The Michigan Brewers Guild recently elected its 2023 Board of Directors, welcoming Travis Fritts of Old Nation Brewing Company in Williamston and Aaron Ross from the Sustainable Brewing Program at Kalamazoo Valley Community College to their first two-year terms. Max Trierweiler of The Mitten Brewing Company (Grand Rapids, Saugatuck and Northport) was reelected to his second two-year term and will serve as treasurer.
Additional board members include:
- David Ringler, Owner of Cedar Springs Brewing Company in Cedar Springs and Küsterer Brauhaus in Grand Rapids, continues his third term on the board and will serve as President;
- Andrea Pernsteiner of Ore Dock Brewing in Marquette is continuing her first term on the board and will serve as Vice President;
- Jason Spaulding of Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids & Broad Leaf Brewery & Spirits in Kentwood continues his first term on the board and will serve as Secretary;
- Kim Collins, Owner of Guardian Brewing Company, in Saugatuck, continues her second term on the board.
Isaac Hartman, “Ambassador of Great Beer” from New Holland Brewing Company in Holland and The Knickerbocker in Grand Rapids, concluded his 14 years (seven terms) on the board of which four years he was President of the association.
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 $872 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 #6 in the nation—supporting its title as “The Great Beer State.”