Ask just about any beer drinker in the state and they will tell you their favorite Michigan brewery and craft beer. That's because our state has many high-quality breweries to choose from, often ranking high among all states for craft beer culture. But why? And how did it get like this? We break down Michigan's beer history.

Take our Michigan Beer Quiz to test your knowledge.

GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE:

Mickey Lyons, journalist, historian, and "barcheologist" 

Terry Rostic, founder of Black Calder Brewing Co.

Larry Bell, founder of Bell's Brewery

 

Got a home brewing story? Are you John Stroh? Have a question for On Hand? Submit here:
Online Submission Form
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

Ask just about any beer drinker in the state and they will tell you their favorite Michigan brewery and craft beer. That's because our state has many high-quality breweries to choose from, often ranking high among all states for craft beer culture. But why? And how did it get like this? We break down Michigan's beer history.
Take our <a href="https://app.grovecms.org/cms/content/edit.jsp?typeId=b8089fbc-e097-3d30-b014-97a1ffc56056&amp;id=0000019d-0b5e-dfd5-a3bd-ffff22690000">Michigan Beer Quiz</a> to test your knowledge.
GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE:
Mickey Lyons, journalist, historian, and "barcheologist"&nbsp;
Terry Rostic, founder of Black Calder Brewing Co.
Larry Bell, founder of Bell's Brewery
&nbsp;
Got a home brewing story? Are you John Stroh? Have a question for On Hand? Submit here:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li aria-level="1">Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org</li>
</ul>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Ever wondered why we call ourselves “Michiganders”? Or why we say “pop” instead of “soda”? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That’s why we’re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.

To share a story or submit your questions, head to michiganpublic.org/onhand

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

Ever wondered why we call ourselves &ldquo;Michiganders&rdquo;? Or why we say &ldquo;pop&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;soda&rdquo;? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.
To share a story or submit your questions, head to <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand">michiganpublic.org/onhand</a>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganpublic.org/podfund