(LANSING, Mich)—More than 700 individuals are expected to attend the Michigan Brewers Guild (MBG) and Master Brewers Association of the Americas (MBAA) - District Michigan Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 9-11, 2019, in Kalamazoo.
The three-day event kicks off with a Sensory Evaluation Workshop hosted by Kevin D. Payne, sensory scientist for Bell’s Brewery and Jason Vrosh, sensory technician at Founders Brewing. That afternoon, the organization’s largest Trade Show to date, with about 130 exhibitors, will take place at the Wings Event Center.
Throughout the day on Thursday and Friday, a series of breakout sessions will be held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center focusing on topics of interest to the growing craft beer industry. The Guild’s Annual Meeting and Board of Directors vote will take place on Thursday morning followed by the keynote presentation by Seth Bernard, musician at Earthwork Music Collective and activist with Clean Water for Michigan.
Other speakers include Jason Perkins, brewmaster at Allagash Brewing in Portland, Maine; Tim Brady with Brewers Association; Travis Audet with Anheuser-Busch; Jason C. Roberson with CraftBeerBranding.com; Wade Begrow of Founders Brewing; David Marvin with Michigan Liquor Control Commission; Scott Newman-Bale of Short’s Brewing; Steve Dressler of BREWMASTEREX Consulting; Bob Sullivan of Sullivan Sales & Marketing Solutions; Fred Bueltmann of This Craft Nation & Red Horse Leadership; Mary-Jane Maurice of Malteurop North America; Chas Thompson, Schmohz Brewing; Thomas H. Shellhammer of Oregon State University; Pete Johnson of Brewers Association; and Scott Breslin of Public Affairs Associates.
The complete schedule, including all speakers, can be found on the Conference Page on MiBeer.com.
A highlight of the conference is the exquisite “Great Beer State Dinner,” a strolling food and beer pairing meal developed by The Beervangelist Fred Bueltmann and the culinary team at the Radisson.
During that reception, the Guild will present two esteemed awards to industry leaders: The Tom Burns Award (given to a person whose hard work, passion, and perseverance has been a guiding force in creating the Great Beer State while being supportive of the entire craft beer industry in Michigan) and The Michigan Beer Champion Award (previously known as the Patriot Award, given to a person or organization who is a partner of our industry and who continually strives to promote or protect the craft beer industry in Michigan).
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 #6 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”
PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
facebook.com/MichiganBrewersGuild | twitter.com/MiBrewersGuild | instagram.com/MiBrewers
#MiBeer #DrinkMiBeer #GreatBeerState #GABF
Summer Beer Festival: July 27-28 – Ypsilanti
UP Fall Beer Festival: September 8 – Marquette
Detroit Fall Beer Festival: October 26-27 – Detroit
Winter Beer Festival: February 22-23 – Grand Rapids
Michigan Brewers Guild is a proud member and supporter of the following organizations:
Brewers Association | Michigan Agri-Tourism Association | Michigan Association of Society Executives | Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association | Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development | Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) | Michigan Festivals & Events Association | Michigan Grocers Association | Michigan Licensed Beverage Association | Michigan Lodging & Tourism Association | Michigan Restaurant Association | Michigan Snowsports Industries Association | Michigan State University – Extension | Michigan Trails | The Nature Conservancy | Tourism Industry Coalition of Michigan (TICOM) | Travel Michigan (MEDC — Pure Michigan) | West Michigan Tourist Association
2019 MICHIGAN BREWERS GUILD FESTIVALS
Michigan Winter Beer Festival
February 22-23
Fifth Third Ballpark, Comstock Park
Michigan Summer Beer Festival
July 26-27
Riverside Park Ypsilanti
UP Fall Beer Festival
September 7
Mattson Lower Harbor Park Marquette
Detroit Fall Beer Festival
October 25-26
Eastern Market, Detroit