Michigan Central Station
Corktown

Detroit, MI

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Central_Station

The Michigan Central Station is located just off of Michigan Avenue in the Corktown area of Detroit.  When traveling into Downtown Detroit from the West, especially via the Jefferies, it is one of the first structures one sees along with the Ambassador Bridge.

Michigan Central Station was built and placed into service in 1913 and remained in service until 1988.  This structure represents the Beaux-Arts architecture and was designed by the same company that also designed New York's Grand Central Station.  

From 1988 to date, it has been in a state of decay as it turned into an icon of the state of the City of Detroit.  In the heyday of the railroads, it was the first stop for an untold number of visitors and future Detroit residents.

Since 1988, it has been featured in Hollywood movies (Transformers), TV shows (Detroit 187), music videos (Beautiful by Eminem) and a site for urban explorers.  Back in the late '80's/early '90's, it was also a popular location for Detroit Techno Music parties.  

Nowadays it is a popular photo op location for both amateur and professional photographers.  Roosevelt Park, located in front of the station, is the focal point for several events & festivals during the year, including the Tour de Troit bike ride.  http://www.tour-de-troit.org/tourdetroitride

After several years of inactivity and being used as a political pawn by its billionaire owner, it is now undergoing a window replacement project.  What will happen to this structure in the future remains to be seen.  It does appear that it has received a stay of destruction and possibly due to the redevelopment of the local Corktown area, may finally see a usage plan.

The Michigan Central Station is not open for tours but if one is visiting one of the several social/entertainment establishments in Corktown, cruise by and visit a part of the City of Detroit history.

Murals in the Market

Eastern Market

Detroit, MI

http://www.muralsinthemarket.com/

Being a fan of downtown Detroit since I was a child in the early '60's, it is great to see the renaissance that is taking place in and around the Downtown area.  Granted, significant work and effort still needs to take place in the neighborhoods and schools of Detroit. However, in the short term, over the last few years, there has been a noticeable change in the Downtown landscape.

The Murals in the Market has been an art project started four years ago in the Eastern Market area.  In general, the murals have replaced street graffiti and has provided an artistic outlet for local and international artists.  

This September was the inaugural festival for Murals in the Market.  Dozens of artists participated in this event.  I talked with the artist working on the Busy Bee Hardware store mural and he indicated that there was a plan to have two events like this in 2016.  On a side note, he complimented me on the Guard color of my S550.  ;)  

If you visit the Eastern Market area, most of the murals are within a ten minute or less walking distance of each other.  Driving in and around the Eastern Market is also an option, but make sure you get out and walk the area.  

Besides the other attractions of the Eastern Market, these murals are becoming an important part of this area.  

Local Artist working on the Busy Bee Hardware Store.  

Detroit City Distillery

2462 Riopelle Street

Detroit, MI

(313) 338-3760

http://detroitcitydistillery.com/

First time the Guard S550 is featured in this blog.

The City of Detroit and the surrounding area has had a dramatic increase in the amount of micro brew start ups over the last five years or so.  However, as during the Prohibition era, the Detroit area is starting to have a high concentration of distilleries.  So far, I've reviewed two other local distilleries (and more to come), the Detroit City Distillery is the third.

Detroit City is located on the east side of Eastern Market a couple of blocks from the main pavilions.  This area of Riopelle street is narrow and features several establishments with no or discreet signage.  Outside, it gives Detroit City the aura of a speakeasy.  

Inside the decor is urban modern and inviting.  When we were there, I sampled the Path of the Righteous II.  I thought it was very good.  Check out their menu online as, like most distilleries, it changes regularly.  

Detroit Distilleries manufactures their own Homegrown Rye, Bloodline Whiskey, Two Face Bourbon, Gilded Age Vodka & Railroad Gin.  All feature Michigan grown grains. Recently, I noticed that the local Beer & Wine store where I live sells their products, keep on the look out in your area.

There are a lot of cool places in the Eastern Market that are worth visiting.  The Detroit Distillery is high on that list.  

The Most Holy Trinity Church
1050 Porter Street 
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 965-4450
http://mostholytrinityministries.org/

The Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church was originally founded in 1834 in Downtown Detroit and was the first English speaking Catholic Church in Detroit.  In 1849 the Church was moved to the Corktown area of Detroit.  The current church was constructed in 1856 and it maybe one of the oldest churches in Detroit.  St. Anne's is an older parish, but its current church was built in 1886.

Although Holy Trinity does not have as an elaborate interior as other Catholic churches in Detroit, It does have some interesting religious art work.

The Corktown area of Detroit was initially settled by Irish immigrants in the mid 19th Century.  Starting in the mid 20th Century this same area saw an increase in Hispanic immigrants.  Holy Trinity honors both cultures with their weekly mass in Spanish as well as their St. Patrick Day mass celebration.

