New Nanobrewery Joining Forces With Le Petit Zinc in Corktown This Summer

Another microbrewery is slated to join the ranks of Corktown craft brewers this summer. Longtime homebrewing club Black Bottom Brewing plans to transition into a full-fledged brewery this year. Founder Sean Murphy tells Eater that he struck a deal last fall to lease space from French cafe Le Petit Zinc on the corner of Howard Street and Trumbull.

Le Petit Zinc will serve as a main outlet and taproom for Black Bottom Brewing Company’s beers while continuing to serve food. “We’re designing a beer menu around an already existing menu,” Murphy says, adding that patrons can expect a variety of beers including French saisons, farmhouse ales, and Belgian-style beers. Beers will be made with 100 percent Michigan ingredients from yeast to hops and malt.

Along with providing beer education, the Black Bottom Brewing Club is known for supporting community fundraisers — particularly those that benefit arts, education, community gardens, and neighborhood revitalization efforts. The brewery will continue this work, says Murphy. “When we launch our brewery we’re going to keep that same model by portioning a certain amount of our proceeds from our beer to certain Detroit charities.” Meanwhile, Murphy plans to convert the club into an official 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Black Bottom Brewing Company will feature a three-barrel system and supply beer to area restaurants. The Le Petit Zinc patio area is also expected to receive some upgrades and additional seating. The restaurant may extend its hours to accommodate the additional evening traffic from brewery customers.

In addition to the Le Petit Zinc location, Murphy says he’s exploring the possibility of opening a second satellite brewery in a former church in Boston Edison. For now, Black Bottom Brewery is focused on gathering financing and federal permitting. If all goes according to plan, the brewery could open by mid-to-late summer.

• Black Bottom Brewing Company Website [Official]

• Black Bottom Brewing Company Facebook [Official]

• All Beer Here Coverage [ED]