than independently verified historical records, and should be treated accordingly.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>

			Following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Altes quickly regained its regional footing. The brand continued to grow alongside Detroit, becoming known for its "sealed-in flavor" by the 1940s. In 1947, the brewery reportedly sold over half a million barrels, a figure cited by the company's own historical materials and reflecting the brand's broad appeal among factory workers and sportsmen during Detroit's postwar industrial peak.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Throughout the 1960s, Altes remained a prominent Detroit brand, sponsoring local teams including the Detroit Lions and the Detroit Tigers. The brewery also introduced Fassbier, a draft beer marketed for its consistently fresh taste.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>

			=== Closure ===
			Brewing in Detroit ceased in 1974 during a broader period of consolidation in the American beer industry, when regional brands across the Midwest were absorbed by larger national conglomerates or simply shut down as production economics shifted against smaller operations.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Altes, a beloved made-in-Detroit dad beer, is back in town \|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/food-drink/how-three-brewers-revived-altes-a-beloved-made-in-detroit-dad-beer-21607997/ \|work=Metro Times \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The brand went dormant for nearly five decades. Its absence outlasted the industrial era that had defined it.

	== Revival ==		== Revival ==
	The first effort to bring Altes back came through Detroit National Brewing Company LLC, whose founders — Eric, Carl, and Pat — worked to recreate the original European-style lager that Detroiters had known for decades.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Altes, a beloved made-in-Detroit dad beer, is back in town \|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/food-drink/how-three-brewers-revived-altes-a-beloved-made-in-detroit-dad-beer-21607997/ \|work=Metro Times \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> They collaborated with Traffic Jam & Snug, Detroit's original brewpub, to develop a recipe using 100% barley malt and 100% German imported hops, with an emphasis on traditional brewing methods and quality ingredients.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The revived beer won the Michigan Heritage Beer award in both 2022 and 2023, drawing renewed attention to the brand.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>		The first effort to bring Altes back came through Detroit National Brewing Company LLC, whose founders, identified in press coverage as Eric, Carl, and Pat, worked to recreate the original European-style lager that Detroiters had known for decades.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Altes, a beloved made-in-Detroit dad beer, is back in town \|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/food-drink/how-three-brewers-revived-altes-a-beloved-made-in-detroit-dad-beer-21607997/ \|work=Metro Times \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> They collaborated with Traffic Jam & Snug, Detroit's original brewpub, to develop a recipe using 100% barley malt and 100% German imported hops, with an emphasis on traditional brewing methods and quality ingredients.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The revived beer won the Michigan Heritage Beer award in both 2022 and 2023, drawing renewed attention to the brand and providing third-party validation that carried weight in retail placement and bar accounts.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>

	In 2024, Benchmark Beverage Co. — a Livonia-based company owned by the founder of Brew Detroit — acquired Altes from Detroit National Brewing Company LLC.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Brew Detroit owner acquires longtime Detroit beer brand \|url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/food-drink/benchmark-beverage-acquires-altes-beer/ \|work=Crain's Detroit Business \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Benchmark has positioned the acquisition as part of a deliberate strategy to build a portfolio of heritage beer brands rather than simply relaunching a retro label. The company's stated approach centers on maintaining regional identity while expanding distribution and production capacity beyond what the original revival operation could support.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Benchmark Beverage charts a new course in craft beer \|url=https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/featured/benchmark-beverage-charts-a-new-course-in-craft-one-beer-brand-and-acquisition-at-a-time/ \|work=Craft Brewing Business \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Benchmark Beverage Co. in Livonia to Resurrect Altes Beer Brand \|url=https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/benchmark-beverage-co-in-livonia-to-resurrect-altes-beer-brand/ \|work=DBusiness Magazine \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>		In 2024, Benchmark Beverage Co., a Livonia-based company owned by the founder of Brew Detroit, acquired Altes from Detroit National Brewing Company LLC.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Brew Detroit owner acquires longtime Detroit beer brand \|url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/food-drink/benchmark-beverage-acquires-altes-beer/ \|work=Crain's Detroit Business \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Benchmark has positioned the acquisition as part of a deliberate strategy to build a portfolio of heritage beer brands rather than simply relaunching a retro label. The company's stated approach centers on maintaining regional identity while expanding distribution and production capacity beyond what the original revival operation could support.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Benchmark Beverage charts a new course in craft beer \|url=https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/featured/benchmark-beverage-charts-a-new-course-in-craft-one-beer-brand-and-acquisition-at-a-time/ \|work=Craft Brewing Business \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|title=Benchmark Beverage Co. in Livonia to Resurrect Altes Beer Brand \|url=https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/benchmark-beverage-co-in-livonia-to-resurrect-altes-beer-brand/ \|work=DBusiness Magazine \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>

