Bicycle-Themed Brewery Could Land in Former Islandview Church

A new bicycle-themed brewery, Bent Rim Brew House, is set to takeover the former New Bride Baptist Church in Islandview, according to Crain’s.

Rumors of a brewery headed to the building at 1812 Field St. have been making the rounds ever since owners Belinda and Craig Gilmore purchased the building in January 2016. The pair are currently going through the arduous process of gaining approvals from the city for their site plans and piecing together funding through grants and the city’s small business program Motor City Match.

Craig is passionate about long-distance cycling and hopes to incorporate that into the space. As of this spring, the church’s entrance was already decked out in bicycle railings and door decorations. The pair tells Crain’s that the interior will also feature old bicycles as well as old church pew seats and tables made with stained glass.

On tap, customers can expect a variety of lagers, porters, stouts, IPAs, and barley wines. The brewery will also feature a menu with pizza, pretzels, and Chinese hotpot. If all goes smoothly, Bent Rim is aiming to open in spring 2018.

Brenna Houck

Meanwhile, 2017 is turning out to be an excellent year for metro Detroit beer. Within the past month, Ferndale has welcomed two new taprooms: Axle Brewing Co.’s Livernois Tap and, as of Thursday night, Urbanrest Brewing Co. In Corktown, longtime homebrewing club Black Bottom Brewing is setting up a microbrewery alongside Le Petit Zinc. Eastern Market Brewing Co. is also aiming to open by the end of the year on Riopelle Street. Further out, Michigan craft beer heavy hitter Founders is set to land this winter.

• Beer-Brewing Couple Renovating West Village Church for Bent Rim Brew House [Crain’s]

• Bent Rim Brew House Facebook [Official]

• 7 Detroit Breweries & Taprooms Headed to Metro Detroit in 2017 [ED]

• All Beer Here Coverage [ED]