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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.”