The MLCC On The Road podcast is brought to you by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC). The MLCC On The Road podcast will provide helpful information for businesses, licensees, local governmental units, and anyone interested in the alcoholic beverage industry in Michigan.
The mission of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission is to make alcoholic beverages available for consumption while protecting the consumer and the general public through regulation of those involved in the sale and distribution of these alcohol beverage products.
For more information on the MLCC, please visit our website at www.michigan.gov/lcc (https://www.michigan.gov/lcc). To submit a question or idea for a podcast topic, please email mlccinfo2@michigan.gov (mailto:mlccinfo2@michigan.gov).
From Family Roots to Retail Shelves: Michigan’s Beer & Wine Wholesalers
You can buy a beverage in seconds, but there’s an entire system working behind that moment and most people never see it. From Traverse City, we sit down with Joanie O’Sullivan-Butler, owner, president, and CEO of John P. O’Sullivan Distributing, and Spencer Nevins, president of the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association (MB&WWA) to explain the wholesaler tier that keeps Michigan’s beverage alcohol market running. We get specific about how distributors operate: building a workforc...
20 May 2026
How Michigan’s Control State Model Helps Craft Distillers Grow
We recorded this episode on location at the Michigan Craft Beverage Summit in Muskegon, bringing in three voices who live this every day: Richard Anderson (Iron Fish Distillery), Jon O’Connor (Long Road Distillers and president of the Michigan Craft Distillers Association), and Larry Cekola (Imperial Beverage, one of Michigan’s Authorized Distribution Agents). Together, we unpack how the MLCC’s control state structure intersects with the three-tier system, why listing and access-to-market mat...
15 Apr 2026
Death & Taxes
As the old saying goes, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. In this episode we unpack how estates, probate, and taxes intersect with liquor licensing and what steps keep a business compliant when an owner dies or owes back taxes. MLCC Licensing Deputy Director Jackie Anthony joins us to explain documents, approvals, levies, seizures, and the practical paths forward. • Difference between active operation and escrow authority • Documents MLCC needs after a death • ...
20 Mar 2026
What To Expect When You Are Expecting... A Liquor License!
Paperwork doesn’t sell your first drink, but it absolutely decides when you can. We take you behind the scenes of Michigan’s liquor licensing process with Sherry Ashton, a supervisor who’s guided thousands of files from first submission to final issuance. Together we unpack the checkpoints that matter most—what “complete application” truly means, why fingerprinting now triggers later by staff request, and how one missing lease clause can stall an entire timeline. From there, we map the enfor...
20 Feb 2026
Getting Ready For The 2026 License Renewal
In this episode, we break down how to renew your Michigan liquor license in the upcoming liquor license renewal period that starts on March 1, 2026. We discuss club certifications and brewer barrel counts, MILogin pitfalls, payment timing, escrow rules, triennial renewals for Salesperson licenses, and the new tools that make printing licenses faster. Links Discussed In This Episode: MLCC Renewal Portal Link: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/bureau-list/lcc/renewalFor more information on or...
12 Jan 2026
What Endures When Laws Change: Tracing Michigan’s Alcohol Policy From 1774 To Now
We trace Michigan’s liquor laws from 1774 merchant rules to modern regulation, showing how taverns, quotas, Sunday bans, and “forever” prohibition shaped today’s safeguards. The throughline is simple: protect public welfare while supporting responsible commerce. • 1770s Detroit merchant rules and self-imposed fines • Early territorial licenses, fees, and local enforcement • 1838 reforms on credit, intoxication, Sunday sales • Location-specific premises and the meaning of “tavern” • Restricti...
24 Sept 2025
From Alpacas to Zebras: The Lewis Adventure Farm Story
Step into the enchanting world of agritourism at Lewis Adventure Farm and Zoo, where four generations of farming heritage have blossomed into one of Michigan's most beloved family destinations. Nestled just six miles from Lake Michigan between Muskegon and Ludington, this 500-acre haven welcomes 160,000 visitors annually to experience the perfect blend of agriculture, exotic animals, and family entertainment. What began as a simple market has evolved into a destination employing over 16...
