Downtown Oxford has lots of bars, but it lacks one of the most popular drinking establishments of the day ? a craft brewery.
Mark Larson and George Lang are looking to change that.
They’re planning to open a second location of their successful Falling Down Beer Co. at 14 N. Washington St. in downtown’s northeast quadrant.
The Falling Down Beer Co. opened its doors in Warren in March 2013 and has since received rave reviews from both critics and the public.
Larson and Lang plan to open the Oxford site in either September or October.
‘That’s our goal,? said Larson, a 44-year-old resident of Hadley Township.
Oxford offers the partners something Warren, the state’s third largest city, cannot ? small town feel and appeal
‘We like Warren,? said Lang, a 39-year-old Madison Heights resident. ‘There’s a lot of people there, but we also like the small community where (people) can get involved and there’s the opportunity to be community-driven.?
‘I’ve gotten to know a lot of people out here and I like hanging (out) down in Oxford,? noted Larson.
Initially, the Oxford location will be 3,100 square feet in size and house ‘a full production facility,? plus a tap room capable of accommodating somewhere between 50 and 70 thirsty patrons.
‘Our plan up here in Oxford is to have 30 taps,? Larson said. ‘All our own beers, every one a different beer. Some of them might be sodas. We’re thinking about doing some sodas.?
Eventually, the Oxford site will produce more than suds. Larson and Lang are pursuing state licensing that will allow them to make wine and spirits as well, something they don’t do in Warren.
‘It will probably be just beer when we open and then within six months to a year, we’ll have the winery and the distillery running,? Larson said. ‘We have a lot of people that ask for it.?
The wines will primarily be reds and as for spirits, they plan to start with clear ones, like vodka and white rum, then branch out into whiskeys.
Initially, the Oxford location won’t have a kitchen, but that doesn’t mean patrons will go hungry. ‘We’re working on deals with local restaurants to bring food in,? Larson said.
Once they’re up and running, Larson and Lang plan to expand the Oxford location by taking over the adjacent 1,400-square-foot space to the south, which currently houses a AAA insurance office, within a year, then building a second story within two years.
‘We’re planning on expanding pretty quickly,? Larson said. ‘When we do the second story, we’re going to add a kitchen.?
Initially, the Oxford location will employ 10 to 12 people. The expansions are expected to kick the staff up to 50 or 60, according to Larson.
Larson and Lang decided to expand their operations to Oxford because things are booming in Warren.
‘Business has been great,? Larson said. ‘It’s been growing like crazy.?
Larson believes the Falling Down Beer Co. will benefit downtown Oxford by bringing ‘a quality product that’s in high demand.?
‘Microbreweries are destinations,? he explained. ‘It’s going to bring tourism downtown.?
The popularity of craft beers is still very much on the rise.
‘I don’t see an end to it for five to 10 years as far as growth,? Larson said.
Larson said the plan is for the Oxford facility to produce three times the volume of beer put out by the Warren facility, which currently kicks out about 50 barrels per month. Each barrel holds 31 gallons.
The increased production from the Oxford facility along with the ability to ship beer between the two sites will enable the Warren location to expand its number of taps from eight to 20.
‘We’re pretty confident we can have 20 to 30 taps running at all times,? Larson said.
Hard to believe, but Lang and Larson started out as ‘avid home brewers.?
‘Between the two of us, there’s like 20 years of home brewing experience,? Larson said.
Eventually, high demand for their products transformed their hobby into a thriving business. ‘We were brewing multiple batches every weekend just to give away to family and friends,? Larson said. ‘Family (members) ended up giving us money to start the brewery down in Warren.?
So, what separates the Falling Down Beer Co.’s line of products from other craft beers?
‘We just try to be unique,? Larson said. ‘We take classic recipes and then throw our own twist onto them.?
‘We have a different spin (on things as far as ingredients),? Lang said. ‘And quality. Quality has a lot to do with it.?
From this philosophy flows things like Ninja Chicken Pale Ale, which, according to the Falling Down Beer Co. website, ‘sneaks upon you with ninja-like powers? and offers an ‘intense hop flavor.?
‘That’s our number one-selling beer,? Larson said.
The Falling Down Beer Co. also produces a beer using only hops grown at Top Hops Farm, a 55-acre, family-owned-and-operated farm in nearby Goodrich.
It’s called Suburban Home IPA.
‘I’m trying to make that beer 100 percent Michigan (ingredients), so we started with the hops,? Larson said. ‘We throw their hops (from Top Hops Farm) in most of our beers, but that’s the (only) one that’s 100 percent their hops.?
‘We do get the majority of our hops from the West Coast right now, but we’re slowly converting it over to Michigan hops,? Larson continued. ‘It all depends on the flavor profile of the beer. If you want it (to taste) super citrusy, you have to go with the West Coast hop. But if you want it (to taste) a little more earthy and piney, then Michigan works really good.
‘Hops are like grapes ? (there’s) a different flavor to them, a different aroma to them (depending on where they’re grown).?