Food Dance Celebrates 20 Years of Locally-Focused Culinary & Agricultural Experiences

You’re invited to a 20th Anniversary Farm to Street Party, August 30 at Food Dance in Kalamazoo.

In honor of this long-standing tradition, Food Dance is hosting two give-back events to recognize the farmers, producers, staff and community that have been essential to their success and growth. From Noon to 4pm, a “Flavor Festival” will celebrate all things local: food, drink, music and more. Then, starting at 6pm, a community “Long Table Dinner” featuring a four-course family-style meal, each with a Michigan wine pairing, space is limited. All proceeds from both events benefit Fair Food Matters – Growing Matters Garden program.

There are tiered ticket prices for each event. Choose between $20 and $30 eco-friendly ticket for the Flavor Festival. A $20 festival ticket provides admission and 4 small plates (or 4 tickets). A $30 festival ticket also includes a Food Dance 20th Anniversary Edition Camelbak® water bottle. Additional food and drink tickets will be available for purchase at the event.

Tickets for the Long Table Dinner range from $100 to $150 per person with a portion of each ticket including a direct donation to the Fair Food Matters – Growing Matters Garden Program at Woodward School. The $150 level also includes a limited edition commemorative Food Dance 20th Anniversary T-shirt featuring local artists.

Over the years, Food Dance has built a strong relationship with dozens of local and regional growers, producers and farmers who have helped craft a one-of-a-kind menu that is fresh, inventive and appeals to the senses. Through its commitment to building a thriving and sustainable local food system, Food Dance creates casual and inviting opportunities for people to come together and connect through the experience of food.

Food Dance is dedicated to relationships that support artisans who practice craft food processes that have been around for generations—growing, raising, preserving, curing, aging, pickling, butchering and more. This is evident not only in the daily menus, but in the special dining experiences and educational programs that are aimed to introduce guests to new elements of the culinary and agricultural worlds.

An on-site market also offers amazing ingredients sourced from a family of purveyors–from sustainable, humanely-raised meats, housemade sausages and artisan cheeses, to housemade bread, pastries and savory baked goods. The market also offers a selection of speciality sauces, pickled produce, pastas, wines, cooking accessories and cookbooks, making it a great place for stocking the pantry or refrigerator, and for personal & gift shopping.

“For me it's important to know the values and practices of the people we buy our food from,” says owner Julie Stanley. “Caring for the planet, my community and my health are decisions I consciously make. I try to eat well because I just feel better. Knowing where my food comes from matters to me.”

Long before it became a trend in our society to eat locally (for so many cultures this was and remains their only choice, lucky them) I found that shopping at the Farmers Markets made the food I was cooking taste much better. Here at Food Dance, we’ve found the same rings true. I know it makes it more challenging for our chefs to prep all this fresh food and our wait staff to remember all the seasonal changes that show up on our menus, but they taste the difference so they feel it is worth it. We hope you feel the same way.”

Food Dance creates opportunities for people to come together and connect through the experience of food. We passionately cook with the freshest locally produced ingredients and believe in giving great, caring service, and providing great experiences for everyone we come in contact with.

FOOD DANCE
401 E. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo MI 49007

www.FoodDance.net
www.facebook.com/FoodDanceRestauran
www.twitter.com/Food_Dance

New Holland Brewing Co's Fred Bueltmann Releases First Book: Beervangelist’s Guide to the Galaxy

Fred Bueltmann (also known as The Beervangelist) is an owner of New Holland Brewing Co. and an outspoken, fiercely passionate champion of well-made beer and food. Well-known in the beer and food communities, Fred’s exuberant and sometimes manic quest to artfully integrate beer with food led to his first book — Beervangelist’s Guide to the Galaxy.

The book is chock-full of mouth-watering recipes and tantalizing photos, and features rants on the culture of food, drink, and entertaining. Bueltmann’s journey is one of waking up our taste buds, educating our palates, and remembering that our food and drink are meant to be enjoyed—even relished.

“Fred has created a comprehensive guide to tasting, pairing, seasonal cooking, and most importantly – drinking! From novice to pro, if you want to be a better beer drinker, this book is for you,” said Paul Kahan, Executive Chef, The Publican and James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Chef, 2013.

