October 2013, Revue Magazine by Serendipity Media

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

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What’s Inside

October 2013 | Volume 25, Issue 10

SCENE: 15 18 20 22

Random Notes Free Market All Ages Eclectic

SPECIAL SECTION: 25 The Beer Issue 26 Michigan Beer Growth 34 The Fraternity of Brewers 36 Hard Cider 38 Microbrewery Guide 44 Beer Gear 44 What Your Beer Says About You 45 Homebrew Supply Stores

SOUNDS:

The Beer Issue

Fraternity of Brewers

49 50 52 54 56

Sink’s Spins On Tour: Zappa Plays Zappa On Tour: Blue October On Tour: Minus the Bear Album Release: UV Hippo

SIGHTS: 59 60 62 63 64 66 67

Visual Art: Avenue of the Arts First Friday Literary Life: Books and Beer Indie Film Movie Previews Comedy: River City Improv’s 20th Anniversary Performing Arts: GR Symphony Legend of Zelda Style Notes

DINING:

69 Restaurant Listings 70 Taste This

Dweezil Zappa

SCHEDULE:

77 Daily Event Listings and Best Bets

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REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Letter from the Editor

W es t M ichigan ’ s E n t ertainmen t G uide

think at this point, it just goes without saying that West Michigan is good at beer. I mean really, really good. To the point that it’s just a fact of life. But what does need to be said is that West Michigan also has a really supportive group of brewers, that not only compete with each other, but encourage each other. That’s one of the more fun things I’ve learned while working on this month’s Beer Issue. Instead of tough competition, these local brewers look at making beer as a one-upping contest. And the result? Everyone gets better beer out of it. Although, their relationship is more complex than a ‘You can do that? Well, I can do this’ attitude. Members of the West Michigan beer industry also try to work together whenever they can, and this month, the Grand Rapids Society of Brewers (GR S.O.B.s) are throwing a pretty awesome event that celebrates beer, community and the environment. On Oct. 17, the GR S.O.B.s and Riverside Park in Grand Rapids are hosting Beer City Party in the Park. The focus of this event is to one, celebrate local beer, and two, plant some trees in Riverside Park. The best part? The event got a permit from the City of Grand Rapids to allow open containers into the park while planting trees. Attendees are encouraged to bring a growler or six pack of their favorite local brews to share. After the dirty work is done, everyone can stick around for a movie in the park. Community service never sounded so enticing.

Editorial Publisher Brian Edwards / brian@revuewm.com Managing Editor Lindsay Patton-Carson / lindsay@revuewm.com Design Creative Director Kim Kibby / kim@revuewm.com Design Kim Kibby, Kristi Kortman, Kellie Zaplitny Contributing Writers Kyle Austin Allison Parker Missy Black Nathan Peck Joe Boomgaard Carly Plank Ben Darcie Emma Kat Richardson Steven de Polo Matt Simpson Siegel Alexandra Fluegel John Sinkevics Dwayne Hoover Josh Spanninga Audria Larsen Anya Zentmeyer Contributing photographers Seth Thompson, Erik Holladay, Steven de Polo, Robert Mathews, Steph Harding, Neil Braybrook, Dan Miller Listings schedule@revuewm.com Revue Minions Lauren Allen, Barbara Jandernoa, Ae Hee Lee Kim, Nolan Krebs, Madeline McMahon, Shelby Pendowski Sales / 616.608.6170 Molly Rizor / molly@revuewm.com Jayson Bussa / jayson@revuewm.com

Drink up and rock on.

Find us online!

Lindsay Patton-Carson, Managing Editor / lindsay@revuewm.com

Website: revuewm.com Twitter: twitter.com/revuewm Facebook: facebook.com/revuewm Revue is published monthly by Revue Holding Company. 65 Monroe Center, Ste. 5, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Office: 616.608.6170 / Fax: 616.608.6182 ©2013, Revue Holding Company. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part granted only by written permission of the publisher in accordance with our legal statement, fools.

Advertising index 57 Brew Pub & Bistro . . . . . . . . . . . 67 8th St. Grille . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Amway Hotel Corporation . . . . . . . . 68 Arcadia Brewing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 BarFly Ventures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 7 Beer Romp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Bell’s Brewery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2, 55 Billy’s Lounge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 BOB’s Brewery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Brewery Vivant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Broadway Grand Rapids. . . . . . . . . 23 Calvin College SAO . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Cascade Optical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Celebration! Cinema. . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Centre Street Taphouse. . . . . . . . . . 75 Daredevil Circus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 DeltaPlex. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Dog Story Theater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Downtown Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Dr. Grins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Dwelling Place. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Elite Health Plc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Erb Thai. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Firekeepers Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Forest Hills Fine Arts Center . . . . . . 50 Founders Brewing Co.. . . . . . . . . . . 17 Fusion Shows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The Gilmore Collection. . . . . . . . . . . 76 Grand Rapids Art Museum . . . . . . . 58 Grand Rapids Ballet . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Grand Rapids Public Library. . . . . . 21 Grand Rapids Symphony. . . . . . . . . 86 GVSU. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Grand Woods Lounge. . . . . . . . . . . . 87

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Gravel Bottom Brewery . . . . . . . . . . 43 Groovewalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Harmony Brewing Co. . . . . . . . . . . . 37 The Intersection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Keil Lasik Vision Center. . . . . . . . . . 86 Kent District Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Martha’s Vineyard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Michigan Brewers Guild . . . . . . . . . . 4 O’Connor’s Home Brew Supply. . . . . 33 Opera Grand Rapids. . . . . . . . . . . . 84 The Orbit Room. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Palazzolo’s Gelato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Pigeon Creek Shakespeare . . . . . . . 84 The Pyramid Scheme. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Reserve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Right Brain Brewery. . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 River City Improv. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Salt of the Earth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Saugatuck Brewing Company. . . . . 29 Saugatuck Center for the Arts. . . . . 65 Schmohz Brewing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Schuler Books. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Seven Steps Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Sherpa Concerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Sight Optical Boutique . . . . . . . . . . 83 St. Cecilia Music Center . . . . . . . . . 54 Soaring Eagle Casino . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Van Singel Fine Arts Center. . . . . . . 65 Vitale’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 West Michigan Symphony. . . . . 8, 56 West Side Beer / Budweiser. . . . . . . 88

On the cover: BEER! Shot at Cellar Brewing Company by Seth Thompson. (See The Beer Issue on page 25.)

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Random Notes

with some pop thrown in, Agent Orange performs on Oct. 12 at The Pyramid Scheme and Mayday Parade returns to Grand Rapids on Oct. 26 at The Intersection ... The alternative aftertaste lingers at The Intersection with Twenty One Pilots performing on Oct. 24 ... If guitar riffs don’t quench that thirst, get dancey with Bassnectar, performing on Oct. 5 at The DeltaPlex, or Big Gigantic at Kalamazoo State Theatre on Oct. 19. The latter will reveal some new tracks from the work-in-progress album.

Sports ///

Zombie Dash

National CD Releases ///

The melting hearts of ‘90s girls cleared Miley Cyrus’ looming twerking shadow at the VMAs. Miley may get the attention (in advance of Bangerz’s Oct. 8 release), but Justin Timberlake and *NSYNC got all the glory with a short, but loved, reunion. Timberlake, awarded Video of the Year for

his single “Mirrors” and the Michael Jackson Vanguard Video Award, is set to release yet another album The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2 on Oct. 1 ... The first of the month will also usher Moby’s independent, one-of-a-kind sounds with the release of Innocents ... British indie band Yuck releases Glow & Behold, also on Oct. 1 ... The Beatles may be no more, but Paul McCartney continues on, releasing albums and touring in his 70s. His latest album, New, drops Oct. 15 ... You can’t ignore the ‘90s making their inevitable comeback, so give into Pearl Jam’s new release, Lightening Bolt, the band’s 10th studio album ... After the dark content of sophomore effort Reign of Terror, Sleigh Bells get more melodic with the noise-pop band’s third release, Bitter Rivals on Oct. 8 ... The spooktacular month concludes with more than costume parties, candy and pumpkin ales, and the release of The Arcade Fire’s much-talk-about (David Bowie appearance!) album, Reflecktor, on Oct. 28.

Film ///

Five Finger Death Punch

On Tour ///

Brew of the month: a rock and roll base with a hint of the alternative hops. Five Finger Death Punch takes the stage on Oct. 6 at The Orbit Room to play some of classic head banging spectacles along with the new songs from the band’s new album, The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous side of Hell, volume 1 ... For those looking for rock

It’s that time of year to break out the stilettos, fishnet stockings, vibrant red lipstick and that ghastly black wig. The urge to transform into a sweet transvestite emerges as it annually does. Frank N Furter, Brad, Janet, Rocky and Magenta are back! Kalamazoo State Theatre hosts the annual showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. Tis the season for the inner scandalous alter egos to creep out from the depths of the socially acceptable exteriors. For those ready to strip down to the encouraged attire, tickets are $10 at ticketmaster.com ... Wealthy Theatre begins the month with an evening of Freddy.The cult classic, A Nightmare on

Continued on page 168

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

Arcade Fire

Photo: Terry Johnston Photography, courtesy of Downtown Alliance

The expression “use the chair” is more than a chant of encouragement or words of wisdom, but a professional wrestling move. At Slugtober Festival at the DeltaPlex Arena and, three Grand Rapids boxers, Jordan Shimmell, Johnny “Juan” Garcia, Purnell “knock you out” Gates and other professional boxers take to the ring on Oct. 26 for a Rocky-style brawl ... For those looking for blood, guts and post-apocalyptic fun, zombies take over Grand Rapids on Oct. 26 for The Zombie Dash. Registration for this 5K run is now open for those wishing to survive without contamination at the price of $45. If the inevitable end of the rampaging infection already sunk into your bloodstream, volunteer zombies participate for free, though they have to pay up ($15) if they want a shirt. The night’s objective is to make it through each sector without becoming infected when swarms of zombies attempt to conquer their hunger for human brains.

Random Notes Elm Street, plays on Oct. 8 ... If a reason to possibly wet your pants or to let out some tears is on your to-do list this Halloween season, Hallway of Horror and Film Festival, located on State Street in Ionia, is looking to help. This haunted attraction takes the brave of heart through one of the “scariest haunted houses” only to end with the double feature of The Shining and William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist. Hallway of Horror is open Oct. 25–26, and 31 and Nov. 1–2. To even partake in the spooky fun, one must sign on the

dotted line of a mandatory waiver. $30 gets a whole carload into this real-life nightmare.

and a Hispanic Genealogy workshop held on Nov. 2.

Eclectic ///

Halloween ///

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday to celebrate and honor the lives of the deceased. The Grand Rapids Public Library will educate and partake in the holiday from Oct. 31–Nov. 3. The library will display traditional altars from community members, and other events include a chance to decorate sugar skulls, face painting

All Hallows’ Eve, the one night of the year children are allowed to take candy from a stranger and those of age don’t fear the revenge of the haunting photographs that may never find their graves. Although Halloween may come with regrets, the memories live a lifetime. McFaddens in Grand Rapids will be one of the many businesses participating in

Halloween on Ionia on Oct. 26 from 2 p.m. until midnight. Enjoy a live performance by Anthony Attalla, while five people will leave the party at midnight with an extra $1,000 in their pockets, if their costume pleases other attendees. Tickets leading up to the event cost $10 in advance and $15 at the gate ... The lakeshore also looks to hold a day of events for the holiday. Saugatuck celebrates with its 22nd Harvest Halloween Festival on Saturday, Oct. 31. An Arts and Crafts fair kicks off the event at 10 a.m., followed by the Halloween Costume Family Parade at 3:30 p.m. As the sun sets, the spooktacular spirit of the holiday emerges with the opening of the Haunted Barn & Corn Maze, not recommend for anyone under the age of 10, costing $14. The party continues into the night with an adult parade at 10 p.m. in Douglas to signify the commencement of the many costume parties and pub crawls ... If you’re unable to go out on Halloween, enjoy one of

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

the many haunted houses including Jackson’s Underworld, a three-story attraction promising a 45-minute experience of screams and heart racing. Evernight Entertainment in Traverse City has 20 years of practice to scare the socks off its visitors and they’ll put it into practice with the Phobia House in Plainwell. n

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Random Notes is compiled by REVUE staff and minions, including Lindsay Patton-Carson and Shelby Pendowski. For more music, art and entertainment news, including breaking concert announcements and giveaways, “Like” us on Facebook (facebook.com/ revuewm) or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/ revuewm.

