Kuhnhenn Brewing Company

meathookjones

Virginia

5/5  rDev +19.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This was one all around excellent brewpub. The atmosphere was perfect. A laidback bar with good music playing, an interesting crowd and plenty of great beer to be had. The brewing equipment can be seen behind the bar where one of the brewers was working. We unfortunately got there to late to check out the homebrew store. When we first got there on a Saturday night around 7 music was playing and there was a decent sized crowd of people drinking. We grabbed some bottles and growlers and headed back to where we were staying to stash them and cab it back. When we got back some people in the crowd had broke out their guitars and were going to town with various songs. I started off with the B-Rad’s banana stout on nitro, which I highly recommend. The sampler was impressive with a sample of each of the 15 or so beers they had on tap. One of those could be it for someone for the whole night. No food here except snacks, but that’s not what one would come here for. Almost every beer I tried was excellent with no stinkers. As the night went on we were talking to the bartender and eventually offered some of our beer for her and the brewer there to try. While doing that the brewer brought out several samples of stuff not currently available in bottles or on tap as we chatted for a few hours. A great all around time was had and I would make it a point to stop here anytime I was within a few hours.

05-05-2005 19:29:13 | More by meathookjones

Marson

Ohio

5/5  rDev +19.9%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

I lived in Detroit for a couple of years, and while there I was a regular at Kuhnhenn (it was on my way home from work!). I always stop by to grab a couple beers and a couple growlers whenever I'm back in town. Nowadays there is a $2 discount on growler refills every Tuesday. This place has already been reviewed extensively, so I will just add a few notes:

1) This is important - you can bring in your own food, or you can order food and have it delivered directly to the brewpub. They even keep a stack of take-out menus from local eateries behind the bar (you can't go wrong with either Jets or Sorrentos pizza). For this reason I rate the food a 5.
2) A bottle of the amazingly delicious Braggot Mead (brewed from 2/3 honey, 1/3 malt) will run you about $30, but even at that price it's a great value. I recommend sharing a bottle between 3-4 people.
3) Bring in your favorite CD or DVD and the staff will be happy to play it on the stereo or big screen, unless there is some event that precludes it (e.g. football games or live music).
4) Speaking of which, Kuhnhenn does occasionally offer live entertainment. There is now a calendar of events on their website, so you can plan to visit when something fun is happening.
5) My favorite beer at Kuhnhenn is the Loonie Kuhnie. As a lover all pale ales and IPAs, I can honestly say that the Loonie is the best pale ale I've had. I was even lucky enough to help brew a batch once! It was back-breaking work shoveling grain out of the lautering tun, but it made the beer taste even better.

05-26-2006 02:23:35 | More by Marson

garthwaite

Virginia

4.94/5  rDev +18.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5

Very interesting place located just north of Detroit. Fairly large building which houses both a homebrew shop & a tasting room. The tasting room set-up was pretty straight forward with a good sized bar & quite a few tables, though they were all empty when we arrived. They have pre-made sandwiches along with chips, nuts, cheeses, etc in case you're hungry, but of course - we came for the beer. They had quite a few items on the menu, which was a one-of-a-kind creation. Some of those items on tap were:
Tangerine Wit, Extra Stout, IPA, Porter, Strong Ale, Saison, Pale Ale, MaiBock, Nut Brown, Red, Old Ale ....with a few others available from the bottle. Everything we sampled was incredibly unique & fantastically enjoyable.
The atmosphere is as friendly, unassuming, & downright rare as could be imagined. These guys really know brewing & allow you to taste their fantastic creations in a straightforward, no-frills setting. Really glad I got the chance to stop in for a few taps & some bottles to go & hoping I can get back there sometime soon.

07-15-2004 12:44:17 | More by garthwaite

francisweizen

Australia

4.94/5  rDev +18.5%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

This was one of my biggest "beer destinations" in the metro detroit area, and my visit was great. The atmosphere here is cool, and man this place is small. Very small. Cozy pub-feel with a nice wooden bar and a few tables and chairs. There is a popcorn machine in the corner going, and there seemed to be a smal party or gathering going on in my visit (sandwiches laid out, etc...). The quality of the beer here is unreal. We got to try the first batch of rasp eisbock with the Kuhnhenn Brothers Father, and it was amazing. I also had a big ass glass of Tangerine Wit. And a too-big glass of the highabv old ale fourth dementia. These boys can brew and it seems that they are only getting better at their craft if this years raspberry eisbock is any judge! Service is fast, nice, and great. Laid back, and perfect for a guy like me. Selection was great with 13 beers on draught (I think) and several bottles available to drink at the bar or take away (no more rasp eisbock though!). Truly one of the best breweries/brewpubs around right now, and it is freaking amazing, that there are two world class brewpubs, 3 other good brewpubs,and probably a bunch more that I don't know about within 20 minutes of downtown motown. Who knew? Well, now I do, and I'll be back...

05-22-2005 23:22:17 | More by francisweizen

aaronh

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +17%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5

Located a little north of Detroit, this place was really easy to find. 14 beers on tap. They offered a sampler of all 14 for $12 or something, but that was way too many to try, so I just got half-pints of a few beers. Everything was enjoyable, but there didn’t seem to be a "house flavor/style" that I typically sense. Upon chatting with the bartender/server, I discovered that there are multiple brewers. All of them seem to be pretty skilled. Even the bartender was a home-brewer. No food to speak of. This place is all about the beverages. I say beverages because there are many wines available as well. The bar is lacquered wood, about three feet across and 12-15 feet long. Numerous small tables are present as well. The brewing equipment is visible behind the bar. All and all, this is a great brewery. And the tap room is just that: a tap room. Wish I was able to visit more often. A wonderful way to cap my trip to the area.

04-01-2005 03:09:48 | More by aaronh

santoslhalper

Pennsylvania

4.88/5  rDev +17%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

What an awesome experience. We were visiting relatives in nearby Sterling Heights, and after hearing tons of good about this place we stopped by. I'm so glad we did. The interior is nothing to write home about, but its very cozy and comfortable. It's like they have a beautiful little mini-community set up between the brewers, homebrewers and drinkers. It's very open, and they just let you wander all around.

The tap selection was wonderful. A Belgian brew with Simcoe hops, a Saison, a 13% RIS, a java stout, czech pils, and plenty more, and they were all very good. After exploring for a bit, someone named Gary (I think that was his name, and I think he was the owner) gave as a tour, and talked with us at length about the brewery. Very great guy, and he actually got us a complimentary glass of the second batch of their Raspberry Eisbock. I was blown away by the fact that he would be generous enough to do that.

After that, another fellow there starting talking to us, and after expressing to him our love for mead, he went on to pour us a taste of nearly every mead available there, and they were wonderful as well.

All in all one of the best brewery's I've been to. If you are every within a few hours of this place, go out of your way and come here. You will not walk away dissapointed.

11-27-2006 17:20:28 | More by santoslhalper

cupbeerman

Pennsylvania

4.86/5  rDev +16.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I am in heaven, that the feeling I got when I walked into the Kuhnhenn Brewing Company. The family saw the writing on the wall when Home Depots started to show up all over Detroit, it was time to turn the hardware store into a new business. I am really glad they decided to turn the place into a brewpub.

The selection of beer includes ten tap selections and a few beers on the menu that are bottle only choices. Of the ten beers that were on draft, about half normal brewpub selections (American lager, Ipa, Dunkel) and some that are somewhat rare (Tangerine wit, Saison, and a Maibock) . I had the opportunity to sample all ten draft beer selection and the beers were fresh and the draft lines seemed to be well taken care of. I really did not find one of the ten beers that I did not like.

The atmosphere of this place is quite unique, the place fits the build of being an old hardware store perfectly. Inside there is a bar with about fifteen bar-stools scattered around. Also there are about eight tables, that raises the seating of the establishment to around forty people. At night all the seating is necessary since the place is packed, but even during this time, a person can enjoy a beer without distractions. However during a weekday around noon, the place can be very quite and conversation can be done with the Brett and Eric (if they are not busy brewing of course).

