Lake Michigan College Students Launch Student-Made Grand Lac Hard Cider Brand

BENTON HARBOR, Michigan — Students at Lake Michigan College are stepping out of the traditional classroom and stepping into the booming craft beverage industry. At the college's specialized Welch Center, enrolled students are now tracking the commercial production process from the orchard to the final canning line to create their very own brand of hard cider called Grand Lac.

An intentional play on the French phrase for Great Lake, Grand Lac is a direct product of the college's Wine and Viticulture Technology program. The hands-on curriculum challenges students to think critically and take full accountability for commercial production decisions. To create the final beverage, students combined multiple experimental cider batches developed during their class lab sessions into a single, cohesive blend.

The production process relies heavily on local agricultural partnerships. The baseline beverage is crafted from fresh-pressed apple juice sourced entirely from Southwest Michigan, featuring unique and experimental apple varieties grown at the Michigan State University Southwest Michigan Research Center in Benton Harbor. Students apply distinct fermentation principles to the juice, running regular lab tests before blending their recipes into the finalized product.

Tim Godfrey, the Director of Wine and Viticulture Technology at Lake Michigan College, noted that the canned cider serves as a true testament to the complete student experience. He emphasized that the program tracks the entire lifecycle of the beverage, moving from raw apple juice to pouring finished glasses for patrons.

The academic expansion aligns with Michigan's rapid ascent as a premier national hub for craft beverages. Data from a recent industry report highlights that the state features more than 200 wineries, 400 breweries, and 135 cideries operating across 75 of Michigan's 83 counties. Program technician Jasmine Hein noted that while the regional wine and cider industry is relatively young, the microclimate created by the immediate proximity to Lake Michigan provides a uniquely fertile environment for growing world-class fruit.

College leaders are already mapping out plans to expand the curriculum beyond agricultural chemistry. Future courses may task students with designing product packaging, conducting market research, and managing business-to-business sales distributions. Faculty members emphasize that the ultimate goal is to ensure graduates understand the beverage industry from front to back, preparing them for immediate employment.

The student-crafted Grand Lac hard cider is officially available for purchase by the public at the Lake Michigan College Vintners Tasting Room, located directly on the college's main campus in Benton Harbor.

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