Important Dates Ad Reservation Deadline: Oct. 18 Editorial Deadline: Oct. 4 Delivery: Nov. 1

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Steven de polo’s

Free Market

New and exciting things happening in West Michigan nonprofits and businesses since 2007.

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

owntown Holland downtown Holland to enjoy the will be crawling gourmet dining options. With kids with fire trucks in tow, you may be more interested Friday, Oct. 4 from to know that there’s a new Jimmy 7 to 9 p.m. No, John’s at 23 E. Eighth St. The the stroopwafel factory isn’t on fire. gourmet sandwich shop was opened It’s the Holland Fire Truck by MVK Management, which Parade! Fire Prevention Week operates six other JJ locations from kicks off with the 31st Annual Fire Grand Rapids to Zeeland. Look Prevention Week Kickoff Parade. for another location to open on But kids of all ages come for the fire Holland’s 16th Street next spring. trucks. The festive procession will “Jimmy Johns has a reputation for a include more than 50 big, shiny unique and fun customer experience vehicles from Ottawa, Allegan with each order prepared fast, fresh and Kent Counties’ fire and public and flawless,” said Operating Partner safety departments. Look for a heavy Ben Soyars. Poppa Steve will take a rescue truck from Ford International #5 Vito with extra HOT peppers. Airport, as well as massive police In Grand Rapids, college kids

wreckers. Hmm, rugged. The parade will begin at 8th and Columbia streets, continue west on 8th Street to Pine Avenue, then end at the Holland kick it at Menna’s Joint (44 Civic Center. There will be fire Ionia St., Grand Rapids) adjacent and safety demonstrations: watch to McFadden’s and across from an extrication exercise, a hazmat HopCat as the bar flies. Started team in action and crawl through in East Lansing in 2003, Menna’s the smoke trailer. “We love show- has surfed a cult-like obsession by its customers to open shops in ing kids why they can’t play with matches or lighters,” said Firefighter Allendale, Kalamazoo and Mount Mark Klomparens. “Sometimes Pleasant. Maybe Big Rapids will it’s easier to go through the kids be next if a university opens there. than trying to reach the parents.” “Downtown Grand Rapids was a natural extension for us considering After the parade, stick around our success in Allendale near the

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main Grand Valley State campus and the college’s expansion into downtown,” Hank Andries, Menna’s co-founder said. Known as the only legal joint in town, my pets, Menna’s Joint is “Home of the DUB,” a freshly grilled tortilla wrap sandwich. Dub dilettantes describe it as a massive American-style burrito served with grilled chicken, chicken tenders, tender steak, cheese, potatoes or vegetables. It’s obscenely delicious and wildly addictive. The menu also includes Loaded Fries, the MJ Classic Salad, Soups and Mama Menna’s Cookies made fresh daily. PaLatté Coffee and Art (150 East Fulton St.) is a new independent and family owned coffee shop and art gallery. Owners Federico and Maria Farias, both independent artists, combined their passions for art and coffee to create PaLatté Coffee and Art in the Heartside District. In fact, the shop’s name is a fanciful combination of the words palette and latté. While they are creative, Federico and Maria are serious about their coffee. PaLatté’s java comes from boutique roaster Uncommon Grounds of Saugatuck. The Farias will serve traditional and specialty espresso beverages (hot and iced), a variety of brewed gourmet coffee, artisan hot and iced teas, blended coffee beverages, pastries and bagels brought in fresh daily by local bakeries and a variety of soups for lunch. Look for the diaphanous Miss Carolita sipping a small non-fat latté, extra SWEET like her dashing fiancé. n

The Carve at Holland Farmers Market

FREEBIES The sun has set on Marado Sushi (47 Monroe, Grand Rapids), which rolled its last sushi-meshi and sliced its final sashimi. XO Restaurant bought the cooking equipment. Think about that while eating your sweet and sour chicken, you vultures. Sundance Grill’s downtown Grand Rapids location moved catty corner into the Waterloo of the Gilmore Collection, the ground floor space in the Waters Building (151 Ottawa Ave NW). The larger space will allow the menu to expand and add additional banqueting capacity. Get ready for Halloween by checking out The Carve at the Holland Farmers Market on Saturday, Oct.

12 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Some of the nation’s best professional pumpkin carvers will demonstrate their pumpkincarving skills, compete in speed carving events and showing off their best work for a People’s Choice Award. Pumpkin carvers from the community are also invited to enter their jack-o-lanterns into the amateur competition for a chance to win cash prizes. GrooveWalk happens throughout downtown Holland Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. Your $10 wristband lets you see 12 awesome bands performing live in 12 different restaurants, pubs and entertainment venues throughout downtown Holland. Groove walk it or ride the GrooveXpress with on-board musical entertainment.

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

/// All Ages

Dinosaurs Unleashed, Oct. 26-Apr. 27

Bark in the Dark

Get your goosebumps here Getting in the �mood for October means roaring dinosaurs, tripping over pumpkins, facing the dark and investigating what that noise was. Candy collecting and goose bump measuring can’t get here fast enough. By Missy Black

Nancy Drew: Girl Detective

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

Parish Theatre at Kalamazoo Civic Theatre 329 S. Park St., Kalamazoo Oct. 18-26, show times at 9:30 a.m., noon, 1, 4 and 7:30 p.m. $7 kazoocivic.com, (269) 343-2280 Head back to a simpler time when there was a storm and the lights went out, and you were scared as hell!—or you could head over to the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre for a pretty similar feeling: sharing a night with everyone’s favorite girl detective, Nancy Drew. A mystery has developed at the old Van Pelt estate—home of the Footlighter’s Barn Theater. Rumors abound of a hidden stash of jewels and to complicate matters, a mysterious ghost (or puppet?) is getting their haunt on. “We’re going to try and make it a little spookier for an October feel to it,” said Director Sandra Bremer of the show that she knows parents will be happy to view with their children. There are no worries of inappropriate content but only good, dare we say wholesome, values in the show. If your pre-teens have read, are reading or you’d like to introduce them to the ever-popular Nancy Drew, there’s a reason for her timeless appeal. “There were always good storylines and it’s a formula—the bad guys and the good guys conflict. It’s once again what makes a great play or TV show—the story.” Get your magnifying glass out for a fun, campy, whodunit that should satisfy your creepy mystery addiction.

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Zeeland Pumpkinfest Downtown Zeeland Oct. 3-5

Humane Society of West Michigan 3077 Wilson NW, Grand Rapids Oct. 12, 7 p.m. $30 registration fee hswestmi.org, (616) 791-8089 What happens in the dark stays in the dark—unless you have glow gear like necklaces and bracelets. Have fun at night at this glow-in-thedark 5K run/walk to benefit the animals at the Humane Society of West Michigan. Marketing and Events Coordinator Nicole Cook describes the event as a “fun, exciting and family focused.” This evening is for anyone who owns a pet, wants to walk in memory of a pet, is thinking about adopting or who is looking for a fun 5K to participate in. Feel free to bring your pet along for the walk or come on your own. Dogs are welcome to attend but must be well-behaved (able to handle being around other dogs and people), up-to-date on vaccines and leashed. Event coordinators are working on having live music as well. Raise money, enjoy the night and walk among your fellow animal lovers—they’re pretty good peeps.

Free!

pumpkinfest-zeeland.org This year’s theme is “Pumpkinfest Hits the Road,” so expect a play on state destinations and road trip flavor in downtown Zeeland, along with the regular festive scarecrow, pumpkin and flower decorations. Try and hit up all of zany Zeeland with Pumpkin Bowling, Pumpkin Decorating, a Pumpkin Hunt, Children’s Fun Run and Adult 5K, Senior Bingo—and don’t forget the parade on Saturday at 3 p.m. with a little more than 100 floats. Contests include seed spitting, pumpkin bake off, chalk art and a pet costume contest. There’s a whole area designated just for little kids featuring bounce houses, cookie decorating, face painting, a pedal power tractor pull and fun with balloons. “Kids love the pedal pull,” said Executive Director Carla Flanders, who loves the event’s community atmosphere. “It’s very low cost, very family friendly.” Head to the website to find out more (because yes, there is more).

Dinosaurs Unearthed

Grand Rapids Public Museum 272 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids Oct. 26 to April 27 $8/adults, $3/children ages 3-18, grmuseum.org, (616) 456-3977

Free!

for ages 2 & under

If big, ferocious, out-of-this-world animatronic dinosaurs are your idea of a scary good time, you’ll want to get to the Grand Rapids Public Museum for a dose of large-and-in-charge exhibits. Animatronic dinosaurs and skeleton fossils are ready to view in this exhibit that highlights the discovery of feathered dinosaurs and modern day birds. So, the example is that the T-Rex was feathered as a juvenile. Guests follow a safari or jungle-like path through the museum to view around 16 dinosaurs contained behind roped-off barriers as they move and make noise. The smallest dinosaurs are seven feet long with the largest hitting 59 feet long. “It’s really educational,” said Kate Moore, director of marketing and public relations. “There’s a heavy science focus and it’s entertaining. What kid hasn’t been infatuated with dinosaurs?” The dinosaurs are brought to life through programming including several hands-on opportunities such as fossil molds and a mock dig. n

Scene Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

/// Eclectic

October Eclectic Events While some obsessed folks start preparing for next Halloween on Nov. 1, October offers a whole grab bag of eclectic entertainment options that aren’t spooky or saccharine. By Audria Larsen

Steven Pinker

Wharton Center, East Lansing Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m. / $26.50 whartoncenter.com, (517) 353-1982

If you don’t know who Steven Pinker is, you should. Or, maybe don’t bother and go back to playing vacuous video games. Named one of “The World’s Top 100 Public Intellectuals” by Prospect magazine, Pinker is an experimental psychologist and has authored numerous books about the interaction between language and the mind, human nature, and recently, The Better Angels of our Nature, which explores the history of human violence. The new book asserts that despite the prevalence of murder and mayhem in our modern society, violence has declined since olden times. Be glad we aren’t living in the Middle Ages and check out this talk if you want to get edumacated.

Grand Rapids Comic-Con, Oct. 12. ARTIST: JON ALDERINK

Halloween on Ionia

Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

McFadden’s, Downtown Grand Rapids Oct. 26, 2 p.m.-midnight / $10-$15 mcfaddensgrandrapids.com, (616) 454-9105

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McFadden’s inaugural event, Halloween on Ionia presented by BarFly Ventures, is an autumnal version of the wildly popular Irish on Ionia St. Patty’s Day celebration. Attendees can enjoy a limited edition beer and specialty cocktails in heated tents throughout the festival, along with a myriad of entertainment options from strolling street performers and live DJs to Hammerschlagen games. But the sweetest treat of all is the $6,000 costume contest, the largest of its kind in Michigan, running from 7 to 11 p.m. On the top of each hour, a winner will be chosen and awarded $1,000. At 11:30 p.m. the five winners will go head-to-head, and the ultimate victor will receive an additional $1,000. Tickets are limited, so nab yours early and get crackin’ on a show-stopping Halloween getup.

The Price Is Right Live! Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m. / $22-$32 millerauditorium.com, (269) 387-2300

“The Price Is Right” began in 1956. It’s pretty incredible that, in 2013, we still love guessing the prices of mundane goods and the prospect of winning bedroom sets and tropical vacations. Since then, the show has undergone several changes and cycled through two hosts, including the famed Bob Barker. Drew Carey is now at the helm, and the game show tours the nation. Apparently, you can even win right from your seat. On the fence? Perhaps

this promotional blurb will send you into a ticket buying frenzy: “If you enjoy the rush of emotions experienced while watching the show on television, just imagine the possibilities if you were actually in the audience watching it live.”