The Beervangelist will be attending several events and book signings in Michigan and on the East Coast in June. Catch up with him on the road at any number of events. He’ll be kicking off his tour in conjunction with the prestigious Savor event in New York City, where he’ll be hosting two salons on beer and food. For his most current schedule - you can visit his book's web page HERE or his Facebook page HERE.

If you're unable to meet up with him, you can find his book on the New Holland ONLINE STORE or at AMAZON.

Wholesale books available for retailers HERE.

About Fred
Fred Bueltmann (a.k.a. The Beervangelist) is an owner of New Holland Brewing Company and nationally-recognized expert on pairing beer and food. He is a Certified Cicerone®, past president of the Michigan Brewers Guild and recipient of their prestigious Tom Burns Award recognizing the “pioneering spirit of the Great Beer State.” He also serves as a judge for the Brewers Association’s Great American Beer Festival. Fred authored the book Beervangelist’s Guide to the Galaxy and pens the column Beer and Food with the Beervangelist which appears in various flavorful magazines.

About New Holland Brewing Co.
New Holland Brewing Company’s deep roots in the craft industry go back to 1997. Our role as an integral member of the artisan approach is something we take seriously, yet engage lightheartedly. We believe the art of craft lives in fostering rich experiences for our customers, through creating authentic beer, spirits and food while providing great service. Recognized for our creativity and artistry, our mission to improve the lives of craft consumers everywhere is seen in our diverse, balanced collection of beer and spirits.
New Holland brews and distills at two locations in Holland, Michigan: our production facility on the north side and our Pub & Restaurant in downtown Holland. The restaurant welcomes guests seven days a week and production tours are on Saturday afternoons. We welcome visitors and locals alike, and appreciate the opportunity to share our artisan approach through warm hospitality and enriching education.

With just under 150 employees, New Holland Brewing Co. sells its beer and spirits across a growing regional landscape, while anchored in the upper Midwest. In 2012, our production facility underwent substantial development including the tripling of our brewing capacity through outdoor fermentation, the addition of a centrifuge and the expansion of our Dragon’s Milk cellar. In 2013, the company is expanding its distilling capabilities, renovating the downtown Holland Pub & Restaurant and focusing on the integration of Michigan agriculture; hops, wheat and barley, into several new and existing brands.

New Holland Brewing's Brett VanderKamp releases first book: Art in Fermented Form: A Manifesto

Brett VanderKamp, president of New Holland Brewing Company, has released his first book titled Art in Fermented Form: A Manifesto.

In this manifesto, Brett guides readers through a discourse on the art and history of craft brewing and distilling as he presents his revolutionary new philosophy. Like the beers and sprits he has spent years perfecting, Brett hopes this book will challenge readers, launch conversations, and present an unprecedented paradigm for tasting a life less ordinary. The book, a collection of stories about VanderKamp’s experiences in the beer and spirits industry, his favorite historical anecdotes and some frank thoughts on the future of craft, hit the market earlier this month.

VanderKamp founded New Holland Brewing Co. when he was just 24-years-old with his best friend and $10,000. He believed that his hometown of Holland and the brewing industry were due for a shake up and since then, New Holland has delivered just that. The same passion for balance, creativity and artistry in brewing and distilling is found in VanderKamp’s very personal manifesto.

“Brett was an early pioneer in the brewing industry and he has moved to the forefront of the distilling world,” says Bill Owens – Founder and President of American Distilling Institute. “His operation in Holland, Michigan, is one of the premier breweries and distilleries in America today.”

