The Michigan Craft Beverage Council has announced that nine projects will receive funding through its 2021 research grant program.

MCBC recommended more than $274,000 in project support for research into agricultural inputs of craft beer, spirits, wine and hard cider. Four of the proposals selected are continuation projects from the 2020 grant program for additional research. In total, MCBC’s competitive grant program received 17 applications requesting more than $540,000.

“Michigan has become a national powerhouse in the craft beverage industry,” says Gary McDowell, chair of the Michigan Craft Beverage Council. “We’re innovative, trendsetting and unmatched in the diversity and quality of our products. These grants were established with the sole purpose of keeping Michigan’s craft beverage industry among the most elite in the world, and this latest round will help ensure we do just that.”

The 2021 research grants align with the research priorities of the council: climate change impacts; crop quality, including pest and disease management and soil health; and new varieties of hops, fruit, barley, rye and other agricultural inputs used in craft beverage production.

Projects selected for 2021 research funding include:

At the close of the grant cycle, final reports will be posted to the council’s website research database. The new database is designed to contain research funded through the Michigan Craft Beverage Council and the former program, the Michigan Grape & Wine Industry Council.

Searchable by keyword, author, year, category and crop, the database is designed to make the research of the council easily accessed by industry members.

For more information about the Michigan Craft Beverage Council, including grants, grower connections, business support and a map of craft beverage licensees, visit michigancraftbeverage.com.

Source: MCBC, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.