Michigan Craft Beverage Research Database

The Michigan Craft Beverage Council is eager to share the research that it supports in order to inform the work of our agricultural producers. Use this tool to find past research on topics such as wine grapes, hop production, invasive pests, new varieties, and weather tracking. The Michigan Craft Beverage Council is always evaluating research priorities to stay ahead of the game. Participate in our survey or email the council your research idea. We value your opinion and welcome your feedback.

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Year	Title / Author	Crop	Beverage	Media
2025	Investigating Michigan Grain Terroir: Evaluation of Michigan Grain Varieties via Determination by HPLC by Nicole Shriner This project characterized Michigan-grown corn and rye varieties by quantifying total and individual phenolic acids—key flavor precursors in distilled and brewed beverages. A reproducible extraction method was developed and optimized for free, bound and total ...	Grain, Rye	Beer, Spirits	PDF
2025	Alternative Corn Varieties for the Michigan Craft Distilling Industry by Brook Wilke, James DeDecker, Nicole Shriner, Maninder Singh In 2024-2025, our team received support from the Michigan Craft Beverage Council to continue investigating alternative corn varieties for Michigan distillers, with the goal of identifying unique varieties of corn suited to Michigan’s climate and with favorable...	Corn, Grain	Spirits	PDF
2025	Field susceptibility trial of cider apple cultivars to bitter rot and black rot by George Sundin, Kristi G. MacCready Fruit rots impact the supply of dessert and cider apples for Michigan’s cider industry. There is almost no information available on the susceptibility of cider apple cultivars to fruit rot infection, and little information on fungicide control. However, effect...	Apples, Fruit	Cider	PDF
2025	Developing Quality Analysis Protocols for Non-Barley Grains Used in Craft Beverages by James DeDecker, Harmonie Bettenhausen Increasingly, non-barley grains are in demand by maltsters, brewers, and distillers seeking to create innovative, differentiated products that appeal to a wider base of consumers. Application of grain and malt quality testing protocols designed for malting bar...	Grain, Malt	Beer, Spirits	PDF
2024	Craft Beverage Wastewater Vermifiltration Study A pilot test was conducted to assess the wastewater treatment efficacy of vermifiltration on craft beverage processing wastewater. Vermifiltration utilizes the symbiotic relationship between worms and microorganisms in soils to treat wastewater. Applicability ...	Water		PDF
2024	Wastewater Characterization of Craft Beverage Industries in Michigan A variety of producers through the craft beverage industry were selected to have their wastewater sampled throughout the grant period and compiled into a database for use by other craft beverage processors. Data is available for winery, brewery, cidery, and di...	Water		PDF
2023	Evaluation of Corn Varieties for the Michigan Craft Distilling Industry by Brook Wilke In 2023-24, our team received support from the Michigan Craft Beverage Council to continue investigating alternative corn varieties for the Michigan Craft Distilling Industry, with the goal of identifying open pollinated varieties of corn suited to Michigan wi...	Corn, Grain		PDF
2023	Field scale management of late season cluster rots to increase crop quality of Michigan wine grapes by Timothy Miles The sour rot complex initiates on berries when wounds are infected by yeast and bacteria. The bacteria and yeast convert fruit sugars into acetic acid and other metabolites which attract insects including vinegar flies. The insects cause further damage to the ...	Grapes	Wine	PDF
2023	Investigation of apple fruit rot control and of the diversity of wild yeast populations on cider and dessert apple varieties and outcomes on fermentation by George Sundin Bitter rot, a fruit rot caused by multiple species of the fungus Colletotrichum, affect a reliable apple supply every season. There is little information on the susceptibility of hard cider apple cultivars to bitter rot infection, and little information on fun...	Apples, Fruit		PDF
2023	Monitoring Grape Growing Conditions in Charlevoix County The goals of the “Monitoring Grape Growing Conditions in Charlevoix County” project were to: 1. Provide sustainable weather-based information that helps wine grape and other fruit growers in Charlevoix County to make pest, plant production, and natural resourc...	Grapes		PDF
