The current celebration of American Craft Beer Week is underway in Michigan, the Great Beer State, and nowhere is the excitement building more than in Michigan's Great Southwest as new breweries continue to join the Craft Brew Trail. Sometime within the next week or two North Pier Brewery will open up across from the North Shore Inn on the periphery of the Golf Club at Harbor Shores. Shortly after that the crew at Watermark Brewery in downtown Stevensville will be ready to tap the first keg. And, there's a lot more.
Sister Lakes joins the fray with a new brew pub there sometime next month…the Haymarket Brewery in Bridgman will open before summer is out…the new Transient Artisan Ales opened last month in downtown Bridgman…shortly before that the new Silver Harbor Brewery flipped the open sign around in downtown St. Joseph, and even St. Joseph Today is gearing up for the big 4th Annual BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass with lots of craft beers on tap this weekend.
Statewide, the Michigan Brewers Guild currently has more than 200 member breweries, meaning there will be no shortage of American Craft Beer Week (ACBW) celebrations in the Great Beer State, May 16-22.
According to the Brewers Association, organizers of ACBW: “Beer weeks celebrate the culture and community of craft beer, and give breweries and beer businesses the opportunity to connect with fans. ACBW offers an exciting opportunity for small and independent craft brewers and the community of better beer retailers to celebrate the ever advancing beer culture her in the U.S. Plus, tens of thousands of today’s beer beginners, beer enthusiasts, and hard core beer geeks make time to coat the week.”
The mission of the Michigan Brewers Guild is to promote and protect the Michigan craft beer industry. The Michigan Brewers Guild exists to unify the community of brewers, to increase the sale of Michigan craft beer, to contribute culturally and economically throughout the state, and to monitor and assure a healthy brewing industry. By working collaboratively with proponents of craft beer we strive to achieve a 20% share of all beer sold in Michigan by producing world-class events, increasing public awareness, educating consumers, and encouraging responsible consumption.
Michigan’s thriving brewing industry conservatively contributes more than $144 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $277 million. In terms of overall number breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #5 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”
Wherever you are across the region this week, seek out a craft brewery and enjoy the fruits of their labors. You won't be sorry!
