Downey Brewing Company was first conceptualized in the fall of 2013 and founded in 2014 by Dean Downey, Daniel Downey and John Downey. The idea stemmed from an ever-growing passion for brewing delicious beer and a unique opportunity of various skill sets and business synergy.
The ethos of Downey Brewing Company have roots in the world of home brewing. Dean, with a background in chemistry, has been brewing beer since the early 90’s, and like many home brewer’s had aspirations of opening his own brewery one day. John started to brew beer while still a student at Michigan State and really jumped in feet first, taking a real interest in the process and art of brewing as well as the craft beer industry itself. With some practice, some self-education and a bit of talent delicious full flavored craft beers were produced and enjoyed by friends and family. Great beer being fundamental and necessary for a successful brewery it is far from a complete picture, or pitcher in this case.
First and foremost a location is paramount, as operations need to move out from the home brew level to larger scale. As luck would have it, Irish being our heritage, a location of suitable size would present itself with an all in the family solution. Dennis Downey, father to Dean and grandfather to Daniel and John, just so happens to own a business and a building with some unused space. Being opportunistic John and Daniel would present the idea of Downey Brewing Company to Dennis and the request for the use of space would be granted at a price of $1 per year in rent. At this point Downey Brewing Company shifted from an idea to reality and the team would waste no time purchasing their first piece of equipment.
As the story goes, within hours or perhaps a day at the most, an excited John Downey would pull the trigger and purchase the first two pieces of equipment – a mash ton and a hot liquor tank. There is a catch; it needs to be picked up from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Road Trip! In their previous life this mash ton and hot liquor tank functioned as dairy tank. Next, over the course of a few months an in-depth look into the growth of the craft beer market, specifically in Michigan, would be conducted as well as a high level cost analysis to produce and sell the tasty beverage. Packaging, storage, ingredients, overhead, marketing and other expenses would be considered. Architects would be consulted, meetings with city planners held, legal and zoning restrictions clarified. Downey Brewing Company would start to take shape.
In the winter of 2013-2014 from the outside little progress seemed to be made, obstacles continued to hinder any progress until a change in legislation allowed micro brewers to self distribute up to 1000 barrels per year sparking a fire for Downey Brewing Company by cutting out the middle man and refining the business plan. The building already being zoned correctly for production, ideas for a taproom were shelved and the race to distribute started. With location covered, and great beer recipes in hand, the next hurdle was raising capital.
Moving into the summer of 2014 as a post-college, pre-career move John took a job at one of SE Michigan’s finest home brew stores, Adventures in Homebrewing and furthered his studies in the art of brewing craft beer. It was within this season after months of weekly meetings that a vision and directive for Downey Brewing Company would be reached. The plan to achieve all location and capital requirements would join in a major launch event to showcase a robust product line, conduct some market research, and promote a very impressive Kickstarter campaign. This event would get the building ready for a brewing and raise enough money to purchase the necessary equipment to start the brewery.
The Kickstarter campaign made a huge splash within the friends and family circle and didn’t stop there raising a dramatic $25,000 in 30 days with a thrilling last minute $3,000 dollar anonymous donation to break though the all or nothing threshold. With the Kickstarter funds and some additional capital from the founders Downey Brewing Company had fulfilled it’s initial capital requirements to purchase phase one of their equipment needs.
Downey Brewing Company jumped through the final few hoops of the pre-launch phase and got their brewers license in mid 2016. Then brewed up an absolute raging Grand Opening on November 5th, 2016. Since then there have been several equipment upgrades and outside sales continue grow as Downey Brewing Company makes a foothold on the local metro Detroit market. As of fall 2019 Downey has been on tap at about 40 bars and restaurants with regular taps at about 20 establishments.
Stop by the taproom (13121 Prospect, Dearborn) or look for a tap handle in your favorite watering hole for a taste of this legendary brew!
Outside TAP Locations:
JB Bamboozles
Speedboat Bar & Grille
Elmhurst Taproom
PizzaPapalis (Taylor)
Timothy O’Mally’s
Ford’s Garage
CANS -
Total Wine - Sterling Heights
Total Wine - Novi
Total Wine - Ann Arbor
