The old line about needing a scorecard or a map to keep tabs on all the competitors in a given endeavor is anything but a joke when it comes to keeping tabs on the Michigan Craft Brewing industry, and while there is actually a new guidebook of maps to help with that effort, it will likely be out of date before some people can even open it up and add it to the library on their man cave wall.
The Michigan Brewers Guild (MBG) has published the 2016 edition of Michigan. The Great Beer State. The 78-page magazine which identifies a record 205-member breweries and detailed listings for each of those members which identifies those properties which offer brewery tours, outdoor seating, live music and more. A pull-out map, which identifies all member breweries from coast to coast to coast, is also included. The publication is also available online in PDF format, available on MiBeer.com.
Scott Graham is Executive Director of the Michigan Brewers Guild. He says, “We are pleased to release our annual promotional publication and we hope it will be useful to anyone seeking a fresh, local pint of Michigan craft beer.”
Among the pages of The Great Beer State, Michigan craft beer fans will find articles about the Guild’s commitment to protecting the craft beer industry in Michigan; insider tips for attending each of the Guild’s four popular festivals; suggestions on cooking with craft beer; words to the Michigan Beer Fight Song; information about how to acquire MiBeer merchandise and details on how to support the Guild as an Enthusiast Member.
The upcoming festival calendar is also published, including:
- July 22-23 — 19th Annual Summer Beer Festival @ Riverside Park in Depot Town, Ypsilanti
- Sept. 10 — 8th Annual U.P. Fall Beer Festival @ Mattson Lower Harbor Park, Marquette
- Oct. 21-22 — 8th Annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival @ Eastern Market, Detroit
- Feb. 26-27 — 12th Annual Winter Beer Festival @ Fifth Third Ballpark, Comstock Park (Grand Rapids) (2017)
The Michigan Brewers Guild was formed in 1997 and held its first festival in July 1998. Today, the Guild hosts four festivals dedicated exclusively to Michigan craft beer produced by its more than 200 member breweries.
The association is a network of innovative and passionate brewers that serves as the recognized advocate for the Michigan craft beer industry. The mission of the Michigan Brewers Guild is to promote and protect the Michigan craft beer industry with an overarching goal to help craft beer acquire 20% of the market by 2025.
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.”
Here's a direct link to the new publication and map:
