Fun and Fellowship Drives Philosophy at 8 Degrees Plato Beer Company Jon Becker MiBrew Trail
if you can’t wax philosophical at an inviting place called 8 Degrees Plato, where can you?
A longtime stand-up comedian who once opened for the likes of Tim Allen and Dave Coulier (Full House) devotes his professional life these days to operating 8 Degrees Plato Beer Company, a cutting edge craft beer store and bar in Detroit.
“The name is a great conversation starter for the 99% of people who don’t know the meaning of our store’s name,” Costello said, noting that 8 degrees reflects a unit of measurement of sugar, thus alcohol, in brewing wine or alcohol. Eight also is an aesthetically pleasing number and Plato in their store’s name is a nod to the great philosopher, said the onetime funnyman who, truth be told, can still work a room.
Co-owned by Tim Costello and his wife, Brigid Beaubien, 8 Degrees Plato is Michigan’s first craft beer store with a bar. Specializing in smaller, self-distributing breweries, the shop has turned into a destination since the couple opened it on September 11, 2015. “We offer 16 rotating taps,” Costello said. “You can come in and have a beer while you’re shopping or fill a growler to go. We’re the first ones in Michigan to combine a license for carry out and a bar.” Customers rave about the shop’s amazing selection of bottled and canned beer, as well as its meads and ciders. Located at 3409 Cass Avenue, 8 Degree Plato’s Brigid Beaubien knows a thing or two about being first. Her ancestors were among the first European settlers to arrive in Detroit with Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac in 1701. According to the Detroit Historical Society, the site that would become the city of Detroit was established by Cadillac, a French military leader and trader. Beaubien is not averse to talking a little Detroit history with interested patrons. The dynamic husband and wife team pride themselves on their hospitality and sincere desire to get to know their customers. Everyone has a story and
Volume 3 | Summer 2021
“Yeah, customers will say I’m still a smart ass,” he said, smiling. Costello spent 25 years touring the country doing stand-up. He performed with some household names (at least they were then) in huge venues and with some lesser names in smaller arenas. “I played in front of groups of two and crowds of thousands,” Costello recounted. “I’m happy with what I’m doing now. I tell people that I never, ever, ever wanted to open a bar. I just wanted to have a place to have a beer. We’re doing okay here.” The couple owned and operated their original 8 Degrees Plato Beer Company in Ferndale before making the difficult decision to shut down the popular bottle shop at the end of 2018 after a successful seven-year run. “It was just a bottle shop, no taps,” Costello said. “We weren’t a party store but just a store that liked to party. We started doing Friday night tastings to get people in the door. That quickly brought breweries in. It was great
for them. They got to showcase their special beers to people in an intimate setting. Friday night tastings became an event. It was one of the things that put us on the map early on.” Mothfire Brewing Company (Ann Arbor) and Traverse City’s Farm Club are two of Costello’s favorite breweries. It’s difficult to keep their products on his store shelves.
Co-owner Tim Costello spent 25 years touring the country doing stand-up.
“As soon as I get them in, they go right out the door,” he said. When Tim was cutting his comedic chops traveling across the country, he often sought out regional craft beers. This was well before the craft beer craze hit Michigan, so it was a real treat to bring some of his finds back home to his Dearborn neighborhood. Soon Sunday nights on Tenny Street became a gathering spot as Tim and Brigid hosted friends who were more than willing to sample some of Tim’s beer bonanza. “That’s really where it all started,” Tim, an IPA guy, said of his craft beer journey. As Plato said, “Ideas are the source of all things.” Or as Costello is fond of saying: “Beer is food. Drink better food.” 8 Degrees Plato Detroit is a fine place for conversation and tasty beverages. Cheers to you finding this trendsetting craft beer store and bar next time you’re in the Motor City. MI Brew Trail can’t promise you anything, but maybe if you catch Costello at the right time, favorite IPA in tow, he might regale you with a tale or two from his comedy days.
Good conversation, a friendly atmosphere and knowledgeable service are trademarks of 8 Degrees Plato, a Detroit beer company where people can enjoy a brew inside the store while they check out an amazing and eclectic inventory of craft beers.
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