Our customer service is industry leading, we are small enough where I still directly reply to emails...Yet we’re also large enough to have the capital to grow to the scale where we can provide real value to our customers.
— Brian Tennis
Founder of Hop Alliance
Fun and Fellowship Drives Philosophy at 8 Degrees Plato Beer Company
BY Jon Becker FOR mibrew trail
his professional life these days to operating 8 Degrees Plato
Beer Company, a cutting edge craft beer store and bar in Detroit.
Co-owned by Tim Costello and his wife, Brigid Beaubien, 8
Degrees Plato is Michigan’s first craft beer store with a bar. Specializing in smaller, self-distributing breweries, the shop has turned into a destination since the couple opened it on September 11, 2015.
“We offer 16 rotating taps,” Costello said. “You can come in and have a beer while you’re shopping or fill a growler to go. We’re the first ones in Michigan to combine a license for carry out and a bar.”
longtime stand-up comedian who once opened for the likes of Tim Allen and Dave Coulier (Full House) devotes
A
Two college buddies turned-entrepreneurs, Dane Bosel (left) and Andy Clouse, began their quest to produce quality homebrews as students at Northern Michigan University, first brewing in Clouse's apartment and post-college in Bosel's garage.
The Distant Whistle Brewhouse is known for its Pale Ales and IPA's, Loyal customers point to the brewery's ability to consistently produce a quality beer and its large selection of rotating taps as but a few of the reasons they keep coming back.
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By Mike Lerchenfeldt for mibrew trail
Project. These microbreweries are two different and separate companies but same ownership. She splits her time equally between both locations. As their first and only female brewer at these popular microbreweries, she is said to be a breath of fresh air in the world of craft brewing. These are two of the best places to be in the Metro Detroit Area to meet up and lap up a beer. They both have great atmospheres and plentiful beer selections made with tasty local ingredients.
They are perfect spots to go to after the Detroit Lions let you down. Rain or shine – it’s always pouring. In two vibrant communities, she helps brew beers for the masses to experience. Being able to create something out of raw grains that people can enjoy is a great feeling. Her favorite beers on tap are low ABV and crisp. They have clean, easy drinkability for a hot or cold day. Perfect for Michiganders who never know what to expect weather-wise, and perfect for health conscious, outdoor runners like Sudduth.
A
Two college buddies turned-entrepreneurs, Dane Bosel (left) and Andy Clouse, began their quest to produce quality homebrews as students at Northern Michigan University, first brewing in Clouse's apartment and post-college in Bosel's garage.
More FEATURED STORIES
“The name is a great conversation starter for the 99% of people who don’t know the meaning of our store’s name,” Costello said, noting that 8 degrees reflects a unit of measurement of sugar, thus alcohol, in brewing wine or alcohol. Eight also is an aesthetically pleasing number and Plato in their store’s name is a nod to the great philosopher, said the onetime funnyman who, truth be told, can still work a room.
“Yeah, customers will say I’m still a smart ass,” he said, smiling.
Costello spent 25 years touring the country doing stand-up. He performed with some household names (at least they were then) in huge venues and with some lesser names in smaller arenas.
“I played in front of groups of two and crowds of thousands,” Costello recounted. “I’m happy with what I’m doing now. I tell people that I never, ever, ever wanted to open a bar. I just wanted to have a place to have a beer. We’re doing okay here.”
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MiBrew Trail Magazine
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MIBREW TRAIL MAGAZINE
ISSUE 4, SUMMER 2021
We started doing Friday night tastings to get people in the door. That quickly brought breweries in. It was great for them. They got to showcase their special beers to people in an intimate setting. Friday night tastings became an event. It was one of the things that put us on the map early on.
— Tim Costello
Co-owner
Mothfire Brewing Company (Ann Arbor) and Traverse City’s Farm Club are two of Costello’s favorite breweries.
It’s difficult to keep their products on his store shelves.
“As soon as I get them in, they go right out the door,” he said.
When Tim was cutting his comedic chops traveling across the country, he often sought out regional craft beers. This was well before the craft beer craze hit Michigan, so it was a real treat to bring some of his finds back home to his Dearborn neighborhood. Soon Sunday nights on Tenny Street became a gathering spot as Tim and Brigid hosted friends who were more than willing to sample some of Tim’s beer bonanza.
“That’s really where it all started,” Tim, an IPA guy, said of his craft beer journey.
As Plato said, “Ideas are the source of all things.” Or as Costello is fond of saying: “Beer is food. Drink better food.”
8 Degrees Plato Detroit is a fine place for conversation and tasty beverages. Cheers to you finding this trendsetting craft beer store and bar next time you’re in the Motor City. MI Brew Trail can’t promise you anything, but maybe if you catch Costello at the right time, favorite IPA in tow, he might regale you with a tale or two from his comedy days.
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Customers rave about the shop’s amazing selection of bottled and canned beer, as well as its meads and ciders. Located at 3409 Cass Avenue, 8 Degree Plato’s Brigid Beaubien knows a thing or two about being first. Her ancestors were among the first European settlers to arrive in Detroit with Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac in 1701. According to the Detroit Historical Society, the site that would become the city of Detroit was established by Cadillac, a French military leader and trader. Beaubien is not averse to talking a little Detroit history with interested patrons. The dynamic husband and wife team pride themselves on their hospitality and sincere desire to get to know their customers. Everyone has a story and if you can’t wax philosophical at an inviting place called 8 Degrees Plato, where can you?
The couple owned and operated their original 8 Degrees Plato Beer Company in Ferndale before making the difficult decision to shut down the popular bottle shop at the end of 2018 after a successful seven-year run.
“It was just a bottle shop, no taps,” Costello said. “We weren’t a party store but just a store that liked to party. We started doing Friday night tastings to get people in the door. That quickly brought breweries in. It was great for them. They got to showcase their special beers to people in an intimate setting. Friday night tastings became an event. It was one of the things that put us on the map early on.”
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Merry Band of Mistfits a Perfect Fit in Muskegon
Three “merry band of misfits"—have meshed their personalities and skills to be a perfect fit for Pigeon Hill Brewing Company.
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CHICAGO NATIVE KATIE LYNN TO THE RESCUE
Katie Lynn may not sport a cape, but as far as a Traverse City brewery owner is concerned the longtime food and beverage professional is in a class by herself.
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WHISKEY POINT
BREWING: AMERICA'S
MOST REMOTE BREWERY
Merry Band of Mistfits
a Perfect Fit in
MuskegOn
KATIE LYNN TO THE
RESCUE
Check out Hearst’s newest brand showcasing Michigan Breweries at MiBrewTrail.com.
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Check out Hearst’s newest brand showcasing Michigan Breweries at MiBrewTrail.com.
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