2022	Monitoring Statewide Grapevine Cold Hardiness Evaluations for Developing the Michigan Grapevine Cold Hardiness Model by Esmaeil Nasrollahiazar The Michigan wine industry's growth has significantly contributed to the state's economy. However, challenges such as cold hardiness impact grapevine survival and fruit quality. This report covers the first year of a five‐year project that aims to monitor gra...	Grapes		PDF
2022	Evaluating Terroir of Rye Whiskey in Michigan – Genotype x Environment by Brook Wilke What factors influence the flavor and quality of rye whiskey, particularly focusing on the contributions from rye grain? Our research over the past several years has identified that many factors are involved, including 1) variety, 2) weather (rainfall, tempera...	Grain, Rye		PDF
2022	Field scale management of late season cluster rots to increase crop quality of Michigan wine grapes by Timothy Miles Michigan vineyards are subject to a wide range of pests. Many of these can be effectively controlled each year through cultural and chemical methods, however our Michigan climate is highly conducive to cluster rots that can ruin an otherwise excellent crop. Mi...	Grapes	Wine	PDF
2022	Identify the optimum rate and timing of tiafenacil in Michigan hop yards Field trials were established to determine the optimum rate and timing of tiafenacil in hop at grower field in Benton Harbor, MI during spring 2022 and repeated in 2023 where plots received same treatments as previous year. The experiment was organized in a ra...	Hops	Beer	PDF
2022	Investigation of apple fruit rot control and of the diversity of wild yeast populations on cider and dessert apple varieties and outcomes on fermentation Bitter rot, a fruit rot caused by multiple species of the fungus Colletotrichum, affect a reliable apple supply every season. There is little information on the susceptibility of hard cider apple cultivars to bitter rot infection, and little information on fun...	Apples	Cider	PDF PDF
2022	Meeting Michigan Grape and Wine Industry's Educational Needs by Esmaeil Nasrollahiazar The wine industry in Michigan is experiencing significant growth, driven by factors such as climate change and an extended growing season. This expansion presents both opportunities and challenges for Michigan grape growers and winemakers. To sustain and enhan...	Grapes	Wine	PDF
2022	New Apple Varieties for Michigan Hard Cider Production by Steve Van Nocker The hard cider industry in Michigan and throughout the United States has been growing rapidly, and now represents a significant portion of the craft beverage sector. The highest quality hard ciders are made from specialized varieties of apple called cider appl...	Apples	Cider	PDF
2022	On-going Investigation of Winter Hardiness to Advance Winter Malting Barley as a Climate Adaptation Strategy in Michigan by James DeDecker In 2022-23, our team received support from Michigan Craft Beverage Council to continue investigating winter hardiness in malting barley as a climate adaptation strategy. We conducted a hybrid field and laboratory study to assess the interaction of winter barle...	Barley	Beer, Spirits	PDF
2022	Reducing fungicide inputs without sacrificing late season disease management and crop quality in Michigan hop and barley production by Martin Chilvers The craft beer industry is a critical part of Michigan’s economy and generates over 5,000 jobs and 2,598 million dollars. The major components of craft beer, barley and hops, are grown in Michigan. However, each crop suffers from late season diseases that affe...	Barley, Hops	Beer, Spirits
2022	Role of planting date and seeding rate in optimizing winter survival, yield, and quality of malting barley by Maninder Singh Although winter malting barley is of interest to Michigan farmers and maltsters, there are gaps in knowledge on agronomic management. The goal of this project was to evaluate the role of planting date and seeding rate in optimizing winter barley production. Va...	Barley		PDF
2022	Advancing Sterile Insect Technique in Codling Moth by Investigating Release and Capture Methods by Grieshop Hard cider production is a rapidly growing sector of the MI Craft Brewing industry that relies on MI apple production. Codling moth is the number one insect pest of apples worldwide with pest management traditionally accomplished with broad spectrum neurotoxic...	Apples	Cider	PDF
