The Beer Issue, October 2013

~ Special Feature ~

The

Beer Issue

It’s no secret that West Michigan knows beer. According to USA Today, we boast two of the top 15 craft breweries in the United States. (Founders and Bell’s, in case you were unaware.) In addition to being the best, many new microbreweries pop up in our region on a yearly basis. This month, we’re honoring one of the many things we do best with a look at how the area has grown, a gigantic brewery list, beer gear and more.

by REVUE Staff and Minions

Photo: Seth Thompson Hand model: Danna Brown at Cellar Brewing Company REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 | 25

Michigan’s Beer Growth

Grand Rapids Brewing Company. Photo: Neil Braybrook

Mayor George Heartwell endorses Grand Rapids for Beer City USA. Photo: Steph Harding

Grand Rapids:

Building a Foundation for Better Beer

By Dwayne Hoover

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

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eer City USA. That’s quite a title. And this year it belongs to Grand Rapids.

Again.

Last year the title was shared with Asheville, NC. In 2013, however, Grand Rapids won it outright and decisively, clobbering the next closest vote-getter and West Michigan neighbor, Kalamazoo, for the honors with more than double the votes.

But really, it should come as no surprise. The city is home to a large number of breweries that offer an enormous variety of unique, quality brews, as well as a population who appreciates both the tasty options, as well as the culture of the industry itself. That’s why Grand Rapids not only struts its stuff while adorning the Beer City USA crown, but also enjoys recognition as one of the top beer meccas in the entire world.

It definitely doesn’t hurt to have an anchor in the industry like Founders Brewing Co., which is consistently ranked as one of the best breweries on the planet. Coming in at No. 4 on USA Today’s “Top 15 craft beer breweries in the USA” and No. 3 on ratebeer.com’s “Best Brewers In The World 2013,” Founders continues to show the rest of the world exactly how you churn out beer that people just plain love.

“We were the fastest growing brewery in the world last year,” said Dave Engbers, Founders’ vice president and co-founder. “The great thing is that we’re not just increasing our volume; we’re seeing our brand grow in existing markets.”

Founders beer is now enjoyed throughout the country, where it is currently available in 25 states and the District of Columbia. And as the company continues to grow, so too has their facilities to meet the demand, with a $26 million expansion project that is nearing completion.

“Our focus is trying to fill the orders as we continue to grow as a company,” Engbers said.

“Our brand is really taking off, and it’s our responsibility to meet those demands, and that means expanding our building and capabilities.”

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In addition to production facilities expansion, Founders is also expanding its offerings to Grand Rapids by way of a new beer garden, educational facility and a larger taproom.

“We’re anxious to get the taproom reopened and get everyone in to see all the improvements,” Engbers said. “It’s all coming together. We want everyone to understand why we have so much dust and debris and all the struggles people have had with parking and getting into the taproom.”

And what’s the secret to Founders’ success? It’s the same as it’s always been: making good beer.

“You have to remain true to who you are and what you do,” Engbers said. “We’ll never compromise our product or brand to gain efficiencies.”

That’s where the beer industry is going, as is apparent not only in the absolute explosive success of the craft brew business, now a $10 billion a year industry in the United States, but also the decline in sales of their domestic rivals.

“The beer industry is doing everything we had hoped and prayed it would do,” Engbers said.

But maybe it’s not so much what the industry is doing as much as it is a simple matter of the players actually giving people what they really want. As consumers continue to step further away from the predictably mediocre swill that has dominated the market for years, microbreweries are filling that gap with uniquely delectable choices.

Just ask Jarred Sper, co-owner of Perrin Brewing Co. in Comstock Park, who not only understands this concept, but embraces it. That’s why you’ll see Perrin venturing not only into the sour ale market in the near future, but some ultra-specific flavors as well, like a malted milk ball beer they’ve had in the works.

“We want to do things a little bit different in terms of focusing on the niche part of the industry,” Sper said. “We’ve got some amazing brewers that are doing some amazing and funky things. We want to give the brewers a lot of latitude and get people to taste something

Beer City? More Like Beer State!

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rand Rapids won the title of Beer City USA in a landslide this year, gathering 27,005 votes — more than the next three cities combined. Michigan took three of the top four spots, earning Michigan the honorary title of “Beer State USA.” —Ben Darcie

Grand Rapids, Mich.: 27,005 Kalamazoo, Mich.: 11,150 Asheville, NC: 10,075 Ann Arbor, Mich.: 847

Beer Babes Guests warm up in Founders’ recently completed beer garden.

Photo: Dan Miller, The Beer Truck

Michigan Micro Caps App Evolves

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eer on your phone has never been this fun. Michigan Micro Caps, the addicting smartphone app from Grand Rapids software developer Fusionary Media, is ushering in some improvements. Users can now sort the brewery directory by distance and see Michigan’s top beer cities, as well as browse an updated list that contains Michigan’s 150-some breweries. In love with Micro Caps?

Visit the new online store to snag some merch and see what’s new with Michigan beer and download the game at mi-beer-game.com. —Nolan Krebs

Aquinas Alumni Pitch a (Beer) Tent

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Aquinas College Brew Review event. Photo: Bryan Esler

rinking beer certainly isn’t limited to your college years — just ask the Aquinas College Alumni Department.

The group has taken a liking to Michigan craft beer and has been holding regional events at microbreweries around the state. They even pitched a Michigan beer tent at Aquinas’ homecoming event last month. —Nolan Krebs

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

they haven’t tasted or experienced before. If we can kind of push the envelope a bit, that’s what we want to do.”

The shift in consumer demand is why you’ll see breweries like Brewery Vivant host events like the Wood Aged Beer Festival, where the brewery celebrates “artfully crafted barrel aged beer all day long.” During this Oct. 5 event, Vivant will have 20 different varieties of bourbon barrel, wine barrel and sour beers to delight the palates of its patrons.

This focus on flavor is even spilling over into venues that have been historically dominated by domestics, like Mitten Brewing Co., which offers its hand-crafted microbrews in a vintage baseball bar setting with baseball-themed names and televisions tuned in to any number of sporting events. The Mitten is even finding its way into the stadiums.

“We were on tap at the West Michigan Whitecaps all season with our Triple Crown Brown and hopefully will expand into a new stadium next season,” said Bar Manager Pat Evans. “The demand for beer is [also] packing our taproom most nights and we recently announced our expansion into the upstairs, which should be completed sometime in early 2014.”

Michele Sellers, who, along with husband Mark, began Barfly Ventures LLC in 2008, stands firmly behind the belief that what people want is beer with actual substance, complexity and awesomeness.

“It’s not about cheap buzz anymore. It’s about enjoying what you’re drinking,” said Sellers, who counts Stella’s Lounge, McFadden’s Saloon, Grand Rapids Brewing Co. and HopCat as part of Barfly. “I think it’s similar to the small plate, farm-to-table movement. People want to know what went into what they’re consuming, who made it, how they made it, and why they made it the way they did.”

This approach couldn’t be more apparent with the recently reopened Grand Rapids Brewing Co., which now operates as Michigan’s only USDA-certified organic brewery. GRBC truly embraces an all-natural method to brewing, as well as a focus on sustainability, with less than four percent of waste ever finding its way to a landfill. GRBC also tries to use Michigan-grown and produced ingredients whenever possible.

“We get a lot of hops from right here in Michigan from the Michigan Hop Alliance, an organization dedicated to sustainable, organic hop farming,” Sellers said. “[It] keeps the money in our state’s economy. A nice bonus.”

According to Sellers, this local support is really at the heart of what makes craft beer so successful in Grand Rapids. And not only is it important to those that enjoy the tasty product of what supporting locally can accomplish, it’s vital to the brewers as well.

“We have found that the beer culture in Grand Rapids is inclusive and very fraternal,” Sellers said. “The phrase ‘A rising tide lifts all ships’ applies in that what’s good for one of us is good for craft beer in general and good for the rest of us as well.” n

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he Pussycat Beer Guild is group of craft beer lovers made by and for women, who meet once a month at HopCat in downtown Grand Rapids. The group meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. to taste and discuss various beer topics alongside brewers and beer experts. —Ben Darcie

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Michigan’s Beer Growth

The Lakeshore: Upping the Beer Game

By Dwayne Hoover

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

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hen one thinks of microbreweries in West Michigan, it’s easy for the mind to quickly jump to the usual players in the usual cities, like Bell’s in Kalamazoo and Founders in Grand Rapids. And even as these mainstays continue to be a centerpiece for the area’s craft brew excellence, communities along the lakeshore are also contributing in significant ways to our reputation as one of the best damn beer destinations anywhere.

Especially with breweries like New Holland Brewing Co. in Holland, which is currently the third largest in the state. In the brewery’s 17 years, New Holland has seen significant growth, and has expanded its availability way beyond Michigan, now being offered in states throughout the Midwest, as well as making its way toward the East Coast.

Most recently, the company completed a $1 million renovation and expansion project that includes a new beer garden deck that boasts an outdoor bar, additional seating and even a canopy for days when the weather is uncooperative. In addition, the brewery did have its sights set on downtown Grand Rapids as a possible location for a second brewpub earlier this year. And even though that endeavor has been put on an indefinite hold, New Holland does aim to revisit the plan, maybe even as soon as 2014.

Meanwhile, other breweries are also stepping up to represent the lakeshore. Saugatuck Brewing Co. (SBC) in Douglas is one such brewery that has enjoyed the growing success of West Michigan’s craft beer scene.

“In our case, we’re certainly growing,” said Kerry O’Donohue, vice president of marketing at SBC. “We’re bringing our beer to a much wider audience. We also have a much larger brewing system on order and an expansion starting next month.”

The project will allow SBC the ability to move from a 10-barrel system to a 40-barrel system this spring, that includes not only a

Odd Side Ales’ taproom now has 22 taps. Far right: Pints ready to be enjoyed in New Holland’s renovated beer garden. Odd Side photo: Phil Artz

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new bottling line, but also allows the brewery to do some more things with barrel aging, specialty batches and more 22-oz. releases as well.

In Grand Haven, OddSide Ales has been in operation since 2010, offering a variety of unique choices that will soon include a milk stout, Mexican hot chocolate and even an habanero IPA with papaya. OddSide has also grown with the industry, and just recently opened an off-site facility to begin its own bottling.