	== Culture ==		== Culture ==
	Altes Beer has historically been associated with Detroit's working class. Advertisements and marketing materials consistently featured imagery tied to factory workers and sports fans, reinforcing its identity as an everyday beer rather than a premium or specialty product.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The brand's 1960s sports sponsorships with the Lions and Tigers gave it a particular visibility in the city that outlasted the beer itself ~~— older~~ Detroiters still associate the name with that era of the city's cultural life.		Altes Beer has historically been associated with Detroit's working class. Advertisements and marketing materials consistently featured imagery tied to factory workers and sports fans, reinforcing its identity as an everyday beer rather than a premium or specialty product.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The brand's 1960s sports sponsorships with the Lions and Tigers gave it a particular visibility in the city that outlasted the beer itself. Older Detroiters still associate the name with that era of the city's cultural life, and that durability of memory is part of what made the revival commercially plausible.

	The modern revival ~~has~~ leaned into this heritage directly. One early marketing campaign featured an Easter Bunny racing through Detroit alleys with cases of beer, positioning Altes as a "dad beer" with a ~~self-aware,~~ playful sensibility rooted in nostalgia for the city's industrial past.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Altes, a beloved made-in-Detroit dad beer, is back in town \|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/food-drink/how-three-brewers-revived-altes-a-beloved-made-in-detroit-dad-beer-21607997/ \|work=Metro Times \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Benchmark Beverage's acquisition has shifted the tone somewhat, framing Altes less as a nostalgia play and more as a viable regional brand with a consistent, traditional recipe and broader market ambitions ~~— though the~~ Detroit identity remains central to how the beer is marketed and sold.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Benchmark Beverage charts a new course in craft beer \|url=https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/featured/benchmark-beverage-charts-a-new-course-in-craft-one-beer-brand-and-acquisition-at-a-time/ \|work=Craft Brewing Business \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>		The modern revival leaned into this heritage directly. One early marketing campaign featured an Easter Bunny racing through Detroit alleys with cases of beer, positioning Altes as a self-aware "dad beer" with a playful sensibility rooted in nostalgia for the city's industrial past.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Altes, a beloved made-in-Detroit dad beer, is back in town \|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/food-drink/how-three-brewers-revived-altes-a-beloved-made-in-detroit-dad-beer-21607997/ \|work=Metro Times \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Benchmark Beverage's acquisition has shifted the tone somewhat, framing Altes less as a nostalgia play and more as a viable regional brand with a consistent, traditional recipe and broader market ambitions. The Detroit identity, though, remains central to how the beer is marketed and sold.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Benchmark Beverage charts a new course in craft beer \|url=https://www.craftbrewingbusiness.com/featured/benchmark-beverage-charts-a-new-course-in-craft-one-beer-brand-and-acquisition-at-a-time/ \|work=Craft Brewing Business \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>

	The revival of Altes also reflects a broader trend in American brewing: renewed interest in dormant regional brands that carry strong local associations. Craft beer buyers, particularly in the Midwest, have shown consistent appetite for heritage labels that connect to a city's manufacturing and working-class past. Altes fits that profile ~~squarely~~.		The revival of Altes also reflects a broader trend in American brewing: renewed interest in dormant regional brands that carry strong local associations. Craft beer buyers, particularly in the Midwest, have shown consistent appetite for heritage labels that connect to a city's manufacturing and working-class past. Altes fits that profile directly. It isn't the only such brand to find new life this way, but its specific connection to Detroit's automotive-era identity gives it a cultural weight that purely new brands don't carry.

