Michigan beer and wine distributors team up with public universities for football stadium alcohol sales

September 23, 2024

Second year of Spartan Stadium alcohol sales expected to increase revenues, boost local economy

EAST LANSING, Mich. – This football season, public university stadiums across Michigan, including Spartan Stadium, will once again offer alcohol sales. Allowing fans to enjoy alcoholic beverages while cheering on their teams will provide an additional revenue stream for universities.

 

Michigan’s beer and wine distributors are actively supporting this new sales opportunity by delivering a variety of quality beverage options for fans to enjoy at stadiums across the state.

 

“We're excited to be part of this new era for college football in Michigan,” said A.J. Mathews, president of West Side Beer Distributing. “This unique opportunity allows us to support public universities' athletic programs while ensuring fans can enjoy the game in a safe and responsible way.”

 

With locations in Lansing, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Romulus, West Side Beer Distributing is among the distributors supplying fan-favorite beverages to Spartan Stadium at Michigan State University and Waldo Stadium at Western Michigan University.

 

“I'm proud to have sponsored legislation that allows our public universities to enhance the game-day experience for fans while increasing revenue that can be reinvested in academic and athletic programs,” said State Sen. Sean McCann, D-Kalamazoo. “This law is a win for universities, students and our local economies.”

 

“Offering alcohol sales at public university stadiums creates new opportunities for us to connect with our community and showcase Michigan’s vibrant beer culture,” said Jim Warbritton, president of Rave Associates Inc. “We’re eager to contribute to making game days even more enjoyable for fans.”

 

Rave Associates Inc., based in Ann Arbor, is among the distributors providing beverages to the Big House at the University of Michigan.

 

With the fall football season in full swing, fans can look forward to an exciting experience that supports local economies and our state’s thriving beer industry.

 

This law allowing alcohol sales in college stadiums highlights the ways lawmakers can work with the industry, including the MB&WWA, to craft policy that responsibly expands consumer access to their favorite beverages.

 

This Dropbox folder has access to additional photos, including Spartan Stadium.

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).