Summer in Michigan is the ideal time to visit a new brewery or return to an old favorite; no matter where you go in Michigan, there’s bound to be a local brew near you. With more than 300 brewers and 670 acres of hops planted and in production across the upper and lower peninsulas, Craft Beer Month is certainly a time worth celebrating in Michigan. What makes Michigan beer unique and what are the current trends in the craft beer industry? We asked a few Michigan brewers to give us their thoughts and if they have any “must try” favorites for your summer sipping bucket list.
On Michigan Craft Beer
Nick VanCourt, Co-Founder | Barrel + Beam
“Michigan breweries have opportunities to use more locally sourced ingredients, due to the combination of being a great agricultural state and the fact that private companies have sprung up to grow, process and supply ingredients. This is definitely important to us here at Barrel and Beam, as more than half of our beers, ciders and meads are made with Michigan ingredients.”
Andrew Kidwell-Brix, Brew Master | Earthen Ales
“We’re uniquely positioned to use Michigan-grown (and processed) ingredients in our beers! Malt, hops, honey, fruit, vegetables…you name it and someone in Michigan is producing it. Particularly with hops, Michigan has a unique terroir that gives locally-grown varieties their own character, and it’s fun for us as brewers to showcase that in our beers.”
Jonathan Boer, Director of Innovation | New Holland Brewing Company
“The brewing community in Michigan is truly a community. I recently had the opportunity to attend a local Michigan Brewers Guild meetup at a brewery up the street from our Grand Rapids location, The Knickerbocker. At that event, I once again saw how the people that make up the Michigan beer scene are passionate, friendly and are always willing to help out another brewer. It’s unique in the beer industry to be friends with your competitors, which I absolutely love. We also have a rich history of breweries in the modern craft era of beer in our state. This has made Michigan a destination for craft beer for years. I believe that recognition has pressured all of us to elevate our game and the brewers of Michigan consistently put out top quality products across the country.”
Tina Schuett, Owner | Rare Bird
“The Michigan craft beverage industry is unique because it’s a very friendly, supportive network. I never feel like I’m in competition with others – we all work together and help each other. It’s a great feeling to know everyone’s got each other’s backs.”
On Trends
VanCourt, Barrel + Beam
“I think a couple major trends would be lower ABV beers and lagers. There seems to be a trend, in general, toward more classic styles, especially ones that are known for sessionability [which refers to beers with light body and a lower-than-average percentage of alcohol].”
Kidwell-Brix, Earthen Ales
“It’s been great to see interest in craft lager and lower-alcohol beers grow over the last couple of years. There’s more recognition now that craft beer can be full of flavor without going over-the-top in terms of alcohol and crazy flavors.”
Boer, New Holland Brewing Company
“The most dominant trend on the scene is still Hazy IPA. It’s a hard category to find fault in, it has fruity hop flavors paired with just a little bit of bitterness which make it an easy drinking beer. We see this amongst our own brands and Tangerine Space Machine continues to be a top seller for us. But as brewers, we are always hoping to see traditional styles make a comeback, and I think on that front we are being rewarded as well. Simple well-made lagers are showing up on more and more draft boards as people take a break from fruit forward or dessert style beers.”
Schuett | Rare Bird
“While IPAs are still the most popular style, we have seen a huge surge in simple pilsners and lagers making a comeback. I think people are getting sick of big heavy hop bombs and are realizing a nice, clean lager can be just as rewarding.”
New Summer Sips
VanCourt, Barrel + Beam
“We are hitting the busy season and have many new beers and meads in the works. Beau Blue, our Michigan Sourced, barrel-aged, blueberry sour will be released tomorrow, as well as our latest Michigan mead, finished with peaches. Also, we are getting into the swing of things with Northwoods Test Kitchen, which we opened last fall. The menu features locally sourced ingredients in delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, hot specials and desserts.”
Kidwell-Brix, Earthen Ales
“We love brewing refreshing summertime beers, so this is the time of year for some of our favorite seasonal releases! We’re especially excited for Swigs, a 3.6% abv Czech-style pale lager that showcases Michigan-grown Saaz hops (a variety originally grown in the Czech Republic). We’re also super-excited to be distributing our Sweetbrier Wheat – a great summer refresher! – in cans for the first time, so watch for that at your local good beer store.”
Boer, New Holland Brewing Company
“New Holland has just released a gin and grapefruit seltzer called Taller. Taller, the Dutch Long Drink is an alluring bubbly beverage made with the sweet and tart punch of grapefruit paired with Knickerbocker, an American Gin. The gin is noted for its bright citrus notes and balanced juniper aroma, which sparkles when set against the flavor of real grapefruits. It’s only available at New Holland locations so stop by one of the Pubs or Tasting rooms to find a can!”
Schuett | Rare Bird
“There’s always something new and exciting! We have over 250 recipes and counting! We recently released Northern Smog (paying homage to the Canadian wildfires). It’s an imperial Hazy IPA that’s super easy drinking. We also just brewed a new session IPA that we don’t even have a name for yet! We’ve also brought back a bunch of summer favorites that we tend to brew every year.”
Where else can you celebrate craft beer month? The decades-old Michigan Brewers Guild is an excellent resource for local beer information and sponsors beer festivals throughout the year. This year’s 24th Annual Summer Beer Festival will take place in Riverside Park in Ypsilanti from July 21-22, and is a great opportunity to see what new flavors are hitting the market, as well as a chance to connect with the friendly folks behind every pint. Be sure to include this event in your Craft Beer Month celebrations! Need a pint glass of your own? You can pick up a limited-edition commemorative pint glass at any of these locations around the state throughout the summer while supplies last!
Three Cheers for Michigan Beers!
Michigan’s beer industry is a testament to the state’s passion for craft beer and commitment to quality. By exploring the diverse breweries, appreciating the efforts of hop farmers, and supporting local maltsters, Michiganders can immerse themselves in the rich beer culture Michigan offers. Be sure to raise a glass to the hardworking Michigan farmers and brewers as you sip local this Craft Beer Month! Start your celebration with the Michigan Craft Beverage Council.
This story was sponsored by the Michigan Craft Beverage Council, a 10-member, governor-appointed board advisory to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Their work supports craft beverage research, education, and marketing for Michigan agricultural products that support the Michigan craft beverage industry.
Further Reading:
- Without Craft Malt, It’s Just Beer!
- Summer Suds with Up North Buds
- Exploring Beers in Berrien County – Part I & Part II
Emily Row is the Brand and Media Manager at Taste the Local Difference. You may contact her via email [email protected].