MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - "I've always been interested in beer. my background i always say I'm half Irish, half German, I have no choice but to have an interest," said Larry Judge, owner of Mitten State Malt.

So Larry Judge, did something that a lot of people in Michigan haven't thought of. He used 5 acres of his farm to grow barley, one of the main ingredients in beer

"Craft malting industry is just starting to spring up in Michigan where craft breweries would love to use Michigan products in their beer."

Over the course of five months Larry and his team, planted, grew and then harvested the plant.

After the combine makes its round and thrashes and cuts the barley, these seeds are produced, taking it to the next level to brew the beer.

"This right now will be hauled into Okemos in a light manufacturing growing facility where seeds will be bagged and stored for a few months," Judge said. "And then in the late fall and early winter, I'll start malting it and selling it to craft breweries."

And with new breweries opening up all around Michigan his plan shouldn't be an issue.

"There's maybe a hundred breweries in Michigan or more who he could potentially sell to because they are actively looking to buy Michigan malt," said Meridian Township's Associate Planner Peter Menser.

Ellison Brewery, which will be opening their doors early fall of 2015 is currently finishing up the interior of their brewhouse,

"Fortunately for us, things have been going very smooth, we have a really good core team around us and everyone has been working very hard and diligently trying to get this up and going," said Tom Sheum, brewmaster and co-owner of Ellison Brewery.

"I think elision is going to be very successful they're crew was really professional all the way though and they knew exactly what they wanted to do," said Menser.

"We're really excited for this brewery to bring good beer to the Lansing area," Sheum said.