Presented by Michigan Brewers Guild,
Michigan State University Extension and
Master Brewers Association of the Americas - District Michigan
January 8-10, 2025
Kalamazoo Radisson Plaza Hotel
This event is for those 21+. ID required.
REGISTRATION DETAILS:
- Member Price: $345 + fees full conference, until 11:59pm on 1/3/2025.
(Late Registration Rate: $395 + fees).
Registration Includes:
- Access to Trade Show (Wed.)
- Sensory Evaluation Workshop (Wed.)
- All conference sessions (Thurs. & Fri.)
- Great Beer State reception dinner (Thurs.)
- All other Conference meals (note: some meals on own, check schedule for details)
- 1 Discounted ($150 + fees) BREWERY Member Registration: Brewery Members receive one discounted conference registration as a benefit of MBG membership. To use this benefit, simply register for the "Discounted Member Registration" type by Jan 3. Discounted registration includes all features outlined above.
- Non-Member Price: $395 + fees full conference, until 11:59pm on 1/3/2025. (Late Registration Rate: $445 + fees). Includes all features outlined above.
- Group Discount: A 10% discount is available for 5 or more full paid member conference registrations. Enter the discount code group25 at check-out.
- Wednesday Only: $150 + fees until 11:59pm on 1/3/2025.
(Late Registration Rate: $175 + fees)
Registration Includes:
- Access to three mini sessions
- Access to Trade Show
- Sensory Evaluation Workshop
- Trade Show Only: $105 + fees until 11:59pm on 1/3/2025.
(Late Registration Rate: $130 + fees)
- Includes access to the Trade Show on Wednesday, Jan. 8 only.
- Does not include access to Conference sessions (1/8-10), meals, Great Beer State reception dinner and/or Sensory Evaluation.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
Updated December 2, 2024. Subject to change.
Wednesday, January 8
8:00AM — Check-in Opens (Kalamazoo Radisson Arcadia Ballroom)
Sessions Specific for Start-Up Breweries & Emerging Professionals
9-9:45AM
- Anatomy of a Business Plan — Chris O’Neill, One Well Brewing
- Crisis Intervention: Why, When & How – Moderated by Katie Hardy of Six Feet Over. Panelists: Chris O'Droski of Hegira Health, Inc., Michael Pyne, LSW of Healthwest and QPR Master Trainer, and Scott Teichmer of Summit Pointe and QPR Master TrainerSkills Training (ASIST).
10-10:45AM
- Why and How to Build a Quality Control Program — Evan Hook, Griffin Claw Brewing Company & Brian Confer, Stormcloud Brewing Company
- Creating a Trauma-Informed Workplace Culture – Fred Bueltmann, Ulla Frederiksen & Jenny Atlee – Red Horse Center
11-11:45AM
- Stories from the Brewhouse (Roundtable) — Jef Smith, Loaded Dice Brewery
- Facing Grief & Loss: Guidelines for Response & Support – Katie Hardy, Six Feet Over; Benny Capaul & Dr. Nick Capaul, Let’s Talk about Death
11-11:45AM — MBAA Meeting
12-1:15PM — Sensory Evaluation – Jason Vrosh, Founders Brewing Company (Kalamazoo Radisson Arcadia Ballroom)
1-6PM — Allied Member Trade Show (Kalamazoo Radisson, Lower Level)
3-4PM — Chinook Cup Judging (Kalamazoo Radisson, Lower Level)
7PM — Featured Social Activities, Hospitality Suites Open
Thursday, January 9
9-10:30AM — Michigan Brewers Guild Annual Meeting (Arcadia Ballroom)
9-10:30AM — Hop Growers of Michigan Annual Meeting
11AM-12PM — Keynote Speaker: Leah Cheston – Right Proper Brewing Co., Washington, D.C.