ONLINE REVIEWS (via Amazon.com)
Art in Fermented Form: A Manifesto. Somewhere in my education, I made an error and have always associated the word Manifesto with something stern, and associated with politics, policies, and less than educational and entertaining. I now have a new and more pleasant feeling for the word Manifesto thanks to this book. It was a quick read, educational and wry, and unexpectedly, I learned a thing or two, and also realized that to savor is to think, to slow down, and ultimately enjoy. As Wayne Campbell so adroitly said... "I did not know that." and yes, I also did not know how much care, and thought, and reflection goes into the Art of Brewing Craft Beers - whether today in 2013 or eons in the past. Craft Brewing is Humanity being creative, and enjoying the results. Mr. VanderKamp is a gifted writer, and he created an easy and enjoyable Book, with the same passion and humor and care that he puts into making his craft Beers and Spirits. Highly recommend this book. (RBB)

Brett VanderKamp gives a great guide in how important it can be to take a few minutes to connect with people while enjoying one of the wonderful God given gifts -a cold pint of hand crafted beer or spirits. He does it with a walk through history on the origins of these drinks and how important they were/are to our society. It's a very quick/interesting read that you don't need to read in any particular order. I liked how he mixed art (drawings), facts (historical), and perspectives (his, other famous people) in a book that reminds us, life is not just about fast food, flavorless drink and addictive technology. Community, flavorful food/drink and conversation needs to be back in vogue. (GTC)

About New Holland Brewing Co.
New Holland Brewing Company’s deep roots in the craft industry go back to 1997. Our role as an integral member of the artisan approach is something we take seriously, yet engage lightheartedly. We believe the art of craft lives in fostering rich experiences for our customers, through creating authentic beer, spirits and food while providing great service. Recognized for our creativity and artistry, our mission to improve the lives of craft consumers everywhere is seen in our diverse, balanced collection of beer and spirits.

New Holland brews and distills at two locations in Holland, Michigan: our production facility on the north side and our Pub & Restaurant in downtown Holland. The restaurant welcomes guests seven days a week and production tours are on Saturday afternoons. We welcome visitors and locals alike, and appreciate the opportunity to share our artisan approach through warm hospitality and enriching education.

With just under 150 employees, New Holland Brewing Co. sells its beer and spirits across a growing regional landscape, while anchored in the upper Midwest. In 2012, our production facility underwent substantial development including the tripling of our brewing capacity through outdoor fermentation, the addition of a centrifuge and the expansion of our Dragon’s Milk cellar. In 2013, the company is expanding its distilling capabilities, renovating the downtown Holland Pub & Restaurant and focusing on the integration of Michigan agriculture; hops, wheat and barley, into several new and existing brands.

Michigan Craft Beer “Enthusiasts” Offered Exclusive Fall & Winter Brewery Tours

One of the benefits of membership in the Michigan Brewers Guild “Enthusiast” program is special VIP tours and tastings at member breweries around the state. To participate in one of these special tours, one must be a current Enthusiast member – a group dedicated to celebrating the growing craft beer industry in the Great Lakes State. Enthusiast memberships are $45 each and are available online at MBG Enthusiast Membership. There is no additional charge for the tours, but reservations are recommended and attendees must show their Enthusiast card.

The Fall 2012 schedule includes nine (9) tours, beginning in early November and running through February.

Saturday, November 3 (1 pm)
Mt. Pleasant Brewing Co.
614 West Pickard St., Mt. Pleasant
989-400-4666 | www.mountaintown.com

Join Head Brewer Kim Kowalski for a brewery tour in Mt. Pleasant. Contact Kim to make a reservation. kim@mountaintown.com

Saturday, November 10 (Noon)
Arcadia Brewing Co
103 West Michigan Ave., Battle Creek
269-963-9690 | www.arcadiaales.com

Offering a free brewery tour and $1 off beers. RSVP to Sean Kelley at skelly@arcadiaales.com.

Saturday, November 17 (Noon)
Greenbush Brewing Co.
5885 Sawyer Rd., Sawyer
269-405-1085 | www.greenbushbrewing.com

Join the staff at Greenbush for an exclusive tour for Enthusiast Members. Spaces are limited.
RSVP: jen@greenbushbrewing.com.

Saturday, December 1 (11am)
Founders Brewing Company
235 Grandville Ave SW, Grand Rapids
616-776-2182 | www.foundersbrewing.com

Join us on a fall tour of our newly expanded brewing facility, open exclusively to Enthusiast Members only. The tour has a limited number of spots, so respond early! RSVP: gabe@foundersbrewing.com

Saturday, December 1 (11am)
Sherwood Brewing Co.
32411 Dequindre Rd., Madison Heights
583-532-9669 | www.sherwoodbrewing.com

Sherwood will offer $2.99 lunch specials, $2 off pints and a tour with a brewer as well as free souvenirs for Enthusiast Members. Contact and RSVP: Lisa Sherwood – lisa@sherwoodbrewing.com.

