In Michigan, There Is Beer, And It’s Big Business

If you picked up a six pack of your favorite beer or plan to visit one of Michigan’s growing list of microbreweries, you may be focused on the refreshing taste instead of what beer means to the state economy. But beer is big business in Michigan, with an annual economic impact of more than $10.5 billion in 2016, according to a new report released this week.

The report, issued by the National Beer Wholesalers Association and Beer Institute and based on data from Beer Serves America, says the state’s beer industry is flourishing.

“Michigan’s independent, locally owned beer distributors strive to support small businesses, like craft brewers and local retailers, and help them grow and thrive on a level playing field,” Spencer Nevins, president of the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association, said in a news release.

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“This new data shows that Michigan’s beer industry is flourishing, and the state’s beer distributors are proud to play a role in its ongoing success,” Nevins said.

Beer distributors alone employ 4,752 people and have a direct economic impact of more than $860 million. Statewide, about 66,400 jobs are associated with the beer industry.

“Michigan’s beer distributors have deep roots in their communities and are proud to hire locally to fill jobs that pay well with good benefits,” Nevins said. “Thanks to Michigan’s beer distributors, our state is a top five beer producer in the country and is poised to keep growing through a system that promotes fairness and a level playing field.”

The state’s entire beer industry, which includes brewers, distributors, retailers and supporting industries like agriculture, transportation and manufacturing, pumped more than $10.5 billion into Michigan’s economy in 2016.

Economic impact and jobs created by congressional district in 2016:

• 1st District (Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet)): $846,267,600, 6,080 jobs
• 2nd District (Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland): $725,450,600, 4,794 jobs
• 3rd District (Justin Amash, R-Cascade Township): $980,801,600, 5,677 jobs
• 4th District (John Moolenaar, R-Midland): $517,780,900, 4,261 jobs
• 5th District (Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township): $452,319,700, 3,798 jobs
• 6th District (Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph): $1,008,303,100, 5,490 jobs
• 7th District (Tim Walberg,R-Tipton): $713,795,700, 4,733 jobs
• 8th District (Mike Bishop, R-Rochester): $525,299,000, 4,706 jobs
• 9th District (Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak): $524,004,000, 4,749 jobs
• 10th District (Paul Mitchell, R-Thomas Township): $445,285,000, 3,469 jobs
• 11th District (Dave Trott, R-Birmingham): $901,576,800, 6,217 jobs
• 12th District (Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn): $568,181,600,4,587 jobs
• 13th District (John Conyers, D-Detroit): $450,780,500, 3,312 jobs
• 14th District (Brenda Lawrence, D-Southfield): $629,852,100, 4,526 jobs

Want to drill down a bit more? You can look by state Senate and state House district, too.

(Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images News/Getty Images)