12-1PM — Buffet Lunch
1:15-2:15PM — Breakout Sessions
- BREWING: Lager, Lager, Lager (Panel) — Nick Panchamé, HOMES Brewery; Matt Peterson, Cedar Springs Brewing Company; Tom Beckman, Goldfinger Brewing Company; Jeff Cozzens, Schilling Beer Co. Moderated by Travis Fritts, Old Nation Brewing
- BUSINESS: Brand Building through Community Partnerships — Nick Nerbonne, MEDC
- AGRICULTURE: Global & National Malt & Hop Update — Ashley McFarland, American Malting Barley Association & Matt Gacioch, Brewers Association
2:30-3:30PM — Breakout Sessions
- BREWING: Cleaning and Sanitation: A Brewer’s Perspective — Travis Audet, Slant Six Consulting
- BUSINESS: Creating Events & Experiences for Taproom Success (Roundtable) — Chuck & Brenda Marshall, Life in Michigan
- AGRICULTURE: Michigan Ag for Michigan Beer – A State of the Industry + Current Research — Dr. Rob Sirrine (Hops), Dr. James DeDecker (Barley), Dr. Brook Wilke (Barley), & Josh Vander Weide (Hops Research), MSU Extension
3:45-4:45PM — Breakout Sessions
- BREWING: How Low Can You Go? LA and NA Beer Production — Molly Browning, Lallemand Brewing
- BUSINESS: Mental Health & Wellness: Forming a Michigan Workgroup to Support Positive Mental Health in Our Brewing Community — Fred Bueltmann, Red Horse Center; Katie Hardy, Six Feet Over; and Stephen Roginson & Kimberly Schneider, Batch Brewing
- AGRICULTURE: Brewing Michigan Beer with Michigan Ingredients (Panel) — Scott Stuhr, Silver Spruce Brewing; Trace Redmond, Elder Piper Beer & Cider; Trevor Klimek, One Well Brewing; Brian Tennis, Hop Alliance; Jeff Malkiewicz, Great Lakes Malting Company. Moderated by Dr. Rob Sirrine & Erin Lizotte, MSU Extension
5-6PM — Breakout Sessions
- BREWING: Troubleshooting Roundtable — Travis Audet, Slant Six Consulting
- BUSINESS: Government Affairs Update — Scott Breslin, Public Affairs Associates; Scott Graham, Michigan Brewers Guild; Scott Newman-Bale, Short's Brewing Company; David Ringler, Cedar Springs Brewing & Küsterer Brauhaus.
- AGRICULTURE: Single Hop Michigan Beer Tasting & Evaluation — Dr. Nicole Shriner, MSU Extension
6:30-7:30PM — Happy Hour & Awards Ceremony Sponsored by Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.
7:30-10PM — Great Beer State Dinner Sponsored by Argent Tape & Label
Friday, January 10
8:30AM — Bloody Mary Bar Sponsored by Sandy Ridge Farms
9-10AM — General Session: Peripheral Vision: Trends in Non-Beer Beverage Alcohol and Beyond with Matt Gacioch, Brewers Association
10:15-11:15AM — Breakout Sessions
- BREWING: Starting with Safety – Best Practices for the Craft Beverage Producer — Adam Glenn and Mike Fuerst, Bell’s Brewery
- BUSINESS: DEI Sponsored Session TBA
11:30AM-12:30PM — Breakout Session
- BUSINESS: Mug Club Membership Roundtable — Jason Spaulding, Brewery Vivant and Broad Leaf Brewery & Spirits
HOTEL RESERVATIONS:
THE CONFERENCE HOTEL ROOM BLOCK RATE DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20.
A limited number of rooms are available at the Kalamazoo Radisson starting at $174 per night, + fees & taxes. You must call the hotel directly at 269-343-3333 and reference Michigan Brewers Guild 2025 or use this designated link: https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/G9651903.
Self parking is $12 per night in the garage attached to the hotel (standard rates apply for valet parking).
TRADE SHOW EXHIBITORS:
Registration is open now for current MBG Allied Members. If you are not currently a MBG Allied Member, but are interested in joining to participate in the Trade Show, you can find investment levels and contact information here: https://allied.mibeer.com/alliedmembers
Exhibitor rates are as follows:
- MBG Member (w/o power): $525
- MBG Member (w/ power): $605
- Non-Member (w/o power): $775
- Non-Member (w/ power): $855
SPONSORSHIPS:
For details on sponsorships, or for general Conference & Trade Show questions, contact Dianna Stampfler, MBG Publicist at Media@MichiganBrewersGuild.org.