Michigan's Craft Beverage Industry

Crafted with Michigan flavor.

Michigan Marks the Spot
Michigan Marks the Spot

What Makes Michigan Unique?


Desktop, tablet, and cell phone screens displaying the Michigan Craft Beverage Business Finder Web App.
Desktop, tablet, and cell phone screens displaying the Michigan Craft Beverage Business Finder Web App.

Michigan Craft Beverage Business Finder Web App

This map offers a view of Michigan's brewery, distillery, cidery and winery licensees.

Note: some businesses offer more than one beverage option. These map locations are based on license information and might be different from the actual tasting locations.

Please call ahead to each business for hours of operation, location information, operating capacity or reservations.

There is no accuracy guarantee as this map will be regularly updated. If your craft beverage business isn’t on the map, is categorized incorrectly, or needs updating, please contact the Council via email at  MDARD-CraftBev@michigan.gov .

Cornucopia of Craft Beverage Culture

Hops

Although the cultivation of hops is relatively new to Michigan, the basic principles of the state’s climate, geography, and farming culture make for a promising future. There are  approximately 675 acres of hops in production , bearing many cultivars such as Cascade, Chinook, Centennial, Cashmere and Michigan Copper. A  2019 statistical report published through the Hop Growers of America  found Michigan to be fourth in the nation for hop acreage, with the most acres planted of any state outside of the Pacific Northwest. As the industry matures through experience and research, so do the relationships between farmers and craft brewers.

Hop growers are supported by the  Hop Growers of Michigan , a member-based organization. 

Tall, green, budding hops growing on a trellis approaching harvest time. Hops are growing in Michigan’s northern lower peninsula.

Breweries

Michigan ranks  sixth in the nation for craft breweries , with more than 300 breweries and brewpubs across both peninsulas. Traveling throughout the state, you can find a craft brewery in most cities you come to, and many of the rural towns as well.

In fact, brewing culture is so important to the identity of Grand Rapids, the city uses it as a  moniker of their marketing strategy .

The Michigan Brewers Guild was established in 1997 and has been instrumental in the growth of this industry.

Find a list of member breweries  here .

Close up of a full glass of beer on a wooden bar table.

Grains and Malt

Barley, rye, and many niche grains also contribute to the future of Michigan terroir-influenced craft beverages. Though once a robust feed and cover crop, barley is seeing a resurgence as  Michigan State University (MSU) researchers  work to understand how best to cultivate the crop for malting. In the last few years, there has been an increase in malting barley production, mostly of the puffin variety.

Craft Distillers

These grains are also vital to Michigan’s growing distillery scene. Many of Michigan’s craft distillers source corn, rye, barley and other grains directly from farmers and local malthouses.  Michigan Craft Distillers Association (MCDA)  represents about 35 of the state’s distilleries. According to the most recent member survey craft distillers:

MCDA 2017 Survey: Investment ($19,715,000), Employees (178+), Grain (1,365,000 lbs.), Fruit/Juice (960,000 lbs.), and Proof Gallons (60,340+).

Wine and Grapes

The state’s modern wine industry has really been developing with vigor over the last 40 years. A handful of pioneers in Michigan’s wine grape growing regions started experimenting with vitis vinifera wine grapes, the same old-world, high-quality grapes grown in Italy, France, Germany and other notable wine regions. The Great Lakes climate and glacial soils provide a fantastic, nurturing foundation for Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, and most notably, Riesling. In fact, Riesling is the number one planted grape in Michigan,  accounting for nearly 700 of 3,375 wine grape acres .

The state also grows and produces wine from many indigenous and hybrid grape varieties that are being cultivated for their ability to better withstand Michigan’s harsh, cold winters and various growing regions.

Michigan Craft Beverage Council's Map of Michigan's Wine Growing Regions (AVAs) in Order of Establishment

Michigan Craft Beverage Council's Map of Michigan's Wine Growing Regions (AVAs) in Order of Establishment

Wineries and Wine Production

Michigan has more than 200 wineries, most of which use a majority of Michigan grown fruit in their production. Currently, the wineries bottle more than 3.5 million gallons a year.

With a robust relationship with the tourism economy, a  2017 economic impact study  reported that Michigan’s wine industry contributed to $5.4 billion in total economic impact, with $253 million in tourism spending.

The industry is supported by the  Michigan Wine Collaborative , a membership based organization helping to elevate Michigan’s wine reputation in-state and around the world.

Apples and Hard Cider

According to the  Michigan Apple Committee , Michigan is the nation’s third largest producer of apples. There are more than 14.9 million apple trees covering 34,500 acres on 775 family-run farms in Michigan. With these figures, it is no surprise that the state’s hard cider industry is well-established. It was reported in 2017 by the  Grape & Wine Industry Council's economic impact study  that cideries produced 630,000 gallons and the industry were responsible for $164 million in total economic impact. There are currently around 90 businesses in the state producing hard cider, making  Michigan second to New York in hard cider producers .

