E-Malt.com News article: USA, MI: The demand for craft beers increases in West Michigan

On November, 16 the Alpine Township planning commission reviewed blueprints for a new brewery along Mill Creek in Comstock Park, Wzzm13.com reported on November, 17.

Earlier last week, three partners announced plans to open the Rockford Brewing Company along the White Pine Trail in downtown Rockford. If all goes well, they will join several well established breweries already operating in West Michigan.

"There is a market there," explains Henri Boucher, producer of the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer and Food Festival. "I think the supply found the demand. There are an awful lot of people who drink beer."

"I think it's awesome we've got local breweries in our area that are making these fantastic beers," says beer drinker Christine Seelye. "They are delicious."

The new Perrin Brewing Company planned for Comstock Park hasn't even opened yet and the owners are already asking Alpine Township for permission to build a brewery five times larger than what they first proposed.

"I hope we can give the people what they are looking for," says Perrin Brewing Company co-owner Jarred Sper. "The big beer houses are doing the same thing over and over again. I think people love the difference."

"It's going completely full circle, where back 100 years ago there was a brewery in every town," observes Logan Schaedig of Arbor Brewing Company. "The demand is there. People drink beer every day."


23 November, 2011