Owner Aaron Rzeznik was a junior at Michigan State University studying Landscape Architecture when he took a trip that ended up changing his life. In 2008, while studying abroad in Europe, Aaron found himself drafting and sketching his way through Germany, England and Austria, and of course, sampling beer. From London to Barcelona and Berlin, he tasted countless local brews that crafted his passion and thirst for craft beer. He ventured back to Michigan; bought a brewing kit, brewed one terrible batch of beer, and knew he discovered something he loved to do.
Our other owner, Kristin Rzeznik, discovered her passion for craft beer after meeting Aaron in the design school at MSU. Their love started brewing after Aaron spilled his pint of beer all over her on their second date. Instantly, she was hooked –not only to Aaron but also to craft beer.
Drafting Table Brewing Company quickly became Aaron and Kristin’s love child. While starting careers as a professional landscape architect and interior designer, they still dreamed of a brewery to call their own. It was this dream that drove Aaron to switch career paths and become a Professional Brewer, turning his dream into a reality.
From the very beginning, Aaron’s hometown Wixom, Michigan was the ideal location for the Drafting Table. With a walk-able downtown area, variety of restaurants and close proximity to subdivisions with sidewalks and bike paths, these elements were most important. Since Drafting Table does not serve food, the goal is to encourage patrons to bring food from their favorite local dining spots.
Kristin’s work with interior design created an interior appeal that offers a warm atmosphere and showcases places they’ve traveled and experienced along the way. What makes for a guests’ pleasant experience is a bar top made from a mix of live-edge black walnut wood and concrete, hand-crafted tables, and brick walls, incorporating as many natural features and warm tones as possible. Mug Club members’ mugs and wall art of drafting tools, blue prints and Aaron’s Europe sketches are displayed on a drafting table top wall. A dartboard, drink rail and lounge area are included, as well as a tradition German “Stammtisch” area available upon reserve. Raising a glass with strangers is encouraged.
Flagship brews like Rezolute IPA and seasonal favorites like Hefeweizen will occupy the 8-12 beers available on tap. Part of Aaron’s early childhood was spent living in Germany, which has influenced the European beers as others have a twist of west coast style, which makes for a drier and more aggressive hop aroma and flavored beer.
