March 2026
Join industry colleagues at the Michigan Craft Beverage Summit in Muskegon from March 23 to 25, 2026. This conference blends wineries, breweries, distilleries, cideries, farmers, maltsters, regional and statewide resource partners, and more!
The conference hotel is conveniently on-site with the conference center. Rooms reserved under the conference block are $149/night if you book by this Thursday, March 5. As a bonus, the hotel and convention center offer free parking!
Additional Summit Information:
- Registered attendees can opt-in to meet directly with retail and restaurant buyers in coordinated one-on-one meetings at the Summit.
- Local craft beverage businesses welcome all guests on Monday, March 23 for early registration. These businesses include Pigeon Hill Brewing Co., Wonderland Distilling, Blue Lake Biergarten, and Unruly Brewing.
- Visit the exhibit hall featuring Michigan-based suppliers and service providers.
View all details and sign up at the Michigan Craft Beverage Summit website.
Craft beverage companies registered for the Michigan Craft Beverage Summit are encouraged to apply for the buyer/supplier matchmaking event taking place on Wednesday afternoon, March 25. This event is an excellent opportunity to get products in front of restaurant and retail buyers! The deadline for applying with a chance to participate is March 11. Application does not guarantee meetings with buyers. There is no additional cost to participate in this event.
Supplier Application (participation requires paid conference registration).
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced that it will accept applications for Underserved, Value-Added, Regional Food Systems and Supply Chain Grants now through 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
This MDARD grant program supports value-added agricultural processing businesses and community organizations, including traditionally underserved groups, as they:
- Expand value-added agriculture production and processing
- Enhance regional food systems
- Develop supply chains
- Promote access to healthy foods
The maximum grant award is $100,000 per proposal. Applicants must provide a 30 percent match or a reduced 15 percent match available for underserved entities; self-certification is required for underserved applicants.
The grant proposals will be evaluated through a competitive selection process. Applicants must outline in their applications how the project will impact and produce measurable outcomes for Michigan’s food and agriculture industry.
All applications for Underserved, Value-Added, Regional Food Systems and Supply Chain Grants must be submitted through the MiAgGrants system. Interested applicants should visit the grant program webpage for additional details.
MDARD encourages prospective applicants to attend an informational webinar from 10 – 11:30 a.m. ET on March 11, 2026 via the Microsoft Teams virtual platform. Registration for the webinar is not required.
For more information about MDARD’s grant programs, visit the MDARD Grants webpage.
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Registration is open for Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition (GLINTCAP). The 20th anniversary of GLINTCAP will take place May 13-16 in Grand Rapids and will feature several style categories for commercial and non-commercial hard cider. The registration deadline is April 19.
Upcoming Cider Events:
Grand Rapids Cider Week - May 8-16
Come and experience all that Grand Rapids Cider Week has to offer. If you would like to participate, we would be happy to add your event to our calendar. Email Jeff Cottrell for more information.
Certified Pommelier Exam - May 13, 2026 9am
The American Cider Association is offering the Certified Pommelier Exam during GLINTCAP 2026. Click here for more information
GLINTCAP 20th Anniversary - May 13-16, 2026 You won’t want to miss out on this huge milestone celebration of the world’s largest cider competition! Now is the perfect time to start planning your entries and consider which team members you’ll be sending to judge or steward. Click here to register or volunteer.
Grand Rapids Cider Festival - May 16, 2026 3pm - 7pm Come and celebrate Michigan cider at this festival in Rosa Parks Circle. Interested volunteers are encouraged to contact Jeff Cottrell. Ticket information coming soon.
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The Michigan Wine Collaborative (MWC) is accepting entries for the fourth annual Taste Michigan Governor’s Cup Competition. This event represents Michigan’s only statewide, industry-driven wine competition and is an opportunity for the Michigan wine industry to unite, engage, compete, and celebrate the premium wines representative of our state.
The Competition will have the following award categories and corresponding 'Best of' awards:
- Vinifera Red
- Vinifera White
- Hybrid Red
- Hybrid White
- Fortified (Port)
- Sparkling
- Rosé
- Fruit
- Sweet/Dessert (R.S. ≥5%)
- Specialty Wine
Deadline for entry is March 6, 2026.
Learn more and submit entry forms.
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