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(KALAMAZOO, Mich) – The Michigan Brewers Guild presented esteemed awards to industry trailblazers at its annual conference Thursday night, January 9, 2025, at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo.

The Tom Burns Award was presented to Ted Badgerow of Ypsi Alehouse. This award is presented to a person who embodies the pioneering spirit of the Michigan brewing industry. This is an individual whose hard work, passion, and perseverance has been a guiding force in contributing to the Great Beer State while being supportive of the entire beer industry in Michigan.

Ted began his brewing career as a homebrewer in 1979, later opening The Real Ale Company in Chelsea in 1982 – becoming the first microbrewery in the Midwest and gaining attention from media around the country. While they could produce and sell bottled beer, they weren’t able to sell draft pints of beer onsite and in less than two years the groundbreaking brewery closed.

Early in his career, Ted co-operated Fermentations – a homebrew supply story in Ann Arbor, while also teaching “Homebrewing and World Beer Styles” for the University of Michigan. In the mid-1980s, he won his first award from the American Homebrewing Association – a silver medal for his porter – and helped form the Ann Arbor Brewers’s Guild. Taking a hiatus from brewing to raise a family, Ted worked for 25 years as a ceramic tile and marble installer.

Ted returned to brewing in January 2016 when he and David Roberts opened Ypsi Alehouse in downtown Ypsilanti. Here, they craft mostly tap brews using Michigan malt, hops and yeast. He’s also a musician, a classical guitar player and singer, always ready to belt out a lively rendition of the Michigan Beer Fight Song!

Hear more from Ted in this interview from the Michigan’s Great Beer State Podcast.

Past winners of the Tom Burns Award include:

Photo of Annette May, holding the 2025 Michigan Beer Champion Award

The Michigan Beer Champion Award – given to a person who or organization/business that is a partner of the industry and who continually strives to promote or protect the craft beer industry in Michigan – was presented to Annette May, a full-time as a beer and saké educator.

Annette is an Advanced Cicerone®, BJCP judge, Certified Saké Professional is a 30-year veteran of the craft beer industry. She was the first women to attain the Certified Cicerone® certification, in 2008, and has aspired to mentor women since that time, focusing on women in Michigan. Since 2015 she has been faculty in Schoolcraft College’s Brewing Program, where she teaches aspiring brewers sensory evaluation, beer service and draught management, and pairing beer and saké with food. She is a regional instructor, exam proctor and exam grader for the Cicerone® Certification Program, and an educator in WSET’s Levels One & Two Beer Awards.

She is an original Board Member and the current Scholarship Director of Fermenta: A Michigan Women’s Craft Beverage Collective, a 501c3 that educates and gives scholarship to women in the fermented beverage industries. Annette serves on the Brewers Association’s Draught Quality Subcommittee, and is actively involved in promoting Draught Quality, both in Michigan, and nationally, through this work. Her work with the Brewers Association’s DEI Committee involves both selection of mentees, and mentoring in their Mentorship Program. In 2022 she was awarded the BA’s Mentor of the Year award. Her work with both Fermenta and Pink Boots Society also involves mentoring women in Michigan.

Annette & her husband Mike’s brewery, Full Measure Brewing Co, located in Eastern Market Detroit, will open in early 2025. The brewery will feature traditional beer styles, served superbly, and locally sourced foods with an emphasis on fermented foods.

Past winners of the Michigan Beer Champion Award include:

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 serves as the recognized advocate for the Michigan craft beer industry. The mission of the Michigan Brewers 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 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 in the nation—supporting its title as “The Great Beer State.”

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Just take me to the meeting,” said Zoey. “All things being equal, I’d just choose not to play his stupid game.” It was clear Will had something he wanted to say about that but was choosing to stay silent. He actually didn’t need to say it, because he’d said it many times before: some games, you’re playing whether you choose to or not.
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(KALAMAZOO, Mich) — The Hop Growers of Michigan presented the 7th Annual Michigan Chinook Cup last week at the 2024 Michigan’s Great Beer State Conference & Trade Show at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo. The conference, which hosted nearly 500 attendees including more than 50 industry speakers, was presented by the Michigan Brewers Guild, Master Brewers Association of the Americas – District Michigan and Michigan State University Extension.