2022	Finding Solutions to Manage Plant-Parasitic pests of Michigan Hopyards by Quintanilla, Marisol, Darling, Ellie Worldwide, plant-parasitic nematodes are estimated to cause a loss of $157 billion annually (Singh et al., 2015). In a 1987 study conducted by the Society of Nematologists Crop Loss Assessment Committee, Michigan and South Carolina were the most consistent in ...	Hops	Beer	PDF
2021	Investigating Winter Hardiness to Advance Winter Malting Barley as a Climate Adaptation Strategy in Michigan by Dr. James DeDecker, Brook Wilke, Emily Merewitz-Holm, Nikhil Jaikumar, Christian Kapp, Josh Dykstra, Megan Gendjar, Dean Baas In 2020-21, our team received support from the Michigan Craft Beverage Council to investigate winter hardiness in malting barley to advance winter barley as a climate adaptation strategy. We conducted a hybrid field and laboratory study to assess the interacti...	Barley	Beer	PDF
2021	Diacetyl Production, Reduction and Control in Beers Brewed with Raspberries and Other Adjunct Sugar Sources by Nichole Shriner, Donald Morelli The usage of fruits in beers is one way that craft breweries in Michigan can create their individual identity while embracing Michigan made products. While fruits can be grown in many states, the climate, soil and growing methods vary based on location and thu...	Fruit	Beer	PDF
2021	Evaluation of Cereal Rye Varieties for the Michigan Craft Distilling Industry by Brook Wilke, Dean Baas Rye is commonly used as a cover crop by Michigan’s farmers, and variety selection is based on performance as a cover crop more so than grain quality. Thus, we know little about the grain quality of common or improved rye varieties as it relates to distilling, ...	Grain, Rye
2021	Finding Solutions to Manage Plant-Parasitic pests of Michigan Hopyards by Marisol Quintanilla Plant-parasitic nematodes, like the hop cyst nematode (Heterodera humuli), are understudied and likely posing a risk to worldwide hop production (Darling et al., 2022). Michigan hop growers often suffer from intense viral and fungal infections, insect and mite...	Hops		PDF
2021	Influence of cluster rot clots on the crop quality of wine grapes from Michigan vineyards by Timothy Miles Michigan vineyards are subject to a wide range of pests. Many of these can be effectively controlled each year through cultural and chemical methods, however our Michigan climate is highly conducive to cluster rots that can ruin an otherwise excellent crop. Mi...	Grapes	Wine	PDF
2021	Late Season Disease Management and its Effect on Michigan Hop and Barley Crop Quality by Martin Chilvers The craft beer industry is a critical part of Michigan’s economy, just in direct contributions alone, this industry accounts for over 5,000 jobs has 2,598 million dollars in economic output and there are 400 craft breweries within the state of Michigan. The tw...	Barley, Hops	Beer	PDF
2021	New Apple Varieties for Michigan Hard Cider Production by Steve Van Nocker The hard cider industry in Michigan and throughout the United States has been growing rapidly, and now represents a significant portion of the craft beverage sector. The highest quality hard ciders are made from specialized varieties of apple called cider appl...	Apples	Cider	PDF
2021	Role of planting date and seeding rate in optimizing winter survival, yield and quality of malting barley by Maninder Sin Although winter malting barley is of interest to Michigan farmers and maltsters, there are gaps in knowledge on agronomic management. The goal of this project is to evaluate the role of planting date and seeding rate in optimizing winter barley production. Var...	Barley, Malt		PDF
2021	Variety Selection and Nitrogen Application for Oat Malting Oats continue to gain in popularity among Craft Beverage producers. Traditionally used in oatmeal stouts (Great Britain) and Triples (Belgium), where they provide interesting and unique flavors and lend a soft, silky mouthfeel, oats today are used as flavor an...	Grain, Malt	Beer	PDF
2020	Berries & Brews: Understanding the Market and Technological Processing Opportunities of Michigan Grown Fruit in the Craft Beverage Industry by Momoko Tajiri Use of fruits in craft beverages seem to be on the rise to provide unique flavor and aroma profiles. In order to promote Michigan-grown fruits in the craft beverage industry, this project aimed to provide relevant data to help farmers and beverage makers be th...	Fruit	Spirits	PDF
