Roar Brewing Company

Roar Brewing Company, based in Detroit, Michigan, was founded by U.S. Air Force veteran Evan Fay. Before establishing the brewery, Fay served as an officer in the military, responsible for high-level operations. His entrepreneurial endeavors also include owning Café Noir and Chloë Monroe Galleries in Detroit's North End, and being an early investor in Creamalicious Ice Cream, a Black-owned brand with national distribution. Fay's inspiration for Roar Brewing stemmed from his experiences with community-focused craft breweries in Fort Collins, Colorado, during his military service. The brewery soft-launched on March 23, 2025, in Midtown Detroit at 666 Selden Street, taking over the former Nain Rouge Brewery space. Roar Brewing Company is notable as Detroit's first Black-owned and veteran-owned brewery. The name "Roar" is a tribute to Detroit's sports teams, its dynamic industries, music, and the spirit of its people, aiming to cultivate a community hub where craft beer is approachable and inclusive. Roar Brewing Company offers a range of beers, including its flagship Honey Oat Stout, described as a smooth, creamy, and rich blend with oats and veteran-owned honey. Other offerings include the Roar Pilsner, Roar Wheat Beer (with a Raspberry Wheat variation), Roar Saison (including a Cinnamon Harvest Saison), Roar IPA, Ammo Pilsner, Amber Lager, and Golden Warrior Lager, a collaboration with Wayne State University Athletics. Within its first year, Roar Brewing Company experienced rapid growth, expanding its distribution network to over 70 locations across Michigan through partnerships with various restaurants, retailers, and distributors such as Rave Associates. The brewery has been recognized as one of Midwest Living magazine's "Best New Restaurants in 2026" and was nominated for Hour Detroit's "Best Brewery/Bar." It has also been ranked among the top 13 "Best in the Midwest" craft breweries. Roar Brewing Company's establishment is a significant milestone in the craft beer industry, where Black-owned breweries constitute less than 1% of all U.S. breweries. Fay has collaborated with organizations like the National Black Brewers Association. The brewery is part of a broader movement of Black-owned hospitality businesses in Detroit that emphasize community engagement and strive to create inclusive spaces within a traditionally less diverse industry.