One year after opening its doors in Midtown, Roar Brewing Co. is celebrating a milestone that its founder says was always intended to be about more than craft beer.
Detroit’s first Black-owned, veteran-owned brewery will mark its first anniversary on July 10 after a year of rapid growth, statewide expansion, and partnerships with organizations focused on education, veterans, youth, and community development.
Founded by U.S. Air Force veteran Evan Fay, Roar Brewing Co. has established itself as both a neighborhood gathering place and an emerging player in Michigan’s craft beer industry.
The brewery’s sports-themed taproom, represented by its metallic lion mascot, Growlie, has become a destination for Detroit residents and visitors alike, earning recognition as one of Midwest Living magazine’s “Best New Restaurants in 2026” and a nomination for Hour Detroit’s “Best Brewery/Bar.”
“Opening Roar Brewing was always about more than beer,” Fay said. “We wanted to build a place where Detroit could gather, celebrate and give back. Seeing what we’ve accomplished in one year has exceeded our expectations.”
The brewery is part of a growing movement of Black-owned hospitality businesses helping shape Detroit’s culinary landscape while creating spaces that emphasize community engagement alongside commerce.
During its first year, Roar Brewing expanded its distribution network to more than 70 locations across Michigan, significantly increasing its reach beyond its Midtown taproom.
Its beers are now available at a variety of restaurants and retailers, including Slows Bar-B-Q, Honest John’s, Green Dot Stables, Ottava Via, The Brakeman, Detroit People’s Food Co-op, and Marcus Market.
While beer remains at the center of its business, Roar has also focused on partnerships that connect the brewery to organizations working across Detroit.
The company has collaborated with Wayne State University Athletics to create the Golden Warrior Lager while also supporting student initiatives at the University of Michigan. Beyond higher education, the brewery has partnered with organizations including Birth Detroit, Covenant House Michigan, READ Detroit, Michigan Humane, and Bunker Bros.
Those collaborations have supported initiatives ranging from maternal and infant health and youth experiencing homelessness to literacy programs, veteran services, and pet adoption events.
Roar Brewing has also partnered with fellow Michigan businesses and organizations, including Blake’s Hard Cider and Midtown Detroit Inc., to develop specialty beverages and community events highlighting Detroit’s entrepreneurial and creative communities.
For Fay, those partnerships reflect the brewery’s broader mission of becoming a community institution rather than simply a place to enjoy a drink.
The brewery has also become a venue for public conversations and civic engagement. In June, it hosted Michigan Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson for a community discussion and welcomed The BLCK Party, an organization that brings together entrepreneurs, creatives, and community leaders through networking and professional development events.
Hosting those gatherings has allowed the taproom to serve as a meeting place where residents can engage with public officials, nonprofit leaders and local entrepreneurs while supporting a locally owned business.
As the city’s brewery scene has expanded over the past decade, entrepreneurs have increasingly viewed breweries as neighborhood gathering spaces that support live entertainment, fundraising events, local artists, and nonprofit organizations alongside traditional food and beverage service.
That model has become especially important in Detroit, where many small businesses have embraced community-centered programming as a way to strengthen neighborhood connections and support local causes.
Roar Brewing plans to continue that approach during its second year.
“From day one, we dreamed of building a brewery where people could celebrate Detroit and make a positive impact in our community,” Fay said.
“As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue crafting amazing beer, growing our partnerships, and creating new and fun experiences that bring people together. We’re looking forward to celebrating our first anniversary with READ Detroit’s Summer Day Party, continuing our partnership with 4Star to support Detroit’s veteran community, and becoming a featured brewery at the new Belle Isle Beer Garden next week. We can’t wait to see what’s next.”