2020	Developing integrated pest management approaches for sour rot control in Michigan vineyards by Timothy Miles, Martin Chilvers This project aims to reduce pesticide inputs and increase control for fruit rots, and thereby reduce pesticide residue and improve fruit quality used for Michigan wine.	Fruit, Grapes	Wine	PDF
2020	Development of Red-Juiced Apple Cultivars for Michigan Hard Cider by Amy Bane, Steven van Nocker Hard cider is a rapidly growing sector of the Michigan adult beverage industry. As the market begins to saturate, consumers will begin to gravitate towards novelty and specialty ciders. Some non-commercial apple cultivars produce red juice, and our preliminary...	Apples	Cider, Wine	PDF PDF
2020	Evaluation of Cereal Rye Varieties for the Michigan Craft Distilling Industry - year 1 by Dean Baas, Brook Wilke Agronomic survey data on rye is limited. Information on grain quality, spirit yield, and flavor of named rye varieties would be of great value to distillers and farmers, and potential for a direct connection between distillers and farmers would allow for rapid...	Grain, Rye	Spirits	PDF
2020	Fermented Beverage Analysis Lab at Michigan State University by Nicole Shriner In order to compete with national brands, Michigan products need to be of the highest quality and consistency. Quality control and quality assurance rely on data collection. However, sophisticated data collection is lacking due to expensive technology, as well...			PDF
2020	Grapevine Cold Hardiness: Integrating Environmetnal Cues and Vine Physiology by Paolo Sabbatini Winter damages in cold climate viticulture are a major concern for grape growers, as low temperatures can cause vine damage and yield losses. To increase cold hardness resistance in grapevines, the use of abscisic acid (ABA) has been proposed. ABA is a natural...	Fruit, Grapes		PDF
2020	Increasing Demand for Michigan's Emerging Hard Cider Industry Through Communication and Promotion by Steven Miller This research investigates the economic contributions of Michigan’s growing hard cider industry while accounting for substitution of competing products including beer, wine, hard seltzer, and mixed drinks. Discrete choice experiments were conducted to gauge re...	Apples	Cider	PDF
2020	Investigating the Terrior-Influenced Quality Attributes of Hops (humulus lupulus) by Robert Sirrine Organoleptic properties (sensory characteristics such as flavor and aroma) are key drivers of consumer demand for craft beer. This project utilized descriptive sensory and hop oil profile analysis to investigate the effects of growing location on hop brewing v...	Hops		PDF
2020	Optimizing fungicide inputs for disease management in barley and hops by Martin Chilvers, Timothy Miles The goal of this project is to continue to develop an infrastructure for control strategies for the most important diseases faced by growers contributing to Michigan's craft beverage industry under the state's growing conditions.	Barley, Hops	Beer, Spirits	PDF
2020	Role of Planting Date and Seeding Rate in Optimizing Winter Survival, Yield and Quality of Malting Barley by Maninderpal Singh Although winter malting barley is of interest to Michigan farmers and maltsters, there are gaps in knowledge on agronomic management. The goal of this project is to evaluate the role of planting date and seeding rate in optimizing winter barley production. Var...	Malt		PDF
2020	Variety Selection and Agronomy Practices for Soft Winter Wheat Malting by Dennis Pennington Craft brewing is a large and growing economic sector in Michigan, but the malting industry is held back by lack of a local supply of quality raw grains. Wheat beers already comprise an appreciable segment of craft beer production in Michigan and the U.S. Deman...	Grain, Malt	Beer	PDF
2019	Building infrastructure in hops and barley to conduct plant pathology research relevant to Michigan's beer industry” by Martin Chilvers, Timothy Miles Hop diseases can be difficult to diagnose and management requires a custom approach to each disease (Fig. 2). Michigan has a very different production climate than the majority of the nation’s current hop production. Consequently, much of the extension and res...	Barley, Hops	Beer	PDF
