With tens of thousands of jobs and more than $20 billion in economic activity, there’s little doubt that craft beer is synonymous with big business in the Midwest. In Michigan alone, the thriving brewing industry contributes more than $144 million in wages, for a total economic contribution of more than $600 million.
From Bell’s Brewery’s Two-Hearted IPA and Oberon Ale – a personal favorite of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer – in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Three Floyd’s Pear Bear in Munster, Indiana, to Central Waters Brewing Company’s Black Gold in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. , the many craft beer choices in the Midwest are well known to beer lovers.
In fact, it’s difficult to find a destination in the region that doesn’t have a craft brewery. There are more than 400 in Michigan, with more than 30 in the Upper Peninsula alone; nearly 200 in Indiana, more than 100 in Iowa, and more than 200 each in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Craft breweries are also popular nationwide. The Brewers Association estimates that the craft brewing industry contributed more than $70 billion to the US economy and created more than 400,000 jobs in 2022.
“With a strong presence in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, even in a difficult year, craft breweries are a strong economic force at the local, state and national levels,” said Bert Watson, chief economist for the Brewers Association. “As consumers continue to demand a wide range of high-quality, full-bodied beers, small and independent craft breweries are meeting this growing demand with innovative offerings while creating great commercial value.”
The home of Beer City, USA
Once upon a time, Michigan was anything but a craft beer mecca. In 1993 there were only three craft breweries in the state, including Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo. Today that number has risen to over 407 and counting.
Michigan ranks sixth nationwide for the total number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, reinforcing its claim as “The Great Beer State”.
Grand Rapids — home to over 40 craft breweries — put Michigan and the Midwest on the craft beer map when it was renamed “Beer City” in the US in 2012. The city was honored again in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2022.
“The craft beer industry has been a catalyst for growth in Grand Rapids, and we’re proud to be known as Beer City, USA,” Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss told MLive in 2019. “Not only do our breweries make great beer, they also create jobs and contribute to the vibrancy of our city.”
The nation, too, has recognized Michigan’s prowess as a craft brewer. Wolverine State was recently named the best state for beer lovers by BetMissouri.com. BrewersAssociation.org ranked Michigan 11th for quality, 13th for quantity, and sixth for affordability in its 2022 ranking, a national-leading average of 10.
In the same list, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, and Iowa are among the top 10.
A rise in beer tourism
There are many reasons to visit the Midwestern states, and beer tourism is one of the biggest drivers of economic growth. When many people think of craft beer and the best locations, they now think of the Midwest.
Craft beer tourism is what it sounds like – tourism that focuses on visiting breweries, beer festivals, or other related activities that allow craft beer enthusiasts to taste craft beers and see aspects of the process experience, including factory tours and guided tours of breweries.
A study commissioned by Experience Grand Rapids found that 25% of beer tourists — vacationers who said craft beer was the primary reason for their visit and who either live in West Michigan or are visiting for at least one night — are from out of state came.
The rise of craft brewing tourism throughout the Midwest has also resulted in craft beer itineraries that allow visitors to visit dozens of participating craft breweries, obtain a passport at participating locations, and collect stamps as they visit various sites.
Some of the most popular beer routes in the Midwest include:
- The Northern Indiana Beer Trail
- Quad Cities Ale Trail
- The Beloit (Wisconsin) Beer Trail
- The Southern Minnesota and North Shore Beer Routes
- Southern Illinois Beer Trail
- The Grand Rapids Beer City Ale Trail
- The Illinois Ale Trail
The Midwest’s vast selection of craft beers is valued by casual craft beer drinkers and craft brew enthusiasts for their uniqueness, variety, and drinkability.
But breweries are about much more than just the beer. Breweries, from the largest to the smallest, are all individual and differ in approach. Their passion lies in creating great tasting, authentic beers that reflect their values and local culture.
Craft breweries throughout the Midwest are routinely part of their local communities. They donate to local charities, participate in community events, and create seasonal flavors and events that keep consumer interest high.
A boon to the local economy
Popping the lid on a cold craft beer also has far-reaching implications for the local economy.
Data from the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association shows that the beer industry contributes $9.9 billion to Michigan’s economy and creates nearly 67,000 jobs.
According to the Beer Institute and NBWA, jobs in Michigan’s beer industry include brewing, distribution, farming, retail and manufacturing, with combined wages of $3 billion.
“Every time you buy something from a Michigan microbrewery, you’re supporting the local economy,” Trey Malone, an agricultural economist at Michigan State University, told Lansing-based WKAR-AM. “And that’s not necessarily the case in places like Oklahoma, where when you buy your beer there, once the beer is bought, the dollars are effectively circulating outside of the state. Michigan doesn’t have to be like that.”
Results are similar in other Midwestern states. Wisconsin’s craft beer industry contributes approximately $9 billion to the state’s economy and impacts more than 62,000 jobs. The industry contributes approximately $1 billion to the economy of the state of Minnesota and Iowa.
In Illinois, craft breweries contribute approximately $3 billion to the economy and employ up to 20,000 people. The same is true in Indiana, where more than 10,000 people work in the industry and the industry generates more than $1.5 billion.
Visit a craft brewery in the Midwest
With dozens of locations and a wide array of flavors, there’s never been a better time to visit a craft brewery in the Midwest. There are options for all tastes and a brewery is the perfect place to learn about local culture.
In a Midwestern brewery, you can not only soak up the culture, you can also make an economic contribution. Visiting a local Midwest brewery keeps money in the local economy and distributes it to everyone involved in turning the barley, yeast and hops into delicious, refreshing craft beer.
This article was created by Awesome Mitten and syndicated by Wealth of Geeks.
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