“We just started bottling this spring,” said Owner Chris Michner. “We’re working on expanding our equipment for our production. [...] We just got into our production facility, so right now we’re really busy just trying to get settled in.”

And not only are the current breweries along the lakeshore enjoying the industry’s growth, but some new blood is climbing aboard the craft beer train as well.

In July, Holland saw the opening of its third microbrewery, Big Lake Brewing. The owners’ love for craft beer had them visiting other breweries throughout the area, and what they found was not only a mutual love for great beer, but also an infectious sense of camaraderie in the industry.

“We’re bringing our beer to a much wider audience.

We also have a much larger brewing system on order and an expansion starting next month.”

—Kerry O’Donohue, Saugatuck Brewing Company “What attracted us the most to this business was the amazing community of people we’ve met,” said co-owner Travis Prueter in a press release. “Breweries don’t see other breweries as competition – they embrace the philosophy that ‘more is more.’ We want to contribute to an already strong industry, and have been overwhelmed by the amount of advice and support we’ve received from others. And, we love beer, so that certainly doesn’t hurt.”

Muskegon will also be part of the West Michigan microbrewery community in the near future, as partners Joel Kamp, Chad Doane and Michael Brower are in the process of getting things rolling on their endeavor, Pigeon Hill Brewing Company.

“Construction of Pigeon Hill Brewing Company is well underway,” Brower said.

“Every day that passes brings us closer to installing our brewing system, preparing our taproom and serving great beer.”

The Pigeon Hill team hopes to bring not only quality brew to the table, with its members having won various regional and national awards with their homebrews, but also a heavy focus on local community support as well.

“Our team set out to accomplish two goals: Restore pride in our city, and produce great, Muskegon-made beer for our region,” Brower said. “It is not only taste that separates craft beer from larger domestics; it is also the impact that craft beer has on the local economy, and on the community as a whole.”

So even as the more inland cities continue to attract the eyes and ears of those paying attention to West Michigan’s booming beer business, keep your eye on our neighbors along the lakeshore. Their love of quality beer, the evolving beer culture, and sense of community are going to continue to be a welcome addition to the party. n

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Michigan’s Beer Growth

Craft beer scene grows in

Southwest Michigan

By Nathan Peck (from MiBiz)

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he growth of the c r a f t b e e r sc e n e in Southwest Michigan means that from Kalamazoo to Paw Paw or from Marshall to Battle Creek, drinkers can find beers to fit their palates, whether it’s the wild experimental brews at Dark Horse or summer wheat beers like Bell’s Oberon and Arcadia Ales’ Whitsun.

From established breweries such as Bell’s Brewing Inc., Dark Horse Brewing Co. and Arcadia Ales to new players such as Boatyard Brewing, Gonzo’s BiggDogg Brewing and Latitude 42, the breadth of breweries emerging and the community among brewers is proving fertile ground for growth in Southwest Michigan.

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

“Bell’s laid the footprint for this part of Michigan — and people realized there is something beyond the InBev or MillerCoors products.

I don’t want a bit of Bell’s business, I want a bit of InBev and MillerCoors’ business.”

—Brian Steele, Boatyard Brewing Company

Brian Steele, co-owner of the new Boatyard Brewing Company.

Photo: Erik Holladay

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As demand for craft beer grows, homebrewers and investors are seeing opportunity as Americans’ palates change. In a local craft beer market long dominated by the early entrants like Bell’s and Arcadia, Southwest Michigan is now seeing its share of new entrants, mirroring the industry’s expansion in other areas of the state.

More than 136 breweries are in operation across Michigan, up from 68 a decade earlier.

Those breweries contribute $133 million in economic activity to the state, according to recent analysis by Bridge magazine.

Michigan ranks fifth in the nation in the Brewers Alliance tally of the number of craft breweries, part of a $10.2 billion craft beer segment. While the $99 billion beer industry dominated by major players such as InBev and MillerCoors grew at just a 0.9 percent rate in 2012, craft beer sales grew 17 percent.

As Dan Gilligan and Brian Steele expand their beer list at Boatyard Brewing Company, just blocks from Bell’s Brewery’s tap room in Kalamazoo, Steele reflected on the decision to have his avocation turn into his vocation.

Over the years, the friends had brewed good beer, a little “horrible beer,” and began brewing larger batches of home brew at Saugatuck Brewing Co. through its “brew-on-premises license,” which led them to consider opening a brewery of their own.

“As we looked around, we realized people were making good money in craft brewing and their beer is not that good. Doing the math, (realizing) what they’re getting for a pint, there’s good money to be had,” Steele said. “In our market, Bell’s laid the footprint for this part of Michigan — and people realized there is something beyond the InBev or MillerCoors products. I don’t want a bit of Bell’s business, I want a bit of InBev and MillerCoors’ business.”

Boatyard anticipates brewing 1,200-1,400 barrels of beer in its first year of operation, but is planning the purchase of a 25-barrel brewhouse and has optioned 40,000 square feet of additional space to allow for expansion in the industrial area around its taproom. In planning for future growth, Steele is hiring a brewer to handle production so he can focus on growing the business.

“We don’t want to stay a small local brewery, but we want to grow where I can continue to keep up quality. We have a polluted piece of land we’re trying to get a brownfield (designation) for. That will give us space to up our production by 31 times and give us the opportunity to start expanding our footprint,” he said. “We have people who can take over brewing, and I can focus on growing the business and expanding.”

The craft brewing community provides a deep bench of expertise as well as opportunities for collaboration. When developing a new beer, Boatyard sends kegs to the Kalamazoo Beer Exchange, a bar and restaurant featur-

ing craft beers with prices updated based on the demand generated by its patrons, to see how it will be received by consumers.

Steele and Gilligan are looking to partner with other smaller brewers to get greater economies of scale as they purchase grain and hops. Additionally, Boatyard and other new breweries in the area chose Kalamazoobased Imperial Beverage for distribution within the state.

Canning on Wheels

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any breweries, cideries and meaderies don’t have the means to package their own product for distribution. This is a big hurdle for a producer, mostly in terms of investment, so many of them simply stick to serving their product in-house.

Michigan Mobile Canning is a new venture that brings that opportunity to smaller producers. Now producers, who would not have been able to bring their product to the market otherwise, can bring in MMC, can an amount of a certain brand, and release it in the taproom or (via distributor) release it to the market.

The owners bring their cleverly converted truck, full of equipment, into the host brewery for canning. They get booked, drive the truck to the next producer, and help them make their way into cans — many for the first time. To learn more, visit michiganmobilecanning.com. —Ben Darcie

Hop to It

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ops are growing tall in Michigan thanks to the efforts of many devoted hopyard owners who strive t o p rov i d e t h e M i ch i ga n craft brewing industry a source of local, Michigan-grown hops.

Brian and Amy Tennis, owners of New Mission Organics Hopyard, have supplied many West Michigan brewer-

ies, including Founders and Brewery Vivant, with their Michigan Organic hops. It is also the sole hop provider to the newly established, allorganic Grand Rapids Brewing Company, which released the New Mission Organics Imperial Amber this summer.

Michigan now boasts more than 15 hopyards with more than 200 acres total. —Ben Darcie

HopCat East Lansing

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opcat East Lansing opened in August with a record-breaking 100-tap takeover of Short’s Brewing beer. It features a full kitchen and bar, as well as 100 taps of local, regional, national and international offerings. With more than 70 rotating taps, Hopcat East Lansing provides the biggest beer selection in the area. —Ben Darcie Left: A handful of the 100 Short’s taps at the grand opening. Photo: Robert Mathews

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

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team. We have to be sure we are creating value for retail customers and our distributors,” Suprise said. “Customers will win the day for everyone.”

The new $6.5 million brewing facility and taproom represents a $6.5 million investment and is expected to come online in mid-January 2014, which will bring Arcadia Ales’ capacity to 30,000 barrels immediately, up from 12,000 barrels in its current location in Battle Creek. The brew system is capable of reaching 60,000 barrels of capacity and will help the brewery return to markets it had previously withdrawn from two years ago as its orders outstripped production capacity.

“We are scaling our game plan up from a sales perspective. We’re not looking for huge, huge numbers; we are looking for measured growth,” he said. “We are gearing up our sales team and adding a few more members to that group to acRendering of Arcadia’s new Kalamazoo commodate that extra capacity.” facility, which is expected to open in January.

The health of the craft beer industry is reflected in the new In Kalamazoo Township, experienced brewers and investors flocking to them, brewmaster Greg “Gonzo” Haner has Suprise and others said. partnered with investors to open Gonzo’s “It adds that critical mass from the conBiggDogg Brewery, a $1.5 million brewery sumer perspective and helps generate that that will open in October. As head brewer at rising tide effect. the Olde Peninsula Brewpub in Kalamazoo I am excited for what it means for the for eight years and later as a consultant to beer culture in the Midwest and the whole breweries around the state — including Paw country,” Suprise said. “I’m always a little Paw Brewing and Frankenmuth Brewery hopeful that the new players coming online — Haner had been looking for the right op- have that same fraternal and profound comportunity to open a brewery of his own when mitment … toward the sustainability of that investors approached him. quality product, and have a business plan “I would have done this 20 years ago, and model that will keep them in the game but didn’t have the investors. I followed the long enough to carve out their own niche. market for a really long time. It is booming They’ll have to do this much like all of us had and I believe that it will continue to boom,” to before these so-called halcyon days.”

Haner said. “They got a hold of me, heard Bell’s Brewery Inc., one of the elder that I brewed good beer — that is how that statesmen of the craft beer in the state, is in evolved. I was working at Kalsec at the time, the midst of a more-than $12 million expanput a business plan together, and we will go sion to expand its brewing facility that will from there.” add new fermentation tanks, a canning line Southwest Michigan provides a great and a wastewater treatment plant. climate for growing hops, and Haner has “We are preparing ourselves for steady, volunteered with Hop Head Farms to help controlled growth. Our model has always farm 44 acres of the bittering agent for beer. been about controlled, meaningful growth.

“Southwest Michigan is finally catching We don’t want to grow too fast or too slow,” on. People’s palates are changing and they said director of marketing, Laura Bell. want beers that aren’t watered down,” Haner She’s not overly concerned about newsaid. comers to the industry, believing the market As Arcadia Ales expands from its base in will continue to gravitate toward quality.

