Earlier this year, the brewery where we had worked together shut down; the owning family made the difficult decision to close. As we returned to our roots as homebrewers, we realized how much the local landscape had changed.

The homebrew supply stores where we'd both worked earlier in our careers had closed. The physical spaces where brewers once gathered had disappeared, lost to the convenience of online shopping. As avid homebrewers ourselves, we know that there is no substitute for being able to examine ingredients firsthand, ask questions face-to-face, or bump into fellow brewers who might have the perfect solution to your latest challenge.

Southeast Michigan's brewing enthusiasts are now scattered, ordering supplies in isolation and missing out on the knowledge sharing and camaraderie that makes this craft truly special. We want to fix that.

What We're Building

Bare Knuckle Brewing Supplies will restore what our community has lost. We're creating a hub where Michigan's homebrewing community can reconnect and thrive together.

Our vision includes quality brewing equipment and ingredients you can see and smell before buying, educational classes for all skill levels, community events, and a welcoming space where knowledge flows freely. We'll also offer an expertly curated online shop that will extend our reach to brewers beyond our local area, but the physical location will serve as our foundation.

We want to offer something online retailers can't—the human connection that turns good brewers into great ones.

Why This Matters

When physical homebrew shops disappear, beginners struggle to get proper guidance, experienced brewers lose their informal meeting places, and the craft suffers. We're filling a real gap that's been hurting our local brewing community.

We've lived through both sides—the vibrant community that existed when local shops thrived, and the isolation that followed when they closed. We know what we're trying to rebuild because we've been a part of what was lost.

How Your Support Will Be Used

Our combined fundraising efforts aim to raise $75,000 to make this vision a reality.

Every dollar gets us closer to opening our doors and restoring what our local homebrewing community has been missing.

Who We Are

Between us, we bring nearly 60 years of brewing experience. Steve is approaching his 700th all-grain batch and has taught countless brewers through his work at homebrew shops and as VP of our local brewing club. Don has managed homebrew stores, served as a commercial brewer, and built brewing into a family tradition with his son.

We've experienced brewing from both sides—as professionals managing commercial operations and as passionate homebrewers perfecting our own recipes. That dual perspective taught us how crucial it is to have mentors who understand both the science and the art of brewing.

Join Us

We're building this one batch at a time, just like we've always done. Your support will help us create something special that will serve Michigan's homebrewing community for years to come. We know the value of having a real place where brewers can connect, because we've seen what happens when that disappears.

Thank you for believing in our vision and helping us bring Southeast Michigan's homebrewing community back together.

Steve and Don

Founders, Bare Knuckle Brewing Supplies