The release of new seasonal beers at local watering holes including Crunchy’s, 254 W. Grand River Ave., and events across the state kept both distributors and thirsty enthusiasts foaming for more.

Wine and Stein, an event hosted by the Potter Park Zoo on May 16, featured breweries across the state — from Kalamazoo-based distributor Bell’s Brewery to lesser-known operators such as Dark Horse Brewing — were invited to display their upcoming summer releases.

Marguex Bouwkamp, the Michigan market manager for Founders Brewing Co., discussed what separated Founders’ products from the competition.

“We brew the beer that people want to drink — big, bold flavors,” Bouwkamp said.

Varieties like All Day IPA and Backwoods Bastard, Bouwkamp’s favorite, demonstrates Founders’ commitment to making “in-your-face beers,” she said. Consumers agreed, lining themselves throughout the zoo last Thursday, as the sounds of beer-sampling guests battled the cacophony of caws from wildlife.

As the event wore on and patrons piled plates high with pulled pork and other cookout favorites, smaller distributors were able to communicate directly with their customers, giving them the scoop on new releases and their brewing process.

Tom Kozicki was more than willing to discuss the importance of craft beers with patrons.

Representing the Mount Pleasant Brewing Company, Kozicki gave his interpretation of what distinguished a craft beer from its mass-distributed counterparts.

“Craft beers are made by small manufacturer with good product who concocts a beer they want to drink,” Kozicki said. He added the community-driven consumers aided Mount Pleasant Brewing in continuing to be successful even in the face of the competitive craft beer market.

Mike Lashbrook, president of the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association, said the prominence of craft breweries throughout the state in the last decade has made Michigan a premier destination for beer enthusiasts across the country. Aside from tourism, the expansion of the craft beer industry has led to economic windfalls across the state, including job creation and beneficial economic partnerships between distributors and retailers, Lashbrook said.

While Michigan’s craft beer credibility bolsters, the culture still is concentrated on relationships with consumers.

For MSU alumna Melissa Foor, who graduated in 2012, craft beer means a commitment to quality.

“Drinking a craft beer means I’m not going to get some lousy Bud Light-type of beer,”
she said.