Battle Creek to a new location in Kalamazoo, “I think in the long run, the breweries president Tim Suprise sees opportunities as that are focused on making a quality product new players enter the craft beer scene. are going to stand out,” Bell said. “We will “We know we have to step our game focus on what we’ve always done and we’ll up with the new players coming on and the pay attention on keeping that going.” n expansion of the existing players. That’s why we’re adding three new positions to the sales

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Michigan’s Beer Growth

Northern and Mid-Michigan

By Josh Spanninga

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

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ith so many beer options in the West Michigan area it can be easy to get stuck in our own brewery bubble. People all over the state are serious about their lagers, stouts and ales though, and for hopheads willing to make day trips up north or to the east side, delicious destinations await.

Take for instance Cranker’s Brewery in Big Rapids. The city may not seem like an obvious location for a new brewery, but that’s part of what made the venture so appealing to head brewer Adam Mills.

“It doesn’t have the ingrained beer culture that’s in the Grand Rapids area, so craft beer here is by and large a newer thing,” Mills said. “It’s been fun being here from the beginning to really start to build that beer culture in an area where it really hasn’t settled in yet.”

Another brewery that has capitalized on a loca“We’ve been ‘go, tion newer to the craft beer industr y is Stormcloud go, go’ since Brewing Company, located we’ve opened in downtown Frankfort.

Owner Rick Schmitt saw our doors. But the brewery as a there are worse opening chance to corner the marproblems ket in an area new to craft beer industry. Stormcloud to have.” specia l izes i n brew i ng —Garry Boyd, on Belgian-inspired beer, a HopCat’s new East style of brew Schmitt feels Lansing location is under-represented in Northern Michigan. While Stormcloud had only officially been open since July, it’s already become apparent that the small town has embraced their latest addition.

“So far it’s been overwhelming,” Schmitt said. “While we have no data to compare it to obviously, we are exceeding our expectations from the business model that we have put together.”

Roughly an hour East of Frankfort is Traverse City, an area that’s no stranger to microbreweries. Local brewer John Niedermaier has played a huge role in the beer boom in Traverse City, serving as head brewer at Traverse Brewing Company, and Right Brain Brewery. The goal for Niedermaier, however, always was to open his own brewery that paid especially close attention to sustainable business and brewing practices. He did just that earlier this year with the opening of Brewery Terra Firma, the first agricultural brewery in Michigan, and one of less than 10 in the U.S.

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Left: Stormcloud Brewing Company, Frankfort. Right: HopCat East Lansing’s Short’s tap takeover on opening day. Photo: Robert Mathews “Terra Firma was actually being used as a model for legislation with the Michigan farm bureau,” Niedermaier said of the trailblazing business setup. “They’re trying to make it so that you can put breweries on agricultural property without messing things up in terms of zoning.”

Niedermaier said businesses from around the world have been contacting them asking for advice on how to start up similarly structured breweries, and hopes that agricultural brewing practices catch on.

While business practices and taste preferences may vary from brewery to brewery, there is one thing that many Michigan brewers agree on: at this point, the craft beer industry is uniquely supportive and collaborative compared to many other industries.

“It’s my experience that the folks who are in the craft beer industry treat each other as family for the most part,” Schmitt said. “They’re willing to share information, willing to share best practices, and celebrate the craft industry as a whole.”

Mills cites the Grand Rapids Society of Brewers (the group behind multiple collaborative projects, such as Beer City Pale Ale) as proof of the supportive atmosphere within the industry.

“I think we are going to reach a point someday where potentially competition will come a little bit more into play, but I think there’s a lot of space for local beer,” Mills said.

Of course, none of these businesses would exist without continuing customer support, something that Garry Boyd, manager at HopCat’s new East Lansing location, feels there is no shortage of.

“When a good craft brewery comes into town the people surrounding it really support it,” Boyd said. “It usually does well in the state no matter where it’s located.”

Mark Sellers, owner of Hopcat, wanted the location of his newest bar to be in an area him and Boyd were familiar with. Both went to Michigan State University in East Lansing and felt the rich beer culture in Lansing provided a perfect atmosphere for their product.

“I think the east side has got just as many great names, but I think the west side has just been maybe a little more fortunate here and there to have a little bit more press,” Boyd said.

HopCat East Lansing opened at the end of August, and has been overwhelmed with the customer response. Other breweries throughout the state have had similar experiences, working around the clock to meet customer demands.

Based on recent years though, brewery owners are up to the challenge.

“We’ve been ‘go, go, go’ since we’ve opened our doors,” Boyd said. “But there are worse problems to have.” n

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Beta Theta Pints:

West Michigan’s Fraternity of Brewers

By Lindsay Patton-Carson / Photos by Seth Thompson

The Grand Rapids Society of Brewers hanging out at Cellar Brewing Company.

Competition in business is normal, sometimes healthy and even expected. But when it comes to beer, the craft brewing industry throws competition out completely, with brewers creating a beer fraternity of sorts.

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help to get their brewery running smoothly, they just have to s more breweries pop up in West Michigan, ask their colleagues. established brewers and brewery owners step up to help out, building a beer culture as op“I don’t think there’s any other industry that you can get into that everybody helps each other out,” said Trevor posed to competition.

“I’m more than willing to sit down with Doublestein, owner and brewer at Our Brewing Company in Holland. “If you need something, they’re there for you. If you people and go over a business plan,” said Dave Engbers, cohave a question on how to do something better, owner and co-founder of Founders Brewing Company. “I’m hoping we’ve inspired a lot they help you out.”

When Doublestein was starting up Our of these guys to take a risk.”

“I don’t think As the number of West Michigan miBrewing, he relied heavily on advice from White Flame’s Bill White, who opened his crobreweries grew over the past five years, there’s any business owners saw a chance to strength- other industry brewery in 2012. When White was getting started in the business, he got help from ownen beer culture. In 2012, Chas Thompson of that you can ers and brewers at Odd Side Ales and Paw Schmohz Brewing created the Grand Rapids Society of Brewers (affectionately known get into that Paw Brewing Company. He pays it forward by passing on information and mentoring new as the S.O.B.s) as an excuse to drink beer everybody with like-minded people. He refers to it at brewers. helps each “I meet new people who are just joining “intentionally unorganized.” the industry and encourage them to make “The whole idea of the group is re- other out.” good beer, and everything will fall into place,” ally backroom guys getting together and —Trevor Doublestein, White said. drinking and relating so you have the Our Brewing Company When Heather, Barry and Jackson Van camaraderie to solve problems,” Thompson Dyke needed help getting Harmony Brewing said. “We try to get together to talk about Company up and running, they turned to Barry Johnson at drinking and the industry and some of the things we see Saugatuck Brewing Company. behind the scenes that the normal public wouldn’t have an interest in or that we wouldn’t want to tell them.”

“It’s actually a really difficult process to navigate through — getting approval from through the state and federal and Some of the behind-the-scenes talk includes good supplithe only way you can really do it is if an established brewery ers to work with, which suppliers have good prices and even comes through and shows you how they did it,” Barry said. what happens when you get a bad keg. And if a brewer needs

While there will always be industry competition, the brewing scene resembles more of a co-opetition, as brewers hold one another accountable with their product. In the end, it’s all about the beer.

“The big thing for us is all about the quality of the product.

We don’t want to be known as fifth for the number of breweries in the nation,” Engbers said. “We want that quality.”

That’s the whole point of the GR S.O.B.s — challenging one another to maintain quality. Brewers bring a growler of what they’re working on or the latest batch they’re proud to show off. The group shares, gives feedback and challenges one another.

“Sometimes I feel [jealousy], but I don’t express it,” Barry said. “I’m more like, ‘That was good, I’ve got to work a little harder next time.’”

“It seems like everyone’s on the same page about it. We’re building a culture,” Heather added. “It’s good for everybody here if we build this culture together ... and everyone’s pretty protective of that, too.”

With the GR S.O.B.s, West Michigan brewers are paying it forward outside of their self-made fraternity. In August, the group launched the Brewer’s Grove Project. A collaboration with Friends of GR Parks, 17 West Michigan breweries brewed a tree-inspired beer in August to serve in their taprooms. The proceeds of those brews go toward planting trees in Grand Rapids’ Riverside Park on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 6 p.m.

“This is the first event that we did where every single brewery participated,” Barry said. “The way we pitched it was we were all sitting around drinking beer at the S.O.B. meeting, and we were like, ‘This city has been so supportive with our industry,’ and we wanted to do a tangible giveback.”

The event is not just dirty work, however. The S.O.B.s worked with the City of Grand Rapids to get an open container permit for the event so people can bring growlers. The evening culminates with a movie in the park.

“The idea behind that is go to your favorite microbrewery and fill it up with what you like and grab a couple of jugs and come share,” Thompson said. “Walk around and meet people, talk to people, dig some holes, stuff like that.” n

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

35

Specialty Brews

Vander Mill Cider. Photo: Phil Artz

What’s the Deal with Hard Cider?

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

By Anya Zentmeyer

L

egend has it that during the mid-19th century, hard cider (henceforth referred to simply as cider) was a mainstream staple of the old-timey U.S. consumers. In fact, scholars maintain that the alcoholic beverage was so mainstream, a significant part of workers’ salaries were paid in cider until some kind of bogus amendment in 1887 made it illegal. Shortly thereafter, German immigrants came to America armed to the teeth with beer propaganda, effectively pushing cider into our peripherals until it reared its apple-flavored head again over the last few years.

Cider is back, which is good news for us.

“I think that it’s definitely due to craft brew, and not just craft brew like Founders, but also craft brew like the home brew movement,” said Jason Lummen, a Grand Rapids native who founded his own brand called The Peoples Cider Company. “Where we find ourselves now is all of the sudden

36 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

Sietsema Orchards’ bottled cider.

we’re seeing cider as craft and starting to recognize that as part of the industry.”

The Peoples Cider wasn’t an official company until June 2011 and as it gained popularity, Lummen set up shop on the northeast side of Grand Rapids.

While a lot of commercial ciders exploit the sweeter side of the beverage, Lummen wanted something drier and more drinkable modeled after what he saw while studying abroad in Europe, and with all of #PureMichigan’s resources at his disposal, found himself on the front lines of the so-called “cider renaissance.”

Geographically speaking, Michigan is the third largest producer of apples in the Midwest, making for easy access to the locally grown crop. However, as an added bonus, Lummen said West Michigan apples have a correct sugar and acid content for juicing and subsequently for making cider.

