Detroit brewery defies Michigan beer slump
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A Detroit-based craft brewery saw explosive growth last year — but that isn't the norm across the state.
Why it matters: The figures indicate that Michigan's well-established beer scene is not exempt from the tough times plaguing the industry nationally.
State of play: The state's largest brewer, Short's, which has a production facility up north in Elk Rapids, saw sales dip 6% in 2024 compared to the prior year, our analysis of Brewers Association data shows.
- Old Nation, maker of the M-43 New England IPA and other beers, also saw a single-digit sales decline, as did Keweenaw, Blackrocks and Birmingham-based Griffin Claw breweries.
Yes, but: Detroit's Eastern Market Brewing Co. saw a whopping 59% sales increase, becoming the state's ninth-largest brewer.
Zoom in: EMBC's spike in sales follows an aggressive expansion strategy that's played out in recent years.
- The company's sister brewery, the Ferndale Project, announced a deal this month with Kalamazoo-based distributor Imperial Beverage to sell Ferndale Project beers statewide.
- EMBC also launched a local pizza venture, Elephant & Co., with locations in Midtown and Royal Oak that serve its beer.
What they're saying: Eastern Market Brewing Co. founder Dayne Bartscht told Crain's that the Imperial distribution deal is a silver lining as the industry struggles.
- "We've always taken pride in our self-distribution model," Bartscht said. "It's helped us grow smart, stay close to our customers, and remain nimble. That approach built the kind of brand strength and market presence that made this opportunity possible."
The big picture: Despite some beermakers' declining sales, more breweries opened in-state last year than closed.
- The Colorado-based Brewers Association counted 21 openings and 17 closings across Michigan.
The intrigue: Bell's Brewery isn't listed in the state sales data because it was sold in 2021 to an international company and is no longer considered a craft brewer.
The bottom line: The craft beer boom may have gone flat, but some in the industry are finding ways to adapt and grow.