Alec Mull, General Manager at Bell’s Brewery and past president of the Hop Quality Group (HQG) presented the 1st Place award to Mark and Sean Trowbridge of Top Hop Farms in Goodrich, Michigan. They will again have their farm name engraved on the Chinook Cup and will receive a Keepsake Cup to proudly display at their facility.

Second place was awarded to Bonnie Steinman of Bell’s Brewery Estate Hopyard, Comstock, with third place honors presented to Rick Kawalski of Hop Head Farms in Hickory Corners.

Modeled after the HQG’s national Cascade Cup, the Michigan Chinook Cup is awarded to the Great Beer State’s best Chinook hop grower as determined by a panel of expert craft brewers through a series of blind sensory tests. This year, six Chinook entries were ranked with scoring provided for aroma, appearance/color and brewing values. The expert judges included John Mallett; Jeremy Kosmicki and Jason Vrosh from Founders Brewing Company; Alec Mull and Andy Farrell from Bell’s Brewery; Brian Confer and Chris Schneff from Stormcloud Brewing Co., and Josh Mayich from Island Hop Company.

Although there are over 100 different varieties of hops used by craft brewers across the U.S., three of the top publicly available hop varieties have consistently been Cascade, Centennial and Chinook. The Chinook hop, released in 1985, is the result of a cross between Petham Golding and a USDA male plant. Chinook are a “dual purpose” hop used for both bittering and aroma. In their quest to brew “standout” flavorful beers, many craft brewers have become increasingly interested in newer proprietary varieties such as Simcoe and Citra. However, a small but growing number of brewers have begun to recognize that hops of the same variety, when grown in different locations with distinct soils and climate, impart different flavor profiles. In contrast to Chinook grown in the Pacific northwest that is generally known for its piney, spicy, dank attributes, Michigan Chinook is a cultivar that is increasingly recognized for its citrusy, clean profile. Visit Michigan State University Extension’s hop webpage for more information on Michigan’s growing hop industry.

Michigan is currently ranked first in the Great Lakes Region and fourth in the nation (behind three states in the Pacific Northwest) with nearly 500 acres in hop production. More than 40 different hop cultivars are grown in Michigan, with Chinook being among the most prevalent and popular. Hops are part of Michigan’s overall $104 billion agricultural industry, supporting a strong craft beer culture.

Hop Growers of Michigan (HGM) was formed in 2015 as a 501(c)5 non-profit organization. HGM makes a positive difference in Michigan’s hop industry by supporting educational opportunities and research for better hop production and processing, as well as advocating for and promoting the use of Michigan-grown hops. HGM also facilities best practice exchanges, sharing of techniques and knowledge; enlists the support of Michigan higher education institutions for research and development of hop horticulture and processing; promotes and markets the utilization of Michigan hops; and partners with other organizations to advance the interest of Michigan hop growers and craft brewing.

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Press Release Follows

Saturday, September 9 – Marquette

 

(LANSING, Mich.) — Members of the Michigan Brewers Guild are headed to the Lake Superior shoreline in Marquette’s Mattson Lower Harbor Park for the 14th Annual U.P. Fall Beer Festival on Saturday, September 9.

 

Tickets are on sale now at MiBeer.com. General Admission is 1-6pm, with the gates opening at Noon for a VIP hour for Enthusiast Members. Tickets are $50 per person in advance ($60 the day of, if available) with Designated Driver tickets priced at $10 (available at the gate). Admission is for those 21 and older, with valid I.D.

 

This year, 87 breweries will be sampling over 513 beers (and 92 unique styles). The complete list (subject to change) has just been posted online: 2023 UP Fall Beer Festival List.

 

The Michigan Brewers Guild held its first festival in July 1998 and today it hosts five annual festivals dedicated exclusively to Michigan beer produced by its approximately 300 member breweries.

 

The 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 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”

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PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS

(LANSING, Mich) – The Michigan Senate has once again named July as Michigan Beer Month this week with the adoption of Senate Resolution 66, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, Senator Stephanie Chang, Senator Jeremy Moss, Senator Sylvia A. Santana and Senator Michael Webber. This is the 16th year for this month-long celebration designation.

