Is Kalamazoo at its saturation point for local breweries?
Encore Magazine examined that question and concluded "not yet."
Staff writer Tiffany Fitzgerald wrote the article for January's edition, Beer, Beer Everywhere. She told WMUK's Gordon Evans that there is some concern at the national level that growth may slow down soon. But Fitzgerald says there is optimism among brewers in the Kalamazoo area. She says business groups and observers believe there is room for more growth.
Fitzgerald says the various breweries appeal to different types of customers. That may depend on whether there is live music, and if food is served. Fitzgerald says food is one of the keys. She says there's always room for another restaurant, but she there's always the caveat that it has to be a good restaurant. Fitzgerald says that also applies to beer.
While there is competition among the brewers, Fitzgerald says they also bring beer drinkers into town. She says Southwest Michigan First and Discover Kalamazoo are working on ways to market the concentration of breweries. Fitzgerald says Bell's has been a tourist destination for a while. She says there is an opportunity to market Kalamazoo as a place to visit multiple breweries.
