Black Lotus Brewery Closes

Another brewery bites the dust in metro Detroit.

Yesterday, Black Lotus Brewing Co located in Clawson at 14 Mile and Livernois closed its doors for the last time. Rumors had been circulating for months about the brewery’s future after the brewery appeared to be for sale for $450,000.

Black Lotus Brewing opened in 2006 and its owners lived by the philosophy of “Think Global, Drink Local.” A combination of this mindset, an award winning beer in Ninja Pirate, and Nick the Brewer, kept the doors open for 13 years. But those doors had to be closed because owner Michael Allen shared in a Detroit Free Press article that he was no longer able to “keep the doors open.”

Photo Credit – Nick the Brewer

Despite the potential sale of the brewery, last night’s closing was a bit of a shock to the craft beer community as there was no farewell party, no week- or month-long celebration to remember the old times. It was just closed.

Related: Last Call for Now, Axle Brewing

Related: Cellarman’s: Gone, But Not Forgotten

BBA Ninja Pirate

I am now faced with finding a new record store-brewery combination. I’ve always enjoyed stopping in at Flipside Records and then grabbing a pint or two afterwards at Black Lotus. If you know of any solid record store-brewery combos, shoot them my way either on IG (@beerded_ed) or via email (ed.norton.betterondraft@gmail.com).

Nick the Brewer and Black Lotus beers were featured in several Better on Draft blog posts and podcasts. Check them out to relive our journey with him and Black Lotus.

• Episode 004 – Pure Brews America, Gourdie Howl enjoyed by the crew
• Episode 020 – Black Lotus Brewery
• Episode 034 – Black Lotus & Unity Vibration
• The List – 20 Beers You Want to Try at the Detroit Fall Beer Fest (2017), I-75 Red Eye was featured
• Episode 162 – Black Lotus & Michigan Brew Pub Club

We at Better on Draft wish Nick, Black Lotus Brewery, and those who have thought global and drank local the best. Cheers!