2019	Enhancing the Competitiveness of Michigan’s Newest American Viticulture Area by Increasing Consumer Engagement through Implementation of a Multi-Platform Social Media Campaign We engaged in a multi-platform Social Media Campaign to increase consumer awareness and importance of our new Brand, our new AVA and of cold climate grape varieties that grow in our region. We partnered with MyNorth Media. The Petoskey Wine Region benefitted f...	Apples, Grapes	Wine	PDF
2019	Michigan Grape Extension Programs to Support Vineyard Sustainability and Fruit Quality by Timothy Miles Establishing the best IPM practices in Michigan vineyards has been researched for a number ofyears and it constantly a moving target. This proposal aimed at developing extension materialsand delivery mechanisms that improve upon MSU’s outreach efforts in grape...	Grapes	Wine	PDF
2019	Michigan Pure-Red: Development of Red-Juiced Apple Cultivars for Michigan Hard Cider Production by Steven van Nocker Hard cider is a rapidly growing sector of the Michigan beverage industry, and novelty/specialty ciders are in demand. Some non-commercial apple cultivars produce red juice, and can be used to make excellent hard cider with an appearance similar to rose or red ...	Apples	Cider	PDF
2019	Parallel 45 Hosts Educational and Training Opportunities for Michigan's Grape & Wine Industry by Andy Fles Parallel 45 would like to offer increased depth of education by sponsoring events that feature nationally renowned resaerchers to peresent their findings in the following focus areas:1. Communicating fundamental knowledge and production principle practices2. V...	Apples, Fruit, Grapes	Cider, Wine	PDF
2019	Variety Selection and Agronomy Practices for Soft Winter Wheat Malting by Dennis Pennington, Dr. Eric Olson, Vince Coonce, Dave Dyson Craft brewing is a large and growing economic sector in Michigan, but the malting industry is held back by lack of a local supply of quality raw grains. Wheat beers already comprise an appreciable segment of craft beer production in Michigan and the U.S. Deman...	Grain	Beer, Spirits	PDF
2019	Investigating the terroir-influenced quality attributes of hops (Humulus lupulus) by J Robert Sirrine Research suggests that many factors influence hop aroma: genetics, environment, and production practices. Cultivar, alpha/beta acids, total oil, and Hop Storage Index are typical measures of hop quality; a key variable commonly omitted is geographic location/t...	Hops	Beer	PDF
2019	Evaluation of Cereal Rye Varieties for the Michigan Craft Distilling Industry by Dean Baas, Brook Wilke Rye is commonly used as a cover crop by Michigan’s farmers, and variety selection has been based on performance as a cover crop more so than grain quality. Thus, we know little about the grain quality of common or improved rye varieties as it relates to distil...	Grain, Rye	Beer, Spirits	PDF
2019	GRAPEVINE COLD HARDINESS: INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENTAL CUES AND VINE PHYSIOLOGY by Paolo Sabbatini Sustainability of Michigan grape industry is limited by climatic constraints, primarily freezing temperatures. In 2014-15, the two “polar vortex” caused $8 million losses to Michigan vineyards, causing a crop reduction up to 70% for major varieties grown in th...	Grapes	Wine	PDF
2019	Upcycling Brewing Spent Grain Waste into Value Added Commercial Ingredients of Practical Use to the Food and Beverage Industry by JPG Resources ISGPs were manufactured from BSGs sourced from Saugatuck Brewing Company’s Kalamazoo location, and were further processed in a stepwise process to dehydrate the ISGPs to low moisture food ingredients and key microbial and nutrient levels were tested. We were a...	Grain	Beer	PDF
2019	Pesticide Research for Sustainability in Michigan Vineyards We proposed to collect toxicity information for risk ranking of 71 ingredients in 59 pesticides for managing three diseases: grape berry moth, powdery mildew and downy mildew. We collected toxicity values for humans, fish, birds, bees, and other animals and in...	Grapes	Wine	PDF
2019	Treatment ofWinery Wastewater Using Bench-Scale Columns Simulating Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands with Adsorption Media by Katelyn Skornia Wastewater produced during the wine-making process often contains an order of magnitude greater chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration than is typical of domestic wastewater. This waste stream is also highly variable in flow and composition due to the seas...	Water		PDF