When WhichCraft Taproom first opened in Downtown Midland, wife and husband Sharon and Richard Caldwell set out to prove that craft beer wasn’t just a fad.
Five years later and the Caldwells have proven just that. WhichCraft Taproom has established itself as a go-to destination for not just Michigan’s craft beer industry, but also Michigan ciders, wines, meads, spirits and cocktails.
WhichCraft celebrated its five years with a party in late September, hosting a tap takeover with a brewery they’ve had a long-time working relationship with, Short’s Brewing Company in the northern Michigan town of Bellaire. The tap takeover featured a different Short’s beer on each of WhichCraft's 40 taps.
The taproom also treated its employees with a trip to Short’s brewing facility, with the team getting the chance to brew their own custom beer.
"We have the best crew in the industry," Richard says. "They know the ins and outs of craft beer very well."
When WhichCraft first opened downtown, the Caldwells say that there weren’t many options for craft beer in Midland. They found a niche and filled it. WhichCraft chose beer over sports, Richard says, and the move has since paid off.
The Taproom also offers a full menu, with a focus on Michigan food vendors, and features appetizers, shareable plates, soups, salads, paninis, wraps, and more.
The Caldwells have watched downtown grow around them, noting recent residential developments and improvements to the streetscape as examples.
"We always wanted to be downtown. Craft beer is artisan-made, not mass-produced, just like downtown. There’s a history here," Sharon says.
"Our building used to be a livery stable, it has a story. Just like craft beer. Nothing here is mass-produced."
WhichCraft Taproom is located at 124 Ashman St. in Downtown Midland.
Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.