Great Lakes Wire

The Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) has announced the recipients of its 2025 research and education grant program. The initiative will fund 19 projects with a total of $428,475 to support research and education aimed at advancing agricultural inputs for craft beer, spirits, wine, and hard cider in Michigan.

"Reinforcing diverse agricultural markets is vital to the future of Michigan's food and beverage industries," stated Tim Boring, Chair of the Michigan Craft Beverage Council and Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. He emphasized that by investing in research and educational opportunities, the Council is laying the groundwork for sustainable agricultural economic growth.

The grants are aligned with several key priorities including studying climate change impacts; analyzing crop quality, new varieties, and flavor profiles for hops, grapes, fruit, small grains; promoting sustainable water use; increasing the use of local agricultural products in craft beverages; and developing quality control methods to enhance flavor, shelf life, and packaging integrity.

Among the funded projects are initiatives from Michigan State University focusing on agronomic best practices for cereal rye used in distilling, alternative corn varieties for distilling, new apple varieties for hard cider production, as well as various pest management strategies. Other notable projects include ultrasound-assisted pre-treatment of wastewater from beverage businesses and early detection methods for powdery mildew in grapevines.

For the first time this year, education grant proposals were also reviewed. Eight educational initiatives received funding including a mentorship program by Michigan Wine Collaborative and advanced sensory analysis training by Michigan Cider Association.

Final reports from these projects will be made available on the Council's website upon completion. This searchable database aims to provide easy access to industry members seeking information on various research topics.

Further details about MCBC’s activities can be found at michigancraftbeverage.com.