In celebration of its 25th year, the Michigan Brewers Guild –a along with the Master Brewers Association of the Americas-District Michigan and Michigan State University Extension – is presenting its Michigan’s Great Beer State Conference & Trade Show at Grand Traverse Resort, January 12-14.
The three-day event kicks off with a Sensory Evaluation Workshop hosted by Jason Vrosh, sensory technician at Founders Brewing followed by a Trade Show featuring more than 70 exhibitors.
The Guild’s Annual Meeting and Board of Directors vote will take place on Thursday morning followed by the keynote presentation “A Brewing Problem-Tunity” by Susan Welch of Proximity Malt, who is also MBAA Diversity & Inclusivity Task Force Chair.
Breakout sessions, presented by more than 40 industry leaders on a variety of topics related to the brewing and agricultural industries, will be held Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. The complete schedule, including all speakers, can be found in the Conference Program posted on the MiBeer.com.
A highlight of the conference is the exquisite “Great Beer State Dinner,” a strolling food and beer pairing meal developed by The Beervangelist Fred Bueltmann of Red Horse Center for Collaborative Leadership and the culinary team at the Resort.
THe Michigan Brewers GUild is a network of innovative and passionate brewers that serves as the recognized advocate for the Michigan craft beer industry. The mission of the 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 $600 million. In terms of overall number breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #6 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”