Lansing Brewing Company to open in the fall

The Lansing Brewing Company closed its doors more than a century ago, but the name and at least one of its recipes will grace a full-production craft brewery and distillery slated to open in the fall.

"Compared to other cities we are woefully behind as far as the number of microbreweries," said consultant Sam Short. "The major difference with Lansing Brewing Company is it will be the first full-production microbrewery in the city of Lansing and greater Lansing area since it originally closed its doors."

The original Lansing Brewing Company was organized in 1898.

Its president and manager, Lawrence Price, was a prominent businessman, police chief, city councilman and one of the pioneers of the city's auto industry.

He founded the Auto Body Company which supplied production bodywork for Oldsmobile and the REO Motor Car Company. He played a pivotal role in convincing Ransom Olds to return from Detroit to Lansing to establish the REO Motor Company.

And, from a building on the northeast corner of Turner and Clinton streets, he produced the beer that "once made Lansing famous," according to a 1934 article in the State Journal. Amber Cream was the signature brew, but the company also made Export, Bohemian, Lager and Hofbrau styles.

Lansing Brewing Company closed in 1914, a victim of local prohibition. The year it closed, the brewery employed 26 people.

The new Lansing Brewing Co. will open in a 7,000-square foot former auto warehouse owned by the Gillespie Group. The building, at 518 E. Shiawassee St., is being renovated at an estimated cost of $1.5 million.

Jennifer Gillespie, the wife of Gillespie Group President Pat Gillespie, is the owner of the brewery. The company secured the name Lansing Brewing Company in 2013.

Short says they have dug up information on the original Lansing Brewing Company's Amber Cream Ale and will produce it as one of their flagship drinks.

"Amber Cream Ale is a style that has not been seen in quite a long time, and they really made a name with that particular style," Short said. "It's a really fun time to tie into that really rich history they had. At the time Amber Cream was about 90 percent of their sales.

Lansing Brewing Company plans to make their beer available through retailers. Spirits and wine will be too, though not initially.

"You will see the products within the first several months on retail shelves in the Lansing area," Short said.

Short says there will be a restaurant with a full kitchen and a 150-seat dining room, along with an outdoor seating area and full bar that will accommodate 100 patrons.

They are shooting for a fall opening.

Lansing Brewing Company plans to release its own creations as well as the Amber Cream. The brewery continues to research the original recipes.