Grand Rapids Comic-Con

HSB Connections, Wyoming Oct. 12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. / $5, $10 Early Bird 9:00 a.m. admission grcomiccon.com, (616) 281-5930 Until this year, Grand Rapids was the largest city in the nation without a comic convention, according to Grand Rapids Comic-Con Event Founder Mark Hodges. Fanboy, con-enthusiast and owner of Rivertown Entertainment, Hodges has set out to bring a Comic-Con to the people, in a big way. The daylong event is jammed packed with nerdtastic goodies, from a giant vending hall and artist alley to gaming rooms, costume contests, films, anime sponsored by Jafax, a car show, celebrity appearances and more. “You’re going to get a crowd that’s into virtually anything nerdy,” Hodges said. One of the featured artists is Jon Alderink, a Grand Rapids local who grew up in Holland and who works with DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Disney and IDW to name a few. “I am so excited [about this event]. It was something I’ve been wanting to happen for 18 years,” said Alderink, who got his first big break after meeting comic artist Tom Nguyen at a convention. “I was trying to get any kind of work I could. … A couple months [after we met], he calls me and said, ‘I need help on Ghostbusters, can you help?’” While GR’s first comic-con is starting with modest proportions, Hodges and Alderink are both looking forward to the expansion of future events. “We’re hoping to move to the DeltaPlex in 2014,” Hodges said. “We feel it’s an itch that needs to be scratched, especially if we keep the prices reasonable.” And a mere five dollars a ticket is certainly that. n

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~ 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

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!

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

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

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 |

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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

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

Michigan’s Beer Growth

The Lakeshore: Upping the Beer Game

By Dwayne Hoover

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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

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Michigan’s Beer Growth

Craft beer scene grows in

Southwest Michigan By Nathan Peck (from MiBiz)

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.

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“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

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 cleverly converted a big truck and installed a canning line into it. The feed lines come from the brewery, connect to the truck, and are fed into the system. 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

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

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

Michigan’s Beer Growth

Northern and Mid-Michigan By Josh Spanninga

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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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REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Beta Theta Pints:

West Michiganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

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

Specialty Brews

Vander Mill Cider. Photo: Phil Artz

What’s the Deal with Hard Cider? Schedule | Dining | sights | Sounds Scene

By Anya Zentmeyer

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

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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 |

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.

Microbrewery guide

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

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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.

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

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 |

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

48 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

/// Sink’s Spins on Music

ON THE MUSICAL RADAR

o u ntry m us i c i s ki c ki n g u p its h e e ls i n We st M i ch i gan . “Within the last three years, the country music scene here has just exploded,” said Kari Lynch, a fast-rising Grand Rapids country singer. “The audience has always been there, but now there are a lot more venues that want to have country music … and more opportunities to open for national country artists at venues like The Intersection.” That means more local country bands with diehard fans who Lynch says are “relentless in the best way. … There is definitely something special about West Michigan audiences. It really blows me away.” Adds Kalamazoo’s Shelagh Brown, who’s performed with Josh Gracin and who fronts the Shelagh Brown Band comprised of Western Michigan University grads: “There are more and more names (of regional country bands) popping up. I think it’s great for country music to have such a large presence in Michigan.” So, it’s little surprise The B.O.B. recently launched Friday country nights inside its Crush nightclub in downtown Grand Rapids, booking regional country acts through at least the end of the year. Matt Dowdy, The Gilmore Collection’s creative director, says the club “just decided to switch things

Kari Lynch up” once a week at Crush, acknowledging a demand for the genre. Downtown’s Back Forty Saloon has long recognized that audience with live country bands every Wednesday through Saturday. The Intersection and Grand Woods Lounge boast country acts on a regular basis, not to mention venues just outside town such as the Twisted Bull and Crazy Horse Saloon. And Shakespeare’s Pub in Kalamazoo recently started “first Friday” country nights. Audiences flock to see energetic performances by emerging acts like Lynch and Brown (both working on new studio albums), Gunnar & the Grizzly Boys, Union Guns, Brian Lorente & the Usual Suspects, Kris Hitchcock & Small Town Son, The Travelin’ Janes and more. That’s partly because “we are all really supportive of one another,” says Lynch, “and take opportunities to introduce our fan base to another country artist and vice versa.” Of course, the support of country radio and the soaring popularity of mainstream “crossover” stars such as Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line and Carrie Underwood has further grown that fan base. And this doesn’t even count the resurgence of vintage country, honky-tonk and alt-country which captivates an uber-devoted niche audience at spots ranging from Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill to One Trick Pony. For musicians and live music mavens wondering how Founders Brewing Co.’s much-talked-about expansion has

affected the concert experience in its revamped taproom, Founders entertainment coordinator Joey Basch puts it this way: “Everything is getting a little bigger, a little better.” More specifically, Founders has added acoustic treatments, raised the stage, added new speakers and subwoofers, and given sound techs the wireless ability to mix sound from anywhere in the room (with a capacity of about 540). Founders will continue to host national and regional acts Thursdays and Saturdays, with occasional Sunday shows, such as monthly performances by the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra. The project also added a beer garden and a second bar (taken from the Brass Works Building at Founders’ former location) that allows folks who aren’t there for the music to not be “overwhelmed by it.” The first full month of music in the reopened taproom includes Deal’s Gone Bad (Oct. 5), the 10th annual Harvest Party (Oct. 12) and Roster McCabe (Oct. 24). n Music critic and entertainment writer John Sinkevics comments on the local and national music scene at LocalSpins.com, spotlighting artists at 10 a.m. Wednesdays on Local Spins Live at News Talk 1340 AM.

LOCAL CD Releases Oh Me Oh My!

As upright bassist Tim Foley puts it, the Jukejoint Handmedowns’ sophomore album is about “all the women who’ve driven us crazy.” So, with a healthy dose of pedal steel guitar, mandolin and banjo, Foley, Nathan James, Paul Harris and Craig Van Otteren twang ahead with tears-in-beer tales of women-inspired wonder and woe in retro-country fashion that the band describes as “big tent American roots” music. CD-release show: One Trick Pony; Oct. 17, 8 p.m.; Free!

Midwest Skies

Wish You Were Here Four years in, Grand Rapids’ Midwest Skies has honed its pop-punk approach into a delectable, ultra-infectious rock assault that’s part Green Day, part Blink-182 and all fist-pumping, head-bobbing musical gusto. On its latest five-song EP recorded at Indiana’s AlwaysBeGenius Recording Studio, the trio (which met at Grand Valley State University and includes guitarist James Johnson, bassist Ryan Ykimoff and drummer Josh DC Jones) uncorks its jackhammer-styled guitar rock from the get-go (on “Like Me, Like You”) and doesn’t let up until the final note.

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

Jukejoint Handmedowns

/// on tour

Dweezil Zappa Lets You Rock with a Rockstar | by Dwayne Hoover

Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

50 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

“[Roxy & Elsewhere] has always been a fan favorite. There’s a lot of material that’s complex and diverse, but it’s also very groovy and fun to listen to.”

o rty years ag o, Fran k Zappa and the Mothers recorded what was to become one of the band’s most iconic albums, Roxy & Elsewhere. In honor of that anniversary, Gibson released the Frank Zappa “Roxy” SG, an exact replica of the guitar Frank used in those recordings. Frank’s own son, Dweezil, celebrates the anniversary as he takes Zappa Plays Zappa on the road to perform the music of his father’s fundamentals and tweak from there, instead historic record. of being closed-minded to just certain combi“The album itself has always been a fan nations. My dad’s music is a classic example favorite,” Dweezil said. “There’s a lot of mate- of that.” rial that’s complex and diverse, but it’s also The course is open to musicians of any very groovy and fun to listen to.” level, and will cover concepts specific to the On this visit to West Michigan, guitar proficiency and interests of each individual enthusiasts can learn some of Frank’s very class. own techniques at the Dweezil Zappa Guitar “It depends on if there’s four people and Masterclass prior to the show. they’re all kind of the same “I’ve been doing a thing skill level, or if there’s 20 called Dwezilla for the last people of all different skill levDweezil Zappa Guitar four years. It’s a music school,” Masterclass els,” Dweezil said. “I’m happy Dweezil said. “But in the past to answer questions that relate The Intersection’s Stache three years the format for it to people’s abilities.” Lounge, Grand Rapids was the whole band giving les- Oct. 12, 3 p.m.; $75 Guitar lessons with the sectionlive.com, (616) 451-8232 sons. This year, I turned it into son of Frank Zappa are subject a comprehensive guitar course.” to a time limit, so you might With the motto “Learn not be able to walk away from and Destroy,” the class aims to tear down the class with the know-how to tackle a song like idea that musical creativity has boundaries. “Be-Bop Tango.” “Any 12 tones can be used in any order “That piece of music has some baffling you want, you just have to get your ear used rhythm and note combinations,” Dweezil to hearing things that may be more dissonant said. “The best way to describe it in terms of than the more traditional ways to operate,” learning it is like learning the phone book out Dweezil said. “The theme is to best learn of sequence.” n

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

/// on tour

Justin Furstenfeld and Blue October Embrace Change and Soldier On | by Carly Plank

u st i n F u r st e n f e l d h a s effects of his past behavior. The album gives tu rn e d a co rn e r. The lead equal attention to both highs and lows, reflectsinger and songwriter of Blue October ing the balance Furstenfeld has finally reached in his personal life. described the band’s latest album as a personal and professional rebirth. After “I live in the moment now, so I write about overcoming alcoholism and anxiety issues it all. I want to focus on the whole and not be such a whiny twerp. I’d rather write an honest within the past couple of years, Furstenfeld is chronology of my life,” Furstenfeld said. in a more stable place than in 2006, when the Another recent change for Blue October band found massive success with “Hate Me” and “Into the Ocean.” However, honest music took place in the recording studio. On Sway, the band was striving to can be difficult to write when capture the connection they demons are tamed. Blue October wsg felt with fans and everyone “Writing about happy around them, so instead of s**t is a lot more challenging, Unlikely Candidates, Tori Vazquez meticulous overdubbing and which in turn makes it a lot The Intersection, Grand Rapids studio touch ups, most tracks more rewarding,” Furstenfeld Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m. were recorded live. said. “It’s easier to write about $25 advance/$28 doors; All ages “We wanted that human how bad s**t is because then sectionlive.com, (616)-451-8232 feel you get by playing a song you don’t have to worry about through, not just correcting sounding like bubblegum.” Sway, which was released on Aug. 20, is far notes in a computer because, you know, life is work. That allowed the band to really from bubblegum. In “Bleed Out,” Furstendfeld shine and come together as a whole,” said writes from his wife’s perspective to achieve a sense of just how difficult life had become, Furstenfeld. On Oct. 22, Blue October will showcase while “Hard Candy” reflects on the damaging both new and seasoned material live at The Intersection. According to Furstenfeld, the band’s live shows leave the members with hard-earned battle wounds. “We leave it all on the stage, blood sweat and tears. It’s not a good show unless we come out bruised and bloody.” n

Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

“I live in the moment now, so I write about it all. I want to focus on the whole and not be such a whiny twerp.”

