Raise a glass to Michigan’s beer industry: It’s Michigan Beer Month! 

Beer is an integral part of the fabric of Michigan and has been embedded into our state culture ever since the beverage was first brought to prominence by settlers. 

Entrepreneurial icons like Bernhard Stroh established a family brewery in Detroit in 1850, beginning a communal affinity for beer. Centuries later, Michigan has continued to build a great reputation for its high-quality, handcrafted beers. 

The Michigan Senate designated July as Michigan Beer Month for the sixteenth year in a row, with a resolution — notably sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) — that highlights the cultural, historical, fiscal and social significance of the beer industry. 

 “Being from Grand Rapids (aka “Beer City USA”), I was proud to sponsor the resolution to declare July Beer Month in Michigan. Clean water, homegrown hops, and lots of hard work and ingenuity make Michigan a leader in the industry!” said Brinks. 

Craft brewers stimulate Michigan’s agricultural and employment growth, sourcing our most precious produce and water supply while providing more than 16,000 jobs to residents. Moreover, craft brewers have improved trade efforts and aided in attracting state tourists. As a result, Michigan ranks sixth in the nation for the overall number of breweries with projections to economically contribute more than $2.2 billion. 

Beyond the economic benefits, craft brewers are also instrumental in educating residents of legal drinking-age about drinking responsibility. This is evidenced in the many partnerships craft breweries have made with local and national non-profit organizations.

“Michigan is home to some of the best breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs in the world,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “… let us kick off our unofficial start to the better weather season by celebrating the craft beer industry.” 

Every July, The Michigan Brewers Guild celebrates locally made beer by hosting a Summer Festival. As Michigan Beer Month continues, beer enthusiasts and locals can look forward to other community-driven events. These events not only celebrate the craftsmanship and creativity of local and state brewers, but also provide an opportunity for residents and tourists alike to experience Michigan’s growing craft beer scene. 

An official month of recognition will go a long way in uplifting and toasting to the many contributions of the Michigan beer industry. However, even more work is to be done to ensure that our state remains a leader in beer production and achieves its goal of helping locally brewed beer attain 20 percent of all beer sales in the state by 2025. 

Our hardworking Michigan craft brewers and the communities they serve are deserving of this kind of success, and our legislature will work alongside them to accomplish that.  

Read more from the Michigan Senate Democrats at SenateDems.com/press.