Good News for Craft Beer Brewers in Michigan!

The Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association applauds the Legislature for overwhelmingly approving a package of bills to clarify gray areas in the state Liquor Control Code. The legislation, Senate Bills 1154-1168, unanimously passed the Michigan Senate on Nov. 29 and the Michigan House by overwhelming margins on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“For years, some producers have been operating in a gray area of state law and others have been outright breaking the law,” said Spencer Nevins, president of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association. “To address these problems, brewers, distillers, winemakers, and distributors came together to find a solution that creates a roadmap for complying with state law for those operating in the gray.”

Among the changes the legislation addresses:

• Ensures that Michigan breweries, distilleries, and wineries are actually manufacturing the products they sell to consumers in their tasting rooms.
• Allows for manufacturer-to-manufacturer sales to manufacture alcoholic beverages.
• Expands the ability of wineries and distilleries to offer full-size pours at many off-premise tasting rooms.
• Lays out clear and understandable guidelines for operating a brewery tasting room.

Statewide associations and commissions supporting the legislation alongside the MB&WWA include the Michigan Craft Brewers Guild, Michigan Wine Producers Association, Michigan Craft Distillers Association, Michigan Licensed Beverage Association, and Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

“I want to thank the Michigan Brewers Guild, Wine Producers Association, Craft Distillers Association, and other industry leaders for coming together to work on these important issues,” Nevins said. “Without this legislation, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission would be forced to cite craft brewers, distillers, and winemakers. Instead, this package of bills will help Michigan’s beer, wine, and spirits industries continue their positive momentum.”

The legislation now awaits Gov. Rick Snyder’s signature.

Learn more about Michigan liquor laws in our Michigan Alcohol Seller Server certification course.