52 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

2013 SCHEDULE PAT MCGEE BAND WSG KEATON SIMONS OCTOBER 5 - $32

SEABIRD

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GARETH ASHER & THE EARTHLINGS + JD EICHER & THE GOODNIGHTS OCTOBER 25 - $25

KEN YATES

NOVEMBER 1 - $18

SEABIRD

PAT MCGEE

TODD CAREY + CURTIS PEOPLES NOVEMBER 4 - $18

ENTER THE HAGGIS NOVEMBER 6 - $25

ELLIS PAUL

NOVEMBER 10 - $25

DANA COOPER ELLIS PAUL

NOVEMBER 16 - $18

DAVE MCGRAW & MANDY FER

DAVE MCGRAW & MANDY FER NOVEMBER 23 - $18

SHAWN MULLINS NOVEMBER 24 - $40

DECEMBERSONGS DECEMBER 13 - $30

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/// on tour

Minus the Bear: Indie Rock’s Melting Pot | by Josh Spanninga

Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

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“To have a whole crowd full of people who love what you do and feed the energy back to you, that beats sitting around waiting to do something.”

eattle-based outfit Minus the Bear is a band that revels in musical experimentation and employing a diverse set of techniques to acquire its signature catchy indie mathrock sound. Vocalist Jake Snider attributes the band’s openness to new sounds to a rather laid-back approach to songwriting. “We usually just see what happens without too much of an agenda,” Snider said. “I think ethic about it, making sure everyone’s taken that’s the way to do it, to just see what comes care of,” Snider said. out rather than try to plan a certain type of While Snider began playing music at 12 song.” years old and has performed in various bands, Although many of the members are origi- it was Minus the Bear’s dedication and vision nally from much heavier bands such as Botch that turned music into a full-time career for and Kill Sadie, Minus the Bear takes a more him. melodic approach to music, and takes inspira“I never really knew if I considered it a real tion from a vast array of musical influences. possibility until this band started,” he said. “It depends on the day of And for Minus the Bear, the week, really,” Snider said the possibilities just keep comabout his musical influencs. Minus the Bear ing. The band is currently on a “It’s hard to tell because our U.S. tour and recently released The Intersection, Grand Rapids band’s been together so long, Oct. 16, 7 p.m. Acoustics II, featuring acoustic $20 advanced, $23 at door and we’ve gone through so versions of previously released sectionlive.com, (616)451-8232 many different changes in songs, as well as two brand new terms of what we’re listening tracks. Snider is excited about to.” releasing the newly recorded While the members have changed their material, but he admits that he much prefers listening habits over the years, the official the live touring experience to working in the lineup has remained stable, save for the addi- studio. tion of keyboardist Alex Rose in 2006. Snider “[Playing live] is exciting, and recording is attributes the commitment to the members’ boring,” Snider said. “To have a whole crowd professional mentality. full of people who love what you do and “I think that we all kind of committed to feed the energy back to you, that beats sitting the band as a job and have had a good work around waiting to do something.” n

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining | Schedule

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

/// LOCAL MUSIC

How Do You Translate UV Hippo’s Translate? | by John Sinkevicz

Schedule | Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

56 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

h is is what progressive rock sounds like in the second decade of the New Millennium: A mélange of ear-electrifying, genre-spanning styles, funky backbeats, ever-changing time signatures, and dizzyingly stunning instrumental jams. To say that Grand Rapids’ Ultraviolet Hippopotamus has reinvented prog-rock on its latest, much-buzzed-about new studio album, Translate, may actually sell the project short. Recorded over many months at two different West Michigan studios — Grand Rapids’ River City Studios and Grand Haven’s Redwall North Studios — with dial-spinning contributions by some of the area’s most highly respected sound-meisters (Bill Chrysler, from Frank Zappa to Lotus to Bruce Hornsby Joe Sturgill, Roy Wallace, Al McAvoy), the to Steely Dan to something resembling early jam band that’s grown in stature nationally 20th century circus music into their brew. And it’s all done seamlessly, from even takes contemporary jazz, the opening, rhythmic salvo funk, reggae and pop in psyUltraviolet of “LaMarea” to the delecchedelic new directions on its Hippopotamus CD table groove of the final track, full-length follow-up to 2011’s Release Party wsg “Verlander.” Yes, the boys of UV Square Pegs Round Holes. Consider the Source Hippo may be having fun but The album’s 10 tracks Bell’s Back Room, Kalamazoo

they certainly aren’t just foolresonate with the sort of joyful Oct. 5, 9:30 p.m. / $10-$15 ing around. camaraderie that comes from bellsbeer.com, (269) 382-2338 As for the album title, it talented musicians hitting their references “the process of stride. As guitarist and singer stories being put into musical form and then Russell James puts it, the recording process being interpreted by the listener,” said James. “was one of the more enjoyable musical and artistic experiences we’ve ever had,” allowing When you think about it, listening to music is very much like trying to translate from one “the creative juices to flow.” person’s language to your own.” That creativity pours out like an ultra-tasty In this case, how about wunderbar, magMichigan ale, with James and bandmates Brian Samuels, Joe Phillion, Dave Sanders, nifique, fabuloso? No translation necessary. n Casey Butts distilling traces of everything

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58 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

Visual Art

by Alexandra Fluegel

Other Art Events Pulso: Arte de los Américas/ Art of the Americas — Opening Reception UICA and the FED Galleries at KCAD Oct. 30, 6-9 p.m. uica.org, kcad.edu/galleries

O.D. on Art

Now that the empty spaces are becoming less bountiful (oh hey, redevelopment), First Fridays organizer Amanda Carmer says it’s the perfect time to come pay a visit to the city’s creative corridor, especially if you’ve never been before. “The redevelopment is a double-edge sword,” she said. “It’s created a lot of talk about the area, and the changes that are happening are making people come down to the area that typically would not before.” But it also meant a big loss in the case of the Avenue spearhead, The DAAC, having to close its doors and move. “The DAAC was a really positive influence on the community,” Carmer said. Yet, she said organizers are confident that First Fridays will help solidify the street’s reputation as a place where business and culture can collide and do great things. Collaboration is always at the heart of events the Avenue hosts, and they wanted to make sure First Fridays was not just about the gallery spaces, Carmer said. “Having it just be galleries is very limiting, we want to broaden the outreach.” She also said that having this month’s event at the tail end of ArtPrize will hopefully bring in some people that have never made the trek down Division. “The purpose is for people who are unfamiliar to see what’s going on. Yeah, it’s scary to approach someone you’ve never met, but whoever is inside these spaces is going to be really excited to tell you what they’re doing.” Carmer said the 10 venues have agreed to host the evenings through February, then reassess and move forward. “We’ll always be looking for ways to improve and draw more people in.” Now, don’t be shy. n

BOO! Images of the Macabre

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Oct. 5-Jan. 26 Admission: $5, students $2 kiarts.org In the spirit of all things creepy, the KIA reveals its most spooky and unnerving works from the darkest corners of the vault. Featured are works that explore eerie landscapes, ghostly figures and other mysterious intersections of reality and imagination.

OFRENDA Installation by Roli Mancera

Holland Area Arts Council Mainstreet Gallery Through Nov. 2 hollandarts.org

According to centuries-old beliefs, the souls of the dead return to Earth for one day of the year. Now is time for families to begin setting up the traditional altar de muertos, an offering of items intended to ease their departed loved one’s journey. Roli Mancera’s installation examines key elements of the ofrenda, and celebrates El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which falls on November 1.

Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule

uring the first week of October, art transforms downtown Grand Rapids into a pretty frickin’ crazy place. There’s stuff everywhere, and the cause [ArtPrize] pretty much provides the context for talk about art for the three weeks it takes over town. So, in the spirit of art’s magnificent role in civic life, this month’s featured event is something happening in the one place in town that has made art its mission. Avenue for the Art is hosting First Fridays of the Month on, yup, you guessed it, Oct. 4 (the first Friday). It’s a gallery walk where artists and businesses open their doors and their hearts to encourage the community to come down and see what all the fuss is about on South Division. There are four galleries that are part of the original collaboration: Crafthouse, Gaspard Gallery, Mexicains Sans Frontieres and Calvin’s (106) Gallery. In addition to the galleries, a handful of the street’s businesses are involved and will offer specials and celebrations through the night. FIRST FRIDAYS Anyone who comes down Avenue for the Arts and visits the spaces will receive South Divison a punchcard that can be stamped Oct. 4, 6-10 p.m. and then brought to Pub 43 to Free! ; avenueforthearts.com redeem a drink special. Retailers Vertigo Music, Have Company and Parliament Boutique as well as fitness/martial arts center Shen Dojo will all have extended hours and entertainment. Gallery hops are nothing new for the art hub. The area is home to annual Art.Downtown and buzzworthy Free Radical events, which have been giving life to some of the empty spaces along the street for quite some time.

Pulso is rooted in an exploration of the ways in which regional boundaries affect the perception of art. While the artists involved all have ties to Latin America, this collaborative exhibition frees itself from the confines of such labels by allowing the diversity of medium and subject matter to challenge cultural preconceptions of contemporary art and strengthen the dialogue among artists, both locally and globally.

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

by Kyle Austin

Lit Life

Book’s ‘N Brews:

New Holland Duo Delves into Beer Literature

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

hen Fred Bueltmann and Brett VanderKamp first started homebrewing in the early Nineties, that little invention called the Internet was still in technological diapers. The veritable goldmine of brewing knowledge available to today’s hobbyist – YouTube videos, instructional DVDs, group classes, etc. – simply didn’t exist. Armed only with their passion for beer, a high tolerance for trial and error and the few books on homebrewing available at the time (Bueltmann’s bible was Charlie Papazian’s The Joy of Homebrewing, while VanderKamp cites Bill Owens’ How to Build a Small Brewery as a major influence), the two men embarked on separate journeys of craftsmanship that eventually led them both to New Holland Brewing Company. VanderKamp founded the craft brewery and currently serves as its president, while Bueltmann came on board as overseer of branding and distribution in 2004. “I had some beers that were really good and some that weren’t so good, but I generally drank them all,” VanderKamp said of his early brewing attempts, Experience is undoubtedly a novice brewer’s best friend, but he pointed out that “if you really want to dive in deeper, there’s a lot of good literature out there on how to brew.” Now, as seasoned brewing veterans and leaders of one of America’s premier craft breweries, the pair have decided to give back to Harvest Dinner the universe of brewing wisdom by Series with authoring books of their own. Fred Bueltmann VanderKamp’s book, Art in Salt of the Earth, Fermented Form: A Manifesto, is a Fennville collection of personal experiences, Oct. 3, 6:30 p.m. historical anecdotes and musing on (269) 561-7258 the brewing industry and culture that beervangelist.net reflects his particular philosophy on the craft his career has helped define. “It’s talking about bringing an artisanal approach to what we do,” VanderKamp said. “Not just doing it for the bottom line, but doing it because it’s creative and adds value beyond just being beer.” Drawing upon VanderKamp’s extensive professional experience, the book aims to read lightly, appealing to the whole spectrum of beer culture by sharing an intimate perspective

60 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

on why brewers do what they do and why the industry is defined more by collaboration than competition. “[The brewing industry] is one of the greatest fraternities of folks that have just a great time together and is very collegial," he said. "I don’t know of another industry in the world that’s like that.” Bueltmann may be in charge of a large portion of New Holland’s business operations, but his true passion is flavor. Writing as his self-appointed alter ego, The Beervangelist, Bueltmann explores the consumption side of the brewing universe in Beervangelist’s Guide to the Galaxy, a captivating blend of tasty recipes and entertaining rants designed to serve as a comprehensive guide for those unfamiliar to the act of pairing delicious beer and mouth-watering food. “The combination of those worlds [of beer and food] was something I’ve loved for a long time,” he said. “I’m the great interloper between a chef and a brewer. My mission is to bring beer to the people.” Prior to writing Beervangelist’s Guide to the Galaxy, Bueltmann spent three years writing a column about the natural union of beer and food. Ultimately, he felt that a book would allow him the freedom and flexibility to better communicate his passion to people.

“It’s inviting people to learn more about the subject by telling stories,” he said of the book. “In this current climate, there are all sorts of distractions from the simple pleasures of embracing flavor, conversation and social interaction.” By separating the book into sections that correspond with the seasons, Bueltmann gives beer lovers and foodies invaluable advice on how to best take advantage of Michigan’s seasonal cycles. He’s currently hosting a number of special pairing dinners to promote the book and his personal mission, including one at Salt of the Earth on Oct. 3. “We like certain foods at certain times of the year because it’s natural, it’s what’s coming out of the earth,” he said. Bueltmann and VanderKamp agree that writing and brewing present an entirely different set of challenges. But despite that difference, there remains an inextricable link between fermentation and communication. “It’s the continuation of where my idea meets someone else’s idea and we can sit down over a beer and talk about it,” Bueltmann said. “That exchange is more valuable than anything.” To find both books, head to Schuler Books. The local bookstore now has a dedicated beer section that brew enthusiasts of all degrees could spend hours in. You can find tons of great information on homebrewing, beer styles and beer history, and if you’re lucky, you just might discover a career. n

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

INDIE FILM

by Josh Spanninga

ctober is the perfect time of year to sip hot cider and go on a nice, relaxing hay ride to view an early sunset. Or if you’re like us, it’s the perfect time to binge on horror movies. Sure, this gory pastime is not for everyone, but if decapitation and projectile vomit is your idea of entertainment, then sit back, pour a generous dose of rum in that cider, and check out these chilling events.

Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

If you’re having trouble finding movies to thrill, entertain, or just plain scare the bejeebus out of you, then Anthony Griffin is the man to talk to. For eight years now, Griffin and co-founder Chris Randall have been putting together the Thriller! Chiller! Film Festival, and though the fest has changed a bit since its inception, the goal has always been a simple one. “We wanted to have a festival that we could go to, have fun at, and in a way, sort of reclaim that adventure of discovering those movies that were on late night TV, or on a Saturday afternoon like Kung Fu Theater, or horror movies,” Griffin said. “These were the kind of things we wanted to watch.” The festival was originally created to bring classic cult-status films back to theaters, but soon Griffin and Randall changed the format to show action, suspense, horror and sci-fi films from indie filmmakers from all over the world, and to give these movies the attention they deserve.

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Michigan-made film Break Glass in Case of... will be featured as Thriller! Chiller!’s opening night film.” PHOTO Courtesy of Dan Irving “A lot of genre movies, or even larger film festivals, play at hotel convention centers,” Griffin said. “And you go in there, and there’s a bunch of old ‘70s chairs that you sit in that get uncomfortable after about 20 minutes.

The speakers are on the projector itself, and

it’s hooked up to a laptop, that kind of thing. We wanted a real movie theater experience.” The theater that Thriller! Chiller! has come to call home is Grand Rapids’ own Wealthy Theatre, a location that Griffin says just keeps getting better. “Wealthy Theatre, with their latest centennial campaign funds, has made these huge improvements to both theaters, in addition to what they used to have,” he said. “That was great, but now it’s even better.” Films will be shown in both the Peter Wege Auditorium and the Koning MicroCinema to make for a diverse experience. Over the years, the quality of the films submitted to Thriller! Chiller! have been getting better too, and it’s becoming more difficult for Griffin and Randall to narrow down which selections to show. This year alone, they received more than 500 hours of footage, and had to trim it down to 30 hours for the festival. Each movie gets viewed a total of three times to ensure the proper amount of attention is paid to every detail. “All the components that go into making a strong movie, whether it be cinematography, editing, acting, directing, those things all come together and we look at the cohesive whole,” Griffin said. This year’s festival features a vast assortment of national and international submissions, as well as local films, such as Break Glass in Case of... and Randall’s own award-winning America’s Most Haunted. Juried prizes will be given out at the festival, with the coveted Boomstick Award reserved for best regional film. Visit thrillerchiller.com for a full list of films and more information.

Fear the Crooked Corpse Film Premiere Wealthy Theatre is keeping up their horror kick with the premiere of A Picture Show’s latest feature film, Fear the Crooked Corpse, on Oct. 27. Grand Rapids native Aaron Russman wrote, directed and produced the movie, which he describes as “a feature-length narrative that takes the viewer inside a mental breakdown and descent into madness.” The film, which is inspired in part by Poe’s “The Telltale Heart” follows Edgar, a man whose daughter is murdered, leaving Edgar desiring vengeance against the muderer. This becomes complicated when the murderer takes his own life, and Edgar begins a horrifying psychological journey. Russman said he immersed himself in the horror genre to prepare for the movie. “I’m quite the fan of classic horror, the black-and-white originals, but also the ’70s offerings. And there’s always a special place in my heart for the slasher films in the ’80s and ’90s.” Russman has included something in this film for fans of all horror genres, and he feels Fear the Crooked Corpse “runs the gamut through all of my horrifying influences.” Ten dollars gets you a ticket to the film and access to a full-blown halloween party, which Russman urges the audience to participate in. “Anyone attending is highly encouraged to come in costume,” Russman said. “The best outfit wins a cool prize and we’ll have all the classic games you enjoyed as a kid, each with a ghoulish twist.” n

Bad Grandpa

Movie///pREVIEWS By Ae Hee Lee Kim

Opening october 4

Gravity

Sandra Bullock goes to space as medical engineer Dr. Ryan Stone. Her breathtaking space walk with her colleague Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney) turns out nightmarish when debris crashes into their shuttle, leaving them in zero gravity, gasping for oxygen, and solo. How far into the infinite will they drift?

Opening october 11

Machete Kills

Opening october 18

Carrie

There is more to Carrie White (Chloë Grace Moretz) and her mother (Julianne Moore) than an awkward teen and a religious, single mom. Carrie, for instance, is a powerful telekinetic user, who goes all-out on prom night after withstanding the senseless beatings from her mother and her peers’ pranks.

Opening october 25

Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa

His name is Irving Zisman (Johnny Knoxville), and he is an 86-year-old man on a journey across America with a mission: to deliver his eight-year-old grandson Billy (Jackson Nicoll) to Billy’s father. In this hidden-camera movie that recorded real people and genuine reactions, the duo shows the world how to properly enjoy a road trip and deal heart attacks to unsuspecting by-standers on the way. Don’t be deceived by their ages — they’ll crash weddings and funerals, flirt or cross-dress without ever blushing.

The Counselor

Directed by Ridley Scott, from a screenplay by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy, The Counselor has been described as a “No Country For Old Men on steroids.” A lawyer (Michael Fassbender) thinks he can come out safe, clean and shiny after doing a one-time job in the bleak world of drug trafficking. With help from an extravagant friend (Javier Bardem) and a shady middleman (Brad Pitt), he tries to smuggle $20 million of cocaine across the Mexican border and fails. Calamity ensues, and the men’s ladies (Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz) are swept by it. n

Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule

Some magicians can walk on water, Machete (Danny Trejo) can swim through land. In this second film in the Machete Trilogy, Machete must accomplish the absurd once again. This time, he must travel through Mexico to face an army of super (strange) soldiers and prevent an unconventional arms dealer from launching a missile into space.

A remake of the 1976 horror film, based on Stephen King’s novel, Carrie returns to the theaters to make sure you have not forgotten her.

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

by Josh Spanninga

comedy

Turns 20 and Invites Marc Evan Jackson Out to Play

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

64 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

ome this February, River City Improv will celebrate its 20th anniversary, and if you have yet to experience one of the troupe’s sidesplitting improv sets, you best remedy that soon. Rick Truer, one of the founding members of the group, estimates that between its public shows and private event performances, RCI performs roughly 60-80 times per year, so there are plenty of chances to check it out. A good start would be to check out their Oct. 19 screening of The Kings of Summer, an indie/comedy film featuring former RCI cast member Marc Evan Jackson. After screening the film, Jackson will come out and take part in a short improv set, his first performance with the troupe in 12 years. Jackson originally became involved with RCI to provide musical accompaniment to the group’s sets. Right away he knew he wanted to become more involved. “I was at the first rehearsal for about 10 minutes, watching the fun they were having

and the hilarity they were creating through improv and I thought, ‘We need to find someone else to come play the piano, because I want to do what they’re doing for the rest of my life,’” Jackson said. Eventually, Jackson would leave the group to branch out into radio, television and film. He has since appeared in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, “Arrested Development,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Reno 911” and The Thrilling Adventure Ho u r p o d c a s t a l s o features him as a cast member. Jackson feels his time with RCI and other similar groups has helped him prepare for these roles, and more importantly, that improv in general teaches important life skills. “Essentially, you need to show up with energy and a good attitude, listen to each other, accept what’s going on, get involved, and play well with others,” Jackson said. “These are pretty great ways to lead one’s everyday life, regardless of whether you want to be an actor or not.”

“When you think about it, listening to music is very much like trying to translate from one person’s language to your own.”

The Kings of Summer followed by River City Improv (with guest Marc Evan Jackson) Ladies Literary Club, Grand Rapids Oct. 19, 7:33 p.m., $10 rivercityimprov.com, (616) 752 8570

RCI has also seen its fair share of growth and successes over the years. “One of the first shows that we did we rented the Ladies Literary Club and we had 20 people in this 100-seat theater,” Truer said. “Within a couple years we moved around the corner to this coffee shop that was on 10 Weston, and we performed on this little stage in the back that had 110 seats and we’d pack it out every time.” For RCI’s 10th anniversary show, they broke a personal record, filling a 1300-seat auditorium. What started out as a comedic experiment conducted by a handful of Calvin College alumni has turned into a mainstay in the Grand Rapids comedy scene, and members both past and present couldn’t be more proud. “I’m so pleased not only that RCI has been around as long as they have, but that they’ve thrived and grown,” Jackson said. n

TIEMPO LIBRE

OCTOBER 5 8:00 PM $30/TICKET

Tiempo Libre is a three-time Grammy-nominated supergroup from Miami, Florida that specialize in Cuban timba music: a high-energy blend of salsa, R&B, and traditional cuban music creating a blend of high voltage jazz and seductive rhythms. Sponsored by: Hilliard Lyons of Holland, Chemical Bank

The rst annual Saugatuck Shorts event will feature short lms (ve minutes or less) that have a tie to Michigan. Three prizes will be awarded at the screening: $500 for the high school & under student category, $1,000 for the adult category, and $1,000 for “audience favorite”. Proceeds from this event will support low-cost and free educational programs.

SAUGATUCK SHORTS!

OCTOBER 12

6:30 PM $35-ADULTS $10-KIDS & STUDENTS

COWBOY JUNKIES IN CONCERT

OCTOBER 25 8:00 PM $39/TICKET

Over the years, this cult favorite’s music has evolved from traditional country/ blues music and has drifted into a meandering hypnotic haze reminiscent of the Velvet Underground. Rolling Stone says their music is “ethereal and cool, it is just throaty enough to impart a sirenlike sensuality to the music.” Sponsored by: Hilliard Lyons of Holland, Chemical Bank

Adults: $42.50 Students: $22.50

BOXOFFICE: 616.878.6800 or vsfac.com

Hours: Mon-Fri, 12-5pm @ 84th St. & Burlingame SW, Byron Center Just 12 minutes south of Grand Rapids & 1.5 miles west of US-131 Thank you community partners: Chemical Bank, Dan Pfeiffer Automotive Group, Kawasaki Good Times Foundation, Godwin Plumbing/American Standard, Wireless Squad/Verizon Wireless, Owen-Ames-Kimball, TowerPinkster

TICKETS AND MORE INFORMATION 269.857.2399 OR WWW.SC4A.ORG REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Diing | Schedule

Thursday, October 17, 7:30 pm VAN SINGEL FINE ARTS CENTER

by Allison Parker

Theatre

GR Symphony Celebrates 25 Years of Zelda Magic

Other Performing Arts Events Jersey Boys

DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids Oct. 1-6, show times at 1, 2, 6:30, 7:30, and 8 p.m. $32-$80 broadwaygrandrapids.com, (616) 235-6285

Winner of the 2006 Tony Award for Best Musical, Jersey Boys is a jukebox musical documenting the rise and fall of the band The Four Seasons. Divided into the four calendar seasons, each section of the play is told from the perspective of one of the band’s members: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi.

f we’re talki ng vi deo gam e h e roes, few have stood the test of time quite like The Legend of Zelda’s Link. Whether radiating pudgy, pixilated charm, or vanquishing foes in his new sleeker form, the pointy-eared warrior has left an indelible mark in gamers’ hearts. Grand Rapids Symphony allows fans to relive the excitement of Link’s oldest and newest adventures in the touring symphony concert, The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses. The first four-movement video-game concert in history, Goddesses showcases fresh rearrangements of 25 years of Zelda soundtracks. Composed by Nintendo legend Koji Kondo, the Zelda scores have gained a massive cult following among gamers. By welcoming in video game culture, GRS hopes to introduce these players to the thrill of the symphony. “Legend of Zelda fans will have a chance to revel in a larger-than-life experience of the world of Zelda, while hearing and experiencing the music of the games with a fuller and richer sound than any could ever experience on home equipment,” said Roger D. Nelson, GRS VP and COO. In spite of its novel subject matter, however, the concert is less a deviation from classical convention than one might initially suppose. “For generations, symphonic composers borrowed melodies from nearby — including folk melodies and even bird calls,” Nelson said. “Borrowing the music from Zelda to create an evening of orchestral music is very much in keeping with tradition.” Structurally, the concert contains an introductory overture and four subsequent movements, each of which focuses on a specific game in the franchise. Interludes, however, draw from a

Schedule | Dining | Sights Sounds | Scene

If you love Zelda, I think you will love this concert. Also, if you love the Symphony, I think you’ll enjoy this concert.