The service was excellent, upon entering the place the first time however I was carded twice (Brett explained that the place is getting so popular that he is starting to fear out of state fakes) so I will not let that factor into the score. The sampler includes all of the beers that are currently on draft, served in about six ounce mini mugs. The bartender also will answer any of the questions, that a customer would have about the beers.

Overall the Kuhnhenn Brewing Company is one of top brewpubs in the world. This place should be a place that every BA, should visit multiple times during their beer drinking time. I did not look at the food menu, but they did have a full wine list that they also make themselves. They also have a Brew/Wine/Soda on Premises business that allows customers to make their own beer and wine.

07-28-2004 23:52:31 | More by cupbeerman

mikeys01

Colorado

4.85/5  rDev +16.3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5 | $$

When I think of Kuhnhenn Brewing, I think of a comfortable, local place that seems to have it all put together. Off the street, Kuhnhenn looks very unassuming and is very easy to miss. The storefront is nothing remarkable, and probably looks little different from its former days as a hardware store. Located right on Mound Road, it’s fairly easy to get to, and the parking lot in back offers convenience to both the brewpub and homebrewing store sides of the business, in case you need to load your car conveniently. In addition to the store and pub, Kuhnhenn also offers brew on premises, for both beer and wine I believe.

The inside of the brewpub is very comfortable, with a large bar and plenty of barstools occupying the center, with the BOP setups located behind the bar and high top wooden tables scattered amongst the seating area. A large projection TV is located behind the bar above the extensive tap collection. A chalkboard on one wall lists both the current tap selection as well as the offerings available in bottles, which often includes some treasures – Fourth Dementia and Nine on my last visit – yumm! The printed menus floating about offer detailed descriptions of the beers and wines, and list the food offerings. Food here is somewhat limited, but ample to keep pace with the beer, offerings include personal pizzas, cheese, chips, sandwiches etc. Kuhnhenn clearly focuses on the beer and makes no pretenses about it, but there’s enough to munch on if you need it.

There are usually many and varied beers on tap, many displaying great creativity in both craftsmanship and naming, i.e. Raspberry Panty Dropper or the simply named but fantastic Bourbon Barrel Barleywine. The Staff are very friendly and have gone to extra lengths The brothers are often wandering around or behind the bar and are usually happy to chat about beer a bit. Overall, one of my favorite places to sit and enjoy some fantastic beer. Worth stopping if you’re anywhere remotely near the area. Cheers to the Brothers Kuhnhenn for creating a Great beer establishment!

07-12-2005 02:35:18 | More by mikeys01

putnam

Michigan

4.84/5  rDev +16.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5

I know some folks won't appreciate this bar's utter lack of commercialism. Some people want phony, fake, Potemkin brew-pubs. If you're one of these, stay away from Kuhnhenn's!

Sandwiched between an "Autohaus" and a "Hardware store" (read: brew/wine supply shop) the interior is efficiently spacious. The Mash tuns and kettles are right on the floor, mixing with the guests. The staff go about their business without a lot of chatter. When asked questions they replied directly and concisely. No ego.
The selection of beers was terrific. Every one I tasted was unique...none of that cookie-cutter sameness that plagues so many establishments. This is hard-working, blue-collar gourmet craftsmanship. Heart and soul.

11-02-2003 18:50:22 | More by putnam

Spartan213

Michigan

4.83/5  rDev +15.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

Probably the best brewpub in Metro Detroit.

Service is always solid and everyone has a great knowledge of all of the beer.

Always have a great selection of beer on tap along with a delicious root beer. Really something for everyone with my personal favorites right now being the White Devill, DRIPA and the Creme Brule Java Stout. The taps rotate pretty frequently with something new popping up almost every week it seems.

As far as the food goes, I rated it a 5 because they will let you bring in whatever you want or have it delivered right there. They also have started doing wood fired pizza on the weekends which is fantastic.

They will fill a growler of most anything on tap and also have bottles to go. If you are looking for something specific be sure to ask, it might not always be on the menu as available to go or in the cooler out front.

All in all a fantastic brewpub that I would definitely recommend if you are in town.

05-23-2012 13:14:30 | More by Spartan213