Q&A

How do I start a brewery in Michigan?

How do I start a brewery in Michigan?

Eight startup steps for opening a microbrewery in Michigan

  1. Research.
  2. Develop a Business Plan.
  3. Formation of Companies.
  4. Secure the Brewery Location.
  5. Licenses from MLCC, TTB and County Health Department.
  6. Build-out of Microbrewery.
  7. Recruiting a Brewer.
  8. Walk before you Run.

Does a brewery need planning permission?

Planning permission will be needed to start building a brewery, you can’t just install your brewing set up on any site.

Are microbreweries profitable?

A culture that emphasizes locally brewed craft beers has also encouraged entrants into the industry. As a result of high demand justifying price increases, the industry is becoming more profitable. Craft brewery profits averaged 9.1 percent of revenues in 2014.

Is it legal to brew your own beer in Michigan?

Michigan law allows a brewer to operate under either a brewer’s, brewpub or micro-brewery license. A brewery license permits manufacturing an unlimited quantity of beer. Brewers may sell the beer they produce to licensed wholesalers, but many not sell directly to retailers.

How much does it cost to start up a microbrewery?

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Brewery? Generally, most breweries range from $500,000 to $1 million in start-up costs. The cost of starting a brewery however, can depend on how big you plan your brewery to be, production levels, and location.

How is beer sold in the state of Michigan?

Michigan has a three-tier system where producers can sell their products only to wholesale distributors that then sell to retailers, which then to consumers. Prior to the new legislation, brewers could only sell their beer directly to bars and retailers without the middleman if they produced fewer than 1,000 barrels in a calendar year.

What are the rules for alcohol in Michigan?

1201 Alcoholic liquor; manufacture, sale, possession, or transportation lawful; terms, conditions, limitations, and restrictions; right, power, and duty of commission to control alcoholic beverage traffic and traffic in other alcoholic liquor; unreasonable discrimination against Michigan

When do new liquor laws go into effect in Michigan?

But the new legislation adjusts that. The discount on spirits purchased from the commission increased from 17 percent to 23 percent for on-premise licensees for a 12-month period until July 12, 2021.

Can a vendor give away alcohol in Michigan?

MCL 436