Restaurateur ‘Hops’ on Craft Beer Craze with Ale Mary’s

Tom’s Oyster Bar owner Nick Ritts hasn’t just brought craft beer into his restaurant space on South Main – he’s brought 28 different domestic and international craft beers to Ale Mary’s Craft Beer Hall, which opened Monday in Royal Oak.

Ritts told Detroit Free Press restaurant critic Sylvia Rector that he wants to create a “beer community” where aficionados of craft beer can sample their favorite beers and order off a menu that includes beer pairings. Ale Mary’s, located at 316 S. Main, shares space with Tom’s Oyster Bar, 318 S. Main.

It has seating for 50, along with standing room, and has its own liquor license and menu.

On the Ale Mary’s Facebook page, the new venue is getting good reviews for living up to the pre-opening hype.

“Great food, great beer and knowledgeable staff,” user Niholas Lbs wrote, adding the Facebook “thumbs up” icon to his post.

“This place is great!” posted Matthew Bennett. “The staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable.”

The knowledgeable staff is by design. Eventually, the entire staff will be certified beer servers, the first level of the Cicerone program, which is the equivalent to a wine sommelier. Currently, 80 percent of the staff have completed the program, general manager Justin Pries told the Free Press.

Part of the funding for Ale Mary’s came from the sale of $100 and $200 founding memberships, which entitle members to some perks. About 150 memberships were sold, Pries said.