Ellison Brewery + Spirits to open second location in REO Town

Vickki Dozier | Lansing State Journal

LANSING — Ellison Brewery + Spirits will open a second location in REO Town.

The brewery is expected to open at the end of the year in a building at 1314 S. Washington Ave. owned by Quality Dairy, according to information released by Lansing Mayor Andy Schor's office.

Ellison plans to incorporate the history of R.E. Olds, REO Town and Diamond REO into the design of both the interior and exterior.

The historic building was damaged in a fire in July. Built in 1917, it has served as a factory garage for REO Motors and the headquarters of the 46th Infantry Division, Michigan National Guard. It is the last REO Motors building left standing in the city.

Quality Dairy is leasing the building to Ellison Brewery.

“We are immensely excited about our relationship with Ellison Brewery,” said Ken Martin, Quality Dairy president. “Aaron (Hanson) and Eric (Elliott) are outstanding local entrepreneurs.

"They are committed to holding on to the rich heritage of the building, and will do Lansing proud with their newest venture here in REO Town."

The brewery will include a full kitchen offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch and snacks, a first floor pub and patio and a second floor special event space.

The brewery will include production, barrel aging and packaging of Ellison Beer, with plans for future bottle and can releases.

The "Community Heart of REO" mural that was on the building's north wall is owned by the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum. It is being stored by the Museum until they can find a new location for it, Martin said.

Ellison Brewery + Spirits was started by Elliott and Hanson.It opened at 4903 Dawn Ave., in Meridian Township in 2015

Ellison makes its own craft beer, vodka, gin, rum and whiskey and a small selection of wines.

They distribute statewide to well over 100 bars restaurants and retail stores, and were recently named one of the fastest growing small and independent craft breweries by the Brewers Association.

Contact Vickki Dozier at (517) 267-1342 or vdozier@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @vickkiD.