Here's Your First Look Inside the Rochester Mills Production Brewhouse

You know it's been a successful ribbon-cutting event when your guests don't want to leave.

Such was the case Friday night when officially launched its state-of-the art brewhouse in Auburn Hills. 

Perhaps the reason for the lingering guests can best be summarized by David Youngman, director of marketing and communications for The Mills.

"This is one of the few ribbon-cuttings with beer before, during and after," he said.

Free beer is hard to resist. And with free beer this good, it's impossible.

Creating jobs

The Rochester Mills Production Brewery will produce Cornerstone IPA, Milkshake Stout and Rochester Red ale in 16-ounce aluminum cans for distribution to local bars, restaurants and beer merchants across the state.

On hand for the grand opening event was Phil Bertolini, Deputy Oakland County Executive/CIO.

Bertolini lauded the production brewery for its innovation and job creation. "It's important for businesses like this to bring back the economy," Bertolini said during the ceremony. "You are changing the market place."

The investment in the community, with the 48,000 square foot facility housing a 50-barrel brewhouse, high-speed canning and bottling line, fermentation tanks and marketing/sales office, is "in the millions," according to Youngman. 

Before taking the giant gold scissors to the red ribbon, founder Mike Plesz reminded the crowd: "Every time you buy a local craft beer you help create a new job."

With a "Cheers and the bar's open!" the ribbon was cut.

Back to work

While the brewing team was on hand to give tours and answer questions during the event, Youngman said they would be back to work the next day to propagate yeast for the test brew.

Once the operation is fully functional, it will take six hours to brew a batch of beer. But with the multiple-tank system, three batches can be brewed in nine hours.

Craft beer has shown double-digit increases in the last few years but still only owns 5 percent of the market. At its full capacity, the Rochester Mills Production Brewery will be able to produce 100,000 barrels per year and employ 30 to 40 people.

See for yourself

Youngman is particularly proud of two important elements of the production brewery: the whirlpool and the brain.

The brain, an elaborate computer system, will make sure the beer is replicated exactly the same. 

"It's a common complaint of craft beer that the taste can vary. With this system our beer will be consistent," Youngman said.

The whirlpool is a step that comes after boiling to rid the beer of denser solids.

"Not every brewery has the whirlpool step," Youngman said. 

Youngman is excited to show off the brain and whirlpool — and all the parts of the brewery — at a Public Open House from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 12. 

"We want to be as accessible as we possibly can," Youngman said.

Read more about the brewery

This Is Your Beer, Rochester: Mills Realizes Dream in Opening of Brewery

Local, Craft Beer Gets An Official Welcome