Sunday, January 6 (Noon)
Arbor Brewing Co.
114 East Washington St., Ann Arbor
734-213-1393 | www.arborbrewing.com

Exclusive tour and tasting with Arbor Brewing Co. Spots are limited and you must RSVP in advance to beth@arborbrewing.com by Friday, January 4.

Saturday, January 19 (1 pm)
Vander Mill
4921 Cleveland St., Spring Lake
616-842-4337 | www.vandermill.com

Join the Vander Mill crew for an exclusive tour. RSVP to Paul Vander Heide - paul@vandermill.com.

Sunday, January 30 (Noon)
Kuhnhenn Brewing Co.
5919 Chicago Rd., Warren
586-979-8361 | www.kbrewery.com

Special tour open to MBG Enthusiast Members only. Samples and appetizers will be served. RSVP by January 17 to brewingworld@gmail.com.

Friday, February 22 (3pm)
New Holland Brewing Co.
684 Commerce Court, Holland, MI
616-510-2259 | www.newhollandbrew.com

Beer Enthusiasts can sign-up online here: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3740854998. The password to get the free tour is Enthusiast 2012. Each participant will receive a 15% off coupon towards merchandise at the company store. Space is limited to 25. RSVP to jenney@newhollandbrew.com or 616-510-2259.


At just $45, a Michigan Brewers Guild “Enthusiast” membership is a great value. Benefits include VIP status at our various festivals with early admission, discounts at participating member breweries, special VIP brewery tours, and a free MiBeer t-shirt. Purchase your Enthusiast Membership online at MBG Enthusiast Membership.

Michigan’s thriving brewing industry contributes well over $24 million in wages with a conservative economic contribution of more than $133 million. In terms of overall number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #5 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”

Founded in 1997 and celebrating its 15th Anniversary in 2012, the Michigan Brewers 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.

For more information, including a list of Michigan breweries, log on to www.MiBeer.com. (www.facebook.com/michiganbrewersguild | www.twitter.com/mibrewersguild)

MBG Presents Inaugural “Tom Burns Award” – Recognizing the Pioneering Spirit of the Great Beer State – to Larry Bell of Bell's Brewery

Larry Bell (left) with former Detroit City Councilwoman Maryann Mahaffey, Sen. Eugene McCarthy, and Tom Burns (right) taken July 11, 1991 at Tiger Stadium by Scott Brooks.

Nearly 200 leaders in the state’s craft brewing industry were present at the Michigan Brewers Guild annual conference which took place at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire last week, where the inaugural “Tom Burns Award” – recognizing the pioneering spirit of the “Great Beer State” – was presented to Larry Bell of Bell’s Brewery in Galesburg, Michigan.

According to Eric Briggeman, President of the Michigan Brewers Guild, Larry Bell was one of four nominees for the award, the others being Ron Jeffries from Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Fred Bueltmann from New Holland Brewing Co., and John Linardos from Motor City Brewing Works.

The award was named after Detroit & Mackinac Brewing Company founder and brewer, Tom Burns, who passed away of cancer May 1, 1994. Burns, a “recovering attorney” whose passion was brewing, is credited with many of the advancements in brewing legislation, rules, and regulations in the 1990s which paved the way for a thriving industry which is currently ranked #5 nationally.

“The nominations were submitted by members of the Guild’s Board of Directors and Government Affairs Committee,” Briggeman stated. “Tom Burns truly was a pioneer for the Michigan brewing industry, and the Guild felt that naming this award after him was a great way to honor Tom as a person, while recognizing his legacy that has been the foundation for the “Great Beer State!’”

Briggeman was joined by Priscilla Burns, Tom’s widow, and Tom Brandel, close friend and founder of Tom’s Oyster Bar, for the presentation.