66 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

The Addams Family: A New Musical Comedy

Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo Oct 22-23, 7:30 p.m. $35-58 millerauditorium.com, (269) 387-2300

variety of game soundtracks to celebrate magical moments that recur throughout the Zelda series. One such noteworthy selection is “Dungeons of Hyrule,” a tribute to the franchise’s twisted labyrinths and spooky locales. Another sure fan favorite, “Songs of the Hero,” is a riveting medley of five songs actually performed by Link in the games in order to accomplish magical feats like teleportation and weather manipulation. As if the music alone would not be nostalgic enough for diehards, the concert also features a cinematic presentation on a giant screen. Expertly synched gameplay footage immerses audiences fully in the Zelda world, while highlighting the progress of the franchise’s animation. For those who have never suffered the agony of ‘PlayStation thumb’ or used the term ‘respawn’ in a sentence, the concert still has much to offer, however. “If you love Zelda, I think you will love this concert,” Nelson said. “Also, if you love the Symphony, I think you’ll enjoy this concert. Our musicians truly enjoy playing for people. In fact, it’s not an overstatement to say they live for it. We expect a full house for this performance, and our musicians feed off the energy of an enthusiastic audience. This is going to be a fun evening.” n

Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses Grand Rapids Symphony, DeVos Performance Hall Oct. 19, 8 p.m. $37-$100 grsymphony.org, (616) 454-9451

America’s favorite ‘creepy and kooky’ family cordially welcomes you into their ghoulish abode in a hilarious tribute to the hit ‘60s TV series. In this all-new storyline, Gomez’s worst nightmare comes to life when his daughter Wednesday commits the ultimate travesty: falling for a decidedly ordinary, un-spooky man. Sworn to secrecy, Gomez cannot even share the awful truth with his darling cara mia, Morticia. It’s hard to say who is in for the biggest shock when the Addams Family decides to invite the young man’s parents over for dinner.

Grand Rapids Ballet Company Presents Dracula

Peter Martin Wege Theatre, Grand Rapids Oct. 25-27, 31, Nov. 1-2; show times at 2 and 7:30 p.m. $12-40 grballet.com, (616) 454-4771 Revamped with fresh scenery and orchestrations, Dracula is a haunting Halloween ballet of unbridled terror and passion. When the vile Count Dracula claims young debutant Lucy with a fateful bite, it’s up to newlyweds Jonathan and Mina Harker to save their friend from a fate worse than death. But before long, Mina finds her own sanity slipping as she falls under the vampire’s spell. The couple must summon all their bravery to defeat the nearly unstoppable creature who can turn life into a living hell.

Missy Black’s

STYLe NOTeS

HANDCRAFTED ALES & BARREL-AGED BEER FULL-SERVICE BAR WITH WINE & SPIRITS

ines and wigs—you’ve got to try a few on before you get the perfect fit. You can mix both fascinations together at the West Michigan Woman Wine & Wig gala on Saturday, Oct. 12. Held at the Grand Rapids Art Museum, attendees gather for an evening of food and wine pairings, a silent auction and of course, wigs. All event proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen West Michigan, an organization dedicated to combating breast cancer. So, bouffant, long and silky or a garish color—don a wig and come out for a night that’s “whimsical, electric and energizing,” according to Kasie Smith, publisher of West Michigan Woman magazine. “We wanted to create a philanthropic event that would benefit women’s health here in our community, all while having fun.” Look into tickets for the event at wineandwig.com. Also worth noting is that The Kostume Room is donating a portion of the proceeds from all wig purchases back to Susan G. Komen. Show everyone the good in playing dress up and drinking wine.

RESTAURANT FEATURING AMERICAN CUISINE WOOD-FIRED PIZZA OVEN & GRILL

WZZM-13’s Juliet Dragos and Val Lego glam it up for the West Michigan Wine & Wig gala, held this year on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

“Never show your temper or your thighs to someone you are not related to or sleeping with.” This is from Ellie Carlson, the woman behind Speaking of Unmentionables: The Rise and Fall of Ladies Underwear held Oct. 6 at Kalamazoo Valley Museum. The free event explores how women’s fashions are shaped, literally and figuratively, by their underclothes. “Underwear can be a taboo topic and there’s a lot of humor around that,” said Carlson, a museum curator, performer in first person interpretation and historic caterer who brings actual vintage and reproduction undergarments for viewing. This “fun, a little bit naughty and unusual,” program is held in the context of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum’s 19th century costume collection, some of which can be seen in the exhibit, “Decades of Dazzling Dresses.” Get a load of this gal at elliepresents.com and get ready for a bra-snapping (and informative) good time.

The H&M countdown begins, or continues, however you’ve been tracking progress. Slated to open this fall, the global fashion brand will have a presence at Woodland Mall and the wait is enough to induce poor fashion decisions—yes, it’s that bad. When doors do open, the retail space is expected to cater to ladies, men, young ladies and young men with separate store-within-store sections for accessories, lingerie, maternity and sports apparel. This fall season the women’s collection adheres to the theme of “Modern Drama,” according to Marybeth Schmitt, continental communications director at H&M. The collection mixes “tailoring with glamour to form contrasts that emphasize a tomboy spirit.” The forecast for men focuses on contrasting shapes and new tailoring, taking traditional looks to the next level. Schmitt goes on to say that utility references add an edge while all-over prints play up a unified wardrobe. Bottom line: It’s access to the latest trends at the best prices. Now go watch the clock and dream of what Schmitt refers to as the store that’s all about “Fashion, Fashion, Fashion.” n

Mix some “Modern Drama” into your fall wardrobe when H&M opens this fall at Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids

Coming This month:

The new RevueWM .com More listings Web exclusives Easier navigation Fresh new look Kickassness

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

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Friends with the Found Facebook page? Well, soon it will redirect you to Oh! Abigail, a jewelry site. The scoop is that Found hounds should head to Found Design for the inspired furnishings and home goods but can get the jewelry, clothing and fashion side of things from the girl who made it happen—Abigail Albers. She’s launching her own website this fall (shopohabigail.com), can be found at Not So Shabby Antiques in Holland and has also bought a 1970s vintage camper that she’s rehabbing into a traveling store. So, homegirl is busy, got spunk and knows how to sell it. The mastermind behind Oh! Abigail, Albers is pushing vintage and new jewelry, collecting things that aesthetically please her. Her collections and creations are on trend and pretty, and her personal line Oh! Abigail will be a hodgepodge of skeleton keys, buttons, vintage medals and findings. “I’ve been obsessed with the really small delicate pieces,” Albers said. “I still love the bauble collar necklaces, but am really into the yellow gold, dainty necklaces.”

1310 W. Washington St., Greenville, MI (616) 712-6226 - 57brewpub.com

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Dining Restaurant listings arranged by region

Angel’s Thai Café 136 Monroe Center NW. 616-454-9801 THAI. This downtown restaurant makes your order fresh, fast, and hot. You can order your entree with your choice of meat and spice level, or create your own. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Thai Steak and Yum Talay.

BarterTown Diner 6 Jefferson St. SE. 616-233-3219 VEGAN. This workerowned-and-operated restaurant offers a variety of tasty healthy dishes fresh and hand-picked right from local family farms. Want a certain recipe or cooking lessons? Events and programs are BarterTown’s way of getting the community involved. So don’t be surprised if one day there’s Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and the next it’s all about pizza. SERVING: Breakfast (Saturday & Sunday), Lunch, Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Locally based vegan meals.

Bentham’s Riverfront Restaurant 187 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-774-2000 AMERICAN. Enjoy great breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert options while looking out at the Grand River. Bentham’s now offers a lunch buffet with choices of salads, breads, soups and roast beef and poultry carved to order — not to mention stir-fry stations with fresh vegetables, meats or seafood and unique sauces. Casual attire. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 days, closes at 2 p.m. GO THERE FOR: Lunch buffet.

Big O Café 80 Ottawa NW. 616-451-1887 ITALIAN. The downtown (and downstairs) restaurant has a reliable menu featuring pizza, pasta, and sandwiches that are Italian and Cuban influenced. A great spot for lunch or a quick glass of wine and plate of pasta before a downtown event. SERVING: Lunch

openings and closings, editorial space, budgets, deadlines, acts of God, congressional hearings and, of course, visits and meals at restaurants throughout the region. The listings are not intended to be reviews of West Michigan restaurants, although we will inject some opinions into the listings based on experiences or the personal preferences of staff. Our intention is to expand and sharpen the content every month to make it the region’s most user-friendly and accurate dining guide. To submit or correct information

Cuisine is a hot spot for those who like to add a little flavor to their lives. With a lunch buffet served every weekday, this restaurant provides its eaters with an array of traditional Indian cuisine. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Naan, Butter Chicken.

The Bistro 11 Monroe Avenue NW (at Courtyard Marriott). 616-242-6000 AMERICAN. Serving American food bistro-style, whether it’s grab-and-go or guests dining in for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The Bistro offers fresh seasonal options, serves Starbucks beverages and has a full-service bar. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Sandwiches.

Bistro Bella Vita 44 Grandville Ave. SW. 616-222-4600 ITALIAN. One of Grand Rapids’ best dining experiences, featuring Mediterraneaninspired country cuisine, a swanky yet comfortable downtown atmopshere and personable service. BBV’s culinary team creates authentic, housemade recipes made with locally grown produce, fresh seafood and rotisserie roasted meats. Specialty gluten-free menu, and can prepare custom dishes for lactose intolerant, vegetarian, and vegan diets. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Mediterranean Country Cuisine and Martinis.

Brewery Vivant 925 Cherry St. SE, Grand Rapids. 616-719-1604 BREWPUB. Brewery Vivant offers a variety of drinks and pub specialties in the Belgian style. It has a flair for sustainability inspired by the breweries of Southern Belgium and Northern France. The menu is mainly appetizers with assorted burgers and desserts, but there is a wide variety of lesser known alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. SERVING: Lunch, Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cheese and Belgian beer.

Bulls Head Tavern 188 Monroe NW. 616-454-3580 AMERICAN. Downtown eatery is a great spot for business lunch or casual pre-show dinner, with a wide-ranging menu that includes salads, burgers, pasta, seafood and steaks. Specialties include the ostrich burger, sashimi tuna and smoked Gouda chicken pasta. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday. GO THERE FOR: The Ostrich Burger.

regular dishes like eggs Florentine and blueberry pancakes, as well as specials like red-flannel hash and almond joy pancakes. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: T W Th F Sa Sn. GO THERE FOR: Eggs Florentine.

The Corner Bar 31 N. Main St. 616-866-9866 AMERICAN. The downtown Rockford tavern serves a solid menu of burgers, burritos, salads and sandwiches, but it is best known for hot dogs — serving almost 1,000 per day. Its hot-dog-eating challenge has been conquered by more than a few, but it raises the question: Why would you want to consume Corner Bar dogs in a hurry rather than savor each bite? SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Hot dogs.

Cornucopia 187 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-774-2000 DELI. A refreshing option for on-the-go, or casual, lighter fare. Enjoy deli options such as homemade soups, salads, Panini sandwiches and freshly brewed gourmet coffee. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Sandwiches.

Cygnus 27 187 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-776-6425 ECLECTIC. Enjoy the skyline as you dine atop the Glass Tower. Indulge in a variety of globally infused dishes at this AAA Four-Diamond restaurant. Casual attire; no jacket required. Private dining also available. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Seasonal Sunday Brunch.

Blue Water Grill 5180 Northland Dr. 616-363-5900 SEAFOOD. One of Grand Rapids’ most inspired restaurants in terms of overall ambiance, with Frank Lloyd Wright-style architecture, a stunningly massive fireplace, and some of the best water views in West Michigan. The food is similarly inspired, drawing from Italian, Mediterranean and classic American influences. All the traditional favorites are accounted for with a wide variety of wood-fired pizzas, seafood, steaks, chops, salads, and sandwiches. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Grass Fed Beef.

