The innovators and the risk takers. The hard workers and the crafty creators. The maestros of marketing and the brilliance of bartenders. All of this mix and much more—such as sweat, blood, restless nights and some tears—goes into creating a successful business and brand in Michigan’s booming craft beer industry.  That’s why your friends at …

Best Beer Selection   Winner: Rustic Leaf Brewing Company rusticleafbrewingcompany.com 7200 Highland Rd, Waterford Twp, MI 48327   Finalists: Tri-City Brewing Company The Highway Brewing Company   Best Brewery   Winner: Rustic Leaf Brewing Company rusticleafbrewingcompany.com 7200 Highland Rd, Waterford Twp, MI 48327   Finalists: The Highway Brewing Company Tri-City Brewing Company   Best Brewery …

Best Beer Label   Winner: Pigeon Hill Brewing Company – No Diggnity pigeonhillbrew.com 895 4th St, Muskegon, MI 49440   Finalists: Rustic Leaf Brewing Co.  – Charles Von Streusel City Built Brewing Company   Best Beer Name   Winner: North Grove Brewers – Maria Has No Friends northgrovebrewers.com 8735 Water St, Montague, MI 49437   …

Best Beertender   Winner: The Highway Brewing Co. – Gail Kowalczyk highwaybrewingco.com 209 W Houghton Ave, West Branch, MI 48661   Finalists: Rustic Leaf Brewing Company – Jared Zoner Loaded Dice – Ben Lipinski   Best Chef   Winner: The Highway Brewing Co. – Brent Garrison highwaybrewingco.com 209 W Houghton Ave, West Branch, MI 48661 …

Best Amber   Winner: Rustic Leaf Brewing Co. – Rustic Leaf Amber rusticleafbrewingcompany.com 7200 Highland Rd, Waterford Twp, MI 48327   Finalists: Amber Ale – Bell’s Angry Bride – The Highway Brewing Company   Best Brown Ale   Winner: Rustic Leaf Brewing Co. – Charles Von Streusel rusticleafbrewingcompany.com 7200 Highland Rd, Waterford Twp, MI 48327 …

Best Beer Event/Festival   Winner: U.P. Beer Fest – Michigan Brewer’s Guild mibeer.com 120 N. Washington Sq, Ste 1050B Lansing, MI 48933   Finalists: Michigan Brewer’s Guild Summer Beer Fest Great Lakes Beer Festival   Best Beer Garden   Winner: Hop Lot Brewing Co. & Beer Garden hoplotbrewing.com 658 S W Bay Shore Dr, Suttons …

Best Craft Cocktail   Winner: The Highway Brewing Company – Firehouse Old Fashioned highwaybrewingco.com 209 W Houghton Ave, West Branch, MI 48661   Finalists: Redline Brewing Company Three Bridges Distillery & Taproom – Smoked Old Fashioned   Best Bourbon     Winner: Journeyman Distillery journeyman.com 109 Generations Dr, Three Oaks, MI 49128   Finalists: Detroit …

Best Hard Cider Winner: Tandem Ciders – Smackintosh tandemciders.com 2055 N Setterbo Rd, Suttons Bay, MI 49682   Finalists: Rustic Leaf Brewing Co. – Crisp Kringle East Channel Brewing Company   Best Hard Cidery Winner: Northern Natural Cider House & Winery nothernnaturalwinery.com 7220 Chief Rd, Kaleva, MI 49645   Finalists: Vander Mill Suttons Bay Ciders …

Best Appetizer   Winner: Kickstand Brewing Company – Beer Cheese Platter kickstandbrewingco.com 3050 Union Lake Rd #4a, Commerce Charter Twp, MI 48382   Finalists: River Trade Brewing – Roasted Goat Cheese Wolverine State Brewing – Pulled pork nachos   Best Burger   Winner: Kickstand Brewing Company kickstandbrewingco.com 3050 Union Lake Rd #4a, Commerce Charter Twp, …

We asked, and you answered… the results for our 2023 Best of the Best poll are finally in! Here’s the best of Michigan’s breweries, craft beers, wineries, and more, according to you, our readers. Breweries Craft Beer Ciders & Meads Distilleries & Wineries Beer Destinations Brewery Cuisine Brewery People Brewery Marketing, Design & Education   …