As part of this year’s Michigan Beer Month, the Michigan Brewers Guild has announced the return of its limited-edition commemorative pint glass available at two dozen locations around the state throughout the summer (while supplies last).

Michigan Beer Month is also a time to recognize the passion, diversity and dedication that brewers around the state bring to the industry. The highlight of Michigan Beer Month is the 24th Annual Michigan Summer Beer Festival (Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22) at Riverside Park in downtown Ypsilanti’s Depot Town. During this 2-day event, visitors can sample hundreds of beers from many of Michigan’s finest breweries.

Formed in 1997, the Michigan Brewers Guild held its first festival in July 1998. Today, it hosts five festivals dedicated exclusively to Michigan beer produced by its nearly 300 member breweries (a number that increases monthly). Within the state, and beyond, Michigan is referred to as “The Great Beer State” ranking nationally for the number of breweries.

The Michigan Brewers Guild is a 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 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”

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PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS

(Holland, MI – May 4, 2023) – New Holland Brewing is proud to announce the return of one of its popular legacy beers in a 12-can Spring/Summer Variety Pack. Zoomer, an American wheat ale (4.7aBV) first introduced in 2000, is among four beers featured along with Lightpoint, Hazy River, Tangerine Space Machine.

“As Michigan’s largest independent brewer, we recognize that we’re only here because of our local community and their amazing support,” says Brett VanderKamp, New Holland Brewing’s Founder and CEO. “We see daily requests for some of the beers from our 25-year history, and Zoomer is always at the top of that list. It has not been released in package for over 10 years, so we’re thrilled to see it back on the shelves this summer.”

Boasting a flavorful blend of wheat bread, bitter orange peel and light citrus hops, Zoomer is crisp, easy-drinking and clean summer beer. As one of a dozen or so beers released to the market in the first 10 years of New Holland’s operation, Zoomer is one of the company’s most popular legacy beers. While the brewery’s innovation team brews throwback and legacy beers regularly for their brewpubs, it has been several years since they have dug back into the archive for a market release.

“We’ve seen a lot of brewers focus on trends, stunts and experimental beers for the last five years, and we’ve brewed our fair share of those as well,” notes Brand Manager Justin Rito. “Innovation is what drives any industry, but we’re also seeing a lot of folks returning to simple flavors and beer brewed with drinkability as goal number one. We feel like we’ve got the production and industry experience to lead that movement back toward quality, balanced beers and Zoomer is a perfect example of that effort.”

New Holland’s Spring/Summer Variety Pack is available now at retail outlets throughout Michigan as well as the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

 

About New Holland Brewing & Spirits

Opening its first brewpub in Holland, Michigan in 1997, New Holland Brewing set a mission to improve the quality of people’s lives by creating savored moments. By creating quality beer, spirits, and food, New Holland works to gather people around a common table where memories can be made, and connections can be strengthened. Still headquartered in Holland, New Holland Brewing and Spirits is now Michigan’s largest independent craft brewer in its 26th year and has three brewpubs and two spirits tasting rooms in the state.  New Holland expanded its offerings from beer in 2004 when they first began distilling spirits and now goes to market through three distinct brand portfolios: Dragon’s Milk, New Holland and Lake Life. The Dragon’s Milk brand features the country’s line of barrel aged beers, a portfolio of bourbon products and barrel aged seltzers. New Holland features a line of beer, ready-to-drink cocktails and high proof spirits. Lake Life features a vodka and vodka spiked seltzers.

For more information, visit newhollandbrew.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

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View the Great Beer State Documentary Trailer

 

 

(LANSING, Mich) – In honor of its 25 Anniversary, the Michigan Brewers Guild has announced the release of its Great Beer State Documentary which draws from more than 60 interviews gathered over four years. Building on the work from the 2019 book A Rising Tide – The Story of the Michigan Brewers Guild and Michigan’s Great Beer State Podcast which was launched in 2020, the film was produced by The Beervangelist, Fred Bueltmann, author of A Rising Tide and co-host of the Guild’s podcast.

