Beer is a product that requires a lot of water, so efforts by craft breweries to support waterways just seems like a fair trade. Shoutout to Douglas, Michigan’s Saugatuck Brewing Co. (SBC), which is once again partnering with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to support habitat restoration efforts across the state via beer proceeds.
This announcement comes on the heels of a successful partnership between Saugatuck Brewing Company and the Michigan DNR through the Rainbow Rodeo IPA Program. From May through October 2024, the initiative raised $10,000 to support habitat restoration projects focused on Michigan’s trout population.
“Working alongside the Michigan DNR was an incredible experience and a true team effort,” said John Miller, CEO of Saugatuck Brewing Company. “Together, we raised not only funds but also awareness about the importance of protecting Michigan’s natural habitats.”
SBC is planning to extend the Lake Street Light x Lake Sturgeon Program to neighboring Great Lakes states, collaborating with other DNR agencies on lake sturgeon conservation and habitat restoration efforts across the region.
Lake Street Light promotion
Set to launch in April 2025, the Lake Street Light x Lake Sturgeon Program is a collaboration between SBC and the Michigan DNR designed to raise awareness and support the conservation of Michigan’s lake sturgeon population. A portion of proceeds from every Lake Street Light sold will be donated to DNR efforts aimed at restoring the lake sturgeon’s habitat and boosting its population.
The new light lager, Lake Street Light, is a crisp, refreshing brew with only 96 calories and 4% ABV, inspired by the beauty of Michigan’s lakes and waterways.
“Lake Street Light is more than just a beer—it’s a nod to Michigan’s wild heart,” said Sara Van Splinter, Director of Marketing at Saugatuck Brewing Company. “These shores, our ‘Lake Street,’ are home to countless species, and we’re proud to help protect one of them: the lake sturgeon, living fossils that have swum since the time of dinosaurs. This partnership with the Michigan DNR allows us to give back to the waters we love while sharing the story of these remarkable creatures.”
Why lake sturgeon?
Lake sturgeon are critical to Michigan’s aquatic ecosystems, but their population has declined due to habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing. The program’s proceeds will directly support the DNR’s sturgeon conservation projects.
“To say that lake sturgeon are a major part of Michigan’s aquatic history doesn’t quite do them justice,” said Patrick Ertel, with the Habitat Management Unit of the DNR’s Fisheries Division. “These fish have been around for more than 100 million years, which may be hard to even comprehend. In terms of more recent generations, there are individual sturgeon in our waters today that are older than anyone reading about this partnership. We’re excited to partner with Saugatuck Brewing Company to highlight this incredibly persistent fish and the fact that some lake sturgeon currently in Michigan waters have been there since before the invention of the automobile. Think about that!”
Saugatuck Brewing Company also highlighted this important initiative through its sponsorship of the West Michigan Whitecaps Bunghammers game, spreading the message to baseball fans across West Michigan.
