Detroit’s Motor City Brewing Works to ‘pause’ after 30+ years - Detroit Metro Times

Motor City Brewing Works, Detroit's oldest brewery, is taking a break after three decades of serving craft beer and pizzas to the Cass Corridor. The decision comes after the termination of the historic thermal steam line that powered the brewery.

In a social media post, Motor City Brewing Works announced its plans to pause operations indefinitely, citing the end of the historic steam system as the reason for the decision. The brewery, founded in 1994 by John Linardos, was known for its funky brews and art exhibitions.

Motor City Brewing Works' taproom will remain open until Sunday, February 8, featuring a digital montage of historic brewery photos. After that, the taproom will close, leaving patrons to wonder what comes next for the beloved brewery.

The decision is significant, as Motor City Brewing Works was one of the pioneers in changing Michigan's brewing laws. The brewery had been powered by the Detroit thermal steam system since its construction and was a staple in the Cass Corridor community.

While beer distribution will continue via other breweries' help, Motor City Brewing Works is taking time to explore future possibilities for the brand and the brewery. The company briefly operated a second location along Avenue of Fashion, which closed in 2023.

The announcement has sparked questions about the brewery's plans and its contribution to the Cass Corridor community. Motor City Brewing Works invites patrons to raise a glass, share a story, and celebrate the brewery's legacy during this uncertain time.

Fans can stay updated on developments by visiting motorcitybeer.com.
 
omg u guys i'm literally shook 🤯 just found out about Motor City Brewing Works taking a break after 3 decades 🎉 i mean what's next for us brew enthusiasts? they paved the way for all of us in michigan so this is kinda sad news 😔 but at the same time i love that they're not giving up! they said they're gonna keep their taproom open til Feb 8 so let's raise a glass and celebrate the brewery's legacy 🍺🎉 and can't wait to see what they come up with next 🤔
 
😞 It's just not fair that Motor City Brewing Works is closing its doors after being such an integral part of Detroit's craft beer scene for decades. I mean, can you imagine walking into the Cass Corridor and not seeing the iconic brewery anymore? 🤯 It's like a piece of history is being erased.

What really gets me is how they're taking a break instead of just closing permanently. I get that the thermal steam line termination has gotta be a big deal, but it doesn't have to mean an end to their legacy. Maybe they can explore other options? Like, maybe they could find a way to keep the brewery going in a different location? 🤔

I'm also kinda bummed that beer distribution will just keep on keeping on without Motor City Brewing Works' unique brews. Those funky beers were part of what made their taproom so special! 🍺 It's not gonna be the same without 'em.

But, you know what? I think it's great that they're inviting fans to raise a glass and celebrate their legacy. That's exactly what Motor City Brewing Works is all about – community, creativity, and good ol' fashioned beer-making. So, let's do that! 🎉
 
🤔 The news about Motor City Brewing Works closing down is kinda sad... I mean, who doesn't love a good pint of craft beer and some pizza in Detroit? 🍺 It's been around for three decades, which is like, forever in brewery years 😂. But at the same time, it makes sense that they'd want to explore new possibilities and not just be stuck in the past. I'm curious to see what they come up with next - maybe a new location or something entirely different? 🤷‍♂️ The thing is, their legacy is still gonna live on in the Cass Corridor community, so that's a silver lining right? 💛 It's just sad that we won't get to experience those funky brews and art exhibitions anymore... oh well, maybe someone will come along and fill the void 🤞.
 
man i feel bad for mcbw theyve been around since 1994 thats like forever 😔 and its sad to hear that theyre takin a break. but at the same time, i get it they cant keep runnin without the steam system it was a big part of their identity. its crazy thinkin bout all the art exhibits they used to do too 🎨 the cass corridor community is gonna miss 'em for sure. ill definitely be checkin out that digital montage when they close the taproom 📸 hope they can figure out what's next for the brand, maybe somethin new & excitin 😊
 
omg u guys i just found out that my fave brewery in detroit is closing 🤯 Motor City Brewing Works has been around for like 30 yrs & it's so sad to see them go! I mean i know they said it's because of the steam line but i'm sure its more than that 😔. I've had so many good times there with my friends, trying all their weird beers & eating pizzas 🍕🍺. The taproom is still open till Feb 8th so u guys can go say goodbye 👋. I wonder what they'll do next tho? Maybe they'll come back & reopen or maybe it's the end 🤷‍♀️. Either way i'm gonna miss them so much 💔
 
