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As we all continue to adjust to the ever-changing environment that COVID-19 has presented us with, the thriving craft beer scene in Michigan continues to chug along.
Now, after more than three months of adjusting and adapting, the craft beer experience is still alive and well, although it looks a bit different for craft beer enthusiasts. Some of the changes include limiting indoor spaces to 50% capacity, maintaining a distance of six feet for customers and employees, creating distance between tables, employees wearing face coverings at all times, and customers wearing face coverings at all times except while seated.
While similar regulations have been in place for other businesses that had opened in earlier phases, these guidelines are new for visitors to breweries in Michigan. We’re all learning to form new habits. To assist with this, breweries are making sure consumers are aware of the new guidelines before even entering—with signage reminding of the need to wear masks, and easily accessible hand sanitizer.
“People are still getting used to things. Putting on a mask before you stand up from a table is not muscle memory for most consumers,” said Lark Carlyle Ludlow, owner of Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub. “But, for the most part, our customers have been eager to do their part. We do not really see defiance against the new rules. It’s more of a challenge with people just forgetting to put their mask on when they get up from their table. Our staff is quick to remind them, in a friendly manner.”
“Our thing is safety first,” explains Andrew Kidwell-Brix, co-founder of Earthen Ales in Traverse City. “As a brewery, we are always focused on sanitation and cleanliness anyway. It’s just dealing with something that is airborne that we all needed to learn about and adapt to. We want all of our customers to know that we value their business, and therefore will be enforcing all of the Governor’s guidelines strictly, in order to keep them safe and their craft beer experience enjoyable.”
“As rules and guidelines have continued to evolve and change, we’ve had to have a strong ability to be nimble,” says Chris Owens, assistant GM at Atwater Brewery & Taphouse in Detroit. “Every week presents a new challenge! It’s the new normal. To stay on top of it, we have been operating 30-day plans, and then our management team sits down to plan the next 30 days. It allows us to adjust our processes and keeps things flowing.”
Michigan breweries worked very hard to get through the shutdown and are excited as consumers continue to return to their taprooms. They continue to work toward making sure the experience is just as socially enjoyable for the consumer as it has always been.
“You can still have a great craft beer experience while social distancing,” claims Kidwell-Brix. “It’s a different experience—but that doesn’t mean it’s any worse, or any better. It’s just different.”
The experience is different indeed, but it’s still a fun experience, and the beer is just as great!
MICHIGAN BREWERIES KEEP CRAFT BEER A SOCIAL EXPERIENCE—AT A DISTANCE
By Erik Budrakey
You can still have a great craft beer experience while social distancing. It’s a different experience—but that doesn’t mean it’s any worse, or any better. It’s just different.
— Andrew Kidwell-Brix
Co-founder of Earthen Ales
As we all continue to adjust to the ever-changing environment that COVID-19 has presented us with, the thriving craft beer scene in Michigan continues to chug along.
Now, after more than three months of adjusting and adapting, the craft beer experience is still alive and well, although it looks a bit different for craft beer enthusiasts. Some of the changes include limiting indoor spaces to 50% capacity, maintaining a distance of six feet for customers and employees, creating distance between tables, employees wearing face coverings at all times, and customers wearing face coverings at all times except while seated.
While similar regulations have been in place for other businesses that had opened in earlier phases, these guidelines are new for visitors to breweries in Michigan. We’re all learning to form new habits. To assist with this, breweries are making sure consumers are aware of the new guidelines before even entering—with signage reminding of the need to wear masks, and easily accessible hand sanitizer.
“People are still getting used to things. Putting on a mask before you stand up from a table is not muscle memory for most consumers,” said Lark Carlyle Ludlow, owner of Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub. “But, for the most part, our customers have been eager to do their part. We do not really see defiance against the new rules. It’s more of a challenge with people just forgetting to put their mask on when they get up from their table. Our staff is quick to remind them, in a friendly manner.”
“Our thing is safety first,” explains Andrew Kidwell-Brix, co-founder of Earthen Ales in Traverse City. “As a brewery, we are always focused on sanitation and cleanliness anyway. It’s just dealing with something that is airborne that we all needed to learn about and adapt to. We want all of our customers to know that we value their business, and therefore will be enforcing all of the Governor’s guidelines strictly, in order to keep them safe and their craft beer experience enjoyable.”
“As rules and guidelines have continued to evolve and change, we’ve had to have a strong ability to be nimble,” says Chris Owens, assistant GM at Atwater Brewery & Taphouse in Detroit. “Every week presents a new challenge! It’s the new normal. To stay on top of it, we have been operating 30-day plans, and then our management team sits down to plan the next 30 days. It allows us to adjust our processes and keeps things flowing.”
Michigan breweries worked very hard to get through the shutdown and are excited as consumers continue to return to their taprooms. They continue to work toward making sure the experience is just as socially enjoyable for the consumer as it has always been.
“You can still have a great craft beer experience while social distancing,” claims Kidwell-Brix. “It’s a different experience—but that doesn’t mean it’s any worse, or any better. It’s just different.”
The experience is different indeed, but it’s still a fun experience, and the beer is just as great!
MICHIGAN BREWERIES KEEP CRAFT BEER A SOCIAL EXPERIENCE—AT A DISTANCE
By Erik Budrakey
You can still have a great craft beer experience while social distancing. It’s a different experience—but that doesn’t mean it’s any worse, or any better. It’s just different.
— Andrew Kidwell-Brix
Co-founder of Earthen Ales
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To advertise or update your information, please contact us at mibrewtrail@hearst.com.
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MIBREW TRAIL EXCLUSIVE
COMMUNITY BOARD, SPRING 2021
MIBREW TRAIL EXCLUSIVE
COMMUNITY BOARD, SPRING 2021