Michigan ciders are distinctive and known as being very desirable among cider enthusiasts. Each year, many of our ciders go toe to toe with ciders and perries from all over the world during the  Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition (GLINTCAP) , which takes place during Cider Week in Grand Rapids. The  Michigan Cider Association  is a member-based organization that serves Michigan’s hard cider community and works closely with GLINTCAP on execution of Cider Week each year. 

Craft Beverage Tourism

A bicycle with a wine bottle on the storage shelf rests among the grapes in a vineyard in Coloma, Michigan.

A bicycle rests among the grapes in a vineyard in Coloma, Michigan.

Tourism & Transportation

Tourism is an undeniable component to Michigan’s craft beverage sector, as businesses welcome both in and out-of-state guests.  Michigan.org  is well known for helping to connect visitors with businesses, with stories, maps and helpful touring tips. There is also a robust system of “Trails” which encourage guests to get the most of our area. This includes the trails below and many more!

Craft Beverage Trails

View some of Michigan's craft beverage trails by clicking on the arrow located at the right side of your screen.

A cyclist rides through the vineyard up to the tasting room in Coloma, Michigan.

Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail

Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail

Makers Trail

Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail

Petoskey Wine Region

Pioneer Wine Trail

Sunrise Side Wine & Hops Trail

Thumbs Up Wine Trail

Craft & Community

Craft beverage businesses are of equal importance to communities of all sizes throughout the state. Tasting rooms often act as meeting spaces for gatherings and fundraisers, as well as stages for art, culture, and music. You may find yoga bringing people together in the vineyard, painting classes in a tasting room, or a community-serving farmers market in the parking lot of a brewery!

Craft beverage businesses also contribute to a community’s economic development. In many situations craft beverage businesses will invest in and revitalize buildings in downtowns and lesser developed parts of town. They can breathe economic life into underutilized spaces, acting as an anchor for additional business investment.

A stand selling vegetables at a community-serving farmers market at a brewery in Cedar Springs, Michigan.

Culinary & Craft

Pairing food and beverage isn’t a new concept, but it certainly isn’t getting old. Oftentimes craft beverage businesses showcase food that is grown or produced near them, representing regional flair and reinforcing sense of place. For this reason, Michigan has excellent culinary tourism opportunities, whether in rural wine country, downtown settings, or one of hundreds of rural stops in between.

Craft beverage businesses contribute to the economic strength and sense of place for Michigan cities of every scale. Places like Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City and Kalamazoo boast their craft beverage businesses as a major contributor to regional identity, tied to their locavore and foodie culture.

German food and beer pairing at a brewery in Cedar Spring, Michigan. The table is decorated with international beer coasters.
Michigan Craft Beverage Council

Michigan Craft Beverage Council's Mission Statement: The mission of the Michigan Craft Beverage Council is to advance a well-connected craft beverage industry through research, promotion, and agricultural business development, reinforcing Michigan as a world-class craft beverage destination. A vineyard caretaker looks out over the spring vines in Fennville, Michigan.

A vineyard caretaker looks out over the spring vines in Fennville, Michigan.

Crafting Connections

The  Michigan Craft Beverage Council  is a 10-member, governor-appointed board that is advisory to MDARD.

In October 2018, the  Council was established within MDARD  replacing the Michigan Grape & Wine Industry program that had been in operation since the mid-1980’s.

Council activities include managing a research program, while also supporting business development,  agricultural supply chain connections , industry education, stakeholder engagement, and consumer promotion.

Find a list of current Council members  here .


Barley plots at a research station in Southwest Michigan.

Barley plots at a research station in Southwest Michigan.

The Council's Research Program

The Michigan Craft Beverage Council supports a robust grant program which provides annual funding for research projects into Michigan agricultural products, such as fruits, hops, and barley, that are used in the production of Michigan wine, cider, beer, spirits, and mixed spirit drinks. The Council may also take actions that will enhance the marketing and promotion of Michigan agricultural products, such as fruits, hops, and barley, that are used in the production of Michigan craft beverages.

The request for proposals is typically released in the fall, with projects awarded mid-winter. View the grant schedule and a list of previously funded projects  here . Grant final reports are available and easy searchable on  this database .


Michigan Craft Beverage Council logo.

Contact Information

Technical Questions

  • Email us at MDARD-GIS@michigan.gov

Craft Beverage Questions

  • Call Jenelle Jagmin, Director, at 517-930-0690
  • Email us at MDARD-CraftBev@michigan.gov

Subscribe for Michigan Craft Beverage Council Email Updates

Michigan Craft Beverage Council's Social Media Accounts

A bicycle rests among the grapes in a vineyard in Coloma, Michigan.

A vineyard caretaker looks out over the spring vines in Fennville, Michigan.

Barley plots at a research station in Southwest Michigan.

Michigan Craft Beverage Council's Map of Michigan's Wine Growing Regions (AVAs) in Order of Establishment