Great Beer State

It’s been used for medicinal purposes and as payment and in trading, and for thousands of years cultures around the globe have brewed versions their take on beer. Until Prohibition small brewers were common in almost every town across the U.S. Now, artisan beer makers are making a comeback – with more than 80 beer makers across the state Michigan ranks fifth in the nation in number of craft brewers.

The new brew movement came to Michigan in 1985 when Larry Bell started the first craft brewery in the eastern half of the country. In 1993 his Kalamazoo Brewing Company, now known as Bell’s Brewery, Inc., was the first brewery in Michigan to sell beer by the glass to the public. Since those beginnings The Great Lakes State has earned reputation as The Great Beer State, celebrating the industry during Michigan Craft Beer Month each July.

    

New Brews

Several breweries around the state have recently started pouring, and Craft Beer Month is a good time to start sampling Michigan’s wide variety of brews.  >more 

    

    

Michigan Brewers Guild

July is Michigan Craft Beer Month and the Michigan Brewers Guild is celebrating! Find out how to get a copy of the annual Great Beer State Magazine and make plans for the Summer Beer Festival.  >more 

    

    

Hop on these Tours

Individual brew companies offer samples of their craft beer on their guided beer tours. >more   

    

    

Events with Good Taste

Individual breweries host tastings and special events throughout the summer. No need for an event to cheer the award-winning brews in Michigan, but in case you need an excuse here are some of the great beer festivals throughout Michigan this summer and fall. >more