The 2022 edition of “Michigan. The Great Beer State” magazine was recently released by the Michigan Brewers Guild, which celebrates its silver 25th anniversary this year.
Featured articles include “Back to the Brew-Ture” which delves into the Guild’s 25-year history, written by Fred “The Beervangelist” Bueltmann – a past president of the Guild. originator of the “Michigan Beer Fight Song”, author of A Rising Tide: Stories from the Michigan Brewers Guild, producer of “Michigan’s Great Beer State Podcast” and the upcoming “Michigan’s Great Beer State Documentary”; and executive director of Red Horse Center for Collaborative Leadership. This four-page piece sheds light on Michigan’s early craft beer producers and the formation of the Michigan Brewers Guild. It was October 22, 1997 when a surprising collection of 49 people representing 30 operating breweries gathered at a pub in Saginaw to discuss how they could collectively promote Michigan-made beer. A consensus arose out of that meeting that a formal association of Michigan brewers should be organized and on December 3, 1997, the Michigan Brewers Guild was officially formed.
"It is always a thrill to see the new issue of the Great Beer State magazine," says Scott Graham, MBG Executive Director. "Reading Fred's article is like taking a historical tour of the re-emergence of brewing in Michigan." Currently Michigan ranks #6 for number of breweries nationwide.
Another noted story, entitled “Educating the Next Generation of Michigan Brewers” by Wensdy Von Buskirk, focuses on the various colleges and universities in the state offering brewing programs including Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids.
"Educational programs supporting brewing are part of the growing culture and fabric of this great industry," continues Graham. "Education, agriculture, water, community and so many other resources are all part of what makes Michigan a standout when it comes to local beer."
The magazine also features regional locator maps and a comprehensive listing of 284 member breweries throughout the state, information about the Guild’s podcast and Enthusiast Membership program. The 2022 Guild festival dates are also listed on the final page. The 64-page guide is available at member breweries, Michigan welcome centers, chambers of commerce and visitor bureaus, retail locations and other beer-supporting businesses around the state. A flip-book version is also available online at MiBeer.com (under resources).
The Michigan Brewers Guild is the 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.”