2013: 8th Annual Michigan Winter Beer Fest

The biggest winter beer party in Michigan doesn’t need an introduction anymore. You’re not reading this article because you’re on the fence, trying to decide if maybe, next year, you’ll don layers of warm, waterproof clothing, brave the stark winter chill, and try to figure out how to drink a beer with heavy gloves and a scarf on for six hours in the snow. This is 2013 and you’ve already decided that it’s more than worth it. In fact there’s a chance you’re reading this because you, like thousands of disappointed others, did not get your ticket in the scant few hours they were available back in December. Well consider living vicariously through...

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Preparing for the Michigan Winter Beer Fest: Top Picks

The much anticipated Michigan Winter Beer Fest begins in just under 48 hours and with over 600 different Michigan beers to sample, my liver and palate conspired to create a refined list of options to taste such that neither would be overwhelmed. The list below is crafted to my palate; while I hope that your choices differ either slightly or greatly, perhaps by sharing my criteria for choice as well as the beers themselves, we can illuminate some themes and expectations for Saturday’s great gathering. Priority Picks will be chosen by the following criteria: Beers I have never tasted. Unfortunately, as much as I adore Greenbush’s Distorter Porter and Dark Horse’s Perkulator, beers I’ve already had must make way. Beers that suit my personal leanings. Currently those include...

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Greenbush Begins Bottled Beer Distribution in Michigan

The first deliveries of Greenbush Brewing Company bottles are now on the way to retail establishments throughout Michigan. Imperial Beverage, the company’s distributor in the state, received its first shipment of bottled beer from the 18-month old brewery at the end of last week. Until now, the brewery has only distributed kegs for draft accounts. “We’ve been building toward distributing bottles since opening and now with the dedicated work of our staff, it’s happening,” said Greenbush co-owner Scott Sullivan. “The demand for bottles has continued to grow, especially since we started distributing kegs statewide through Imperial ...

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Soak Up Suds and Fun at Boyne Highlands’ Brew-Ski Festival

Celebrate suds, snow, and early spring fun with the 4th Annual Brew-Ski Festival at Boyne Highlands Resort on Saturday, March 9. Brew-Ski Festival features craft beer sampling, live music, brats on the grill, and the enjoyment of early spring skiing and snowboarding. Warm up the day with your favorite runs when the lifts starting turning at 9 a.m. Boyne Highlands offers 55 trails on 435 ski-able acres providing magnificent views and serene slopes for all skill levels. Brew-Ski Festival runs from noon to 5 p.m. and is staged outdoors at the base of slopes where beer lovers can gather to sample from choice of 150 micro-beers, all prominently...

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Snowshoes Meet Microbrews at 7th Annual Suds & Snow

Michigan has a growing interest in two major areas – snowshoeing and craft beer. These two worlds collide, in the best possible way, during the 7th Annual Suds & Snow planned for Saturday, March 2 (1:30-6:30pm) at Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort in Traverse City.The cost to participate in Suds & Snow is $20 per person in advance ($30 the day of) – with $5 from every ticket being donated to Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan.“In the past six years, we have donated more than $30,000 to help local organizations – including several adoption and foster care groups, TART Trails, and the Father Fred Foundation,”...

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The B.O.B. Celebrates Beer City USA's 2nd Annual Beer Week With Craft Beer Dinner

In celebration of Beer City U.S.A.’s (Grand Rapids’) 2nd Annual Beer Week, The BOB will be hosting a craft beer dinner featuring 14 Michigan breweries and food from Gilly’s on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 6:00 p.m. “The Beer Week tradition began after Grand Rapids was named Beer City USA in 2012,” explained Greg Gilmore, CEO of The Gilmore Collection. “This event gives people the opportunity to celebrate by trying craft beers from our own BOB’s Brewery, other Grand Rapids breweries, and many others from around the state.” Featured Michigan breweries include BOB’s Brewery, Dark Horse, Founders,...

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Grand Rapids Brewing Company, HopCat, and Brewery Vivant "Collabeerate" with Strolling Beer Dinner and Special Edition Brew

Three top West Michigan breweries have teamed up to create and release a special beer this week and will host a strolling dinner Feb. 21 to mark the reopening of Grand Rapids Brewing Company (GRBC), HopCat’s fifth anniversary, and Brewery Vivant’s second anniversary. The dinner event coincides with GR Beer Week, which begins Feb. 18 and is capped with the sold out Winter Beer Festival Feb. 23 at Fifth Third Ballpark. “The collaborative spirit of local breweries and restaurateurs is part of what is making Grand Rapids such an exciting place for people who love innovative food and beer,” said Mark Sellers, owner of Hopcat and GRBC. “We'll...

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