	== Economy ==		== Economy ==
	The original Tivoli Brewery contributed meaningfully to Detroit's economic growth during a period of rapid industrial expansion. It provided direct employment and supported adjacent industries including hop and barley suppliers, transportation companies, and advertising agencies.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The 1947 sales figure of over half a million barrels reflects the scale of the operation at its peak.		The original Tivoli Brewery contributed meaningfully to Detroit's economic growth during a period of rapid industrial expansion. It provided direct employment and supported adjacent industries including hop and barley suppliers, transportation companies, and advertising agencies.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The 1947 sales figure of over half a million barrels, if accurate, reflects the scale of the operation at its peak and its reach across the regional market.

	The current revival, under Benchmark Beverage Co., operates at a smaller scale but still represents a locally rooted economic presence. The brand supports jobs in brewing, distribution, and marketing, and its association with Detroit's heritage contributes to the city's ongoing effort to attract tourism and cultural investment.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The Michigan Heritage Beer awards won in 2022 and 2023 ~~have~~ provided third-party recognition that carries ~~some~~ weight in retail placement and bar accounts.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Benchmark's stated goal of building a portfolio of heritage brands ~~suggests~~ the company sees regional beer identity as a durable commercial asset rather than a short-term marketing angle.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Benchmark Beverage Co. in Livonia to Resurrect Altes Beer Brand \|url=https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/benchmark-beverage-co-in-livonia-to-resurrect-altes-beer-brand/ \|work=DBusiness Magazine \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>		The current revival, under Benchmark Beverage Co., operates at a smaller scale but still represents a locally rooted economic presence. The brand supports jobs in brewing, distribution, and marketing, and its association with Detroit's heritage contributes to the city's ongoing effort to attract tourism and cultural investment.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> The Michigan Heritage Beer awards won in 2022 and 2023 provided third-party recognition that carries real weight in retail placement and bar accounts.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> Benchmark's stated goal of building a portfolio of heritage brands shows the company sees regional beer identity as a durable commercial asset rather than a short-term marketing angle.<ref>{{cite web \|title=Benchmark Beverage Co. in Livonia to Resurrect Altes Beer Brand \|url=https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/benchmark-beverage-co-in-livonia-to-resurrect-altes-beer-brand/ \|work=DBusiness Magazine \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>

	== Availability ==		== Availability ==
	Altes Beer is available at bars, restaurants, and retail outlets throughout Detroit and the wider metropolitan area. It's also poured at regional events and beer festivals. Traffic Jam & Snug, the Detroit brewpub that helped develop the modern recipe, has served as one of the brand's more visible local venues since the revival began.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> With Benchmark Beverage Co. now operating the brand out of Livonia, production and distribution capacity has expanded, though specific retail and tap accounts are subject to change. Current availability information can be found through the brand's official website.		Altes Beer is available at bars, restaurants, and retail outlets throughout Detroit and the wider metropolitan area. It's also poured at regional events and beer festivals. Traffic Jam & Snug, the Detroit brewpub that helped develop the modern recipe, has served as one of the brand's more visible local venues since the revival began.<ref>{{cite web \|title=About Us \|url=https://altes.beer/about-us \|work=altes.beer \|access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref> With Benchmark Beverage Co. now operating the brand out of Livonia, production and distribution capacity has expanded beyond what the original revival operation could support, though specific retail and tap accounts are subject to change. Current availability information can be found through the brand's official website at altes.beer.

	== See Also ==		== See Also ==

Detroit Wiki - Recent changes [en]

Berry Gordy Jr. and the Founding of Motown

Coleman Young era (1974-1993)

Bangladeshi community

"Goin' to the coney"

Bethel A.M.E. Church

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Charles Kettering

"The Renaissance City"

Cranbrook design legacy

Cadillac Center (Downtown)

Batch Brewing Company

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Black professional community

Altes Beer

Clark Park Coalition

Charles Eames (Cranbrook connection)

Anna Scripps Whitcomb

COVID-19 in Detroit

Berry Gordy founds Motown (1959)

Covenant Restrictions

Covenant House Michigan

Conant Avenue commercial corridor

Chandler Park (Detroit)

Bridge traffic concerns

Cass Technical High School District