Two Hearted Ale by Bell's Brewery is Michigan's Best 'Beer of the Year' at Bell's Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019.
Michigan brewers sold more than 600,000 barrels of beer in the state in 2018, which is about 11% of Michigan's beer market, according to state data.
About half the Michigan-produced beer was made by Bell's and Founders, the state's two biggest brewers. The rest was made by about 380 microbreweries and brewpubs across the state.
Below is an interactive map that shows beer production by county, based on 2018 data from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. The MLCC tracks beer production and sales through collection of its beer tax.
The numbers listed here represent beer made and sold in Michigan. It does not include beer sold out of state. The numbers also don't include cider, which is classified as wine by the MLCC.
Next is a list of the 50 top producers of beers in Michigan, based on 2018 MLCC data from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.
Once again, the numbers listed here represent beer made and sold in Michigan. It does not include beer sold out of state, nor does it include beer sold at bars and restaurants that was not made in-house. The numbers also don't include cider.
Most of the establishments on this list are microbreweries, which are allowed to make up to 60,000 barrels of beer and have a bar or restaurant that serves their beer by the glass. They also are allowed to sell their beer to wholesalers.
Brewpubs are restricted to producing 18,000 barrels of beer a year, and must operate a full-service restaurant. They cannot market their beer to wholesalers.
A barrel of beer is 31 gallons, which equates to almost 331 12-ounce servings.
You can click here for our online database with beer production data for all Michigan microbreweries and brewpubs that made at least 10 barrels of beer in 2018.
1. Bell's Brewery, Kalamazoo: 192,012 barrels
Bell's Brewery sold 192,012 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 3% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a Michigan brewer and is headquartered in Comstock, where its production facility is located. Bell's also has locations in Kalamazoo and Escanaba.
2. Founder's Brewing, Grand Rapids: 115,178 barrels
Founder's Brewing Co. sold 115,178 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 20% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a Michigan brewer. It is headquartered in Grand Rapids and also has a location in Detroit.
3. Short's Brewing, Elk Rapids: 40,974 barrels
Short's Brewing Co. sold 40,974 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 12% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Elk Rapids and Bellaire.
4. Atwater Brewing, Detroit: 22,481 barrels
Atwater Brewing Co. sold 22,481 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 14% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and has locations in Detroit, Grand Rapids and Grosse Pointe.
5. Perrin Brewing, Comstock Park: 17,375 barrels
Perrin Brewing Co. sold 17,375 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, almost identical to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Comstock Park in suburban Grand Rapids.
6. Old Nation Brewing, Williamston: 17,302 barrels
Old Nation Brewing Co. sold 17,302 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 125% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Williamston near Lansing.
7. New Holland Brewing, Holland: 15,025 barrels
New Holland Brewing Co. sold 15,025 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 10% compared to 2017. It is headquartered in Holland and also has a location in Grand Rapids.
8. Griffin Claw Brewing, Birmingham: 12,756 barrels
Griffin Claw Brewing Co. sold 12,756 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 7% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Birmington.
9. Keweenaw Brewing, Houghton: 11,349 barrels
Keweenaw Brewing Co. sold 11,349 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 8% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Houghton.
10. Blackrocks Brewing, Marquette: 7,500
Blackrocks Brewing sold 7,500 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 14% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Marquette.
11. Rochester Mills, Rochester: 7,313 barrels
Rochester Mills sold 7,313 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 6% compared to 2017. The business has a microbrewery in Auburn Hills and a brewpub in Rochester.
12. Odd Side Ales, Grand Haven: 7,248 barrels
Odd Side Ales sold 7,248 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 1% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Grand Haven.
13. Jolly Pumpkin Ales, Dexter: 6,870 barrels
Jolly Pumpkin sold 6,870 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 1% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and most of its beer is made in Dexter, but it also has locations in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Royal Oak and Traverse City.
14. Saugatuck Brewing, Douglas: 6,209 barrels
Saugatuck Brewing sold 6,209 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 11% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Douglas.
15. Grand Armory Brewing, Grand Haven: 4,530 barrels
Grand Armory Brewing sold 5,126 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 116% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Grand Haven.
16. Cheboygan Brewing, Cheboygan: 4,780 barrels
Cheboygan Brewing Co. sold 4,780 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 12% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Cheboygan.
17. Brewery Vivant, Grand Rapids: 4,776 barrels
Brewery Vivant sold 4,776 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 1% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Grand Rapids.
18. Petoskey Brewing, Petoskey: 4,717 barrels
Petoskey Brewing Co. sold 4,717 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 14% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Petoskey.
19. Dark Horse Brewing, Marshall: 4,654 barrels
Dark House Brewing Co. sold 4,654 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 59% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Marshall.
20. Brew Detroit, Detroit: 4,638 barrels
Brew Detroit sold 4,638 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 15% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Detroit.
21. Arcadia Brewing, Kalamazoo: 4,466 barrels
Arcadia Brewing sold 4,466 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 12% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Kalamazoo.