Chapbook Café 2660 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids. 616-942-0595. CAFE. Take a break from browsing the shelves at Schuler Books with a homemade selection of soups, sandwiches and quiches. Soups are prepared in-house daily and served with fresh baked bread to accompany a smallbut-elegant sandwich menu. Try a quiche or traditional Italian Panini grilled on fresh ciabatta bread, or for a quick bite, grab a bagel or scone from the dessert case. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days GO THERE FOR: Homemade soups and sandwiches

Bobarino’s 20 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-356-2000 ITALIAN. A melting pot of food, live entertainment and fun. Live music Tuesday through Saturday, including rock, jazz, retro, country, rockabilly and more. Large game room with video games, billiards and shuffleboard. Menu includes vast array of wood-fired pizzas, plus burgers, entrées and classic appetizers. Lunch buffet with pizza, pasta, and salad for $6.45. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Wood-fired pizzas.

Charley’s Crab 63 Market SW. 616-459-2500 SEAFOOD. A staple on the finedining scene in Grand Rapids. Fresh seafood, a world-class Sunday brunch and a comfortable, upscale atmosphere for drinks and dining. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The Sunday brunch buffet.

Erb Thai 950 Wealthy St. SE #1A. (616) 356-2573 THAI. Food rooted in traditional Thai cuisine, but also made to accommodate health conscious and special diets. Not too strong, not too weak, like harmony and melody. Marketing representative Molly Rizor was a Thai virgin when she went and is now glad Erb Thai was her first experience. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Peanut Curry Noodles.

Cherie Inn 969 Cherry SE. 616-458-0588 BREAKFAST. The East Hills restaurant is one of the area’s most-loved breakfast and lunch spots. A neighborhood staple for more than 60 years, the eatery offers a cozy, café-style setting complete with French flags, weathered brick walls, pressed tin ceiling, and intimate tables. Breakfast is the true star, with a variety of

Founders Brewing Company 235 Grandville SW. 616-776-1195 BREWPUB. A beer-lover’s paradise with a national reputation for flavorful, awardwinning beers. Likewise, the brewpub’s menu consists mainly of flavorful handcrafted deli sandwiches that can stand up and complement the beers (or vice versa). SERVING: Lunch

Bombay Cuisine 1420 Lake Dr. SE 616-456-7055 INDIAN. Offering savory and subtly spiced dishes from northern India, Bombay

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

Big Bob’s Pizza 661 Croswell Dr. 616-233-0123 ITALIAN. Located in Gaslight Village in East Grand Rapids (across from Jersey Junction), Big Bob’s is a cozy restaurant that serves up specialty pizzas, pastas, burritos, sandwiches and salads. Sit out on the deck and enjoy Happy Hour from 4-6 p.m. and 9p.m.-close seven days a week. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza and beer (is there a better combination?).

restaurants. Our magazine listings will constantly change and grow in scope based on

in a dining listing, please send an e-mail to editor@revuewm.com.

Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Dead Head Vegetarian Pizza, Cuban dinners on Friday nights.

Grand Rapids

REVUE’S dining listings are compiled by staff and minions. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of restaurants in the region; for our full list, visit revuewm.com/

Taste This

Dining

by Matt Simpson Siegel

Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Awardwinning beer, handcrafted sandwiches. Garden Court Lounge 187 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-774-2000 LOUNGE. An excellent choice for a quick drink with friends or when you desire relaxing with your favorite drink. The Garden Court Lounge offers a fine array of beer, wine, cocktails and liqueurs. SERVING: Drinks OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Specialty cocktails.

Gilly’s 20 Monroe NW. 616-356-2000 SEAFOOD. Gilly’s may not be the biggest name on the seafood block, but it takes second place to no one in regards to quality, freshness and inspiration. A vast array of exotic fish is line-caught, flown in and prepared fresh daily. Every facet of Gilly’s speaks to impeccable attention to detail. SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Fresh seafood at a great price.

GP Sports 187 Monroe Ave. NW. 616-776-6495 SPORTS BAR. Three large screens, more than 30 HD flat screens, pool tables, video games, outdoor patio seating, pizza, signature burgers and more. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays. GO THERE FOR: Score Big Burgers.

G.R.P.D. (Grand Rapids Pizza and Delivery) 340 State St. SE. 616-454-9204 ITALIAN. The current GR location opened in 2004 as the first established pizzeria in the Heritage Hill district. A common meeting spot for local folks, business professionals and college students, a place where one could gather for a quick meal or a reflective lunch. It offers both hand-tossed pizza and Chicago-style stuffed pizza, as well as pasta, sandwiches, salads, and wings. Online ordering, too. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

Grand Rapids Brewing Company 1 Ionia Ave SW. 616-458-7000 BREWPUB. Good for the environment and your palate, GRBC is Michigan’s first certified organic brewery and features a menu stocked with locally grown ingredients. With a diverse selection of beers on tap inspired by historical Grand Rapids figures and a hearty array of burgers, melts and handcranked sausages, this place represents the best of the Grand Rapids Brewing Company’s 120-year legacy. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Organic beer and locally sourced food.

NEW RESTAURANT:

McKay’s Downtown

f you’ve rece ntly watch e d Pu lp Fiction, take your friend/date/Tarantinophile to McKay’s Downtown for the Grandwich-winning Royale With (Bleu) Cheese for a definitive chuckle and conversation. If you expect an actual burger by normal definitions, you’ll be surprised by its brioche bun stuffed, quarter-pound grass-fed ground ham and beef, candied bacon, pickled slaw, bleu cheese ice cream and chocolate balsamic reduction. I would surely defeat all of my combatants in a deathpit if there were only one such sandwich in the world. That, however, is not the only gem on the menu that Owner and Head Chef Michael McKay Santo (who recently helped establish 57 Bistro & Pub in Greenville) has devised, and may leave you headscratching and asking for another minute to order. One may even read the entrees aloud as Jerry Lewis (tip: don’t). Regardless of what some may consider a faux pas, every offering is certainly mouthwatering. Small plates such as Picnic Oeuf (lamb, goat, pickled onion and a hardboiled egg in a Bloody Mary sauce) and Screwy Rabbit (smoked rabbit, baby lettuce, carrot, dash of irony) will help dip the tips of the tongues for those unsure of French Fusion. Of course, you could always just nibble on a pickled hog foot if you’re looking for a small bite late at night for a well-spent $5. Large plate offerings include a lamb t-bone and a collard green ratatouille, but the nod goes to the [Your Name Here] Cassoulet and [Your Name Here] Etouffee. Both include any choice of meat — rabbit, lamb belly, pork belly or duck — with mirepoix. The cassoulet hosts mixed bean and roasted redskin potatoes; the etouffee, smoked tomato

bisque and sweet potato hash. For those who refuse to eat food based upon not knowing the language, mirepoix is composed of chopped onions, celery and other veggies. Future plans include an outdoor dining patio and enough staying power to forget that every former bar restaurant at their particular location has disappeared without a trace. 25 Ottawa Ave. SW, Grand Rapids; michaelmckays.com, (616) 419-4493 n

Wine, Women & Chocolate

Dinner in the Dark at San Chez

Oct. 10 Help support your blood glucose and the Women’s Resource Center with healthy samplings of various wines and chocolates provided by Crushed Grape Winery, Cascade Winery, Patricia’s Chocolates and Awesome Chocolates, with catering provided by Thousand Oaks Golf Club. WRC performs a wondrous service to our community by helping women resume their lives with the skills and confidence required to support their families and secure employment. All proceeds will benefit these women and the WRC’s outreach as they provide these immeasurable services at no cost. The least you can do is eat some chocolates and cop a wine buzz. $40/Thousand Oaks Golf Club, 4100 Thousand Oaks Dr., Grand Rapids; Contact Terri Demeter at WRS for more information at (616) 458-5443.

Oct. 30 Prime your palate with a wealth of flavor before over-indulging in your neighbors’ “Please Take Just One” candy baskets. San Chez follows up with their second Dinner in the Dark, an experience that proves we should take our time and enjoy the more subtle pleasures in life. Blindfolds will be provided at this unique dining event that heightens smell, taste and touch of San Chez’s top-tier table fare, paired with wine, beer and live music. The scents will certainly tantalize you into Pavlovian drooling and the textures are as exquisite as their tastes. Don’t fret if you miss this as another is planned for Thursday, November 21. $65 (includes tax & gratuity); 38 W. Fulton, Grand Rapids; sanchezbistro.com, (616) 774-8272

Top: McKay’s interior. PHOTO: Steph Harding Above: Pizza and bratwurst from the lunch menu. PHOTO: Eric Tank

Grand Woods Lounge 77 Grandville Ave SW. 616-451-4300 AMERICAN. The restaurant’s interior exudes a warm, casual ambiance reminiscent of the great eateries of the Pacific Northwest; the outdoor porch features two outdoor bars and a fireplace. Menu stocked with affordable appetizers great for sharing, plus salads, sandwiches, and entrées. Lots of domestics and microbrews, plus an array of martinis including the “Woodstini,” a tasty mix of Stoli Orange Vodka, mandarin oranges and raspberries. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cocktails.

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vitalespizza.com

Our restaurants offer 90 taps with 40 taps pouring Michigan-made beer.

www.vitalespizza.com

vitalescomstockpark.com

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Dining Graydon’s Crossing 1223 Plainfield NE. 616-726-8260 TAVERN. An authentic take on the English Pub, with a huge selection of beers on tap and a menu that includes classic English dishes like Fish & Chips, Shepherd’s Pie and Irish Stew, as well as Indian specialties like Tandoori Chicken and Tikka Masala. A great casual atmosphere for drinking and dining. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Beer and authentic pub food.

The Green Well 924 Cherry SE. 616-808-3566 Eclectic. REVUE’s “Free Market” columnist Steven de Polo writes, “Green Well is the best restaurant in GR.” The East Hills gastro-pub serves up an ever-changing menu featuring local ingredients, and a wide array of local craft brews and wines. The green refers also to the LEED© certified building and management’s commitment to a small carbon footprint. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Baked local goat cheese, Michigan maple whiskey chicken over risotto.

The Holiday Bar 801 5th St. NW, Grand Rapids. 616-456-9058 AMERICAN. For 107 years, The Holiday Bar has been serving its loyal customers great beer and food, with 12 specialty beers of tap and its homemade “Porter” Pulled Pork sandwiches. Fully stocked with pool tables and nine HD flat screens, this dive is the perfect spot for cheap beer and good times.. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Cheap beer.

Harmony Brewing Company 1551 Lake Dr. SE (616) 233-0063 BREWPUB. Harmony features 12 craft-brewed beers in addition to signature root beer for the kiddos. Named one of the top-five brewpub menus in West Michigan by yours truly, Harmony’s ultimate deal is a take-out combo that features one of its 10” gourmet wood-fired pizzas and a growler of beer for $20, as well as a $5 cheese and $6 pepperoni pizza deal every Tuesday. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza and brews.

HopCat 25 Ionia SW. 616-451-4677 TAVERN. Rated the 3rd best beer bar on the planet by Beer Advcoate, HopCat’s spin on its food is thus: “It’s the food your Mom would feed you, if your Mom loved beer.” That’s specifically true for HopCat’s beerbar cheese, cheese ale soup and porter braised beef, but mom would also love the Hippie wrap (it’s vegetarian), the crack fries (not real crack), and Killer Mac and Cheese. Because what mom doesn’t like mac and cheese? SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Widest variety of beers, crack fries.

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

J Bar 20 Monroe NW. 616-356-2000 STEAKS. Grass-fed beef selections and an ample variety of seafood, chops and house specialties. Extensive wine cellar and tastefully upscale ambiance that’s comfortable rather than stuffy. SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Choice-cut prime rib, 10-oz. Filet, 14-oz. Top Sirloin.

JD Reardon’s Bar & Grill 940 Monroe Ave NW. (616) 454-8590 AMERICAN. Neighborhood pub offers 15 Michigan beers on tap and more bottled, along with a full menu of handmade appetizers, pizzas, salads, sandwiches and 16 half-pound burgers. Nightly drink specials and karaoke on Tuesday night. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Burgers.

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Lumber Baron Bar 187 Monroe Ave. NW. (616) 774-2000 LOUNGE. Settle into the warmth and charm of this historic bar — complete with a fireplace, leather club chairs and a large selection of premium drinks and appetizers. SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays and Mondays GO THERE FOR: Scotch or Brandy after a Symphony concert.