“I take time with it. I don’t sulfate or condition my cider in any way,” he said. “I tend to work more holistically with the winemaking process.”

Sietsema Orchard in Ada is another local micro-cider maker that takes a more holistic approach to the fermentation process, which inherently creates a drier cider that owner Andy Sietsema says appeals to the craft beer crowd.

Sietsema’s most popular cider, however, is still the red label, their sweetest flavor.

“I will say that with the consumer, the cider maker, or us local micro-cider makers, have this kind of education process about what real cider is,” Sietsema said. “I let them know what the macro ciders are without putting them down too much. Us small guys do need those macros still, too. They’re bringing a lot of notoriety to cider, you know, nationally.”

According to a consumer report issued by Nielsen in November 2012, ciders grew in popularity by 65 percent in the U.S. from 2011 to 2012, with 54 new items added to the market over that same time period. The report claims the “small category” is poised for “big growth” over the next few years, attributing their projections to three major factors: the craft beer movement, national distribution and more than anything else, the millennial generation.

Cider also finds strength in its ingredients. Made only with fruit juice and no grain whatsoever, the gluten-free refreshment creates an alternative to beer for people with dietary restrictions.

West Michigan cider production is also extending beyond the state, with brands like Vander Mill Cider in Spring Lake making waves not only locally, but in the Chicago area, too.

In May, the company underwent a $600,000, 3,500-square-foot facilities expansion to accommodate the 100,000 gallons of hard cider they expect to produce this year. Vander Mill Cider is now sold at more than 600 retail outlets and 200 pubs in Michigan and the Chicago area.

The increased demand is true for Sietsema, too, who recently signed on with a distributor after self-distribution to 15 or so local retailers became too hard to keep up with. He’s making his cider more available not only in West Michigan, but on the east side of the state, and he expects his number of retailers to triple.

“It’s that craft beer person who is looking for something here in West Michigan that’s right out of their back door, so to speak,” Sietsema said. n

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

37

Microbrew Mayhem Our comprehensive guide to West Michigan breweries

Discover new breweries or create your own brew tour based on what appeals to you. New microbreweries pop up every year to give you a different experience on each adventure. And remember, there’s always room for BEER! / by REVUE Staff and Minions

Grand Rapids Area 57 Brew Pub & Bistro 1310 West Washington, Greenville (616) 712-6226, 57brewpub.com 57 Brew Pub & Bistro combines Michigan ingredients to create localcentric beers. Try the Yellow Jacket Stinger Honey Ale (6.5% ABV), made with four malts, a hint of hops, and Michigan honey. The brewery also features seasonal barrel-aged beer options, including Honey Bourbon, Belgian Brandy and Woodford IPA. The pub boasts an impressive food menu (including wood-fired pizza) and bistro-style ambiance.

B.O.B.’s Brewery 20 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids (616) 356-2000, thegilmorecollection. com/brewery.php B.O.B.’s Brewery, located on The B.O.B.’s lower level, produces a variety of beers from light, refreshing summer styles to rich, robust, dark beers for cold-weather months. Some of the standards are Crimson King, Blondie, and Full on Indian Pale Ale, while the seasonal specials include London Calling (4.5% ABV), Hopsun

(4.5% ABV), Bobinator (4.5% ABV), and Hop Zeppelin.

Brewery Vivant 925 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids (616) 719-1604, breweryvivant.com Brewery Vivant puts its own spin on Belgian-style beers. Enjoying these brews within the revamped former funeral chapel is a truly unique drinking experience. Try BV’s most popular pour, Farm Hand (5.5% ABV), or the current wood aged beer available on tap. Pair these with one of the made-from-scratch menu items. (We suggest the burger.)

Cellar Brewing Co. 500 E Division St., Sparta (616) 883-0777, cellarbrewingco.com Formerly known as the Michigan Beer Cellar, the current Cellar Brewing Company has come a long way since recently changing owners. In addition to the 16 beers on tap, Cellar also makes spirits and wine, and offers food and eclectic entertainment. Four new brews for fall include raspberry, blueberry, and peach fruit pale ales. Try the Black Magic RyPA (IPA, 6.8% ABV).

Cranker’s Brewery 454 68th St. SW, Byron Center

Photos: Phil Artz

(616) 827-1919, facebook.com/ CrankersGrandRapids Add ing a m icrobrewer y on to Cranker’s in Big Rapids was such a success, the owners decided to do the same with their Coney Island restaurant in Byron Center. The business recently began serving up brews, including its Bulldog Red Irish Ale and Professor IPA. Elk Brewing 700 Wealthy St. SE, Grand Rapids facebook.com/elkbrewing After two year’s worth of delays, Elk recently resumed construction and tentatively plans to open this winter.

Grand Rapids Brewing Company 1 Ionia Ave. SW, Suite 1, Grand Rapids (616) 458-7000, grbrewingcompany. com

Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery & Supply 418 Ada Dr., Ada (206) 403-8563, gravelbottom.com After much demolishing and rebuilding of the former Ninth Bridge Market catering space and practicing plenty of homebrewing in the garage, Gravel Bottom is now open.

Beers on tap include a black IPA, pale ale, wit, porter, grapefruit IPA, imperial IPA and an ESB. You can also stock up on homebrewing supplies during your visit and partake in one of Gravel Bottom’s homebrewing classes.

Harmony Brewing Company 1551 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids (616) 233-0063, harmonybeer.com Harmony’s ever-changing lineup on 12 taps features tempting offerings such as Battle Cat White IPA and Star Stuff, a Belgian dubbel ale purportedly brewed with pulverized meteorite (7.3% ABV). Located in Eastown, Harmony is a family friendly neighborhood spot with tasty wood-fired pizza and beer that adapts with the seasons. We recommend Cavendish Barrel Aged

Eccentric Ale, a vanilla porter aged in cherry bitters barrels (8.7% ABV).

The Hideout Brewing Company 3113 Plaza Dr. NE, Grand Rapids (616) 361-9658, hideoutbrewing.com There’s a reason why this brewery is called The Hideout. Hidden near Plainfield and I-96, it’s easy to miss.

Pay close attention and you’ll find 25 brews on tap, including Wet Hopped Harvest Ale (5.6% ABV). This beer can only be made once a year since it is made with hops picked within 24 hours, meaning the hops never dry. Also try the solid mainstay Smuggler’s Hazelnut Stout (5.6% ABV), or experiment with wackier specialties like Fresh Pepper Red Ale (5.5% ABV) and Peanut Butter Cup Milk Stout (5.9%).

HopCat 25 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids (616) 451-4677, hopcatgr.com Named one of the best beer bars in the world by the folks at Beer Advocate, HopCat is something of a field of dreams for beer drinkers.

With 200 bottled varieties and 48 taps, you simply name a beer and chances are they have it. Be sure to try their in-house brews as well, such as Whitney Brewston (5.7% ABV), an easy-drinking Belgian Wit. This month, grab a Hopfenkatz (5.3% ABV), HopCat’s version of Oktoberfest.

Jaden James Brewery 4665 Broadmoor, Kentwood (616) 656-4665, cascadecellars.com

The owners of the Cascade Winery proved they can ferment hops as well as grapes when they opened Jaden James Brewery. The result is four rotating taps (including Honey Blonde Ale, Cream Ale, IPA and Oatmeal Porter) plus an extensive wine list, pleasing both beer and wine lovers.

Middle Villa Inn 4611 N. M-37 Hwy, Middleville (269) 795-3640, middle-villa-inn. com/microbrewery.html So you’re hanging out and your friend says to you, “Screw it dude, let’s go bowling!” Sounds like a good idea until you remember that you can’t legally bring your favorite craft brew into the bowling alley. Enter: Middle Villa Inn, the coolest bowling alley in the world for the simple fact that it serves its own beer. Lace up and hit the lanes with a frosty offering from their ever-changing selection, from the lightest lagers and pilsners, to ales, wheat beers, stouts and porters.

The Mitten Brewing Co. 527 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids (616) 608-5612, mittenbrewing.com Located in the historic Engine House No. 9 with a “take me out to the ball game” atmosphere, Mitten Brewing Company welcomes visitors with a vintage charm. Offerings include Mitten Pale Ale (5.3% ABV), Batch 100 (11% ABV) and Triple Crown Brown (4.2% ABV) — and you must try it with the gourmet pizza. The brewery plans to expand to the upstairs of the building soon.

Osgood Brewing 4051 Chicago Dr. SW, Grandville (616) 379-1237, osgoodbrewing.com Osgood Brewing (Osgood as in Hiram Osgood, a lawyer who kept a tavern 200 years ago) is in favor of beer that is big in flavor, quality and variety. When residents demanded a brewery for Grandville, the owners answered by setting plans to found Osgood. And here they are, featuring six mainstay taps, including their citrusy Journey IPA (6% ABV).

The Peoples Cider Co 600 Maryland Ave. NE, Grand Rapids (616) 322-7805, thepeoplescider.com When Jason Lummen purchased his first 50-gallon fermenter, his wife welcomed it into the kitchen of their one-bedroom apartment in Heartside. Now you can find Lummen’s premium dry ciders circulating at Georgio’s Pizza, Harmony Brewing Company, Last Chance Saloon and White Flame Brewing.

Perrin Brewing 5910 Comstock Park Dr., Comstock Park (616) 551-1957, perrinbrewing.com Fully equipped with a kitchen serving up local fare and 20 brews on tap at a time, Perrin Brewing Company has much to offer its patrons. Mixing the old with the new, Perrin crafts an array of beers including the 1885 Porter (5.9% ABV) and Sleeping Bear Beer (5.4% ABV), inspired by the iconic tale of the Sleeping Bear

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Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

Founders Brewing Company 235 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids (616) 776-1195, foundersbrewing. com Recently renovated, this Grand Rapids landmark features a warm and inviting hall-style brewpub teeming with friendly faces, great live music, and superbly crafted beer. You already know the likes of Dirty Bastard, Centennial IPA, and Kentucky Breakfast Stout, but Founders always has unique small-batch beers rotating through the taps, such as Spite, a pale ale brewed with hot chilies.

With its first brew in 1893, GRBC is Grand Rapids’ oldest name in beer.

The new GRBC — Michigan’s first organic brewery — pays homage to GR’s people, places and history with the names of its mainstay brews, such as Rosalynn Bliss Blonde (5.2% ABV) and The Fishladder IPA (6.5% ABV). The brewery offers a variety of light and dark beers that pair with dishes from the pub’s menu.

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Dunes. Just-released seasonals include Bashtoberfest (4.6% ABV) and Malted Milk Ball Imperial Porter (10%ABV).

Pike 51 Brewing Company 3768 Chicago Dr., Hudsonville (616) 662-4589, pike51.com Pike 51, which is the on-site brewery at Hudsonville Winery, offers 16 beers on tap, plus homemade root beer. Beer menu highlights include Wheatwacker Session Wheat IPA (4.3 % ABV), the malty Brass Monkey Vienna Lager (5.9% ABV), Tall Boy American Lager (4% ABV), and Sabotage, a milk stout with coffee (6.3 % ABV).

Rockford Brewing Company 12 E Bridge St., Rockford (616) 951-4677, rockfordbrewing. com Providing European-inspired flavors with local ingredients, Rockford Brewing Company strives to create unique beers. Offerings include Carriage House Ale (5.9% ABV), Kirsche Me Under the Cherry Tree (6.3% ABV), Rogue River Brown (6.5%) and Rock Hard Cider (6.8% ABV), an English-style cider made from organic ingredients. Along with beer, RBC offers wines and a variety of cocktails.

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

Schmohz Brewing Company 2600 Patterson SE, Grand Rapids (616) 949-0860, schmohz.com What started as the brainchild of four beer-loving Michigan Tech students has grown into a locally driven brewery. With on-tap offerings now up to 20 unique styles, Schmohz has something for everyone. Relax in their cozy taproom with a pint of Kiss My Scottish Arse (Scotch ale, 9.2% ABV), or Valley City Cream Ale (4.3% ABV).

White Flame Brewing Company 5234 36th Ave., Hudsonville (616) 209-5098, whiteflamebrewing. com Husband-and-wife duo Bill and Jen White both started out homebrewing before they formed White Flame, and even before they met. When Bill was laid off in 2009, the duo took it as a sign to follow their passion, and make history by being Hudsonville’s first brewery. The small production brewery offers a cozy taproom and 13 beers on tap, as well as cider.

Try Golden Boy Ale (4.5% ABV) for a good session beer, or the Black

40 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

Sheep IPA (8% ABV), recommended for the adventurous drinker.

Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro 105 E State St., Hastings (269) 945-4400, walldorffbrewpub. com Disc golfers will love Walldorff for its proximity to Hammond Hill Disc Golf Club, and beer geeks will love it for the nine bold styles on tap at the brewpub. Stop in to try out the heavy dry-hopped punch of Cobain’s Double Dark IPA (8.2% ABV), or the smooth flavor of local favorite Bee Sting Honey Rye (6.5% ABV).

Lakeshore Big Lake Brewery 977 Butternut Ave., Suite 4, Holland (616) 796-8888, facebook.com/ biglakebrewing In 2009, three friends, all engineers, decided to make their own little microbrewery on Holland’s north side.

Opened this July, Big Lake Brewery is currently busy experimenting with crafting good beer and wine and providing a relaxing atmosphere for thirsty folks. Offerings include Locked Out Pale Ale (5.2% ABV) — so named when the brewer locked himself out of the building — and Darkstar Stout (8% ABV).

Fetch Brewing 100 W. Colby St., Whitehall (231) 638-7545, fetchbrewing.com Projecting a late 2013/early 2014 opening.

New Holland Brewing Company 66 East 8th St., Holland (616) 355-6422, newhollandbrew. com New Holland’s newly renovated and expanded downtown brewpub offers a great atmosphere for a meal and a beer. New Holland steps up its dedication to local with Michigan hops, wheat and barley now being brewed into several beers. Good bets that are always on tap include the subtly peppery Monkey King Saison (farmhouse ale, 5.8% ABV), and high-gravity Dragon’s Milk (bourbon barrel stout, 10% ABV).

Pigeon Hill Brewing 500 W. Western Ave., Muskegon pigeonhillbrew.com

Odd Side Ales flight. Photo: Kim Kibby

Pigeon Hill not only focuses on beer, but makes a point to honor the former Pigeon Hill sand dune on Muskegon L a k e , a s w e l l a s Mu s k e g o n Brewing Company, two important parts of Muskegon’s history. The brewery is currently in construction with an opening date TBA. Odd Side Ales 41 Washington Ave., Suite 160, Grand Haven (616) 935-7326, oddsideales.com Odd Side tinkers with recipes and experiments with ingredients in order to brew complex, unusual beers.

Stop in to try one of their 22 taps, such as Derelicte (6.8% ABV), an IPA brewed with fresh-cut pineapple, and Mayan Mocha Stout (6% ABV), a Mexican hot-chocolate inspired stout brewed with Dutch chocolate coffee, cinnamon, nutmeg and habaneros.

Old Boys’ Brewhouse Photo: Phil Artz

The brewery has recently expanded and now sells a few of its beers in bottles.

Old Boys’ Brewhouse 971 Savidge St., Spring Lake (616) 850-9950, oldboysbrewhouse. com If man’s best friend is the dog, then his next best friend is a fresh glass of beer. Old Boys’ Brewhouse knows this, and the friendly taphouse invites patrons to raise a glass in celebration of canines’ ability to bond with humans. Toast your favorite four-legged friend with classic favorites like Old Boys’ Brown Ale (4.8% ABV) and Connor’s Kolsch (4.8% ABV), as well as interesting seasonals such as Irascible (5.5% ABV), an American brown ale aged three months in a barrel with cherry juice and wild yeast.

Our Brewing Co 76 E 8th St., Holland (616) 994-8417, ourbrewingcompany. com Located in downtown Holland, Our Brewing Company is right smack in the middle of all the hip restaurants and just a stone’s throw away from New Holland Brewing. Brews are creative, scrumptious and wellcrafted. Have a sip of the highly recommended Careless Whisper IPA (7.1% ABV) and Toasty Coconut Porter (6% ABV). Also offers wine and cider.

Saugatuck Brewing Company 2948 Blue Star Hwy., Douglas (269) 857-7222, saugatuckbrewing. com Th is expansive m icrobrewer y combines the charm and character of an Irish pub with the bold, contemporary elements of a gleaming microbrewery. With 13 brews on tap, from Pier Cove Porter (6.3% ABV) to the crisp and refreshing Singapore IPA (6.7% ABV), there’s a style for every palate. Starting at $265, you can even brew your own batch of beer on-site, under the guidance of a staff brewer.

Unruly Brewing Company 360 W. Western Ave., Muskegon unrulybrewing.com Unruly’s owners can boast about being the first to plan a microbrewery in Muskegon since Prohibition.

Expected opening is November 2013.

Vander Mill 14921 Cleveland St., Spring Lake

(616) 842-4337, vandermillwinery. com Great news for cider lovers: Vander Mill recently started canning three of its creations (Hard Apple, Totally Roasted and Blue Gold). This comes after a 3,500-square-foot, $600,000 expansion earlier this year. What better time to go and enjoy a little bit of grown-up cider?

Kzoo & Battle Creek Arcadia Ales 103 West Michigan Ave., Battle Creek (269) 963-9690, arcadiaales.com Arcadia may be located in America’s cereal capital, but this brewery specializes in handcrafting Britishstyle ales. By combining the best malted barley across the pond and the best hop offerings of the Pacific Northwest, Arcadia produces beer with exceptional character and flavor. Try the Hop Rocket Imperial IPA (9% ABV). Arcadia is opening a second location in Kalamazoo, likely in mid-January 2014.

Bell’s Brewery 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo

(269) 382-2332, bellsbeer.com This Michigan brewing powerhouse has become a household name outside of the mitten as well. With more than 25 years experience, 22 mainstay and seasonal beers, and an impressive range of distribution, Bell’s has redefined what a craft brewery can be. We recommend Hopslam (10% ABV) for the daring and Two Hearted Ale (7% ABV) for those who want to tone down the hoppiness.

Bilbo’s Pizza 3307 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo (269) 382-5544, bilbospizza.com This Kalamazoo pizza joint has been brewing its own beer and selling it for years. If you’re seeking something that won’t be found anywhere else, stop in for a pie and wash it down with some of Bilbo’s famous Wizard Wheat or Dragon Red Ale. Boatyard Brewing Company 432 E Patterson St., Kalamazoo (269) 808-3455, boatyardbrewing. com Beer is not just another drink to Boatyard Brewing Company. Each brew is the craft of artistic fermentation at this Kalamazoo microbrewery.

For example, the 12 Tried and Trues, seasonals and special projects are truly Michigan beers with their local ingredients. Brews include Blonde Horizon (6.4% ABV), Lost Peninsula

IPA (6.4% ABV), Hold Fast Pale Ale (6.2% ABV) and Calleigh’s Irish Stout (5.4% ABV).

Bravo! Café 5402 Portage Rd., Kalamazoo (269) 344-7700, bravokalamazoo. com Bigger isn’t always better. The award-winning chefs at Bravo! brew in small batches with all-natural ingredients to create a crisp and refreshing taste in the five beers they have on tap. Slow fermentation is what creates the signature malt flavors in these high-quality beers.

Brews include Chefs Ale (amber ale, 6.3% ABV), Summer Daze IPA (7.5% ABV), Vanilla Bean Porter (6.3% ABV) and Blond Ambition (4.4% ABV).

Gonzo’s Biggdogg Brewery 140 S Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo (296) 217-0603, gonzosbiggdoggbrewing.com While an opening date has not yet been set for Gonzo’s, the brewery is busy brewing its first wheat beer, as well as getting its pizza oven set up.

(Because, really. What’s better than pizza and beer?)

Latitude 42 7842 Portage Rd., Portage (269) 459-4242, latitudebrewingco. com Opened in July, Latitude Brewing Company is Portage’s first brewery, with a head brewer that came from

Hawaii to start up the business. The best part? The beers to go, which come in six packs, 32 and 64-oz. growlers and kegs. Surprise your guests at your next gathering with Latitude’s El Diablo, which is the brewery’s Lil’ Sunshine Golden Ale infused with chipotle peppers.

