Michigan Brewers Tired of Paying for Wine Research
One reason that Michigan has such a robust wine industry is the money from non-retailer state license fees for breweries, distillers and wineries goes to fund the Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council. That funding brings in about $750,000 per year.
But now Michigan is growing about 400 acres of hops for beer. That’s small in comparison with the approximately 2,600 acres of grapes in Michigan, but the brewers appear to have a valid point. We No one likes to pay taxes and fees and get nothing in return.
See: Brewers Bemoan Paying Fees That Fund Wine Industry