Our Brewery
Where It All Began
Heights Brewing co-owners Ryan Kavanagh and Shawn MacDonell are area residents and regulars on the downtown Farmington social scene. Longtime homebrewers who honed their craft while working with other area breweries, the pair are excited to bring Heights Brewing to the historic building that was previously home to local favorites like Page’s and Stein Haus.
Central to the vision of Heights Brewing is offering naturally gluten-free beer and food options at the taproom, making a wide variety of delicious options available in a safe and healthy way for those with Celiac Disease and other digestive ailments. Heights Brewing is also committed to being a central part of the downtown Farmington community, providing a fun social atmosphere for friends and families as part of the Syndicate social district and within walking distance of the city’s many entertainment options.
Central to the vision of Heights Brewing is offering naturally gluten-free beer and food options at the taproom, making a wide variety of delicious options available in a safe and healthy way for those with Celiac Disease and other digestive ailments. Heights Brewing is also committed to being a central part of the downtown Farmington community, providing a fun social atmosphere for friends and families as part of the Syndicate social district and within walking distance of the city’s many entertainment options.
Ryan Kavanagh
Born in Lansing, Michigan, and raised all over the Midwest, Ryan Kavanagh grew up as an athlete and attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, to play football. While playing semi-pro football following his time at the Academy, Ryan tried his first beer after a game because it was cheaper than ordering a pop. That cold Labatt Blue started a love affair with beer that set the table for the establishment of Heights Brewing.
Ryan’s passion for beer initially led him to create his own home brewing system, learning the process of making beer and refining his unique recipes over several years of brewing batches for friends and family. He gained valuable experience helping as a brewer at area microbrews. Ryan’s love of brewing is now on tap for all to enjoy at Heights Brewing.
Ryan’s passion for beer initially led him to create his own home brewing system, learning the process of making beer and refining his unique recipes over several years of brewing batches for friends and family. He gained valuable experience helping as a brewer at area microbrews. Ryan’s love of brewing is now on tap for all to enjoy at Heights Brewing.
Shawn Macdonell
Hailing from the Metro Detroit area, Shawn MacDonell is excited to put a lifetime of business expertise to work at Heights Brewing. From food service jobs at coney islands and family restaurants to a management position at Costco, Shawn is equally comfortable in the front of the house mingling with customers or getting her hands dirty behind the scenes.
Shawn’s leadership and expertise is essential, and she also has a very personal goal for Heights Brewing: Making sure customers with gluten-free dietary needs have delicious and naturally safe options for food and beverages. By making gluten-free beer, mead, cider, wine and food choices a fundamental part of the menu, Shawn is looking forward to making sure anyone with gluten-free dietary needs – like her – will always feel welcome to hang at the Heights.
Shawn’s leadership and expertise is essential, and she also has a very personal goal for Heights Brewing: Making sure customers with gluten-free dietary needs have delicious and naturally safe options for food and beverages. By making gluten-free beer, mead, cider, wine and food choices a fundamental part of the menu, Shawn is looking forward to making sure anyone with gluten-free dietary needs – like her – will always feel welcome to hang at the Heights.