Hoppy Beer Lovers United in Hudsonville for Springfest – May 2

Hudsonville Fairgrounds will play host to more than 40 of West Michigan’s best, and newest breweries during the 2nd Annual Beer City Springfest, on Saturday, May 2. Gates open at Noon for VIP ticket holders (1pm to the general public), with the festival running until 6pm. This epic day will be filled with Michigan-made libations, as well as food, games and live entertainment.

Last year’s inaugural event saw more than 2000 individuals join in the festivities; this year’s capacity is set at 2500 with all proceeds benefitting local veterans.

“This year’s Springfest will once again showcase the talents of West Michigan best brewers,” says event organizer Joe Boyer. “We’ll welcome those who have achieved worldwide recognition as the best in the industry, as well as almost a dozen new breweries to the area.”

Many local brewers and producers will be on hand to describe their hand-crafted products and techniques used to create the refreshing Spring flavors. In all, some 200 beers will be available for sampling, along with local spirits, cider, wine and mead.

A variety of food options will also be available, including selections from Standard Pizza from Rockford; Low and Slow BBQ from Saginaw; and RnR from Hudsonville.

“We had so much fun last year, this is just a great way to meet some of the new brewers, try some new beers, and I still hear about how good the prime rib was last year,” Boyer says. ”Everyone is so friendly, strangers walk right up, and describe the best beer they have tried, like I’ve known them for years, many become great friends, I just love the people who come to these events.”

A VIP ticket for the Beer City Springfest gets attendees in at Noon and includes 18 sample tokens (3 ounces each). General admission ticket holders are admitted at 1pm, with 12 sample tokens. Tickets are on sale now at www.beercityfestivals.com. All attendees (including designated drivers) must be 21 with valid ID to be admitted into the festival grounds. Designated driver tickets are available at the door for $5.
Everyone who buys tickets online before April 1st is automatically entered to win a special VIP weekend that includes a deluxe suite in a local hotel, 2-personal brewery tours, hoodies and T-shirts for the event, transportation to and from the festival, and meals.

Parking at the fairgrounds is free. Shuttle transportation is available through the ticketing site for $20 per person and includes a round trip ride from 250 Seward Ave. (Dash Lot #9) on one of the New Salem party busses. Busses leave Grand Rapids at 11:30am and will leave Springfest at 4:30pm and 6:00pm.

Follow the Springfest Facebook page to get updates on VIP ticket releases and giveaways.

MiWinter Beer Fest Tickets Sell at Record Pace

Saturday Tickets SOLD OUT!
Friday Tickets Remain Available at MiBeer.com

Saturday tickets for the 10th Annual Michigan Winter Beer Festival, held the end of February at Fifth-Third Ballpark north of downtown Grand Rapids have sold out in record time, once again. Tickets went on sale at 10am today (Thursday, December 4) and were sold out in less than a half-hour.

“We are pleased that we have added the second day to this popular event,” says Scott Graham, executive director of the Michigan Brewers Guild.

Earlier this summer, the Guild announced the expansion of its wildly popular Winter Beer Festival to a two-day event to accommodate growing demand for tickets. The Friday session will be held from 3-7pm. Tickets for Friday remain available, at $45 each, at MiBeer.com.

“I don’t ever want to take for granted how enthusiastic our fans get when it comes to attending our festivals,” Graham says. “It is both humbling and overwhelming that our festivals are so popular. It’s a testament to Michigan’s great craft brewing culture.”

Earlier this week, Enthusiast Members were offered a pre-sale period to purchase 1 ticket per person, per festival day, as a benefit of membership. Enthusiast membership also allows individuals the opportunity to one-hour early admission to all festivals, among other benefits.

The Michigan Brewers Guild was formed in 1997 and held its first festival in July 1998. Today, the Guild hosts four festivals dedicated exclusively to Michigan craft beer produced by its nearly 140 member breweries. The Guild exists to unify the community of brewers, to increase the sale of Michigan Craft Beer, to contribute culturally and economically throughout the state, and to monitor and assure a healthy brewing industry. By working collaboratively with proponents of craft beer, we strive to achieve a 10% share of all beer sold in Michigan by producing world-class events, increasing public awareness, educating consumers, and encouraging responsible consumption. Michigan ranks #5 in the nation for the number of craft breweries – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State”.

Deluxe Motor Coach Trip Now Available from Grand Rapids to Traverse City for Summer Microbrew & Music Festival – with Special Hosts John “Gonzo” Gonzalez and Amy Sherman

Craft beer lovers in Grand Rapids and West Michigan are invited to travel to the 2014 Traverse City Summer Microbrew & Music Festival, August 22-23, in style. Passengers will travel aboard a deluxe motor coach, with hosts John “Gonzo” Gonzalez (Friday) from MLive and Amy Sherman from Great American Brew Trail (Friday & Saturday).

“We wanted to provide a safe and convenient day-trip option to craft beer lovers to attend this festival,” says Sam Porter, Owner of Porterhouse Productions and Tent Venue, the companies that present the festival. “We realize not everyone can make the weekend trip, and often hotel rooms are hard to come by. The deluxe motor coach trip also gives festival-goers an opportunity to spend the day sampling brews without having to drive home at the end of the event.”

Tickets are $100 per person and includes round-trip transportation and a VIP festival pass – which includes five (5) drink tokens, a custom logo glass, access to the exclusive VIP area with private restrooms, a hydration station, games, lounge area, side-stage viewing and nibbles. Tickets for both the Friday and Saturday trips are available online here.

The coach will leave at 2pm each day from downtown Grand Rapids (pick up is along Scribner, next to the Gerald R. Ford Museum – parking is available under the highway in that area), returning at 12:30am. Each bus offers valuable and fun information on craft brewing as well as an opportunity to watch past episodes of the Great American Brew Trail.

“Normal VIP tickets for this festival are $95, so we’re offering a real deal to people downstate to come up and experience our festival,” Porter says. “It’s like getting free round-trip transportation to the event. It’s all part of our sustainable-touring program.”

More than 40 vendors and 200-plus different craft beer, mead and cider will be served at this year’s festival. The list of participating vendors can be found online here.

Also included in the ticket price is musical entertainment, which on Friday night features international headliner Brandi Carlile and on Saturday showcases Nahko and Medicine for the People.

ABOUT OUR HOSTS
Amy Sherman is a craft beer expert, chef, writer, and educator. As the host of the state wide television program, The Great American Brew Trail, she visited over 26 different breweries, one pint at a time. She also joined Gonzo in his Mlive search for Michigan’s Best Brewery (and yes, it was as fun as it sounds!). She resides in Beer City USA where she teaches cooking classes, caters, and drinks a lot of beer. You can follow along with her adventures @amyonthetrail on Twitter and Facebook.

John "Gonzo" Gonzalez (@MichiganGonzo on Twitter) is the statewide entertainment, travel, food and beer writer for MLive Media Group, the state's largest media organization with 8 newspapers and 2 online sites. John's main job is to coordinate the Michigan's Best project where readers submit their favorites foods, restaurants and things to do, and he travels the state to come up with a Top 10 list. In the fall of 2013 he and Amy Sherman traveled to 38 breweries over 9 days in search of Michigan's Best Brewery. Check out the list here.

VIP motor coach options are available for other West Michigan cities, with a minimum commitment of 25 riders, at a price of $100 to $150 per person. Contact Sam Porter @ 231.499.4968 or Sam@PorterhouseProductions.com for more information.

Grand Rapids' Harmony Brewing Company Launches Hyper-Local Lunch Menu August 1

Harmony Brewing Company is set to expand their already very successful wood fired pizza focused menu with new lunch options. The new lunch menu will feature sandwiches toasted in the wood fired oven and generously portioned creative salad options. Lunch will be available starting on August 1. Harmony will be opening an hour earlier, at 11am to accommodate the new lunch crowd. These will be the new hours going forward.

Harmony’s new lunch menu relies heavily on locally sourced products. Every menu item contains multiple local ingredients. Sandwiches begin with a baguette from Nantucket baking company which is toasted in a wood fired oven. It is then loaded with ingredients ranging from pulled pork from S&S farms on the Wilcox Pork Sandwich, white cannellini beans from Winter Calico Field Farm on the (vegan) Sid Delicious Sandwich or basil from Vertical Paradise farms on the Southeast Side Sausage Sandwich. Michigan’s summer produce is also the star in all of the new lunch salads.

Harmony has also created a new lower ABV beer for enjoying with lunch. The Grand Daddy Rapids is cream ale with 4% alcohol. This straw colored beer has a malty nose, a light crisp body and a touch of sweetness. It’s a light beer that will satisfy the tastes of microbrew connoisseurs.

Harmony Brewing Company opened in 2012 in Grand Rapids’ Eastown neighborhood. Harmony is owned by siblings Heather Van Dyke-Titus, Barry Van Dyke and Jackson Van Dyke (Barry and Jackson are co-brewers). Harmony offers rustic wood fired pizzas, salads, house made soups and some snacks (with an expanded menu coming soon) and was named among the “Top Five West Michigan Brewpub Menus” by Revue magazine.

HARMONY BREWING COMPANY
1551 Lake Drive, Grand Rapids
www.HarmonyBeer.com
LIKE Harmony Brewing on Facebook

Coaster Design Contest Appeals To Artists, Beer Enthusiasts

This summer, Perrin Brewing Company and SpringHill Suites North are kicking off the area’s first Beer City Coaster Contest, May 24, 2013. The contest was created to inspire local artists and to celebrate Grand Rapids as a beer destination. The winning artist will have their design printed on coasters and served with drinks at Perrin Brewing Company during the timeframe for ArtPrize 2013.

The contest is open to anyone age 21 or older. Contest information and entry forms can be picked up in person at Perrin Brewing Company, 5910 Comstock Park Dr. in Comstock Park, or through the contest Facebook page under the search term “Beer City Coaster Contest.” Entries will be accepted through July 26. Finalists will be announced July 29 and then finalists will be put to a public vote for the winner at Perrin Brewing Company through August 18. The winner will be announced at a private event hosted by the SpringHill Suites North.

ABOUT SPRINGHILL SUITES NORTH
SpringHill Suites North, Grand Rapids is a franchisee of Marriott International, Inc. and managed by Pillar Hotels and Resorts. The hotel is located at 450 Center Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan. SpringHill Suites by Marriott is an all-suite brand that offers design and style at an affordable price, appealing to both business and leisure travelers. For more information or reservations, contact the hotel directly at (616) 785-1600, or visit www.marriott.com/grrsh.

ABOUT PERRIN BREWING COMPANY
Perrin Brewing Co. is located at 5910 Comstock Park Drive, off 7 Mile Road NW in Alpine Township. Opening in late 2012 Perrin Brewing features an outdoor hop garden, gleaming concrete bar and in-house food truck that serves the 218-seat taproom. For more information visit www.perrinbrewing.com.

Saugatuck Brewing hosts a “Celebration Women and Craft Beer” (Sunday, May 5 | 2-5pm)

In recognition of the growing trend of craft beer consumption by women, Saugatuck Brewing Company is hosting an afternoon “Celebration of Women and Craft Beer” on Sunday, May 5 from 2-5pm in its Singapore Room. The event is free and open to the public.

Annette May – the first female Certified Cicerone in the United States and beer manager at Merchant’s Fine Wine in Dearborn will share the story of her life journey, the Cicerone program, trends in the industry and will also offer a session on beer styles, with samples.

A Cicerone is a term used to classify a guide who is well versed in the styles, history, flavors and complexities of the craft beer world – with various levels offered (Certified Cicerone, Master Cicerone) and is comparable to a sommelier in the wine industry.

Amy Sherman – chef and host of “The Great American Brew Trail” – which premiered in 2012 on WOTV4 in West Michigan – will host a beer and cheese pairing around 3:15pm. Some 40 guests will have the opportunity to participate in this experience (a minimal fee will be charged).

Other featured guests include:

• Liz “ET” Crowe – Owner of Wolverine State Brewing Company and award-winning romance novelist.

• Laura Houser – Brewer at Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, Beer City USA.

• Kati Spayde – Certified Cicerone, award-winning homebrewer and blogger/staffer at Siciliano’s Market in Grand Rapids.

• Dianna Stampfler – President of Promote Michigan and publicist for the Michigan Brewers Guild.

In addition to the featured guests, displays will focus on classic beer styles – including history and tastings; discussions on pairing beer with food; information on cooking with “beergredients”; discussions about career opportunities in the craft beer industry; information on becoming a Certified Cicerone; tips on how to survive a craft beer festival; insight into Michigan: The Great Beer State, beer tourism, ties to Michigan agriculture and more.

A drawing will also be held at the end of the day, for a variety of Michigan beer related items – including two (2) tickets to the popular Summer Beer Festival coming up in July in Ypsilanti.

A highlight of the day will be the all-event brewing by Laura Houser of Founders and Jenny Vonins of Saugatuck Brewing of a celebration brew with sales of bottled proceeds donated to Sylvia’s Place, Allegan. Also, commemorative women’s shirts will be available with proceeds to benefit Sylvia’s Place.

According to an article that appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in late March, beer has passed wine as the beverage of choice for women ages 18 to 34. Julia Herz, craft beer program director for the Brewers Association trade group, said women in their 20s and 30s are in "the sweet spot" for craft beer consumption. They're the same quality-minded people who are buying artisanal cheeses and fair-trade coffees and who don't mind waiting for a bartender to shake a craft cocktail.

Saugatuck Brewing Co. is a microbrewery with a traditional family style pub and upscale banquet room, “The Singapore Room” featuring hand crafted beer, wine, food, and service. Fifteen unique beer styles, all brewed in house, plus wine and hard cider are served daily in the Pub. “SBC” also distributes eleven styles in 6 and 4-packs, plus kegs throughout Michigan and metro Chicago. The brewery also features the only active brew-on-premise facility in Michigan, utilizing five copper kettles and an array of natural ingredients and recipes, for the public to become “Brewmaster for a Day.”

Saugatuck Brewing Company
2948 Blue Star Hwy. – Douglas, MI 49406
sbrewing.com 269-857-7222

www.saugatuckbrewing.com www.facebook.com/saugatuckbrewingcompany

Harmony Brewing Releases Grote Pier Double IPA (Dutch Days Celebration Planned for April 25-28)

With a nod to the arrival of spring and the region’s Dutch culture, Harmony Brewing Company proudly announces the release of its latest brew. Grote Pier Double IPA boasts literally double the ingredients of Harmony’s normal IPA, including a massive amount of hops like Northern Brewer and Chinook. Made with a huge grain bill, including rye to add spiciness and complexity, this one of the biggest beers in Harmony’s portfolio with a 9.5% ABV.

The beer is aptly named after the legendary 1400s Frisian (Dutch) warrior, Grote Pier – whose life is shrouded mostly in legend, focused around his enormous size and strength. An historical figure in the genre of Braveheart, Grote Pier became a freedom fighter of legendary standing after his wife and kinfolk were killed and his property was pillaged, plundered, burned and destroyed. His historical status – whether seen as a villain or a hero – has endured over the centuries and embodies a reputation of brute force.

“I loved the idea of naming our biggest, hoppiest beer after this gigantic guy,” says co-owner and brewer Jackson Van Dyke. “We thought that it would be great to have a whole celebration surrounding this beer, while highlighting some unique facets of Dutch culture.”

Dutch Days are scheduled at Harmony, April 25-28, featuring Dutch treats, food and cocktails made with the Dutch Gin, Genever, as well as plenty of Grote Pier.

Harmony Brewing Company opened in 2012 in Grand Rapids’ Eastown neighborhood. Harmony is owned by siblings Heather Van Dyke-Titus, Barry Van Dyke and Jackson Van Dyke (Barry and Jackson are co-brewers). Harmony offers rustic wood fired pizzas, salads, house made soups and some snacks (with an expanded menu coming soon) and was named among the “Top Five West Michigan Brewpub Menus” by Revue magazine.

HARMONY BREWING COMPANY
1551 Lake Drive, Grand Rapids
www.HarmonyBeer.com
LIKE Harmony Brewing on Facebook

Harmony Brewing Celebrates First Anniversary on February 1 with Party & Commemorative Brew

On Friday February 1st Harmony Brewing Company at 1551 Lake Drive in Eastown will celebrate its year anniversary by throwing a birthday party. As part of the festivities they will release the commemorative beer: Birthday Barleywine.

According to Co-Owner and Co-Brewer Jackson Van Dyke, “We thought that because we are a new member to Beer City U.S.A. and part of a state that is emerging as a beer powerhouse that to celebrate our anniversary we would brew a beer with hops grown in the city of Grand Rapids and use grain grown and malted in Michigan. It is a malty, slightly sweet beer that has a strong hop bitterness and aroma. It is also smooth, so its 9% alcohol by volume is deceptive and will have you in a celebratory mood."

The party, which will include the normal birthday party traditions like cake and balloons will celebrate Harmony’s tremendously successful first year. Harmony quickly established itself as a fixture in the Eastown neighborhood and drew large crowds and a loyal customer base with its small batches of well -balanced beer and rustic wood fired pizzas. In November Harmony was awarded the prestigious Gerald R. Hemholdt Award for excellence in a Neighborhood Business District. They were also awarded the first ever “Best Neighborhood Pint” award.

"It is an amazing time to be in the beer industry!” said co-owner and co-Brewer Barry Van Dyke. “This city is a BEER TOWN: the people know and love their beer. Combine the constant engagement with a pumped up and dedicated client base with the amazingly synergistic relationship that exists with other breweries in the area, and you get a brewery culture that pushes everyone to be highly creative and produce a truly excellent product. I think that everybody expects big things to evolve from the Grand Rapids Beer scene. We're so happy that our little brewpub gets to be part of the action, it's more than we could have imagined in just one year’s time."

Harmony Brewing Company is poised for continued growth. An expanded menu is in the works and there are plans for reinvestment in the brewpub’s facilities. Harmony will also be adding taps and featuring a bi-weekly cask aged series.

“We love being a part of this neighborhood.” said co-owner Heather Van Dyke-Titus. “We’ve been able to employ 26 local folks this year. Many of them walk to work. For us to have such a great reception in a neighborhood that we care so much about—that’s a true success. It means the world to us.”

According to Chef and Host of the Great American Brew Trail, Amy Sherman, “Hyper-local is the new local. Places like Harmony Brewing Company and The Mitten Brewing Co. here in GR are perfect examples...no desire to distribute, strong commitment to their neighborhood, thriving places to hang out and drink their own craft beer. I think we will see more of this in the bigger cities, a return to when there was a brewery in every neighborhood. So far this has been a formula for success for the Van Dykes and Harmony. I'm excited to see what this next year brings.”

Harmony Brewing Company is a Neighborhood Brewpub co-owned by three siblings: Barry and Jackson Van Dyke and Heather Van Dyke-Titus. They also own the sustainable real estate company: Bear Manor Properties-whose motto is “investing in communities”.

For more information check out our website: www.HarmonyBeer.com and our Facebook page.

Beer City, USA to Host 2nd Annual GR Beer Week

Monday, February 18 – Saturday, February 23, 2013

In February 2012, Grand Rapids played host to the Inaugural GR Beer Week. In May 2012, Grand Rapids was named “Beer City USA.” One cannot deny that these two monumental events are unrelated.

Michigan's second largest city, whose metropolitan area is home to 13 craft breweries (17 if you include nearby Hudsonville and Holland into the mix), will again host GR Beer Week when the week-long celebration of all things craft beer returns to the city in the week leading up to the fourth Saturday in February.

This year's GR Beer Week coincides with Experience Grand Rapids' Cool Brews Hot Eats promotion, which takes place February 18 – March 2 at participating restaurants in the GR area. MIBeerWeeks, a subsidiary of Liquid Table Beverage Solutions, and producer of GR Beer Week, is partnering with with Experience Grand Rapids in the marketing and promotion of both efforts. Many of the same restaurants will participate in Beer Week, along with many bars and breweries, by hosting beer-centric events such as tap takeovers, beer dinners, rare beer releases, pubcrawls and more. Many “Beer Celebrities” will be in town throughout the week, participating in many of the events.

GR Beer Week is also being produced in cooperation with the Michigan Brewers Guild, whose 8th Annual Winter Beer Festival in Comstock Park on Saturday, February 23, is considered the “finish line” of the week's festivities.

“We are excited to be affiliated with GR Beer Week in its second year,” stated Eric Briggeman, President of the Michigan Brewers Guild. “The Winter Beer Festival sold out in record time this year, so a whole week of beer events leading up to the festival is not only great added value for festival attendees, but wonderful for our beer fans who were not able to get tickets this time. More focus on craft beer in Michigan is always a great thing.”

MIBeerWeeks and Liquid Table staff will host several signature events each night during the week, along with supporting additional events to be organized by breweries, wholesalers and the bars and restaurants themselves, dubbed Beer Destinations. Constant updates will be posted on Facebook and the GR Beer Week website.
More Information Online

www.GRBeerWeek.com
www.Facebook.com/GRBeerWeek

About Liquid Table / MIBeerWeeks
Liquid Table Beverage Solutions is a privately-owned Detroit-based company. Formed in 2009 by Jon Piepenbrok, Liquid Table focuses on producing and marketing Experiential Beverage Events, including “Beer Weeks” in Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids under the banner of MIBeerWeeks, focusing on craft beer, with an emphasis on local products, mead, wine, cider, and artisan spirits. Liquid Table also offers trade services, such as on- and off-premise consulting, education, marketing, and brand management. Our mission is to be the first and final word in educational, event, brand management and consultancy services to beverage industry professionals and consumers alike; growing market share and spreading knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the craft beer segment and beyond. Put simply, we promote better living through better drinking. For more information, please contact beer@liquidtable.net.

About the Michigan Brewers Guild
The Michigan Brewers Guild exists to unify the Michigan brewing community; to increase sales of Michigan-brewed beer through promotions, marketing, public awareness and consumer education; and to monitor and assure a healthy beer industry within the state.
The Guild fully endorses and supports the efforts of Liquid Table and MIBeerWeeks in the production and marketing of such efforts as GR Beer Week, A2 Beer Week, and Detroit Beer Week.

Michigan’s thriving brewing industry contributes over $24 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $133 million. In terms of overall number breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #5 in the nation, with 129 current licenses – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.” More information can be found at www.mibeer.com.