Belonging to a club has long been something folks have strived for, like being with the “cool” group at school. In the brewing world, Mug Clubs have been popular throughout Michigan and across the nation. Most are created as a way for members to feel a sense of belonging and receive some added value for their membership.

Many crafters in our area have typical mug clubs, including Loaded Dice Brewery in Troy, which offers three membership clubs. “These mugs are made by hand locally, and each one is unique,” said Jef Smith, owner and founder. “Every year there is a new design, and they are becoming a bit of a collector’s item.”

Baffin Brewery in St. Clair Shores, boasts 2,300 members in their mug club, and each member must earn their lifetime spot. “We track customer beer consumption through our loyalty program,” says Joe VanderMarliere, owner and chief executive officer. “For every 25 beers a customer drinks, we give out swag and discounts leading up to their mug aft er 150 beers.”

But not all mug clubs are alike and some don’t have mugs at all. Blue Skies Brewery in Auburn Hills has a Mile High Club, a mug(less) club that pays members for their loyalty. “For a monthly membership fee of $50, we will load a membership gift card with that $50 plus 10 percent extra for free to spend on beer, wine, cider, snacks, merchandise, events – anything in the taproom,” said Cortney Casey, managing partner and owner. “Plus, Mile High Club members receive additional perks, including a free pint on their birthday, priority registration for events, one free shorty (four ounce pour) per visit with a pint or snifter purchase, free popcorn each visit, exclusive e-news, and occasional members-only events.”

And mug clubs aren’t only for breweries. Michigan By The Bottle (MBTB) offers a Sipper Club, which is their twice-annual wine club with many perks. It’s like multiple wine clubs all rolled into one.

“The Sipper Club is ideal for wine lovers looking to get adventurous and go beyond our everyday wine lineup while getting discounts and fun perks said Casey. “There is no cost to join, and the cost of shipment varies based on the types of wine selected.”

And what about a club that doesn’t involve drinking? Dog and Pony Show Brewing is proud of their run club. It is open to all ages and skill levels and has become a great community for runners who are just starting out, as well as seasoned veterans.

“It has been amazing meeting so many cool people in a relatively short time and seeing people who rarely ran, finish a 5k,” said Tom Brady, club founder. “To see people become friends has really been amazing because I want to foster a supportive running community where people can feel comfortable running no matter their skill level.“

Brady is proud of how many people have made the club part of their weekly routine and is honored to have a consistent group every week. He says the beer at Dog and Pony Show Brewing is great, and it is the perfect finish to a run anytime of the year. This must be where the drinking comes in, at the finish!