16 Sept 2025
Taste the History, Toast to Revival - Detroit City Distillery
Join hosts Sara Weber and David Marvin at 100 Proof, Detroit City Distillery's new event space, as they sit down with Sales Manager Jamie Wright and Brand Development Manager Dante Desaro to uncork the fascinating journey behind this Michigan success story. The conversation flows from amusing beginnings—a bachelor party where the wedding never happened but a distillery was born—to the thoughtful business strategy that guided their expansion from Eastern Market to the historic Stroh's Ice Crea...
13 Aug 2025
Data, Policy, and Public Safety: NABCA's Role in Alcohol Control
National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) President Neal Insley joins MLCC Chair Kristin Beltzer for an insightful conversation about how control states balance commerce with public health through data-driven regulation and education. • NABCA is a non-advocacy organization providing unbiased, factual data to its 17 member control states and other alcoholic beverage industry stakeholders • Control states reflect diverse community needs while maintaining consistent regulation and p...
17 Jun 2025
Alphabet Soup: The ABCs of Liquor Licensing in Michigan
This episode explores Michigan's liquor laws, defining terms starting with "A" to clarify regulations for licensees and those interested in the state's alcohol control system.
10 May 2025
Fundraisers, Festivals, and Fairs - Oh My!
With the summer event season right around the corner, we explore how nonprofit organizations can apply for Special Licenses to sell and serve alcohol at their fundraising events and how on-premises licensees (bars, restaurants, hotels) can add a Temporary Permit for outdoor service for their special events. We discuss who can apply, what are common mistakes to avoid when submitting an application for a Special License or Temporary Permit, and the timeframe for applying (hint: earlier is...
11 Apr 2025
Local Liquor Limits - Michigan's Dry Localities & License Quotas
People are often surprised to learn that there are areas in Michigan that are still dry for on-premises sales and service of spirits. In this episode we discuss the history of local on-premises spirits legalization that goes all the way back to the end of Prohibition in 1933. We'll also dive into the topic of local governmental unit quotas to explore the limits on retailer liquor licenses in cities, villages, and townships. As mentioned in this episode, the MLCC's website has a de...
10 Mar 2025
What is Mixed Spirit Drink?
What is mixed spirit drink? What is it not? In this episode we explore which kinds of products are considered mixed spirit drink under Michigan law and which ones are not. We also delve into which types of licenses are necessary to manufacture, import, distribute, and sell mixed spirit drink in Michigan. As referenced in this episode, mixed spirit drink containers must meet the federal standards of fill sizes listed in 27 CFR 5.203. Please check out the two-page mixed...
10 Feb 2025
Tips for Submitting a Complete Liquor License Application
In this episode we discuss 8 helpful tips (and maybe a few more) for submitting a complete application to help you avoid common mistakes or oversights when applying for a liquor license. A version of this tip sheet was originally developed by MLCC staff for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) at the University of Michigan. As mentioned in the episode, the 8 tips are listed below. Listen in to hear the conversation about why each are important to your application. T...
10 Jan 2025
It's Almost That Time of Year... Liquor License Renewal Time!
In this episode we discuss the annual liquor license renewal process and how all renewal applications will be processed fully online license in 2025.As noted in this episode, if you are a licensee that needs the Master BID and Master PIN for your business in order to set up your online renewal portal account, you may request the Master BID and Master PIN by emailing mlcclicensingrenewals@michigan.gov. Make sure you include the licensee name and the Business ID (BID) number that appear o...
12 Dec 2024
What's a Control State
In this episode we discuss the term 'control state' and learn why the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) is a control state. Spoiler alert: it's not because we have the word 'control' in our name!Hosts: Sara Weber and David MarvinThe MLCC On The Road podcast is brought to you by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC). For more information on the MLCC, please visit our website at www.michigan.gov/lcc. To submit a question or idea for a podcast topic, please email mlccinfo2@...
9 Dec 2024
Introduction to MLCC On The Road
MLCC On The Road hosts Sara Weber, Licensing Division Director, and David Marvin, Executive Services Division Director, introduce the program and its mission to provide education and resources to industry professionals.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 28 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
44
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
31
Contact MLCC On The Road
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of MLCC On The Road?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
