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State celebrates Michigan Craft Beverage Month

The Michigan Craft Beverage Council Executive Director says the sector has a major impact on urban and rural areas of the state.

Jenelle Jagmin tells Brownfield there are only a handful of Michigan counties without a craft beverage business.

“The craft beverage industry in Michigan is big business, we’re a top ten producing state for wine, beer, cider, and distilled spirits,” she shares.

She says growing craft beverage ingredients throughout regional microclimates is helping create distinct flavor profiles.

“A lot of our research goes toward how do we grow them well here, how do we grow them in a way that is sustainable and viable for businesses in a way that we can maintain quality of product from year to year,” she explains.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has invested more than $2 million in craft beverage research since the council’s inception in 2018.

Recent research investments include studying alternative corn varieties for the Michigan craft distilling industry, investigating Michigan grain terroir, and more.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared November as Michigan Craft Beverage Month.