What do you get when you mix craft beer, improv comedy, and a passion for community? You get Hear.say Brewing + Theater, a unique destination in Ann Arbor where craft beer and improv theater come together.

Hear.say Brewing + Theater

On a recent episode of the Life in Michigan Podcast, we sat down with Tony DeRosa, the mastermind behind Hear.say, to talk about—well, his life in Michigan—and how he went from working at Google to creating a hyper-local business where beer and the comedy collide.

Want to hear more about Tony’s journey, plus a few behind-the-scenes stories? Check out the full episode of the Life in Michigan Podcast— and learn which artist, living or dead, Tony would love to share a beer. 

Our first introduction to Tony was at the 2023 Detroit Fall Beer Festival, where he was slinging beers for Someday Brewing. Between pours, he casually mentioned he was working on opening a place in Ann Arbor—but we had no idea just how unique his vision was.

Fast forward to today, and Hear.say Brewing + theater is buzzing, bringing together beer enthusiasts, improv fans, and the Ann Arbor community. 

From the East Coast to the Midwest 

Tony’s journey to Ann Arbor wasn’t exactly a straight shot. He grew up in New Jersey (near Philadelphia) and studied at the University of Richmond, where he made an unconventional college decision based on—wait for it—a CD-ROM sent to prospective students. (“It looked so cool!” he said, laughing.)

After college, he taught high school for Teach for America, met his wife Lauren, moved to Michigan, and eventually landed a job at Google. He joked with his friends, “These apartment complexes don’t want to hire me, but for some reason Google does.”

Tony shared that days after they moved to Michigan, Lauren found a beer festival in Ypsilanti—of course, it was Summer Beer Fest. “I remember walking into the Dark Horse tent when they were at their peak and thinking, Oh my God, they have eight different IPAs! I didn’t even know that was allowed! They were serving beer through Randalls, and the whole scene just felt like this subculture and cool.”

Beer Meets the Stage: The Hear.say Concept

Whether you love a well-crafted West Coast IPA, a good laugh, or just a welcoming place to hang out, Hear.say is redefining what a brewery can be. At first glance, Hear.say might seem like just another craft brewery. But step inside, and you’ll quickly realize it’s so much more.

While many breweries focus on music or trivia nights to bring people in, Tony went all in on improv comedy. 

Pointless Brewery & theater’s business model really stuck with him. He wanted to create something similar but with his own spin. He explained, “Built in entertainment and the opportunity to have a reason to have butts and seats.”

At Hear.say, you can sip on a crisply hopped pale ale or a refreshing sour while watching a high-energy, no-holds-barred improv show. The space also hosts stand-up nights, classes, and special events, blending entertainment with the social spirit of craft beer.

The Brewing Philosophy: Clean, Balanced, and Creative

While the theater side of Hear.say is a major draw, the beer program is just as intentional and creative. Tony works alongside head brewer Ben Schnurle, formerly of One Drop Brewing, to craft beers that balance tradition with innovation.

“We use all reverse osmosis water.” Tony said to give our beer a really clean flavor profile “It’s a little different flavor profile,” he explained. They have found that when people discover it, they really love it.

Hear.say has been slowly expanding its lineup, recently releasing its first sour beer and planning its first-ever hazy IPA. Tony has a soft spot for West Coast IPAs. His time in California gave him an appreciation for the style, and he hopes to bring that crisp, piney magic to Hear.say Brewing.

Collaboration is Key: Partnering with Breweries & Businesses

If there’s one thing Tony has learned, it’s that collaboration fuels success.

Hear.say took their improv team to Batch Brewing in Detroit, to perform a special off-site show. Tony said, “That’s such a win-win. Cause it exposes our comedy side to people that may not have seen it or heard of it.”

And the partnerships aren’t stopping there. Recently, the improv team performed at North Star Lounge.

“It’s a really intimate space,” Tony said, which made for a totally different dynamic compared to our usual shows. The crowd was fantastic, and the venue itself—complete with a piano right by the stage—created a unique atmosphere. Plus, the team at North Star was incredibly generous and welcoming to our performers. It’s definitely a place we’d love to collaborate with again.”

And Hear.say is not stopping there. Tony couldn’t spill the details just yet since he saw an email about it an hour before our podcast interview. However, there are more plans for talking Hear.say theater on the road.

Partnering with Nonprofits

Beyond beer and improv, Hear.say is also partnering with nonprofits. Their Music Bingo Nights have helped support local causes like the Women’s Center of Southeast Michigan, and they’re looking to expand their Tuesday night charity collaborations even further.

A Night at the Theater

We attended a Washtenaw Business Association after-hours mixer hosted by Hear.say and saw the flyer for their upcoming Friday night improv doubleheader with 11 Non-Blondes and the Improvised Newlywed Game. We decided to jump in and experience a full night of comedy. Chuck said, “I’ve not laughed this hard in I don’t know when!” And Chuck laughs a lot.  

The first show featuring 11 Non-Blondes was a quick series of prompts putting the actors into various situations. If you’ve ever watched the show Whose Line Is It Anyway? then you’ve got an idea. Quick and hilarious, the 11 Non-Blondes gave one hell of a performance.

After a quick break with plenty of time to get a tasty Audio.file pale ale (superb, btw!), it was time for the Newlywed Game. Dressed in various 70’s era costumes, three couples competed to see who knew their partners better with our host, Bob Eubanks.

Ok, it wasn’t really Bob Eubanks, but the actor was dressed for success. (Fun Fact: Did you know the real Bob Eubanks is from Flint, MI?). The skit comedy of the Newlyweds Game was fabulous. All the actors riffed off each other, creating an endless cascade of laughter. If you are looking for a fantastic evening of laughs with friends, this is it.

What’s Next for Hear.Say

Balancing a brewery and a theater is no easy feat.

“It’s weird to be doing both of those things in the same space,” Tony admitted. “One moment, you’re brewing beer, and the next, you’re organizing a live show.” But that’s exactly what makes Hear.say Brewing + theater special—a hub for creativity, craft beer, and community engagement all rolled into one.

As Hear.say approaches its first anniversary, Tony has big plans for the future:

• More collaborations with breweries, businesses, and nonprofits
• Live music series kicking off in May (starting with a Yacht Rock concert!)
• New beer releases, including their first-ever Hazy IPA and Michigan Hopped IPA
• More community-focused events, from networking nights to professional improv workshops

Want to hear the full interview? Listen to the Life In Michigan Podcast, “Brewing Creativity: Tony DeRosa on Hear.say Brewing + Theater.” 

Pictures

Check out our photo gallery for more photos of Hear.say. 

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