“Each of the four nominees were qualified candidates for this award,” Briggeman said. “Yet, given the fact that Larry holds the oldest ‘microbrewery’ license in Michigan, and he worked very closely with Tom Burns on shaping our state’s brewing legislation in the early 1990s, we felt he was the clear choice as the recipient of this inaugural award.”

Laura Bell accepted the award on behalf of Larry, who was out of the country and unable to attend. She read this letter sent from Larry, addressed to the group:

“Everyone in this room has been affected by Tom's efforts back in the nineties. His push for, and success at getting brewpub language adopted in the state laws paved the way for what is now one of the most dynamic brewery scenes in the USA. While there may be those today that think that trading away self distribution wasn't right, Tom and I thought we cut a pretty damn good deal, and I still think that.

Tom was able to get legislation enacted because he knew the importance of building consensus, and he knew that it was essential to have dialogue with all of the legislators involved, as well as reaching out openly, and with a eye toward fairness, to Michigan's wholesalers; he respected the realities of the situation while trying to enact change. And enact change he did.

I am glad that we are honoring Tom as I feel that his contributions to the early days of craft brewing are often buried by people who want to take more credit than they deserve. He was one of those people who was there at the dawn of the movement. I have in my collection a bottle of "Legal Lager" that Tom brewed at the Cartwright Brewing Co. in Portland back in the early eighties when, I believe he was in law school. He brewed at the goat shed with Boulder Brewing. And he was in on the start of the then American Homebrewers Association Beer Festival, now the GABF [Great American Beer Festival].

It was heartbreaking to see Tom get sick. Having been through a "mild" cancer myself I have an inkling of the terror it brings to ones soul. But Tom was always upbeat when I saw him and never became morose, even as his diagnosis got worse.

I was very honored to be asked by Priscilla to be the brewer representative pall bearer at Tom's funeral. It was a difficult day for me. To see one's contemporary die too young is a very troubling thing. After the funeral service we went to Tom's Oyster Bar, a place Mr. Burns loved to go, and I stood in for him – singing show tunes with the piano player as a way to pay my respects. Tom loved a good show tune. And a great beer.

Though Tom's life was too short he left an important legacy that we all can honor and that honors us all. I was proud to call him a friend and I am proud of the Guild for honoring him today. So please, let's raise our glass and toast Tom Burns.”

Larry Bell moved to Kalamazoo in 1976 to study history at Kalamazoo College, seven years before opening the homebrew shop that would soon grow into Bell’s Brewery. He opened Bell’s Brewery in 1985, with a 15-gallon soup kettle and $200. Since then, he has grown Bell’s into one of the largest regional craft breweries in the country.

In more than 26 years of brewing, Larry has been actively involved in shaping the craft beer industry in the United States. He was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Brewing Studies, sat on the Board of Directors for the Association of Brewer’s, and was the Inaugural President of the Michigan Brewer’s Guild. He currently is active as an Ex-Officio board member of the Beer Institute, as well as a member of the American Malting Barley Association Board of Directors. In 2010, Larry was honored with the Brewer’s Association Recognition Award.

Larry is also an active member in Kalamazoo and has been a board member for the Kalamazoo Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and the Economic Development Corporation of Kalamazoo. He is beginning his first year as a board member for the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. In 2010, Larry was presented with the Distinguished Achievement Award from his Alma Mater, Kalamazoo College.

Larry spends his time between Chicago, Kalamazoo and the Upper Peninsula. He enjoys traveling, the Chicago Cubs, and is an active collector of art, breweriana, and maps, among other things.

ABOUT THE MICHIGAN BREWERS GUILD
Founded in 1997 and celebrating its 15th year, the Michigan Brewers Guild oversees the organization’s administrative and promotional affairs, including four annual public events: Winter Beer Festival in February in Grand Rapids, Summer Beer Festival in July in Ypsilanti, UP Fall Beer Festival in September and Detroit Fall Beer Festival in October, as well as its annual Winter Conference in January. Currently, the Guild represents 89 member breweries – the highest number since the organizations inception.

Michigan’s thriving brewing industry conservatively 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 – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”

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. For more information, including a list of Michigan microbreweries, log on to www.michiganbrewersguild.org.