USA, MI: Desmond Depot Brewhouse pushes potential opening to mid-February

Desmond Depot Brewhouse owner Steve Tranzow said last summer he was looking toward a mid-December opening if everything went according to plan at 210 Court St., near Vantage Point.

However, as his wait for state liquor license approvals moves into the new year, Tranzow is shifting gears.

“The time frame that I’m looking at, probably the soonest will be mid-February,” he said Thursday. “And there’s nothing that’s been a huge crisis in any of it. But there’s a lot of permitting that goes into something like this.”

Port Huron officials green-lit recommendations for new licenses and permits to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission earlier in 2022.

As of Friday, micro-brewer and on-premises tasting room licenses, as well as permits for Sunday sales, entertainment, outdoor service, and beer and wine tasting were still pending and under investigation, according to MLCC.

Tranzow first picked up the property, historically a train depot and more recently owned by Acheson Ventures, in May, beginning renovations over the summer. According to the St. Clair County register of deeds, the purchase was $460,000.

Now, Tranzow said, they’re “in the final sprint” of wrapping up renovations, “holding true” to his original plans to convert the roughly 2,500-square-foot space into a brewhouse.

Changes included making the former classroom space into a taproom with a corner bar, creating seating space to fit 72, and adding windows that open up for light exposure and a view of the St. Clair River.

Outside, Tranzow also hoped to utilize existing brickwork for natural outdoor seating with enough room for cornhole and other games.

“All tear-out is done, and we’re in the building-up phase where we’re putting in the specifics that I need to actually put the brewing system in. I’m hoping to have that done probably by the middle of January,” he said. “... I can start running test batches and start putting water through it and get everything going.”

Tranzow added, “The nice thing about opening a little later is (as) we get into spring, that outside is really going to come into play. I really want to play up that it’s a great space to sit outside, have a bite to eat, and have a beer.”

Tranzow most recently lived in Colorado, where he was involved with another brewing outfit for the last 12 years. He previously said his connection to the Port Huron area is through his father. Both that connection and the view of the river, he’s said, were big selling points for him to take on the venture.

In addition to continuing renovations, he’s worked on recipes and lining up an online beer menu to meet a variety of tastes, including IPAs, lagers and what he’s a fan of, red ales.

Tranzow encouraged those interested to learn more or when an opening date is set to follow along with them on social media at Facebook.com/DepotBrewhouse or DesmondDepot.com.

“Things have been going pretty well,” Tranzow said. “... There’s still a lot of energy from folks to get it open and to get something new like this going.”