Not everyone who has the perfect recipe for ribs should open their own restaurant, because there are so many different aspects to the whole dining arena. However, if you have what seems to be an award winning combination for your own microbrew there could be the beginnings of something really great out there for you.
If your friends love the beer you make at home and tell you that you should be selling it, or if you have ever considered the prospect of launching your own microbrewery — there’s a workshop to help focus that dream a bit next week.
The Women’s Business Center at Cornerstone Alliance will host the workshop, “What’s on Tap to Open a Microbrewery.” The Cornerstone folks have assembled a couple of highly successful brewers from our region, a couple of top flight financial experts and thrown in an attorney who specializes in liquor licensing issues and an expert from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission to help you sort through what it takes to get into the microbrewery business.
On Thursday, August 10th, the Hilton Garden Inn will play host to the Women’s Business Center’s expert panel to review multiple aspects of what it takes to advance a brewing passion to the next level — the professional level.
You’ll learn about financial, legal, licensing and other requirements involved in the system and take a look at the specifics involved in opening a craft brewhouse in Michigan’s Great Southwest. You’ll also hear from existing microbrew business owners along the Southwest Michigan Makers Trail willing to share their experiences in the burgeoning industry.
Immediately following the workshop you will be invited to a tasting event hosted by the Hilton Garden Inn to sample local beers and mingle with the brewers.
The 4-hour afternoon event runs Thursday, August 10th from 1pm to 5pm at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 1300 Cinema Way in Benton Harbor. Cost is just $25, and you will have access to the following workshop facilitators engaged in the event:
- Simon Rusk – The Livery in Benton Harbor
- Chris Mason – Watermark Brewery in Stevensville
- Brian McMahon – Attorney at Law in St. Joseph
- Kurt Cox – Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC), from Grand Rapids
- Carrie Kosak – 1st Source Bank – South Bend
- Scott Geik – 1st Source Bank – St. Joseph
If you plan to attend, time is running short. The registration deadline is this Wednesday, August 3, 2017. You can register right now by clicking the link below or by calling Dubelsa Mata-Garcia at 269.925.6100. Here’s the direct link:
