WIDR Sliders & Brew Craft Beer Tasting Returns to Kalamazoo Beer Exchange

On Sunday, April 29^th from 2-6pm, fourteen craft brewers from across Michigan will join WIDR fm at the Kalamazoo Beer Exchange for the second annual WIDR Sliders & Brew event, a fundraiser for the non-profit, student-run radio station. Admission is $15, which includes nine tickets for sliders and samples, and a souvenir tasting glass. Additional sets of five tickets are available for $5. This event is part of the WIDR 60^th Anniversary Celebration.

Grown from the seed of an idea found in a single sip of craft beer, WIDR Sliders & Brew has nearly doubled in size in a single year and turned into one of WIDR’s most talked about fundraisers. In addition to returning participants Arcadia, Dark Horse, Founder’s, New Holland, and Short’s Brewing Company, this year’s event boasts new additions B. Nektar Meadery, Brewery Vivant!, Greenbush Brewing Co., Michigan Beer Cellar, Mount Pleasant Brewing Company, Right Brain Brewery, Round Barn Winery, Distillery & Brewery, Tri-City Brewing, and Vander Mill ciders, all of whom are bringing brews to impress the public and each other.

“We started talking about this year’s tasting before last year’s was even over,” KBE beverage supervisor Eric Philip-Petrick said. “The turnout was incredible, more than we’d even hoped, but it was the enthusiasm of the brewers that really stood out. They all wanted to know when we were doing it again, so here we are, with even more of them this time around. Plus lot of them are WMU, K College, and even WIDR alumni, so you know they’re bringing their A game.”

For WIDR fans and non-fans alike, the event is an opportunity for beer lovers of all stripes to experience the diversity of Michigan’s craft brewing industry in their own backyard. Even with beer culture manifesting strongly on the local level in Kalamazoo, WIDR Sliders & Brew is the only tasting event in town that brings together so many beers along with the people who make it simultaneously, allowing drinkers to learn about their new favorites beer from the people who created them. Brewers and representatives from each company will be on-hand to explain technique, discuss flavor profiles, and answer questions about their products.

“Being able to interact one-on-one with the brewers is a huge part of this event and we learned a lot from last year,” WIDR General Manager Johanna Kelly said. “That’s why we’ve taking over the entire Beer Exchange this time. Fourteen brewers, three beers each, and two floors to play with; we’re doing it up this year and there’s more than enough room for everybody.”

And then there’s the food. KBE Executive Chef Bill Kennedy and his staff, having set the bar quite high at least year’s event, have created a menu of six unique sliders – four hot and two cold – making their debut at WIDR Sliders & Brew, some of which may find their way onto the KBE menu. Vegetarians need not worry, as Chef Bill has sliders up his sleeve for them too.

When asked about their participation in the event, owner Jim Flora said, “Honestly, we just love WIDR. We love the music, the people, and what they do for the community, so we’re always excited to help them, especially on an event that celebrates some of the best Michigan has to offer. That’s what KBE is all about.”

For WIDR, however, the event means more that great beer and a chance to spend time with their listeners; it means another opportunity to solidify the future of the station.

“As most of our listeners know, we are undergoing massive cuts in our operational budget right now,” said Kelly. “Events like this are a ton of fun and they bring in money, but they also remind people how much WIDR enriches the culture of Kalamazoo, even when we’re doing things off the air. This town we love and serve would be the poorer if WIDR weren’t around. Just like the incredible brews we have for the tasting, WIDR only exists with love, hard work, and a suitable infusion of cash. ”

Tickets will be available with ID at the door beginning at 1:45pm on Sunday, April 29^th and doors open for the event at 2pm. The Kalamazoo Beer Exchange is located at 211 Water St. in downtown Kalamazoo. Information about this and other events can be found at WIDR.org.

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The High Five Co-op Brewery

The Michigan beer market embraces many trends; from a focus on community action to the use of  locally grown ingredients and fostering great respect for the consumers of locally produced beer, Michigan craft brewing takes pride in the state from which it originates. Yet it still came as a surprise to me that Michigan was home to an effort to create the first Co-op Brewery in the Midwest.

Employee owned and operated beer cooperatives are a brand new idea to the craft beer market.  To my knowledge, only one example of an open cooperative brewery exists, down in Texas.  From High Five Brewery's own web site, their organization adheres to the following ideals:

• All membership is open and voluntary, without discrimination based on gender, race, sexuality, politics, or religion.
• All members control the co-op democratically and actively participate in making decisions, wih any elected representatives held directly accountable to the membership.
• All members contribute to and control any economic capital.
• Co-Ops are independent organizations, existing without control from other organizations, corporations, or governments.
• Co-Ops offer training and education for all members, representatives, managers, and employees of the Co-Op.
• Co-Ops work together with other Co-Ops.
• Co-Ops work with their communities through policies approved by their members.

 


Given the support and enthusiasm this market has for community and local focus, the concept of a cooperative seems right at home in the Michigan beer market.
 

Last Saturday High Five hosted their first tasting event, exhibiting five of their beers and one hard cider for feedback. The six hour event on a chilly late spring day not only showed off the beer brewed by the fledgling brewery, but also their dedication to and respect for their ideals: the event was a “trash free party:” the cups were compostable, and the bowls used for food were washable. It was refreshing to see so little trash created at such an event.  The brewer-owners encouraged people to bring their own homebrew samples, lending a feel of camaraderie and collaboration.  The food emphasized eating local, with amazing vegan and vegetarian pizzas paired with what is perhaps the best soup I have ever had.  My compliments to Jameson for the soup; my notes did not catch the names of the rest of the chefs, so please post their names in the comments.  They all deserve credit.

The beers we sampled ranged from retail ready to a little rough, but as I mentioned above, the spirit of teamwork was so pronounced that I have no doubt all of the recipes will improve substantially through mutual polish. Two of the strongest samples we tried were the coffee stout and the Wheat IPA. The coffee stout could more aptly be described as coffee with a hint of beer. This concoction, made with copious amounts of MadCap coffee, was deep, aggressive, sweet, roasty, and malty – everything you want out of a coffee stout.  The wheat IPA brought together elements of a traditional, sweeter wheat beer that blended well with a dry, citrus finish of the hops.

Despite news of breweries opening on what seems like a monthly basis, excitement for the explosion of local Michigan brewpubs hasn't diminished.  Here's to a group of environmentally conscious, locally focused, community centered people with the drive to establish Michigan's first Co-op brewery!

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Saugatuck Brewing Company to launch “Delilah DeWylde-Berry Wheat”

Saugatuck Brewing Company has collaborated with rockabilly artist Delilah DeWylde in development, marketing, and distribution of their Spring/Summer seasonal beer, Delilah DeWylde-Berry Wheat. Developed as a lighter, summertime ale, the raspberry wheat will be available throughout Michigan in 6-packs and kegs.

To introduce the new style, SBC is hosting a VIP Launch Party on Sunday April 1, from 2-4:30pm in the Singapore Room at SBC (admission with VIP ticket only).  From 5-6pm the party continues in the pub and will be open to the public. Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys will be performing throughout the afternoon and the Wylde-Berry Wheat will be available.

Saugatuck Brewing Co. is a microbrewery with a traditional Irish style pub and upscale banquet room, “The Singapore Room”  that features 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 six styles in 6 and 4-packs, plus kegs throughout lower Michigan. 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.”

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Round Barn Brewery Breaking Ground on Larger Production Facilities

It’s clearly no secret that Michigan’s award-winning craft brew scene is thriving and The Round Barn brews from the Southwest region of the state are no exception.  After releasing its first packaged microbrews four years ago, the brewery’s popularity took off and continues to attract more and more beer lovers each year.

To keep up with demand, owners Matthew and Chris Moersch, are expanding their brewery’s production facilities in to the heart of downtown Baroda, Michigan, just around the corner from the flagship Round Barn Winery, Brewery, and Distillery.  The Moersch brothers say they are happy to be keeping the large-scale expansion local - they recently purchased a 10,000 square foot property on Main Street in downtown Baroda that previously housed a tool and die shop. 

Always staying committed to Michigan’s strong agritourism movement, Matthew explains, “We’ve reached capacity in our current facility so we’re looking forward to moving just across town to step up production and eventually open a casual brew pub.”

Further plans for Round Barn’s new production facility will include a small brewpub and restaurant by summer 2013.

Rendering of the new facility

About The Round Barn:

What sets The Round Barn apart from neighboring wineries in Southwest Michigan is its diverse product line, functioning not only as a winery, but also a distillery and brewery.  Celebrating their 20 year anniversary of business this year, Rick and Sherrie Moersch, along with sons Chris and Matthew, have built a flourishing family operation rooted in a spirited, educational, and unintimidating atmosphere. They proudly use local produce from area orchards, vineyards, and farms in the production of its quality, hand-crafted varietals, brandies, spirits, and beers.

Just a few of the beers RBB has to offer.

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Grand Rapids Brewing Company to Return Downtown

A storied name in the city’s brewing history will return to downtown by late summer when Grand Rapids Brewing Company (GRBC) opens next door to the Van Andel Arena.

BarFly Ventures, owned by Mark and Michele Sellers, today announced the brewpub will be the ground floor anchor tenant inside the historic Hawkins and Gunn Company buildings, 1 and 7 Ionia Ave. SW.

BarFly owns some of downtown’s best-known bars, including HopCat, Stella’s Lounge, The Viceroy and McFadden’s.

“Grand Rapids Brewing Co. will be a casual, family gathering place creating approximately 60 new jobs in the heart of our city,” Mark Sellers said. “This will be a great spot to grab dinner and some homemade beer before and after events at the arena. We envision it becoming a popular spot for watching a game with friends and family members.”

The brewpub will be open seven days for lunch and dinner, employing 60 people in a variety of jobs ranging from managers and brewmasters to servers and bartenders.

The new GRBC will offer a unique food menu, 8-10 of its own house-made beers, and soft drinks. A selection of liquor, wine, and hard cider will also be available.

The original GRBC, once located at the corner of Michigan Street and Ottawa Avenue, closed on April 26, 1918 due to the Prohibition Act. It was once a dominant player in the regional beer market thanks to the popularity of its famous Silver Foam beer. BarFly plans to pay homage to the original Grand Rapids Brewing Co. with a new formulation of Silver Foam.

BarFly purchased the assets of a second incarnation of GRBC after it closed last year on 28th Street. Much of the new GRBC’s brewing equipment will come from that location. Members of the 28th Street GRBC Mug Club at the time it closed also will be given a free year’s membership in the new GRBC Mug Club.

BarFly plans to invest more than $1.5 million to renovate and combine what are currently separate store fronts in the Hawkins and Gunn buildings into a 10,000-square-foot space capable of seating up to 450 customers. An event space in the lower level will be able to accommodate parties of up to 100 people.

The western side of the building facing Van Andel Arena and a historic brick-paved alley will bring excitement and visual appeal by opening up what had been loading dock doors. BarFly plans to install a deck for open-air seating and, during summer months, will open the three large garage doors facing VanAndel Arena.

“This location is the corner of ‘Main and Main’ of the city’s entertainment district, and I couldn’t be more excited about locating GRBC here” Mark Sellers said. “We are excited to create another unique, locally owned anchor to what we think is becoming one of the most interesting entertainment districts in the Midwest.”

GRBC will occupy most of the ground floors of both buildings. It will be an integral part of the $7.5 million 616 Lofts on Ionia mixed-use project announced last week. That project will put 26 market-rate apartments on the upper three floors of the buildings and offices on the second floor.

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