Finding a brewery that offers gluten-free options can be a difficult undertaking. If you find yourself in the greater Metro Detroit area, look no further than Heights Brewing in downtown Farmington, Michigan!

Heights Brewing opened nearly a year ago, and is co-owned by Ryan & Shawn Kavanagh, both of whom are dedicated to offering both traditional and gluten-free beer options. There are two separate grain mills with their own exhaust systems in order to prevent cross contamination when processing the grains for brewing. Heights also offers ciders, seltzers, and wine options to wet your palate. They have non-alcohol options such as hot cocoa, house made sodas, and hop water.

Russ and I have been there a handful of times now, and my favorite is Unchained Sweet Tart, a gluten-free Unshandy beer that tastes (to me) like I am drinking SweetTarts (one of my fave candies). Happy Sandman is a honey saffron ale that I also gravitate to when it’s on tap because I have never had a beer like it before – and I mean that in the BEST possible way!

I wish I had a straw… followed closely by Happy Sandman made a Happy Jan!

The inside of the taproom is a wonderful balance of industrial and cozy, a difficult balance to achieve, yet Heights makes is feel seamless. When entering through the front door as well as in the taproom, there are large windows where you can peek into the brewhouse. Multiple seating options from a long bar to short and high top tables to a large booth await you as you relax and enjoy a brew or two (or more… I don’t judge – drink responsibly). There is a mural on one wall that pays homage to some of the other Michigan breweries. The bricks behind the bar showcase a multitude of lifetime mug club member names.

When entering through the back door, you will notice the original mosaic tile floor with the name Stein Haus. This was the very first bar in the building, and the tiles were covered by carpet for over 40 years. Ryan decided to preserve the tiles and give the nod to the history of the building and connection to the community when they were doing construction on the new interior. The history nerd in me smiles every time I see it.

And then there’s the food… the only way to really describe it is *chef’s kiss*. Shawn has carefully cultivated a menu that is 100% gluten-free! The Backyard BBQ inspired menu is unique in that you first select your style (ribs, bowl, taco, etc.) and then your protein (brisket, pulled pork, etc.). There is a nice selection of sides to choose from as well. These are all made in house, and the taste definitely reflects the attention to seasoning and detail.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the staff at Heights Brewing. You are greeted with a smile by your server, and the staff appears to genuinely enjoy being there and interacting with the customers. That, to me, reflects back on the owners and how they treat their staff. They have cultivated an atmosphere of comfort and hospitality right in the heart of their charming community.

Cheers to Heights Brewing on their upcoming first anniversary, and here’s to many more years to come!