22. Arbor Brewing Co./Corner Brewery, Ypsilanti: 4,373 barrels
Arbor Brewing Co., which operates the Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti, sold 4,373 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 18% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery.
23. Right Brain Brewery, Traverse City: 3,876 barrels
Right Brain Brewery sold 3,876 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 21% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Traverse City.
24. Frankenmuth Brewery, Frankenmuth: 3,467 barrels
Frankenmuth Brewery sold 3,467 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 3% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Frankenmuth.
25. Pigeon Hill Brewery, Muskegon: 3,073 barrels
Pigeon Hill Brewing Co. sold 3,073 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 15% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Muskegon.
26. Roak Brewery, Royal Oak: 2,845 barrels
Roak Brewing Co. sold 2,854 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 18% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Royal Oak.
27. Latitude 42 Brewery, Portage: 2,806 barrels
Latitude 42 Brewing Co. sold 2,806 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 11% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and has locations in Portage and Kalamazoo.
28. Austin Brothers Beer, Alpena: 2,724 barrels
Austin Brothers Beer Co. sold 2,724 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 59% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Alpena.
29. Greenbush Brewing, Sawyer: 2,700 barrels
Greenbush Brewing Co. sold 2,700 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up down 39% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Sawyer, south of Benton Harbor/St. Joseph.
30. Wolverine State Brewing, Ann Arbor: 2,453 barrels
Wolverine State Brewing Co. sold 2,453 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 2% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Ann Arbor.
31. Witch's Hat Brewing, South Lyon: 2,293 barrels
Witch's Hat Brewing Co. sold 2,293 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 10% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in South Lyon.
32. Ellison Brewery & Spirits, East Lansing: 2,287 barrels
Ellison Brewery & Spirits sold 2,287 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 44% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in East Lansing.
33. Stormcloud Brewing, Frankfort: 2,254 barrels
Stormcloud Brewing Co. sold 2,254 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 75% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Frankfort near Sleeping Bear Dunes.
34. The Mitten Brewery, Grand Rapids: 2,201 barrels
The Mitten Brewing Co. sold 2,201 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 61% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is headquartered in Grand Rapids. It also has locations in Northport and Saugatuck.
35. Mountain Town Brew, Mount Pleasant: 2,200
Mountain Town Brew sold 2,200 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 20% compared to 2017. The business has a microbrewery and a brewpub in Mount Pleasant.
36. Dragonmead, Warren: 2,092 barrels
Dragonmead sold 2,092 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 16% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Warren.
37. Big Lake Brewing, Holland: 2,064 barrels
Big Lake Brewing sold 2,064 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 126% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Holland.
38. Lansing Brewing, Lansing: 2,016 barrels
Lansing Brewing Co. sold 2,061 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 18% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Lansing.
39. Elk Brewing, Comstock Park: 1,887 barrels
Elk Brewing sold 1,887 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 53% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and has locations in Comstock Park and Grand Rapids.
40. Kuhnhenn Brewing, Warren: 1,843 barrels
Kuhnhenn Brewing Co. sold 1,843 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 21% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and has locations in Clinton Township and Warren.
41. Ore Deck Brewing, Marquette: 1,631 barrels
Ore Dock Brewing Co. sold 1,631 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 7% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Marquette.
42. Round Barn Taproom, Baroda: 1,578 barrels
Round Barn Taproom sold 1,578 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 6% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Baroda, south of Benton Harbor/St. Joseph.
43. One Well Brewing, Kalamazoo: 1,569 barrels
One Well Brewing sold 1,569 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 42% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Kalamazoo.
44. Midland Brewing, Midland: 1,422 barrels
Midland Brewing Co. sold 1,422 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 52% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Midland.
45. Granite City Restaurants, metro Detroit: 1,409 barrels
Granite City Restaurants sold 1,409 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 3% compared to 2017. The businesshas brewpubs in Detroit, Northville and Troy.
46. Tapistry Brewing, Bridgman: 1,330 barrels
Tapistry Brewing sold 1,330 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 3% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Bridgman, south of Benton Harbor/St. Joseph.
47. Grand River Brewery, Jackson: 1,310
Veritas Vineyard operates the Grand River Brewery in Jackson and Marshall, and also has Veritas Vineyard in Brooklyn. The company sold 1,310 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 41% compared to 2017.
48. Gonzo's Bigg Dogg Brewing, Kalamazoo: 1,066
Gonzo's Bigg Dogg Brewing sold 1,066 barrels of beer in Michigan in 2018, up 4% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Kalamazoo.
49. Rockford Brewery, Rockford: 1,066 barrels
Rockford Brewing sold 1,066 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, up 76% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a microbrewery and is located in Rockford.
50. Grizzly Peak Brewery, Ann Arbor: 1,006 barrels
Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. sold 1,006 barrels of its own beer in Michigan in 2018, down 15% compared to 2017. The business is licensed as a brewpub and is located in Ann Arbor.