‘Energy is crucial’ to microbrewery’s success

Mackinaw City-based Bière De Mac Brew Works is a Michigan craft microbrewery honored in 2020 with a statewide MLive “beer of the year” award. Bière de Mac is a direct-flame brewhouse—a process that brings out unique characteristics in its beer—and its heating elements are fueled by propane sourced from Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline. “We’re strong supporters of Line 5,” says George, who co-owns the business with his son Danny. “The energy we get through that pipeline is crucial to what we do here. We need the propane—for brewing beer, for our heat, for our hot water. We run our pizza oven on propane.”