AUBURN HILLS
Welcome to our journey in Auburn Hills! This vibrant city has truly captured our hearts, thanks to the dedicated efforts of city officials who are committed to creating a beautiful, walkable community. In 2019, we took a leap of faith by leasing space downtown and building our Tap Room, only to face the challenges of a global pandemic. Despite the odds, we opened our doors in May 2020 for carry-out beer and wine, and soon expanded to include Layover Coffee Bar (with Charles Lindbergh's 1927 Spirit of St. Louis airplane circling the Eiffel Tower as the logo), a restaurant, and a lovely outdoor seating area. It's been an incredible adventure, and we couldn't be more grateful for the support of Auburn Hills!
Welcome to our Tap Room, where we’ve created a space feels like home. With a friendly, brewery ambiance, our U-shaped bar invites conversation and connection among friends, both old and new. Crafted by local Detroit firefighters, our stunning Black Walnut bartop and wall display case add warmth to the atmosphere. Come enjoy our thoughtfully furnished space, complete with cozy tables and a glass-encased walk beer keg cooler that serves as the heart of our room.
Aviation history meets craft beverages! Our unique theme celebrates the iconic DC-3, a nod to our founder Lorenzo's rich flying background. From the impressive 7' wingspan model hanging in the cooler to vintage posters adorning the walls, every detail pays homage to this legendary aircraft. Enjoy a drink at our bar, wrapped in riveted aluminum, reminiscent of early airliners, and immerse yourself in a truly unforgettable experience.
Lorenzo faced a unique challenge when the previous tenants left a large hole in the wall where a fireplace insert once stood; he decided to create a display case fill the 18' tall and 9' wide space. Initially considering a DC-3 propeller, he pivoted to a stunning handcrafted wooden propeller from 1910, which fit perfectly and resembled the one on his Stearman biplane. To add a touch of history, he left a brass clock from 1890 in the center hub and used a WWII B-17 Bomber piston as a stylish cradle, while the painted inscription 'ANDY'S TAVERN' hints at the propeller's intriguing past.
In our exhibit, we faced a unique challenge with a large electrical circuit breaker panel located next to the display case. To maintain the aesthetic, we decided to hang a larger poster that would not only cover the panel but also enhance the display. Lorenzo took the initiative to find an image of type of airplane that could have used the wooden propeller showcased, creating a cohesive and informative visual experience for our visitors:
Lorenzo couldn't help but wonder about the two men captured in the photograph... with help from the Australian War Memorial, Lorenzo learned the photo was taken December 29, 1917, in Palestine. On the left is Pilot Captain Sydney Addison, and on the right is gunner Lieutenant Hudson Fysh, both hailing from Tasmania. They served in the No. 1 Squadron of the Australian Flying Corps, bravely fighting against German forces on behalf of the British during World War I. Their courage did not go unnoticed, as both men earned accolades in the British press for their remarkable bravery in combat.
Captain Sydney Addison
Captain Addison was born in 1887 in Tasmania. He became a journalist and in 1915 at age 28, learned to fly:
Days after receiving word his 22-year-old brother was killed in action in France, Captain Addison enlisted in the Australian Flying Corps. Ten days later, he was on an arduous months-long voyage by ship to England where he underwent months of rigorous training before being deployed to Palestine to join No. 1 Squadron. He soon commanded the squadron, showcasing his leadership amidst the chaos of war. In April 1918, a biplane crashed on takeoff, ripped the tent off Captain Addison as he slept, and severely injured his knee. Yet, he persevered until the war's end, returning to Australia on June 4, 1919, and officially concluding his service the next day.
Captain Addison immediately returned to England and joined Whitbread Brewery, established in 1742. When World War II began, he enlisted and served in British Intelligence. After the war, he became the Brewery's Director of Overseas Trade, traveling the world in that role until his retirement in 1953. He then returned to Australia and consulted British firms wishing to conduct business in Australia.
What are the odds Lorenzo would display a poster of a biplane pilot who worked for a Brewery for 33 years in his Brewery?!
Lieutenant Hudson Fysh
Lieutenant Hudson Fysh, born in 1895, the tall, lanky kid with the mischievous smile, has a completely different story. At age 14, his parents divorced, his father's business failed, and Hudson struggled in school, shuttling between his parents. A rancher befriended the wayward teen, giving him a job as a jackeroo -- a term for a ranch hand in Tasmania. Hudson barely graduated high school, and when WWI began, at age 19 he immediately enlisted. He was deployed to Turkey, Egypt and Palestine with the Light Horse Brigade, and during his final posting, he transferred to the Australian Flying Corps as Captain Addison's gunner.
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Left: Private Fysh, Light Horse Brigade, c. 1914-1916. Right: Lt. Fysh, Austrlian Flying Corps gunner, 1917.
Left: Lt. Fysh is far left, Captain Addison is 3rd from the left, 1918.
Right: Lt. Fysh, 1918.
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During his time with the Flying Corps, Lt. Fysh seized the chance to learn to fly. After the war, Australia posted a reward for the first person to fly an aeroplane from England to Australia; Lt. Fysh aspired to win and found a sponsor in England. However, before he could make the flight, his sponsor died, and the sponsor's heirs rescinded the sponsorship. Dejected, Lt. Fysh returned to Australia in 1919 whereupon he was assigned the task of identifying a route across the continent of Australia for whoever would make the flight. After he finished the job, he returned to Tasmania and, having seen the vast distances between cities in Australia and the need for air travel, Lt. Fysh persuaded his rancher friend to buy an aeroplane and start a flying business. And thus, in 1920 and at age 25, Hudson Fysh and his partners founded Quantas Airlines, Australia's equivalent of Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines.​
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Hudson flew for Quantas for ten years. By 1923 he was Managing Director and Chief Pilot, advancing to Chairman in 1946. He wrote numerous books, and was awarded an honorary doctorate degree. He was knighted by the Queen of England in 1953.​
Feel free to pause and salute Captain Addison and Lt. Fysh to honor their bravery and character.
MILE HIGH DISTILLERY
In 2024, we added Mile High Distillery to Auburn Hills! We now offer spirits, cocktails and bottles to go. Fun!
Wine, Beer, Cider, Spirits ~ Something for Every One.