Old Mill Brewpub & Grill 717 E. Bridge St., Plainwell 269) 204-6601, oldmillbrew.com Old Mill stands out from other brewpubs by its location. It is housed in the more than 100-year-old Historic Eesley Mill, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

In addition to the scenery, Old Mill sources locally and seasonally when possible. Owner and brewmaster Scott Zylstra plans on serving the first taste of his brews on the Oct. 25 West Michigan Beer Tours Halloween tour.

Olde Peninsula Brewing Company 200 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo (269) 343-2739, oldepenkazoo.com Open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, Olde Peninsula strives to bring customers a complete brewpub experience. It features five original brews on tap, including Sunset Red Amber Ale (5.75% ABV) and Rockin’ Raspberry Wheat (5.5 % ABV). Those looking for a bit more variety can try one of the four “Mix-N-Match” options, like Black Razberry, a combination pour of the Raspberry Wheat and Midnight Stout.

Dan Gilligan and Brian Steele, Boatyard Brewing co-owners.

Photo: Erik Holladay

Tibbs Brewing Company 402 South Burdick, Kalamazoo (877) 762-7397, tibbsbrewing.com Small batches don’t mean small beers. Tibbs Brewing Company is a nano-brewery dedicated to providing traditional-style beers, seasonal

MidMichigan Bifferhaus Brewing Co 900 Lansing Ave., Jackson (269) 832-8940, facebook.com/ Bifferhausbrewingcompany After brewing beer for nearly two decades in his home for friends and family, Terry Howard decided it was time to share his beer with the citizens of Jackson. The Bifferhaus Brewing Company will offer porters, brown ales, IPAs (Indian Pale Ales), pale ales, fruit beers, seasonal ales and cask beers in a taproom personalized with handmade mugs created by artist Ken Shenstone from Albion.

Opening fall 2013.

Dark Horse Brewing Company 511 S. Kalamazoo Ave., Marshall (269) 781-9940, darkhorsebrewery. com Dark Horse’s eclectic pub is a perfect fit for the brewery’s eclectic beer.

Favorites include Raspberry Ale (5% ABV) and Scotty Karate Scotch Ale (9.75% ABV), named after a local musician known for his eclectic (there’s that word again) fusion of punk and country. Cross the parking lot and visit Dark Horse’s general store, where you can not only stock up on merch, but homebrewing supplies as well.

EagleMonk Pub and Brewery 4906 W Mt Hope Hwy., Lansing (517) 708-7350, eaglemonkbrewing. com EagleMonk is a year-old arrival on the Mid-Michigan microbrewery scene that features a friendly, neighborhood-style brewpub and variations on styles such as scotch ale and rye ale. Red Eye Rye (5.4% ABV) is the brewer’s signature brew, so we’ll trust the expert on this one.

Grand River Marketplace 117 W Louis Glick Hwy., Jackson (517) 962-2427, grandrivermarketplace.com/ brewery

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Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

Paw Paw Brewing 929 E. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw (269) 415-0145, pawpawbrewing. com Striving to integrate culture and local products, Paw Paw Brewing joined the Michigan microbrewery scene in 2010. Offerings include St. James English Mild (5.1% ABV), Twisted Pumpkin Ale (6.2% ABV), and Laughin’ Paw Pale (5.4% ABV), a pale ale styled in the European tradition. In addition to Twisted Pumpkin, the brewery’s other fall brews include Bloody Zombie, and Concorde Blonde, inspired by the local grape and wine festival.

flavors, and innovative twists. It is set to open in the fall of 2013, as soon as October.

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Microbrewery guide

Grand River Marketplace is a new venue nestled along the buildings of historic downtown Jackson.

Although it may be fresh to the scene, it has solid staying power with its microbrewery, winery, restaurant and retail store.

Harpers Restaurant & Brewpub 131 Albert Ave., East Lansing (517) 333-4040, harpersbrewpub. com Harper’s has an atmosphere that you would expect out of a college town bar: loud, crowded, and fun as hell.

With everything on tap from pales to IPAs to stouts to their signature Spartan Wheat, it’s certainly worth it to wade up to the bar and get your hands on a glass.

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

Hometown Cellars Brewing Co 108 E Cedar St. Suite D, Ithaca (989) 875-6010, hometowncellars. com Hometown Cellars professes to be one of the first nano-breweries in the state. And rightly so — they brew one barrel at a time. But don’t judge a brewery by its size, judge it by its beer. Hometown offers Blond Ale, Oatmeal Stout, Belgian White, Cream Ale, Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, Brown Ale, Wheat, and Red Ale. Mt. Pleasant Brewing Company 614 W. Pickard St., Mt. Pleasant (989) 400-4666, mtpleasantbrew. com Combine a cozy, wood-filled taproom with a neighborhood atmosphere and you’ve got the headquarters of Mt. Pleasant Brewing Company.

Here you can see live local music or enjoy a game of darts while sipping on one of the brewery’s 18 offerings, including a seasonal Oktoberfest (6% ABV) and the imposing Freight Train Double IPA (8.6% ABV).

South Greenbush Brewing Co. 5885 Sawyer Rd., Sawyer (269) 405-1076, greenbushbrewing. com For more adventurous beer-drinkers, visiting Greenbush is a must. The birth of Greenbush’s signature copper-hued Red Bud Ale (6.1% ABV) was a mistake (the brewers acciden-

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tally went overboard on the hops), but that doesn’t make it any less of a beer. This type of experimental tinkering has led to the creation of some of Greenbush’s finest beers including the Belgian-style golden ale, 1825 (9.3% ABV), and the Closure pale ale (5.9% ABV).

The Livery 190 5th St., Benton Harbor (269) 925-8760, liverybrew.com With a large brewpub and an outdoor bier garden, The Livery has plenty of space for beer geeks and casual drinkers alike. Featuring 12 “Hand-Forged Microbrew” taps that pour out traditional favorites such as IPA, pilsner and stout, The Livery also has two taps reserved for what they call Real Ale. By real, they mean English.

Millgrove Brewing Company 2044 36th St., Allegan (269) 355-8803, millgrovebrewing. com Fou nded i n 2011, M i l lg rove’s Wayfarer Cream Ale hit the taps all around West Michigan, appearing at The Electric Cheetah in Grand Rapids and Bubba’s Sports Bar in Allegan. In September, the brewing company went through a brewer’s license hiccup and is working on getting the beer back and flowing.

Patchwork Brewing 103 N. Phelps St., Decatur (269) 436-8052, patchworkbrewing. com This small brewery reflects the growing interest in local, homegrown and handmade. Six of the 15 flagship brews are rotated through seven taps, leaving the last tap open for seasonal offerings. Highlights of the lineup include Liquid Breakfast Oatmeal Stout (6.1% ABV), Lake of the Woods Belgian Dubbel (6.6% ABV), and Ira’s Revenge Double India Dark Ale (9.6% ABV), a traditional IPA brewed with darker malt.

Round Barn Brewery 10983 Hills Rd., Baroda (269) 326-7059, roundbarnwinery. com Round Barn is a winery that knows beer. The staff uses more than 30 years of fermentation experience to create quality beer for customers who crave more than just wine.

There are currently 19 styles rotated through nine taps, including some seasonal treats for fall like their Harvest Ale, Scotch Ale and Black

Raspberry Chocolate Stout, brewed with locally grown raspberries.

Tapistry Brewing Co 4236 Lake St., Bridgman (269) 266-7349, tapistrybrewing. com Created by a homebrewer and an accountant, Tapistry Brewing Company finds itself about a mile from Weko Beach, with a neighboring 2,200-square-foot space to serve as the taproom. As the name of the company implies (“Tapistry” = “tap” + “chemistry”), here is where old-world heritage meets new-world ingredients, and where unique beers such as the house-favorite Chocola Java stout (8% ABV) reside.

Virtue Cider 2170 62nd St., Fennville (269) 561-5001, virtuecider.com Virtue Cider is for those with a taste for local and old-world farmhouses.

Created with heirloom Michigan apples and inspired by the founder’s travels through Europe, Virtue’s ciders include English-style RedStreak, Norman-style brut Lapinette, winter cider The Mitten, not-too-dry, not-toosweet English-style medium cider The Ledbury, and the tart, lemony summer Spanish-style sidra, Sidra de Nava.

North Beards Brewery 207A Howard St., Petoskey (231) 753-2221, beardsbrewery.com Once upon a time there were two friends with the same passion: beer.

It is through this passion that Ben Slocum and Peter Mathei eventually created Beards Brewery. Since opening in 2012, the brewery has grown to host more than 40 brews. Try this: Blueberry Muffin, the beloved baked good brewed into a glass.

Beggar’s Brewery 4177 Village Park Dr., Suite C, Traverse City beggarsbrewery.com As of this writing, the brewers at Beggar’s were brewing pilot batches, getting ready for opening. Traverse City residents can look for Beggar’s brews in area bars and restaurants.

Big Buck Brewery & Steakhouse 550 S Wisconsin, Gaylord

Stormcloud Brewing Company

(989) 732-5781, bigbuck.com Big Buck is not only a brewery, but also boasts a winery and distillery.

Meaning, this place knows booze.

There are eight mainstays on tap, as well as seasonals. Get toasty with Winter Warmer, a brown ale with a knock-you-down 16.8% ABV. Looking for something on the light side? The Buck Naked Light is an Americanstyle, low-calorie beer with a 6.2% ABV. Big “O” Brewery 9825 Engles Rd., Northport (231) 386-5636, goodneighbororganic.com Good Neighbor Organic Farms and Winery (the region’s first and only totally Certified Organic Vineyard) added this microbrewery, which is the first in Leelanau County. All food and drinks produced by the company are completely organic.

Brews are available by the growler or pint, and hard ciders and wines are also on hand in the tasting room.

Big Rapids Brewing Company (at Blue Cow Café) 119 N. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids (231) 796-0100, bluecowcafe.com Inside the fine dining establishment Blue Cow Cafe are four beer taps that

pour nothing but high-quality, handmade beer. While you’re enjoying some of Blue Cow’s gourmet, madefrom-scratch cuisine, ask what beer styles are currently available. The selection rotates weekly, giving the brewers freedom to experiment and tinker with small-batch production.

Brewery Ferment 511 S Union St., Traverse City (231) 735-8113, breweryferment.com This microbrewer y, located in Traverse City’s Old Town, has an atmosphere that will help you unwind after a long day. The five flagship beers on draft are complemented by rotating specialties, including Midnight Ryeder (rye stout, 7% ABV), and Pink Love (raspberry wheat, 8% ABV), plus bottle-conditioned beers.