The Most Holy Trinity Church celebrates mass at 4:00 PM on Saturdays and at 9:00 AM (Spanish) and 11:00 AM on Sundays.  Once again, this church is another outstanding example of a historical Catholic Church located in the city of Detroit.

If you want to visit a piece of Detroit's religious history while visiting the expanding Corktown dining and entertainment establishments, plan to visit the Most Holy Trinity Church.

Valentine Distillery

161 Vester Ave.

Ferndale, MI 

629-9951

http://valentinedistilling.com/

Valentine's is a distillery located in Fabulous Ferndale.  Their building is located on a side street (Vester Ave.) one block north of 9 Mile and a 1/2 block east of Woodward Ave.  

Valentine Distillery has been open for about 6 years and their cocktail lounge has been open for four of those years.  Initially Valentine produced only vodka, but has since expanded to include a flavored vodka, two types of gin and a whiskey.

The lounge is decorated using recycled building materials and has a unique and comfortable look to it.  During the warmer months, they have a patio area out front which is

a great place to enjoy one of Valentine's cocktails.  

  

When my wife and I go to Ferndale to eat at one of the local restaurants, we usually stop by

Valentines for a pre-dinner drink.  I usually order their Bombshell, Old Fashioned or the Motor City Mary.  My wife tends to order either the Pink Pedal or the Belle's Garter. Valentine also has fifths of their products available for purchase.

Tours of the distillery are available between 4:30 - 6:30 and if your group is 8 or greater, call ahead for reservations.

There are several outstanding restaurants and bars in downtown Ferndale, Valentine's is one of those locations.  A great place to stop by and sample their fine products.

  

Brew Detroit

14401 Abbott

Detroit, MI  48216

Brew Detroit's Website

Brew Detroit's Facebook Page

Brew Detroit is yet another new establishment which open in February 2015 in the industrial area of Detroit's Corktown.  Brew Detroit actually opened during the same week as Batch Brewing.  The cool thing about both breweries is that they are within a short, 0.1 mile, walking distance from each other.  

Brew Detroit is first and foremost an operating brewery that has the capacity to brew 70,000 barrels of beer a year.  Besides their own products, Brew Detroit also brews for other local breweries specifically Kid Rock's BadAss brand and Atwater Brewery.

Brew Detroit's Tap Room is 7,000 square feet and features a central square shaped bar and has both tables for four as well as long tables for larger groups.  They use a lot of recycled materials throughout as the long tables look like they may have been made from shipping pallets.   

At any one time, Brew Detroit features 10 beers on tap plus bottles of BadAss and Atwater Dirty Blonde.  I have sampled BD's Classy Brunette (Brown Ale), Daywalker (Red Ale) and Bee's Knees (Honey Amber Ale).  I am partial to the Classy Brunette.  Pints are $5, Flights (4 glass samplers) are $8, which I recommend for first time visitors, and growlers are $10.  

Brew Detroit does not offer food but they encourage BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) from local establishments (menus are available). Since they are so close, I have noticed that a lot of patrons bring in food from Mudgie's.

Overall Brew Detroit is a very good micro bewery.  With both Brew Detroit and Batch Brewery being a short walk from each other, visiting both establishments is encouraged.  In addition, since Mudgie's, Green Dot Stables and Johnny's Noodle King are also very close by, one can enjoy some Detroit brewed beer as well as some outstanding food.   

Batch Brewing Company

1400 Porter Street

Detroit, MI  48216

313-338-8008

Batch Brewing Company

The Batch Brewing Company opened for business in February 2015 just down the street from Mudgie's Deli (http://www.mudgiesdeli.com/) in the Corktown area of Detroit.

Batch Brewing offers a great variety of beers, about a dozen at any one time.  I am fond of their Wheated Kolsch and the Belgian Golden.  

BBC also offers a limited food menu but about right for a microbrew.  So far, I've only have tried their Batch Pretzels which are similar to some that I have sampled in Bavaria.  There are two items that I would like to try in the future, the Ribeye Bolillo and the Patsy of the Week (Yopper delicacy).  

Rather then using the traditional pint glasses, Batch Brewing serves their beer in either Ball glass jaws or tulip glasses depending on the type of beer.

The decor of Batch Brewing is modern industrial and seating is either at the bar or at one of the long tables with benches similar to an Oktoberfest Beer Tent, but on a smaller scale.  

(sorry for the poorly focused photo)

Overall, I am impressed with Batch Brewing's product and atmosphere.  I will continue to visit this establishment either as a place to indulge in a pint or as a final evening destination. 

A future post will feature another micro brew within a short walk of Batch Brewing.