“Besides celebrating 25 years, this film shows stark differences between then and now, when it comes to locally brewed beer and its contribution to community culture. From before the Michigan Brewers Guild in the mid-eighties, to the formation of the Guild in 1997 and up until the present day, there has been a cultural transformation,” stated Bueltmann. “The storyline is loosely held, shared through stories and observations from dozens of brewery folks who have been a part of the brewing scene; past, present, and future.”

The documentary premiered at the Michigan Summer Beer Festival in Ypsilanti last weekend with a private viewing for brewery members on Friday evening and a VIP screening for Enthusiast Members on Saturday morning. A series of public viewings is being organized across the state at member breweries, Allied Member locations and community friends of Michigan beer. The schedule will be posted on MiBeer.com and shared via the Guild’s Facebook page. This is an essential element in the 25th Anniversary campaign which will culminate in a “Wrap Party” on October 22 following the Detroit Fall Beer Festival at Eastern Market (the actual 25th Anniversary of the Guild).

“The film is a fun and engaging look inside the Michigan beer community,” says Scott Graham, the Guild’s executive director. “After 25 years local beer is truly part of our culture and fabric; it is part of what makes Michigan great.”

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.

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 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”

Formed in 1997, the Michigan Brewers Guild held its first festival in July 1998. Today, it hosts five festivals dedicated exclusively to Michigan beer produced by its nearly 300 member breweries (a number that increases on a monthly basis). Within the state, and beyond, Michigan is referred to as “The Great Beer State” ranking nationally for the number of breweries.

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Press Release follows

Michigan Brewers Guild Announces Return of Beer Festivals

Tickets for Three August / September Festivals Go On Sale June 24

(LANSING, Mich.) — The Michigan Brewers Guild is excited to announce three upcoming beer festival dates after more than a year hiatus. Tickets for all three events will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, June 24 at 10am, with Enthusiast Member Pre-Sale opening on Tuesday, June 22 at 10am, at MiBeer.com.

  • Michigan August Beer Festival – South will be held on Saturday, August 14 at LMCU Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps in Comstock Park (just north of Grand Rapids). General Admission is 1-6pm, with the gates opening at Noon for a VIP hour for Enthusiast Members. Tickets are $50 per person in advance ($55 day of) with Designated Driver tickets for $10.

  • Michigan August Beer Festival – North will be held on Saturday, August 28 at Turtle Creek Stadium in Traverse City, home of the Traverse City Pit Spitters. General Admission is 1-6pm, with the gates opening at Noon for a VIP hour for Enthusiast Members. Tickets are $50 per person in advance ($55 day of) with Designated Driver tickets for $10.

  • U.P. Fall Beer Festival will be held on Saturday, September 11 at Mattson Lower Harbor Park in Marquette. General Admission is 1-6pm, with the gates opening at Noon for a VIP hour for Enthusiast Members. Tickets are $50 per person in advance ($55 day of) with Designated Driver tickets for $10.

“We are happy and excited for the opportunity to get back to Michigan Brewers Guild beer festivals and look forward to seeing people in person,” says Scott Graham, Guild Executive Director. “We are currently working on logistics and safety protocols with our partners at the West Michigan Whitecaps and Traverse City Pit Spitters, which gives us the added benefit of their infrastructure and experience with their own events.”

A reminder that July is once again “Michigan Beer Month”. As part of this year’s celebration, a one-of-a-kind commemorative pint glass will be available at many member breweries and these breweries are also being encouraged to feature a special beer throughout the month – like a collaboration or a special release – to help celebrate. Details about these promotions and participating breweries will be posted soon on MiBeer.com and the Guild’s social media channels (see links below).

Formed in 1997, the Michigan Brewers Guild represents nearly 300 member breweries. The Guild is a passionate beer community that believes in quality artisanship, bold character, fun, responsibility and pushing the boundaries. The mission of the Guild is to promote and protect the Michigan beer industry with an overarching goal to help locally brewed beer attain 20% of all beer sales in the state by 2025.

 

Michigan’s brewing industry contributes more than 21,000 full-time jobs and $914 million in labor income, with a total economic impact of over $2.5 billion. In terms of overall number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks in the nation—supporting its title as “The Great Beer State.”