Parks & Recreation

Craft beers reap profits for state

By |

By AMELIA HAVANEC
Capital News Service
LANSING – Nineteen breweries in the Northwest corner of Michigan’s Mitten are in pursuit of the perfect pint, according to the Michigan Brewers Guild. They stretch from Mason to Emmet counties and are just a sampling of beer’s impact throughout the state. With 159 breweries, Michigan ranks sixth in the nation, according to the Brewers Association, an American trade group that promotes craft beer. And more Michigan beer aficionados are converting their home-brewing hobbies into careers. Dutch Girl Brewery in Ottawa County, a husband-and-wife run craft brewery, recently passed its 90-day anniversary.

Environment

Microbrewery goes green to make its brews

By |

By BECKY McKENDRY
Capital News Service
LANSING — In a trendy neighborhood in downtown Grand Rapids, the Brewery Vivant in an old funeral parlor boasts original hardwood detailing, ornate stained glass windows – and Belgian-inspired farmhouse beer, escargot and duck nachos. And it contributes to the environment. In only its second year of business, Brewery Vivant has established itself as one of the leading eco-friendly breweries in the nation, and was the first in to become Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified, a standard for high-performing green buildings. It’s also one of only six Michigan breweries to can their beer, along with Keweenaw Brewing Co. of Houghton; MillKing It Productions of Royal Oak; Rochester Mills Production Brewery of Auburn Hills; Atwater Brewery of Detroit; and Perrin Brewing Co.