Brewery Terra Firma 2959 Hartman Rd., Traverse City (231) 929-1600, breweryterrafirma. com Brewery Terra Firma steps up the microbrew game with sustainable practices in addition to great beer.

Energy is conserved, materials are recycled and beer ingredients are fresh. The Gladstone APA (5.9%

Continued on page 46

T rin k e n ein B ie r

DEDICATED, EXPERIENCED, BEER ENTHUSIASTS. A hands-on brewery promoting craft beer with a variety of brews on tap, classes and a fully stocked supply shop.

We’ll bring out the German in you.

GERMAN-STYLE BEERS ON TAP:

Oktoberfest - classic Bavarian festival lager Darktober - dark, bold German lager Stop in to try all of our craft beers.

THE B.O.B. • 20 MONROE AVE • DOWNTOWN GR 616.356.2000 • THEBOB.COM

418 ADA DRIVE SE, ADA, MI 616.920.7398 - GRAVELBOTTOM.COM

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY 2PM - 11PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY 11AM - 12PM

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

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Beer Issue Pound Michigan Beer T-Shirt

Beer Gear

The sentiment is simple: pound Mich igan beer.

It’s also the motto behind the #MichiganBeer project, which has T-shirts and bumper stickers encouraging people to pound Michigan beer, as well as bike for Michigan b e e r. F i n d o u t w h e r e t o get ‘em at facebook.com/ mibeertshirtprojectlikepage.

By Lauren Allen and Lindsay Patton-Carson

Old Boy’s Dog Treats, $1-$3.50

Now you can share more than just your bed with your four-legged friends. Dog treats made from the same ingredients found in your favorite beers are now available for Fido from Old Boys Brewhouse. oldboysbrewhouse.com/shop/ big-dog-kanine-krunchies

Arcadia Ales Bowling Shirt, $34.95

Brewery Vivant Baby Romper, $16

Michigan Brewer’s Guild Flag, $50

Step up your game with this black-and-white bowling shirt, and look sleek while doing it. Just make sure your choice alley has Michigan beer on tap. arcadiaalesstore.com

You could choose to mount the U.S. flag above your front door.

But why be so patriotic when you can let the world know where your heart truly resides? Beer flag for all. mibeer.com

Get your own Beer Gear, on us!

Bell’s Onesie, $29

Curl up in your Bell’s onesie and spend a romantic evening with the love of your life: beer. bellsbeer.com/store

Shamelessly hinting at the catalyst to your baby’s very existence, this baby blue romper by Brewery Vivant is a must-have for those surprise bundles of joy. And for any parent who just really likes Brewery Vivant. breweryvivant.bigcartel. com/product/baby-blue-romper

Visit revuewm.com/free-stuff to enter to win one of these items or a gift certificate to HopCat Grand Rapids, voted the number two beer bar in the country by craftbeer.com and number three beer bar in the world by Beer Advocate.

What Your Beer Says About You

By Nolan Krebs / Illustrations by Ryan Hipp

If a bock is your brew of choice, your ancestors were probably German monks.

Rich, malty and heavy, your favorite beer doubles as your favorite meal. (Try Dark Horse Brewery’s Perkulator Coffee Dopplebock.)

44 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

Blondes just want to have fun.

You’re into what smells good, tastes good and doesn’t leave you feeling like you’ve got a stomach full of gravel. (Try Beards Brewery’s Bombshell Blonde.)

You’re not the sunniest person around, but that’s not so bad. You couldn’t be happier to drink a nice brown on an October afternoon, rocking your favorite sweater and kicking around some fallen leaves. (Try Bell’s Brewery’s Best Brown Ale.)

While you might not be the burliest beer drinker, don’t let anyone make you feel weak for digging hefeweizens. You just favor more exotic flavors (banana, clove) over hoppiness. (Try Grand Rapids Brewing Company’s Brewer’s Heritage.)

A polarizing force of hoptastic wonder frequented by sippers, not chuggers. Your battle-hardened palate leads you carefully through fields of citrusy, floral notes, because the morning after drinking too many Two-Hearteds can be truly crippling. (Try Bell’s Brewery’s Two Hearted Ale.)

Home Brewing Supplies & Equipment

By Nolan Krebs and Shelby Pendowski

Grand Rapids Area

Southwest Michigan

Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery and Supply Gravel Bottom is a West Michigan triple threat. It’s part brewery, part homebrew supply store and offers homebrewing classes for different experience levels. 418 Ada Dr., Ada; gravelbottom.com O’Connor’s Home Brew Supply Located just east of Martha’s Vineyard in Midtown, O’Connor’s call itself Grand Rapids’ “only dedicated home brew supply shop,” with an on-hand staff of brewers to help with any questions a first-timer might have.

619 Lyon St. NE, Grand Rapids; oconnorshomebrew.com, (616) 635-2088 Siciliano’s Market Siciliano’s impressive collection of ingredients and equipment can be checked out at the Northwest Grand Rapids location, most of which can be conveniently ordered online.

2840 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids; sicilianosmkt.com, (616) 453-9674

Lighten up, big guy — your soul is as black as the contents of your glass. You’re down with roasted grains, hints of coffee or choco late and a rich finish. (Try Harmony Brewing Company’s Black Squirrel.)

selection of how-to literature on the craft. 650 Riley St. Suite E, Holland; brewersedgehomebrew.com, (616) 399-0017

Bell’s Brewery General Store Get the gear to brew with the best of ‘em at Bell’s General Store. It might not turn out like Oberon, but hey, practice makes perfect. 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo; bellsbeer.com, (269) 382-5712 Lambrecht’s Liquor Lambrecht’s in St. Joseph calls itself “something more than a beverage store,” and touts an extremely large selection of beer, wine and spirits.

They even have cigar-making kits.

2926 Niles Ave., St. Joseph; lambrechtsliquors.com, (269) 983-5353

Lakeshore Brewers Edge Holland’s local homebrew shop provides both beer and winemaking supplies, as well as equipment and a

Some might say you’re middle of the road, but really you just like to keep it clean and simple when you drink. (Try Shorts Brewing Co.’s Pontius Road Pilsner.)

Mid-Michigan Capital City Homebrew Supply Started by homebrewers for homebrewers, Capital City Homebrew Supply has Lansing covered with more than 40 types of grains and 30 types of hops. 1824 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing; capitalcityhomebrewsupply. com, (517) 374-1070 Dark Horse General Store Get inspired to start brewing by imbibing some Dark Horse brews in the taproom. Step outside and wander a few feet over to the general store, where you can pick up brewing supplies and Dark Horse merch. 511 S Kalamazoo Ave., Marshall; darkhorsebrewery.com, (269) 781-9940 Dusty’s Cellar Dusty’s Cellar stocks all the basics to get you from fermentation to bot-

If red’s your color, you like a little bit of everything. Why settle on one flavor? You go for a balanced beer with toasted malts, varying degrees of hoppiness and a light fruitiness.

(Try Brewery Vivant’s Big Red Coq.)

tling, plus it has a killer wine bar and bakery to boot. 1839 Grand River Ave., Okemos; dustyscellar.com, (517) 349-5150 The Red Salamander Home to the Red Ledge Brewers Homebrew Club, this shop located in Grand Ledge has been servicing Michigan brewers since it opened in 1997. 902 East Saginaw Highway, Grand Ledge; theredsalamander. com, (517) 627-2012 That’s How We Brew That’s How We Brew offers kits, hops, grain, yeast, malts and gear to whip up your creations, and hosts Lansing Brew Crew meetings the first Sunday of the month. 3000 Vine St., Lansing; thatshowwebrew.com, (517) 708-7548

A t y pe of su m mer beer, saisons are what you might reach for when you’re actually thirsty. They’re light and spicy, with lots of room for variety. For those who like to stay quick on their feet.

(Try New Holland Brewing Company’s Monkey King Saison.)

Northern Michigan Bad Teacher Brewing Supply Whether you’re looking for a kit to get started or the perfect grain for your artisan ale, Bad Teacher Brewing Supply in Traverse City boasts Grand Traverse’s largest selection of ingredients and supplies. 1331 W. South Airport Rd., Traverse City; badteacherbrewing.com, (231) 632BREW (2739) n

Malty, full-bodied and fairly high in alcohol, Scottish ale drinkers mix business with plea s u re. (Tr y Fou nders Brewing Company’s Dirty Bastard.)

Stouts are the demon-spawn of porters, with heavily roasted flavors, thick, tan heads and virtually no hoppiness.

Stouts and those who favor them are creatures of pure evil. (Try Arcadia Ales’ Cocoa Loco.)

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

45

Microbrewery guide

Continued from page 42 ABV), named after a small town in Michigan’s UP, makes for a good session beer, while upcoming seasonals include an Oktoberfest and a pumpkin beer.

Why I Teach Beer Appreciation

By Ben Darcie, “The Beer Dude”

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

T

here are three things I love in life more than any other: people, beer and cooking.

By 2010, I started pursuing a Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) and attended a training class with Adam Mills, who is now head brewer of Cranker’s Brewery. His passion, knowledge and dedication to others awoke something within me. I sat there, soaking up everything he had to say, swimming through a wealth of information and fascinating beer speak.

As I sat there, I realized that I absolutely loved it — and I realized there had to be more people out there who would enjoy this as much as I do. I had finally found a way to combine two of my greatest passions: beer and people.

By the fall of 2011, I had designed the first Grand Rapids Beer Tasting Class.

Beer is no different than any other art form — every brush and stroke is pre-meditated, yet so many people just consider it an inebriate. What a simple summation. It is my goal to take this common misconception and bury it — help people see how beautiful beer is, and the time and precision it took to create it.

I love fielding questions, lively discussions and people who are anxious to learn. Thankfully, within our wonderful beer culture, people are sponges — ready and willing to learn anything they can; this is where I come in, and proudly so.

My goal is to help people stop drinking beer, and start experiencing it. Help them see that every beer, good or bad, is an adventure of flavor and experience.

Ultimately, I teach because making other people happy invigorates me. I teach because beer is my life and my passion, and there is nothing else I want to do than share it with other people.