[Image of a sad cat with a beer mug, sitting in front of an empty taproom] 🐈😔
[ GIF of a clock ticking, followed by a pause symbol ] ⏰⚫
[A picture of a person holding a sign that says "What's next?"] 🤔👀
[Image of a brewery with a question mark above it] 🍺❓
[A photo of John Linardos, the founder of Motor City Brewing Works, with a nostalgic expression] 👴💫
 
OMG u guys I'm dyin over here Motor City Brewing Works is takin a break after 30 yrs?!?! how r we gonna cop that funk brews no more?! 🤯🍺 it's like losin a part of da Cass Corridor community history 🙏 but on da bright side they're explorin new possibilities so who knows maybe we'll c them come back with some new brews 🤑 & taproom open till Feb 8 u gotta check out da digital montage of old pics 👀💻
 
Ugh, I'm so bummed to hear about Motor City Brewing Works closing down 🤕... it's like, Detroit is losing a piece of its soul, you know? This brewery has been around for 30 years and it's not just some random spot - it's an institution in the Cass Corridor community. The fact that they were one of the pioneers in changing Michigan's brewing laws is huge 🙌... they helped pave the way for all these amazing craft breweries we have now.

It's crazy to think about how much history this place has, from its funky brews to the art exhibitions... it was always such a cool spot to hang out and try new beers 😎. And I love that they're leaving the taproom open until February 8 so people can come and say their goodbyes 🙏.

I'm also a bit curious about what's going on behind the scenes - why did they decide to close down? Will they be reopening somewhere else? 🤔... we'll just have to wait and see. One thing's for sure, though: Motor City Brewing Works will be deeply missed by all the beer lovers in Detroit 👍
 
I'm really sad to hear about Motor City Brewing Works closing their doors 🍺😔. I've been going there for years with friends, trying all their crazy beers and enjoying the artsy vibe in the taproom. It's crazy that they're shutting down due to the loss of that steam line – it just feels like a piece of Detroit's history is being lost forever 💔.

I know they're saying they'll keep us updated on what comes next, but I'm not sure how much more uncertainty we can handle 🤯. It's been a staple in this community for over 30 years, and now it's just...gone 😱. What's going to happen to the team? Will the taproom stay open? So many questions! 🤔
 
🤔 Brewery vibes 🍺 are gonna miss Motor City Brewing Works so much! 😢 I mean, 30 years is like, whoa! 💥 They brought craft beer and art to the Cass Corridor and helped change Michigan's brewing laws. That's totally 💯 what it's all about!

I'm not sure what the future holds for them, but they should stay true to themselves and keep making funky brews 🍺💥. I'd love to see them pop up in a new location or come back with an even bigger taproom! 🤞

It's sad that they had to shut down their original spot, but the digital montage of historic brewery photos is a cool way to say goodbye 👋. Let's raise a glass and celebrate Motor City Brewing Works' legacy together 🥳🍻!
 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around that steam system thing... like, how did it even work? 🤔 Is it true they had to close down just because it was an old technology? I mean, I've heard of breweries updating their equipment, but this seems kinda drastic. Anyway, I was thinking about trying out a new coffee shop near here and I heard it's supposed to be pretty good... they have some weird flavors like lavender matcha? 🤷‍♂️
 
I'm really sad to hear that Motor City Brewing Works is closing its taproom 🤕. It's been a staple in our community for so long and has played such a big role in shaping Detroit's craft beer scene. I've had some amazing brews there and the atmosphere was always so cozy. It's hard to think about what might happen next, but I'm hoping that they'll find a way to come back or at least keep some part of the brewery going 🤞. The Cass Corridor community is gonna miss it for sure 💔.
 
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