By Kristia Postma
West Michigan is celebrated nationally for its breweries.
From the lakeshore breweries that line the coast of Lake Michigan to the downtown breweries that have made Grand Rapids the self-proclaimed “Beer City USA,” breweries are a staple of West Michigan.
Last year was difficult for West Michigan breweries.
Two of them, Tibbs Brewing Co. in Kalamazoo and Craft Beer Cellar in Grand Rapids, closed permanently as the COVID-19 pandemic hurt them financially.
But state grants are helping keep other breweries open.
Osgood Brewing in Grandville has suffered from a lack of sales brought on by the pandemic, owner Ronald Denning said. The company received a $15,000 Michigan Economic Development Corp., a government agency that helps businesses grow through investment in businesses and communities.