Follow me on Facebook: “The Grand Rapids Beer Tasting Class” / “Michigan Beer Dude” Or on Twitter: @MIBeerDude

46 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

Cranker’s Brewery 213 South State St., Big Rapids (231) 796-1919, crankersbrewery.com Cranker’s motto is simple: Drink good beer with good people. Cranker’s will take care of the beer, with six mainstay brews on tap plus one seasonal rotating in. They aren’t afraid to serve up some unfamiliar styles, such as California Common, a caramel-malted American style augmented by the uniquely minty wood flavor of Northern Brewery Hops.

The Filling Station Microbrewery 642 Railroad Place, Traverse City (231) 946-8168, thefillingstationmicrobrewery. com Located in the historical railroad district of Traverse City and conveniently located off a recreational bike and pedestrian path, The Filling Station is a definite destination brewpub. 14 taps are busy pouring a host of familiar styles like IPA, brown ale and porter, along with a few seasonals like the true Marzenstyle Oktoberfest lager, Munchen Marzen (6.3% ABV).

Jamesport Brewing Company 410 S. James St., Ludington (231) 845-2522, jamesportbrewingco.com This Victorian storefront was built in 1890 and originally housed a saloon, so it’s fitting that the building’s current tenant, Jamesport Brewing, serves more than 15 microbrews to quench any thirst. With all the standard styles covered, JBC spices up their menu with a Scottish strong ale, a hefeweizen, and a dry stout from a nitro tap for a smoother, creamier pour.

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales 13512 Peninsula Dr., Traverse City (231) 223-4333, jollypumpkin.com/ traversecity

The inclusion of the word ‘artisan’ in this brewery’s name is not simply for show. Jolly Pumpkin’s mission is to produce ales that are complex yet accessible to the average beer drinker. Try any one of the unique brews like Oro de Calabaza (8% ABV), a spicy Belgian strong ale influenced by wild yeast, or the seasonal Bam Noire (4,3% ABV), a rare dark Belgian farmhouse ale.

Kilkenny’s Irish Public House 400 W Front St., Traverse City (231) 941-7527, kilkennyspub.com Pass your night Irish style at Kilkenny’s Irish Public House, comfortably located just below North Peak Brewing Company and the edge of Traverse City’s downtown. Enjoy the housemade beer while taking in some live music and dinner.

Mackinaw Brewing Company 161 E. Front St., Traverse City (231) 933-1100, mackinawbrewing.com The first brewpub to open up in Traverse City, Mackinaw features a little something for everyone. The pub house serves seven beer varieties — including the light and crisp GT Golden or the Cherry Heritage Lager — as well as locally brewed wine, mead and cider.

North Peak Brewing Company 400 W. Front St., Traverse City (231) 941-7325, northpeak.net Housed in a former candy factory, this brewpub is out to satisfy a different type of craving. Enjoy live music on the large outdoor party deck while quaffing one of North Peak’s faithful interpretations of styles such as IPA, Irish stout and amber. Try North Peak’s flagship, Diabolical IPA (6.6% ABV), aggressively hopped with a hint of caramel sweetness.

Petoskey Brewing 1844 M-119, Petoskey (231) 753-2057, petoskeybrewing.com In 2012, Petoskey Brewing opened, fully renovated and ready to offer made-on-premise, hand-crafted beer and light food offerings.

Get wild with the Brain Freeze Waffle Cone Raspberry Cream Ale (6.9% ABV). It’s brewed

BEER EVENTS Wood Aged Beer Festival Brewery Vivant, Grand Rapids / Oct. 5, 1-9 p.m. / $10 For $10, you get your own glass, two drink and food tokens, with additional tokens available for purchase. breweryvivant.com, (616) 719-1604

Weihenstephaner Tasting HopCat, Grand Rapids / Oct. 11, 6-9 p.m.

HopCat welcomes the oldest brewery in the world for the release of their new drafts. hopcatgr.com, (616) 451-4677

with waffle cones, which add a subtle flavor to the finished beer.

Right Brain Brewery 225 East 16th St., Traverse City (231) 944-1239, rightbrainbrewery.com Traverse City Brewery recently moved to a new location, which quadruples its production capacity and expands distribution. Beer offerings remain relatively unchanged though, as you can still get your hands on tasty brews like Hawk Owl Amber, Will Power Pale Ale and Hop Owl (think Hawk Owl on hoppy steroids).

Short’s Brewing Company 121 North Bridge St., Bellaire (231) 498-2300, shortsbrewing.com Short’s is constantly topping the list of microbreweries Michigan beer lovers most want to visit. With 20 beers on tap, Short’s will have something you love and something you never knew you loved. Visitors will find familiar favorites like Huma Lupa Licious (7.7% ABV) or the deliciously fruit-infused rye ale, Soft Parade (7.5% ABV) alongside zany shortproduction brews like Key Lime Pie (5.5% ABV), an ale brewed with fresh limes, milk sugar, graham cracker and marshmallow fluff.

Stormcloud Brewing Company 303 Main St., Frankfort (231) 352-0118, stormcloudbrewing.com A small brewery two blocks from Lake Michigan, Stormcloud crafts ales “within the time-honored Belgian brewing tradition of ignoring time-honored brewing traditions.”

Try its flagship beer, Rainmaker Ale, a classic Belgian IPA with well-balanced hops and malts. The food menu includes charcuterie and seven gourmet popcorn options.

Tandem Ciders 2055 N Setterbo, Suttons Bay (231) 271-0050, tandemciders.com Tandem Ciders produces artisanal hard ciders that reflect the “beauty of the apple.” I don’t know about you, but such cider sounds anything but plain. Take a stop on the Leelanau wine trail and look for the white barn with a red tandem bicycle. n

Fall Beer Festival Eastern Market, Detroit / Oct. 25, 5-9 p.m.; Oct. 26,1-6 p.m. / $35 Your $35 ticket includes 15 drink tokens, with additional tokens available for purchase, to sample more than 400 beers from more than 50 breweries. mibeer.com

Wine, Beer & Food Festival DeVos Place, Grand Rapids / Nov. 21-23, times vary by day The Wine, Beer & Food Festival offers samplings from international wineries, breweries and local restaraunts, including a craft beer loft sponsored by the Michigan Brewer’s Guild. showspan.com/GRW, (616) 447-2860

Beer Cocktails

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any breweries, bars and restaurants are taking beer to the next level with beer cocktails.

The original beer cocktail came from 16th century Germany with the Berliner Weisse style. This light, cloudy and sour wheat beer came in around 3%ABV, but was generally too sour for people to enjoy, so it was served with a choice of flavored syrups — raspberry or woodruff.

Rockford Brewing offers some beer cocktails, including their Black & Tan (half Irish Stout and half Carraige House Ale), Michelada (a Bloody Beer made with Carriage House Ale), and a Snakebite made with their Rock Hard Cider and Sheehan’s Irish Stout.

Perrin Brewing also offers ‘Perrintinis,’ which include a Raspberry Shandy (Raspberry Ale and lemonade), a blend of Grapefruit IPA and Honeydew Rye Ale and a blend of their Grapefruit IPA and Golden ale served with a splash of raspberry.

Harmony Brewing, having a full bar, gets to make full-fledged beer cock-

West Michigan Beer Tours

A Night of Frights and Flights

F

Michelada

tails that include liquor. They offer a Beergarita (IPA with Tequila, lime juice and triple sec), and the Proud Mary (Vodka, bloody mary, and stout). There are also cocktails made with Vandermill Cider, including the French Blossom (elderflower liqueur, gin and cider) and the Vandertini (cider, vodka and a splash of lemonade). —Ben Darcie

acing your fears is easier with beer. Find out first hand with West Michigan Beer Tours’ Halloween Tour on Friday, Oct. 25.

The tour kicks off at the Olde Peninsula Brewpub in Kalamazoo, where you’ll get a chance to dive into their notorious Pumpkin Ale. From there, it’s a quick trip to Paw Paw Brewing Co. for another round of seasonal autumn ales, followed by a break at Kalamazoo’s Psycho Ward & Nightmares. Finish off the night at Plainwell’s Old Mill Brewpub, a 100-year-old building rumored to be inhabited by ghosts.

Drunk ones. Visit westmichiganbeertours.com for more info. —Nolan Krebs

Michigan beer gets its own movie

Damn Handsome Grooming Co.

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he Damn Handsome Grooming Company out of Kalamazoo creates men’s grooming products fueled by craft beer. There’s craft beer soap, beard oil, salves and balms. We’re talking all natural, healthy products for dudes “who are informed about what they are putting in their body and on their body,” said co-founder Jarrett Blackmon. “We’re piggybacking on a craft beer drinker who’s concerned about

how beer is made.” Blackmon’s favorite product is the beard oil, designed with his “gnarly and itchy” beard in mind.

This fall, lat her up wit h t he Northwest Beard Oil — a light blend of avocado, pumpkin and hemp-seed oil and organic hops with clean, earthy notes of oak moss, nutmeg and green vetiver. For more info, visit damnhandsomegroomingco.com. —Missy Black

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erhaps you’ve been following the project since Kalamazoobased Rhino Media launched its compelling Kickstarter campaign earlier this year, but the aptly named Michigan Beer Film is finally here. Following the path of several breweries across the state and their teams, the beautifully shot film focuses on the growth and challenges of the booming Michigan beer industry. The film premiered at the Kalamazoo State Theatre on Sept. 14 and plans to schedule future showings. —Nolan Krebs

A

h, the session beer. This particular style has grown in popularity over the last two years as a response to the extreme ales that were dominating the national brewing scene. The style arrived because the public said, “We love big beer, but I want to be able to drink three or four without getting snockered.”

The easy-drinking style before was pale ale, and brewers have taken it one step further with session ales. They’re designed to be light and drinkable (35%ABV), yet retain all the flavors of the standard styles. —Ben Darcie Check Out: Bell’s Oarsman, Founders All Day IPA, North Peak Wanderer, Oddside Ales Simcoe Sensation

Grab More Growlers

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ichigan beer just became even more accessible. In July, Governor Rick Snyder passed a law that allows restaurants with a to-go license to fill growlers.

Prior to the law, it was only legal for manufacturers (breweries or brewpubs) to fill growlers. “The promise that we were given is that this is going to move more beer through because restaurants will be able to fill with your beer,” said Chas Thompson of Schmohz Brewing Company. The stipulation is the growlers must be clean, less than one gallon and must be labeled with the product name.

—Lindsay Patton-Carson

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

Photo: Jarrett Blackmon

Beer is in Session

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