Presented by Michigan Brewers Guild,
Michigan State University Extension and
Master Brewers Association of the Americas - District Michigan
January 13-15, 2027
Kalamazoo Radisson Plaza Hotel
This event is for those 21+. ID required.
REGISTER NOW
REGISTRATION DETAILS:
- Member Price: $370 + fees full conference, until 11:59pm on 1/5/2027. (Late Registration Rate: $420 + fees). Includes:
- 3 Pre-Conference Sessions (Wednesday) geared toward Start-Up Breweries & Emerging Professionals
- Sensory Evaluation Workshop (Wed.)
- Access to Trade Show (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 BREWERY Member Registration: $175 + fees
- 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 1/5/2027. Discounted registration includes all features outlined above.
- Non-Member Price: $420 + fees full conference, until 11:59pm on 1/5/2025. (Late Registration Rate: $470 + fees). Includes all features outlined above.
- Wednesday Only: $175 + fees until 11:59pm on 1/5/2027.
(Late Registration Rate: $200 + fees). Includes:
- Access to 3 Pre-Conference Sessions geared toward Start-Up Breweries and Emerging Professionals.
- Sensory Evaluation Workshop (Wed.)
- Access to Trade Show (Wed.)
- Trade Show Only: $125 + fees until 11:59pm on 1/5/2027.
(Late Registration Rate: $150 + fees).
- Includes access to the Trade Show on Wednesday, January 14.
- Does not include access to Conference sessions (January 15-16), meals, Great Beer State reception dinner and/or Sensory Evaluation.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
Subject to change.
Wednesday, January 13
8:00AM — Check-in Opens (Kalamazoo Radisson Lower Level)
Sessions Specific for Start-Up Breweries & Emerging Professionals
9-9:45AM
- Powered Industrial Truck Safe Operation
- Mental Health & Wellness Culture Roundtable
10-10:45AM
- Sanitation 101
- Tap Room Roundtable: Staff Training
11-11:45AM
- Brewers’ Roundtable: 3 + Moderator: What's the story behind your flagship beers?
- Social Media + Internet Marketing
12-1:15PM — Sensory Evaluation – Dr. Nicole Shriner, MSU
1-2PM — MBAA Meeting
1-6PM — Allied Member Trade Show
3-4PM — Chinook Cup Judging
7PM — Hospitality Suites Open Sponsored by ColdBreak, Red Horse Center, MBG/MBAA - Bierstube
Thursday, January 14
7-9AM — Breakfast Buffet (Lower Level)
9-10:30AM — Michigan Brewers Guild Annual Meeting
9-10:30AM — Hop Growers of Michigan Annual Meeting
11AM-12PM — Keynote Speaker: Jenna Arcidiacono. Chef/Owner Amore Trattoria
12-1PM — Buffet Lunch
1:15-2:15PM — Breakout Sessions
- BREWING: European Farmhouse Brewing: Historic Beers with Classic Styles with Lars Garshol
- BUSINESS: AI on Tap: Optimizing Your Brewery Communications for the Next Evolution of Brand Discovery with Dave Serino of TwoSix Digital and Eeva Redmond of Elder Piper Beer & Cider
- AGRICULTURE: Dry-Hopping Evaluation with Dr. Nicole Shriner of Michigan State University
2:30-3:30PM — Breakout Sessions (Lower Level)
- BREWING: Applications of pH & Yeast on Biotransformation with Laura Burns of Omega Yeast
- BUSINESS: “Show Me the Money” - Splitting your P&L with Justin Buiter of Railtown Brewing
- AGRICULTURE: Hop and Barley Trends & MSU Research Updates with Dr. Rob Sirrine, Dr. Brook Wilke & Dr. James DeDecker, MSUE
3:45-4:45PM — Breakout Sessions (Lower Level)
- BREWING:Water Chemistry with Ashton Lewis
- BUSINESS & AGRICULTURE: Selling and Celebrating Wet-Hopped Beers (Panel) with Matt Gallagher, Suncatcher Brewing Jeremy Kosmicki, Founders Brewing & Jeff Sheehan, Rockford Brewing
5-6PM — Breakout Sessions (Lower Level)
- BREWING & AGRICULTURE: Functional Flavor: Mood Impact and the Science Behind the Isolated Botanicals we Love with Michael Wagnerof Abstrax Hops
- BUSINESS: Government Affairs Panel
6:30-7:30PM — Happy Hour & Awards Ceremony
7:30-10PM — Great Beer State Dinner
10PM — Hospitality Suites Open Sponsored by ColdBreak, Red Horse Center, MBG/MBAA - Bierstube
Friday, January 15
7-8:45am — Breakfast Buffet
8-10:15AM — Bloody Mary Bar Sponsored by Sandy Ridge Farms
9-10AM — General Session: Session Topic TBA with Lars Garshol
10:15-11:15AM — Breakout Sessions (Lower Level)
- BREWING: FAN: What Is It, Why Do We Need It, and How Do We Control It with Ashton Lewis
- BUSINESS: Right Sizing Distribution - Navigating the World Outside Your Brewery Walls (Roundtable) with Jon Cole, Old Nation Brewing & Max Trierweiler, The Mitten Brewing
11:30AM-12:30PM — Breakout Session
- BREWING: Brewing Flavorful Low-ABV Beers (Panel) with Tori Fried, Lallemand, Zach Typinski, Urbanrest Brewing Co., Andy Farrell, Bell's Brewery & Matt Gallagher Suncatcher Brewing. Moderated by Brian Confer, Stormcloud Brewing
- BUSINESS: Grant Writing for Brewers and Maltsters with Dr. James DeDecker & Dr. Rob Sirrine, MSUE
HOTEL RESERVATIONS:
A limited number of rooms are available at the Kalamazoo Radisson starting at $186 per night, plus fees/ taxes. You can call 269-343-3333 (Option 1) and mention the MiBeer Conference or use this link: https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/WE22I5.
The room block expires at 5:00pm on Monday, December 21, 2026.
Parking in the adjoining hotel ramp is $20 per night (a $5/night discount). 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): $550
- MBG Member (w/ power): $600
- Non-Member (w/o power): $825
- Non-Member (w/ power): $875
SPONSORSHIPS:
For details on sponsorships, or for general Conference & Trade Show questions, contact Dianna Stampfler, MBG Publicist at Media@MichiganBrewersGuild.org.