And the winner of $50,000 is...

Andy Thomas, Starving Artist Brewing!

Thomas is the winner of the inaugural Mason County Momentum Business Plan Competition. His "nanobrewery" beat out four other competitors to win $50,000, which will be used to grow his business in Mason County.

A long-time craft beer enthusiast, Thomas has a wide variety of experience working in the industry including stints at the Jamesport Brewing Company, being certified as a craft beer judge, and as the founder of a local home brew club.

Thomas currently operates a small-batch brewery on his home property in Scottville, where he brews a handful of rotating beers for local distribution as well as contract brews for two Ludington restaurants. His business model is focused on controlled growth. He says  phase one of his business plan has been based on generating local sales through kegging, for which the demand is already exceeding supply,

The winning pitch as delivered by Thomas was focused on launching phase two of his business plan, which includes purchasing additional brewing equipment, building out addition space, and expanding distribution beyond Mason County. Thanks to a partnership with Grand Rapids-based Alliance Beverage Distributing, Starving Artist will be able to sell beer from Kalamazoo to Traverse City, and as far east as Lansing once he builds capacity.

Thomas is very optimistic about his business and the burgeoning craft beer scene in Mason County and has plans for growth beyond phase two. "Once our recipes are solid and our fan base is strong, we plan to expand into bottling and canning."  

Although Starving Artist Brewery is not a brew pub the brewery is open for tours by appointment. Call 231-794-1399 and leave a message. "People are always welcome to stop by. Just let us know when they are in the area so we can set some time aside,‚Äù says Thomas.  

The brewery is located at 624 S. Stiles, Ludington. Thomas also owns and operates the Ludington art gallery A.M. Galleries, hence the moniker Starving Artist.

To keep up with the latest for Starving Artist Brewery, follow their Facebook page here.

Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs news editor