Is Craft Brewing Michiana’s New Business?

As the Indiana State Fair kicks off, they’re trying something new this year…alcohol. After a longtime ban, you’ll be able to enjoy a cold one near the Midway. About 40 craft beer and wine companies will showcase local brews. Michiana has its fair share of new craft breweries. So we wondered…is craft beer Michiana’s new big business?

“We get a lot of ‘wow’ from guests. When they first walk in it’s just like ‘WOW!’,” said Shawn Erickson, General Manager of Mishawaka’s Evil Czech Brewery.

Evil Czech is coming up on six months since it opened.

“We’ve been busy since we opened our doors,” said Scott Ciampa, ECB’s Head Brewer.

And ECB isn’t alone. New craft breweries are seeing success all over Michiana. In fact, South Bend Brew Werks is about to open up in downtown South Bend. So what is it about Michiana that’s attracting the brewing business?

“There’s just not a whole lot besides chains to go to so that’s what makes this area so beneficial is when you offer something so different than what everyone else in Grape Road is offering it becomes more of a ‘wow, we got to check that out’,” Erickson said.

President of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce Kyle Hannon says craft brewing is taking off in Elkhart too…the city…now home to New Paradigm Brewing and Iechyd Da Brewing Company.

“It was wanted by the community and I think the success of them is evidence of that,” Hannon said.

The brewing boom we’re seeing in Michiana is taking place across the country. The Brewers’ Association found in the first half of 2014, there’s been an 18% increase in craft beer production from last year.

But operating any kind of restaurant business isn’t easy. Hannon says about six years ago Elkhart had a restaurant called Mad Anthony’s that sold craft beer…it failed.

“It’s hard to make sure you have the right help, to make sure you pass all the Health Department requirements,” Hannon said.

He says, though, the new craft breweries are doing well, possibly because they’re benefiting from competition for good employees. He says the brew shops are even bringing tourists to the area, but he can’t envision it as the craft brewing capital of the world yet. Erickson says he can.

“What will really change it is a brewery that really starts producing and distributing across different states that will really make Michiana more of a brewing hub,” Erickson said.

But for now he’s got some other things to worry about.

“I mean, our concern is where do we put people right now,” Erickson said.

Take a look at the map to the right to find Michiana craft breweries. Don’t see your favorite. Let us know on Facebook and we’ll add it!