The address 666 Selden Street carries a different vibration now. Where there once stood the Nain Rouge Brewery—named after a legend tethered to misfortune—now stands Roar Brewing Co., a symbol of reclamation. A roar isn’t subtle. It’s declaration. It’s what this city has done for generations: shout back at systemic neglect, build in spite of barriers, and make something beautiful out of struggle. This time, Detroit roars in hops and barley, fermentation and flavor. Because for the first time in history, Detroit has a Black-owned brewery.
Roar Brewing Co. didn’t arrive quietly. It showed up on purpose, with a mission stitched into every square foot of the space and every ounce poured into a glass. Owner Evan Fay made sure of that.
“Detroit is home to the Lions, the Tigers, the Pistons, and the Red Wings—teams that roar with pride,” Fay said. “But the roar isn’t just in sports. It’s in the city’s engines, its music, its industry, and its people. We wanted our brewery to be a tribute to that spirit.”
That spirit is everywhere—from the steel tanks lining the brewery floor to the conversations echoing between tables filled with folks from every walk of life. Roar Brewing Co. was designed to be more than a taproom. It’s a gathering ground, rooted in community and committed to accessibility.
Fay, who served in the military and was stationed in Wyoming, didn’t discover the blueprint for this in Detroit. It came during trips to Fort Collins, Colorado, where craft breweries didn’t feel exclusive—they felt communal.
“When I was in the military and stationed in Wyoming, I would visit breweries in Fort Collins, and I realized they weren’t just places to grab a drink—they were community hubs,” Fay said. “That’s exactly what I want Roar Brewing Co. to be: a space where people come together, whether it’s to watch a game, have a conversation, or experience craft beer for the first time.”
That vision is now reality at 666 Selden Street. The space breathes with intention. Roar Brewing Co. features an outdoor plaza built for connection. A three-and-a-half-seasons room is already in the works, ready to serve as a venue for community gatherings when the weather shifts. Roar isn’t asking for community to show up—it’s creating space that says, we built this for you.
There’s no intimidation here. Roar Brewing Co. moves away from the often elitist air of craft brewing. Fay understands the cultural barriers that can alienate newcomers from enjoying this space.
“We’re not trying to be everything to everyone, but we want our beer to be accessible and easy to enjoy,” Fay explained. “Our flagship beer will be a Honey Oat Stout. Beyond that, we’ll have a Roar Pilsner, Roar Wheat Beer, Roar Saison… nothing overcomplicated, just really great beer.”
The name “Roar” isn’t only about decibels—it’s about legacy. Detroit’s roar is born of Motown’s melodies, the strike of factory presses, and the ground-shaking pulse of muscle cars on Woodward Avenue. This city built America, and it did so with calloused hands and unyielding pride. Roar Brewing Co. pays homage to that.
Even the brewery tours are crafted with purpose. Interactive and educational, they walk visitors through brewing fundamentals, Detroit’s beer history, and Roar’s unique approach to making beer more inclusive. And they aren’t lacking in joy either.
“At New Belgium Brewing, they had a slide at the end of the tour, which was awesome,” Fay said. “We don’t have a slide, but maybe when someone finishes a tour, we all roar together. We want to bring that same fun, welcoming energy to craft beer in Detroit.”
Roar Brewing Co. flips a narrative. It moves the city past the shadow of Nain Rouge, the legend associated with doom and decline, toward a future defined by celebration and community control. It takes up space in a market that continues to leave Black brewers on the margins. Nationally, Black-owned breweries make up less than 1% of the industry. Roar is not just a first in Detroit—it’s a challenge to the status quo.
“There’s a great ecosystem in Detroit to support small businesses, but in craft brewing, there aren’t as many direct pathways,” Fay said. “Typically, you turn to people in your community who have done it before, but with no Black-owned breweries in the city, we had to look outside our immediate circles for guidance.”
Roar Brewing Co. connected with the National Black Brewers Association, tapping into a wider network to better understand the landscape and the long-standing barriers to entry for Black brewers. That effort speaks to the intentionality behind every aspect of this endeavor. Detroit deserves more than symbolism—it deserves systems of support. That’s the heart of what Roar is trying to build.
“Detroit has built a strong reputation as a city that supports homegrown businesses,” said Lisa Posey of Black On Both Sides. “The craft beer scene, speakeasies, and vibrant bars are often small, independent ventures led by passionate entrepreneurs. Many of these business owners are Detroit natives or people deeply invested in the city’s future. Breweries often function as startup incubators themselves—hosting pop-ups, featuring local vendors, and cross-promoting with food trucks, artists, and musicians.”
Roar Brewing Co. understands this ecosystem. It’s not trying to exist outside it. The brewery is already planning to be more than beer and barstools. Events will center around the community—karaoke nights, live music, sports watch parties. It’s a space meant to amplify Detroit culture, not mimic someone else’s.
Fay sees potential in the industry shifting over time to be more inclusive, but he acknowledges the uphill path.
“I think over time, the industry will become more diverse. The challenge is that for a lot of Black entrepreneurs, luxury industries like craft beer haven’t been a priority because people are often focused on essentials first,” he said. “But we want to change that by making craft beer a space that is inviting, exciting, and approachable.”
It’s that word—approachable—that keeps surfacing. Roar doesn’t seek to complicate craft beer or gatekeep it. Instead, it aims to demystify it, to make it feel familiar. Whether you’re a longtime beer enthusiast or just curious about what all the fuss is, there’s a place for you at Roar.
“We want the community to be part of this journey with us,” Fay said. “We want to hear from people. Where do you want to see Roar Brewing Co.? In restaurants? In stadiums? We’re building this together.”
That kind of ownership doesn’t come from marketing—it comes from movement building. Fay is not just opening a business. He’s anchoring a vision that says Detroit’s voice matters in every sector, even ones traditionally dominated by whiteness and wealth.
Roar Brewing Co. is a statement. It’s rooted in the soul of a city that gave the world Motown, muscle cars, and movements. Its name says it all—loud, proud, grounded. From the Honey Oat Stout to the open plaza seating, from the community nights to the echoes of laughter, Roar Brewing Co. reflects the heartbeat of Detroit. It refuses to whisper its value. It shouts it.
Most importantly, Fay says, “we roar with pride—for our city, for our people, and for every moment that deserves to be celebrated with a great beer in hand.”
Roar Brewing Co. stands tall at 666 Selden Street. It isn’t asking for a seat at the table. It’s building the table, inviting the neighborhood, pouring the drinks, and turning up the volume on what community looks like—what community tastes like.
This is Detroit’s first Black-owned brewery. But it won’t be the last.
Welcome to Roar Brewing Co.
Hear the roar. Taste the pride.
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