Imperial Beverage brings Big Lake Sparti Parti to Spartan Stadium

September 19, 2023

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Imperial Beverage, Michigan’s leading independent craft beer distributor, today announced a new partnership with Michigan State University to sell Big Lake Brewing’s signature Sparti Parti IPA at Spartan Stadium during the 2023 football season.


Sparti Parti is among Big Lake Brewing’s signature, best-selling hazy IPAs. With crisp pine notes and a deep citrus finish, Sparti Parti is an extremely pleasant, sessionable beer, ideal for tailgating or sipping during a Spartan football game.


“Sparti Parti has been a mainstay product for years for thousands of Spartans across Michigan, and we are thrilled to have it be among the first beers welcomed into Spartan Stadium and enjoyed by their enthusiastic fans,” said Barry Galgoci, general manager of Imperial Beverage.


In late July, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill allowing alcohol sales at Michigan’s 15 public universities' football, hockey, and basketball games. Sales are permitted at select games at each university’s discretion an hour before kickoff, at puck drop and at tipoff, and during games.


This year, Big Lake Brewing is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Their beers are all products of the Great Beer State – inspired by and enjoyed by thousands at and around some of Michigan’s greatest landmarks, including Michigan State University. This dedication to our state’s culture has built Big Lake Brewing’s brand over the past decade.

To learn more about Sparti Parti, follow Big Lake's social media platforms.


Website: Learn more at http://biglakebrewing.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biglakebrewing/?hl=en

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/biglakebrewing


About Imperial Beverage

Imperial Beverage is a long-standing member of the Michigan beverage distribution community. Established in 1933 after the repeal of Prohibition and purchased by Kalamazoo’s Cekola family in 1984, Imperial has grown from a one-county beer distributor to a top 10 statewide beer, wine and spirits wholesaler. With 340 employees and four locations in Kalamazoo, Livonia, Traverse City and Ishpeming, Imperial provides statewide coverage that serves every Michigan county, every week, all year long. Learn more at imperialbeverage.com.


About Big Lake Brewing

Big Lake Brewing is one of Michigan’s leading craft breweries, with distribution across the state. Located on 7th Street in downtown Holland, Michigan, the taproom has 26 taps, always filled with a variety of handcrafted beers created by a passionate team of brewers. Big Lake also offers a full lunch and dinner menu with a Dutch spin. Learn more at biglakebrewing.com.

Detroit News: Celebrating Michigan’s Family-Owned Beer and Wine Distributors

By Rebecca Stow • June 23, 2026
On June 23, National Family-Owned and Operated Businesses Day offers an opportunity to recognize the local companies that form the backbone of Michigan’s economy. Among them are the state’s beer and wine distributors—independent, family-owned businesses that have been serving their communities for decades. These are multigenerational operations rooted in Michigan communities, where leadership is often passed from one generation to the next. Their longevity reflects not only business success, but a deep commitment to the people and places they serve. When I began my work with the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association two decades ago, the industry looked very different. Today, Michigan consumers enjoy an unprecedented variety of choices, supported by advanced logistics, compliance systems, and strong retail partnerships. That evolution has been driven in large part by family-owned distributors who continue to invest in their people, infrastructure and communities. Their local ownership gives them a unique understanding of the retailers and consumers they serve. It also means decisions are made with a long-term perspective—focused not just on growth, but on sustainability and community impact. Thoughtful alcohol policy helps ensure a fair and competitive marketplace, protects public health and safety, and allows businesses of all sizes to thrive. By maintaining strong relationships with lawmakers and industry partners, Michigan’s beer and wine distributors have helped modernize laws while preserving the structure and accountability of the proven three-tier system. As we recognize family-owned businesses across the state this June, it is worth celebrating the role Michigan’s beer and wine distributors have played for decades and will continue to play in the years ahead. Their strength lies not only in their ability to adapt, but in the values that have guided them from the beginning: local ownership, strong relationships, and a commitment to doing business the right way. Spencer Nevins is president of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association in Lansing.

Mid-Michigan beer distributor celebrates 65 years in business, three generations of family leadership

By Rebecca Stow • May 4, 2026
OWOSSO, Mich. – Main Beverage Company marks 65 years in business this year, celebrating three generations of family leadership and a legacy rooted in mid-Michigan.

Ypsilanti beer distributor partners on limited-edition release for Ann Arbor Summer Festival

By Rebecca Stow • April 14, 2026
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Local, family-owned beer distributor O&W Inc. in Ypsilanti is celebrating its collaboration with Michigan-based Griffin Claw Brewing Company to develop a limited-edition Session IPA for the upcoming Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF).