Traverse Tall Ship Manitou Offers Weekly Microbrew Tasting Sails & Announces 4-Day Michigan Craft Brew Cruise

In recent years Michigan has made a name for itself as one of the premier craft brew states in the country. What better way to partake of these fine beverages than from the deck of a beautiful vessel resting in a peaceful harbor—aboard the Tall Ship Manitou in Traverse City.

On Sunday evenings, late June through Labor Day weekend, you’re invited to sample local beers paired with fresh, hot pizza during the Microbrew Tasting Cruise. Each Sunday will feature on a local brewery—including Short’s Brewing Company, Brewery Terra Firma, Rare Bird Brewery, and Petoskey Brewing. Tickets: $57 per person. Space is limited to 58 and advanced reservations are recommended.

New this year is a 4-Day Michigan Craft Brew Cruise, September 24-28. Chef and craft beer aficionado Amy Sherman will serve as host and guide for enjoying tastes with hors d'oeuvres, followed by specifically-designed food pairings with dinner.

After graduating from Aquinas College, Amy Sherman found her true calling in the kitchen. A 20-year restaurant veteran, she’s held every job possible, from ravioli runner, prep chef, book keeper, waitress, to manager, sous chef and pastry chef. She has taught cooking classes throughout West Michigan, runs a catering company called Two Chicks and an Oven, and with her husband runs the local food company, Farmlink. As the host of the Great American Brew Trail, Amy drank her way across Michigan, one pint at a time. She currently hosts a podcast called “Behind the Mitten” with MLive’s John Gonzalez, and leads culinary adventures here in the states and Europe. Her main job, however, is being mom to three ruffians in Grand Rapids.

Tickets for the 4-Day Michigan Craft Brew Cruise are $769 per person and include all accommodations, meals and beverage samplings. Space is limited to 22 individuals in 11-double-bunk cabins.

As one of the largest sailing ships on the Great Lakes, the Manitou is a replica of an 1800s “coasting” cargo schooner. A traditional two-masted, gaff rigged, topsail schooner, Manitou measures 114 feet in length with more than 3000 square feet of sail.

There is plenty of space for sitting and moving around the decks while under sail. While aboard the Manitou, passengers are free to leave the sailing to the experienced crew or lend a hand and learn the arts of the sailor. An excursion aboard the Manitou allows you to remove yourself from the trappings of modern life: no TV, phone (cell phones are discouraged), internet, email and definitely, no itinerary.

To make reservations for any of the 2015 Manitou sailing adventures, call toll free 800-678-0383, ext. 2 or order tickets online. Gift certificates are also available. For additional information about the Manitou, including its corporate charters, log on to www.TallShipSailing.com.

Traverse Tall Ship Company is located at 13258 S.W. Bay Shore Drive (M22) in Traverse City and shares a dock with the fleet from the Maritime Heritage Alliance, creating a unique nautical experience for the area.

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.

The Brew Trail Starts In Michigan!

Great American Brew Trail Announces Launch of Television Series On ABC Affiliate WOTV4 Sponsored By Spartan Flagship Stores

Premiering Friday September 28, 2012 at 7:30 PM on WOTV 4.

The Great American Brew Trail is a Grand Rapids MI based, nationally produced program that captures the excitement and growth of the microbrewery industry.

“After three months of production throughout Michigan the 1st season will premier September 28,” says Executive Producer Matt Renner. The 13-episode season features talented Host, Home Brewer and Chef, Amy Sherman “Tasting her way across the USA one pint at a time.”

Traveling throughout Michigan in Season 1, the Great American Brew Trail spotlights breweries that are top shelf in craft beer creations. GABT is a journey into the growing culture of food, beer and fun.

Small breweries have been a staple of local communities throughout history and the resurgence of local craft beer is something sponsor Spartan Flagship Stores (D&W, Family Fare, VG’s and Glens) are excited to support – especially here in Michigan, where around 100 breweries now operate. The Great American Brew Trail program highlights the passions and creativity of the breweries in the TV style of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.

In April, 2012, the Great American Brew Trail won the inaugural Eclipse Award for excellence in TV series production for its pilot episode. Presented by WKTV in Grand Rapids, with the West Michigan Film Video Alliance, the Eclipse Award honors the best original works in film, video, sound and television production. GABT Show Creator & Executive Producer, Matt Renner, and Host & Producer, Amy Sherman, accepted the award.

For up to date info on the Great American Brew Trail visit: www.greatamericanbrewtrail.com | www.facebook.com/greatamericanbrewtrail.