Presented by Michigan Brewers Guild,
Michigan State University Extension and
Master Brewers Association of the Americas - District Michigan
January 14-16, 2026
Kalamazoo Radisson Plaza Hotel
This event is for those 21+. ID required.
REGISTRATION OPEN NOW
REGISTRATION DETAILS:
- Member Price: $345 + fees full conference, until 11:59pm on 1/7/2026.
(Late Registration Rate: $395 + fees).
Registration ​Includes:
- Access to Trade Show (Wed.)
- Sensory Evaluation Workshop (Wed.)
- All conference sessions (Thurs. & Fri.)
- Great Beer State reception dinner (Thurs.)
- All other Conference meals (note: some meals on own, check schedule for details)
- 1 Discounted ($150 + fees) BREWERY Member Registration: Brewery Members receive one discounted conference registration as a benefit of MBG membership. To use this benefit, simply register for the "Discounted Member Registration" type by 1/7/2026. Discounted registration includes all features outlined above.
- Non-Member Price: $395 + fees full conference, until 11:59pm on 1/7/2026. (Late Registration Rate: $445 + fees). Includes all features outlined above.
- Group Discount: A 10% discount is available for 5 or more full paid member conference registrations. Enter the discount code group26 at check-out.
- Wednesday Only: $150 + fees until 11:59pm on 1/7/2026.
(Late Registration Rate: $175 + fees)
Registration Includes:
- Access to three mini sessions
- Access to Trade Show
- Sensory Evaluation Workshop
- Trade Show Only: $125 + fees until 11:59pm on 1/7/2026.
(Late Registration Rate: $175 + fees)
- Includes access to the Trade Show on Wednesday, January 14 only.
- Does not include access to Conference sessions (January 15-16), meals, Great Beer State reception dinner and/or Sensory Evaluation.
PRESENTING SPONSOR: JOHN I. HAAS
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
Subject to change.
Wednesday, January 14
8:00AM — Check-in Opens (Kalamazoo Radisson Lower Level)
Sessions Specific for Start-Up Breweries & Emerging Professionals
9-9:45AM
- Brewing Education Roundtable
- Supporting Mental Health and Wellness through Partnerships and Services - Moderated Panel: Max Treirweiler (Mitten Brewing) and Clair Arcanter (Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency); Moderator by Fred Bueltmann (Red Horse Center for Collaborative Leadership)
10-10:45AM
- Anatomy of a Sales Call with Isaac Hartman, New Holland Brewing
- Supporting Mental Health and Wellness through Partnerships and Services (continued) - Moderated Panel: Max Treirweiler (Mitten Brewing) and Clair Arcanter (Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency); Moderator by Fred Bueltmann (Red Horse Center for Collaborative Leadership)
11-11:45AM
- Technical & Business Resources for Breweries (Panel)
- QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Training for the Brewing Community
11-11:45AM — MBAA Meeting
12-1:15PM — Sensory Evaluation – Dr. Nicole Shriner, MSU (Great Lakes I-V, Lower Level)
1-6PM — Allied Member Trade Show (Kalamazoo Room, Lower Level). Food and beer will be provided.
3-4PM — Chinook Cup Judging (The Flats, Lower Level)
7PM — Hospitality Suites Open Sponsored by ColdBreak & Miller Canfield
Thursday, January 15
9-10:30AM — Michigan Brewers Guild Annual Meeting (Arcadia Ballroom)
9-10:30AM — Hop Growers of Michigan Annual Meeting (Location TBA)
11AM-12PM — Keynote Speaker: Ken Schramm, Schramm Mead (Arcadia Ballroom)
12-1PM — Buffet Lunch (Lower Level)
1:15-2:15PM — Breakout Sessions
- BREWING: Practical Yeast Management & Best Practices
- BUSINESS: Beyond the Brew: Building Inclusive Taprooms & Teams Through Allyship with Erin Bissonette - Hosted by the MBG DEI Committee
- AGRICULTURE: Michigan Hop & Barley Update with Dr. Rob Sirrine and Dr. Brooke Wilke, Michigan State University Extension
2:30-3:30PM — Breakout Sessions
- BREWING: Ph in the Brewing Process with Ashton Lewis, Brewers Supply Group (BSG)
- BUSINESS & AGRICULTURE: Creating a Beverage Tourism Destination with Kathy Kelley, Penn State University
3:45-4:45PM — Breakout Sessions
- BREWING: Mechancial Components of the Brewing Operations with Brad Durbin, Founders Brewing
- BUSINESS: Profitable Taproom Tactics with Derek Smith, Small Batch Standard
- AGRICULTURE: TBD
5-6PM — Breakout Sessions
- BREWING & AGRICULTURE: Timing is Everything | New Research into Hop Maturity Broadens Options for Brewers with Author Stan Hieronymus
- BUSINESS: Government Affairs Panel
6:30-7:30PM — Happy Hour & Awards Ceremony Sponsored by Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.
7:30-10PM — Great Beer State Dinner
10PM — Hospitality Suites Open Sponsored by ColdBreak & Miller Canfield
Friday, January 16
8:30AM — Bloody Mary Bar (Lower Level) Sponsored by Sandy Ridge Farms
9-10AM — General Session: Talking Hops | A Love Language from Field to Kettle to Glass with Author Stan Hieronymus (Kalamazoo Room, Lower Level)
10:15-11:15AM — Breakout Sessions
- BREWING: Mead for the Masses with Ken Schramm
- BUSINESS: Where's the Profit? with Chris Farmand CPA, MBA - Small Batch Standard
11:30AM-12:30PM — Breakout Session
- BREWING: Flavored Beer Opportunities - Moderated panel lead by Brian Lindsay, Cheboygan Brewing
- BUSINESS: TBD
HOTEL RESERVATIONS:
The rate at the Radisson is $182 per night plus taxes/fees. call 269-343-3333 (Option 1) and mention the MiBeer Conference or use this link: https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/PR09E4.
The room block expires at 11:59pm on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.
Self-parking is $15/night (standard rates apply for Valet parking).
TRADE SHOW EXHIBITORS:
Registration is open now for current MBG Allied Members. If you are not currently a MBG Allied Member, but are interested in joining to participate in the Trade Show, you can find investment levels and contact information here: https://allied.mibeer.com/alliedmembers
Exhibitor rates are as follows:
- MBG Member (w/o power): $525
- MBG Member (w/ power): $575
- Non-Member (w/o power): $800
- Non-Member (w/ power): $850
SPONSORSHIPS:
For details on sponsorships, or for general Conference & Trade Show questions, contact Dianna Stampfler, MBG Publicist at Media@MichiganBrewersGuild.org.