The Michigan Brewers Guild recently announced its 2026 Board of Directors, welcoming three new board members who were voted in by the membership during Michigan’s Great Beer State Conference in Kalamazoo earlier this year.
This year’s Board of Directors includes:
- Edward Stencel of Unexpected Craft Brewing Co. in Oak Park, continues his second non-consecutive elected term and will serve as President;
- Brian Morin from Sister Lakes Brewing Company in Dowagiac, was elected to his first term after being appointed in 2025 to fill a vacancy and will serve as Vice President;
- Jason Spaulding of Vivant Brewery & Spirits in the Grand Rapids area was elected to his third term on the board and will remain Secretary;
- Justin Buiter of Railtown Brewing Co., in Dutton, continues his first term on the board and will remain Treasurer;
- Jim Holton from Mountain Town Brewing Company in Mt. Pleasant, was elected to his first term on the board and will serve as a director;
- Aaron Ross from the Sustainable Brewing Program at Kalamazoo Valley Community College continues his second term and will serve as a director;
- Brandon Townsley from Niles Brewing Company in Niles, was elected to his first term on the board and will serve as a director.
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 beer produced by its nearly 300 member breweries.
The Michigan Brewers Guild is the network of innovative and passionate brewers that serve as the recognized advocate for the Michigan craft beer industry. Michigan’s thriving brewing industry contributes more than 17,000 full-time jobs and $700 million in labor income / wages, with a total economic impact of over $2.4 billion. In terms of overall number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #9 in the nation—supporting its title as “The Great Beer State.”