Atwater
Multimedia and story by Christiana Kurtz
When Atwater Brewery was founded in 1997, the four original owners had one thing in mind: to bring back the Bohemian-style lager reminiscent of Stroh’s beer produced in the late 1800s. Brewing equipment was imported from Germany, and Atwater Brewery was born.
Present to witness the birth and growth of Atwater Brewery was beer fanatic Mike Rieth. He became a regular at Atwater immediately after they opened in 1997. He continued to support Atwater throughout the years, investing in the brewery in 2002, and then buying the brewery in 2005.
Rieth’s commitment to Atwater came from a personal passion for brewing. He began home brewing while living in Boston in the late 80s to early 90s. Rieth was inspired by the success of Sam Adams and could see that brewing was a growing industry. “Sam Adams came out when I was living in Boston, and they started having brewpubs popping up. It was just phenomenal,” Rieth says. “So I started home brewing, and that passion started there.” Becoming involved with brewing in Detroit was a logical step for Rieth.
Atwater’s commitment to the German heritage of their beer and brewing process has set them apart from other breweries in the Detroit area. While approximately 89% of craft beer produced nationwide is ale, Atwater has distinguished itself from the others by perfecting their German-style lager. Although the brewery now produces ales and unique single batch beers, their lager is what has propelled the brewery forward into popularity.
Current Atwater owner Mike Rieth is doing all he can to continue to increase Atwater’s popularity.
Since Rieth purchased Atwater, the brewery has seen a great deal of success. Atwater is currently the largest brewery in Southeast Michigan and the third largest in the state, but the company doesn’t plan to stop there. Last year, Atwater expanded to a smaller, additional brewing facility in Corktown, Detroit, the oldest neighborhood in the city. And the plans for expansion of Atwater don’t stop with the facility in Corktown. Within the near future, Atwater is opening facilities in in Austin, Texas to handle distribution to the West Coast, and another plant in North Carolina to serve the demand for Atwater’s brews on the East Coast.
Even though Atwater Brewery is expanding outside of Detroit, the company plans to stay committed to their roots. “Everything we do screams Detroit,” Rieth. “We’re all about it. Our whole mission is, we’re bringing Detroit everywhere.”
When Atwater Brewery was founded in 1997, the four original owners had one thing in mind: to bring back the Bohemian-style lager reminiscent of Stroh’s beer produced in the late 1800s. Brewing equipment was imported from Germany, and Atwater Brewery was born.
Present to witness the birth and growth of Atwater Brewery was beer fanatic Mike Rieth. He became a regular at Atwater immediately after they opened in 1997. He continued to support Atwater throughout the years, investing in the brewery in 2002, and then buying the brewery in 2005.
Rieth’s commitment to Atwater came from a personal passion for brewing. He began home brewing while living in Boston in the late 80s to early 90s. Rieth was inspired by the success of Sam Adams and could see that brewing was a growing industry. “Sam Adams came out when I was living in Boston, and they started having brewpubs popping up. It was just phenomenal,” Rieth says. “So I started home brewing, and that passion started there.” Becoming involved with brewing in Detroit was a logical step for Rieth.
Atwater’s commitment to the German heritage of their beer and brewing process has set them apart from other breweries in the Detroit area. While approximately 89% of craft beer produced nationwide is ale, Atwater has distinguished itself from the others by perfecting their German-style lager. Although the brewery now produces ales and unique single batch beers, their lager is what has propelled the brewery forward into popularity.
Current Atwater owner Mike Rieth is doing all he can to continue to increase Atwater’s popularity.
Since Rieth purchased Atwater, the brewery has seen a great deal of success. Atwater is currently the largest brewery in Southeast Michigan and the third largest in the state, but the company doesn’t plan to stop there. Last year, Atwater expanded to a smaller, additional brewing facility in Corktown, Detroit, the oldest neighborhood in the city. And the plans for expansion of Atwater don’t stop with the facility in Corktown. Within the near future, Atwater is opening facilities in in Austin, Texas to handle distribution to the West Coast, and another plant in North Carolina to serve the demand for Atwater’s brews on the East Coast.
Even though Atwater Brewery is expanding outside of Detroit, the company plans to stay committed to their roots. “Everything we do screams Detroit,” Rieth. “We’re all about it. Our whole mission is, we’re bringing Detroit everywhere.”
See it for Yourself!
237 JOS CAMPAU
DETROIT, MI 48207
(313) 877-9205
DETROIT, MI 48207
(313) 877-9205