Council Funds Nine Michigan Craft Beverage Research Projects
The Michigan Craft Beverage Council awarded grants to nine projects through its 2021 research program, with reports to be posted in a searchable database.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Beer
The Michigan Craft Beverage Council funded nine research projects through its 2021 research grant program, recommending more than $274,000 in support. Four selected proposals were continuation projects from the 2020 grant cycle.
Why it matters
The grants target agricultural inputs for craft beer, spirits, wine and hard cider, aligning with council priorities on climate change impacts, crop quality, and new varieties of hops, fruit, barley and rye. Final reports will give producers in Michigan a searchable record of the funded research.
The council recommended more than $274,000 for nine projects from 17 applications requesting more than $540,000 in the 2021 competitive grant program. Research results and final outcomes have not yet been published.
The players
Michigan Craft Beverage Council
The state body that administers the craft beverage research grant program and maintains the research database for Michigan's craft beer, spirits, wine and hard cider industries.
Michigan Grape & Wine Industry Council
A predecessor council whose funded research is included in the new searchable database maintained by the Michigan Craft Beverage Council.
The details
The council selected projects through a competitive grant program covering agricultural inputs for craft beer, spirits, wine and hard cider. Final grant reports will be posted to the council's website research database, which also includes research funded by the former Michigan Grape & Wine Industry Council.
Timeline
2020: Four continuation projects began under the 2020 grant program.
2021: Nine projects were funded through the 2021 research grant program.
Upon completion of each grant cycle: Final grant reports are posted to the council research database.
Industry Dynamics
The grant program continues the research tradition of the former Michigan Grape & Wine Industry Council, now broadened to cover the full craft beverage sector. Consolidating past and current research into one database reflects a state-level effort to make agricultural science available across Michigan's craft beverage producers.
Michigan craft beverage producers may use the forthcoming searchable research database to find results on hops, barley, fruit and rye varieties and climate-related crop challenges. The database will give producers a practical reference for growing inputs used in craft beer, spirits, wine and hard cider.
The takeaway
Producers who track state-funded agricultural research can use the council's database to inform decisions about hops, grain and fruit varieties. Checking final grant reports as they are posted offers a direct way to follow outcomes.
Further reading
Explore more on Beer to see how state research grants shape the craft beverage industry.
More information
Visit the Michigan Craft Beverage Council grants and business support page for details on funded research and the forthcoming database.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Farm Progress.