Maggie’s Kitchen 636 Bridge St. NW. 616-458-8583 MEXICAN. The storefront restaurant on GR’s west side has quietly built a reputation as one of the best places in town for authentic Mexican food, especially its tacos and breakfast items like huevos a la Mexicana (scrambled eggs with onions and jalapenos). SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: T W Th F Sa Sn. GO THERE FOR: Tex-Mex.

Marie Catrib’s 1001 Lake Dr. 616-454-4020 ECLECTIC. The East Hills eatery has one of the most hard-to-categorize menus in West Michigan, but this line from its website begins to do it justice: “a twist of Lebanese, a hint of Yooper and yen for unique pastries.” Everything is made from scratch with local ingredients, and there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Get there early for lunch, as there is almost always a wait. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Salads, soups and sandwiches.

Mixology 235 Louis St. NW. 616-242-1448 LOUNGE. Casual, upscale service and atmosphere allows guests to relax and enjoy the city views. This type of service allows guests to complete business tasks while still enjoying the accessibility to great food and libations. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days GO THERE FOR: Specialty cocktails.

O’Toole’s 448 Bridge St. 616-742-6095 PUB. This West side pub is equipped with delicious and outrageously topped burgers, as well as an extensive beer selection, and arguably, the best happy hour specials in town. If food is not your passion, this is a prime place to kick off your Sunday Funday with its $3 Absolut Bloody Mary bar. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Gourmet burgers, Absolut Bloody Mary bar.

Olive’s Restaurant 2162 Wealthy St. SE. 616-451-8611 ECLECTIC. Gaslight Village mainstay for Easties looking to have a cocktail and casual dinner. The menu is surprisingly broad, with innovative starters (e.g., Napoli fritters, Paella cakes) and diverse entrées like Southern meatloaf, braised short ribs and mobu tofu. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: A broad selection.

The Pita House 1450 Wealthy SE, 3730 28th Street, 4533 Ivanrest SW (Grandville). 616-454-1171 MEDITERRANEAN. Gyros so big you can club someone with them, the smoothest hummus in town and other Mediterranean fare, including kibbe, kafta and falafel. Additional locations on 28th Street and Kalamazoo SE. Sandwiches are made to order with fresh vegetables and ingredients. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Fresh pita wraps.

For our full list of restaurants, visit revuewm.com/restaurants. To submit or correct information in a dining listing, please send an e-mail to editor@revuewm.com.

Red Jet Cafe 1431 Plainfield Ave. NE. 616-719-5500 ECLECTIC. The funky restaurant in Creston’s old library is the kind of place you’d find in Chicago’s hip neighborhoods, offering non-sequitur menu items that somehow seem to work. Seriously, how many other places in town can you find that serve high-end organic coffees, crepes, wood-fired pizzas and artisan baked goods. Is it a bistro? Is it a coffeehouse? Does it matter? SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Crepes.

Reds on The River 8 E. Bridge St. 616-863-8181 AMERICAN. This highly acclaimed restaurant in the Rockford area promises no processed foods. Red’s sports a cylindrical fireplace and is known for its incredible views and outdoor dining. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays. GO THERE FOR: Steak and Wine.

Reserve 201 Monroe Ave. NW (616) 855-9463 ECLECTIC. With 102 wines available by the glass and more than 300 by the bottle, paired with an ever-changing food menu influenced by West Michigan grown foods, Reserve promises diners a unique experience. Cocktails and craft beers add depth to the primarily wine-centered menu. SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday GO THERE FOR: Wine and food pairings, charcuterie.

Rinaldi Pizza and Sub Shop 966 E. Fulton St. 616-458-3737 ITALIAN. The tiny pizza shop at the corner of Fulton and Diamond is publisher Brian Edwards’ favorite spot to stop for a large slice after a late night at the office. “It’s got the four C’s of pizza going for it: chewy, cheesy, crusty and cheap — with a perfect balance of sauce and cheese,” Edwards says. Fold it over, New Yorkstyle, he recommends. SERVING: Lunch, Dinner. OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

Rockwell-Republic 45 S. Division Ave. 616-551-3563 ECLECTIC. Menu offerings range from sushi to burgers and everything in between. The cocktail menu runs the gamut from classics like the Manhattan to more modern variations and the beer and wine menus are nothing to sneeze at either. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Specialty cocktails, broad menu, lively atmosphere.

Rose’s On Reeds Lake 550 Lakeside Dr. SE. 616-458-1122 ECLECTIC. The East Grand Rapids landmark is one of those places that has a different feel in each season. In the summertime, it’s a great spot to hang on the decks and have cocktails and light appetizers; when the snow is falling, it’s a warm and cozy spot for a hearty meal and big glass of wine. The menu draws from a multitude of influences including Mediterranean, Italian, and Casual American. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Root Chips.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House 187 Monroe Avenue NW. 616-776-6426 STEAKHOUSE. Serving only the best steaks, Ruth’s Chris hand-selects its steaks from the top 2% of the country’s beef, which is then broiled to perfection at 1800 degrees. Enjoy the freshest seafood, classic sides and homemade desserts that satisfy any craving. SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sundays. GO THERE FOR: Steak.

San Chez a Tapas Bistro 38 West Fulton St. 616-774-8272 ECLECTIC. Using available local products, San Chez a Tapas Bistro is a social setting where people can remember the one rule of kindergarten: sharing. Featuring small, delicious dishes, San Chez a Tapas Bistro can satiate your desire for variety. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Tapas.

San Chez Cafe 38 West Fulton St. 616-774-8272 ECLECTIC. This comfy venue allows customers to “walk on sunshine” with its windowed-out structure. A hidden secret for breakfast in downtown Grand Rapids, San Chez Cafe promises a great start to any day. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 Days. GO THERE FOR: Sandwiches.

Six.One.Six. 235 Louis St. NW. 616-242-1448 ECLECTIC. Marketinspired menus, sweeping views and progressive rhythms combine to create a memorable dining experience. The dishes tempt taste buds and is the perfect spot for foodies. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 Days GO THERE FOR: Variety and being seen.

Stella’s Lounge 53 Commerce Ave. 616-356-2700 TAVERN. The Chicagostyle whiskey bar has more than 200 varieties of distilled spirits, old-school video games, a superexcellent jukebox stocked with rock and punk classics, and a menu filled with vegetarian and vegan bar food — and stuffed burgers. Did we mention you can sip cans of PBR, Blatz and other classic beers, as well as sangria, out of a mason jar? REVUE’s British ex-pat David Smith calls Stella’s his favorite bar in the world. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Vegetarian and vegan bar food.

The Score 5301 Northland Dr. NE. 616-301-0600 SPORTS BAR. Multifaceted restaurant and sports bar has a lot to offer, including expansive menu with discount options, happy hour specials, countless big screen and projection TVs broadcasting big games and pay-per-view UFC matches, outdoor beach volleyball and live music in the summertime … the list goes on. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Sports bar atmosphere.

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Dining Tavern on the Square 100 Ionia Ave. SW. 616-456-7673 ECLECTIC. The re-fashioned former Irish pub still has that neighborhood feel, and offers up a unique menu with salads, antipasto, appetizers, a pub burger, and an array of unique “Yankee Tapas” like Fish Tacos, Loaded Carnival Fries and the ultimate West Side tapas: Pierogies. A hodgepodge to be sure, but fun. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: PBJ Tuna.

Vitale’s Restaurants Various Grand Rapids locations. vitalespizza.com ITALIAN. The Vitale family has served West Michigan for more than 40 years. Each of the five locations in the Greater Grand Rapids area offer traditional Italian family recipes and award-winning pizza, but provide their own unique dining experience. Whether you go there to watch the big game, enjoy a brew or dine on authentic Italian dishes, these locations have something for everyone. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days GO THERE FOR: Pizza and Italian dishes.

The Winchester 648 Wealthy St. SE. 616-451-4969 ECLECTIC. Upscale Wealthy Street bar and restaurant feels like it was plucked from Chicago’s Bucktown or Logan Square neighborhoods. A comfortable spot to drink or dine, with an always evolving menu featuring shared plates, salads and inventive sandwiches. The Cuban Reuben, originally created as something of a joke, remains a (very tasty) staple item. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: DIY Bloody Mary Bar Special, Yucca Fries.

Wolfgang’s Restaurant 1530 Wealthy St. SE. 616-454-5776 BREAKFAST. The bustling Eastown breakfast spot is home to some of the heartiest breakfast dishes and funniest menu descriptions. Courteous staff never fails to offer a cup of coffee to go after we’ve finished breakfast. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Breakfast all day.

New Holland Brewing Company 66 E. 8th St., Holland. 616-355-6422 BREWPUB. One of West MI’s premier microbreweries serves up better than average pub grub, including the Tarheel barbecue Pulled Pork, Grilled Portobello and The Treehugger, which is billed as “a vegetarian sandwich utopia.” SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Mad Hatter IPA, Dragon’s Milk.

Blue House Bistro 220 W. 8th Street, Holland. 616-355-1994 AMERICAN. Chef-owned boutique bistro located in downtown Holland, with an extensive menu featuring small plates, sandwiches, soups, salads, pizza, desserts, dine-in, take-out, delivery catering, beer and wine to-go. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN: Tu–Sun. GO THERE FOR: Seafood gumbo, Saturday and Sunday brunch.

Phil’s Bar & Grille 215 Butler St., Saugatuck. 269-857-1555 AMERICAN. This cozy (some would say “small”) bar and grille in downtown Saugatuck is one of those unassuming spots you might easily overlook, though locals in Saugatuck will tell you about their love affair with Phil’s. Eclectic menu is all over the place, but in a good way, and the staff is super-friendly. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Portabella Mushroom Fries.

CityVu Bistro 61 East 7th Street, Holland. 616-796-2114 AMERICAN. Located atop CityFlats Hotel in downtown Holland, CityVu Bistro offers unique breakfast creations, an array of flatbread dinners, and small plates. Full bar with extensive wine list and great views of Holland. Hours of operation change with the seasons. SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN: Open 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Flatbreads.

Everyday People Cafe 11 Center St., Douglas. 269-857-4240 AMERICAN. REVUE Publisher Brian Edwards calls Everyday People Café his favorite restaurant along the lakeshore. The atmosphere is casual and upbeat, the staff knows its stuff about wine and food, and the seasonal menu is filled with meticulously prepared, eclectic comfort food like Butternut Squash Risotto, Braised Lamb Shank and Ahi Tuna. A great wine list and tremendous desserts. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Gorgonzola Pork Chop, Greek Salad with Grandma Gigi’s Dressing (Edwards).

Fricano’s Pizza Tavern 1400 Fulton Ave., Grand Haven. 616-842-8640 ITALIAN. Claims to be the first pizzeria in Michigan, but customers care less about its longevity than the amazingly crispy thin crust and simple ingredients atop its much-lauded pies. Four other locations around West MI, including Comstock Park, Muskegon, Holland and Kalamazoo. SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

Lakeshore

Schedule Dining Sights | Sounds | Scene

Bil-Mar Restaurant 1223 S. Harbor St., Holland. 616-842-5920 AMERICAN. A destination restaurant for locals and tourists for more than 60 years. Dazzling sunsets and an all-American menu featuring fresh seafood and hand-cut steaks. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Lake perch, lobster strudel, prime rib.

8th Street Grille 20 W. 8th St., Holland. 616-392-5888 AMERICAN. This eclectic grille located in the heart of Holland offers a mix of draft and bottled craft beers and a variety of pub classics and new, American beer-inspired dishes. Enjoy happy hour from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, which includes delicious half-off appetizers and $1 off drafts. SERVING: Lunch, Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: 28 taps of craft beer, hometown atmosphere.

Kirby House 2 Washington, Grand Haven. 616-846-3299 AMERICAN. The Grill Room doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is — a chop house and grill. Atmosphere is warm with Tuscan tones, atmospheric lighting, classically cool music and leather booths. The menu focuses on steaks and chops and makes no apologies. The steaks are prime USDA choice, the seafood selection immaculate, and the wine and beverage list is top shelf. Relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Nightlife.

84 East 84 East 8th St., Holland. 616-396-8484 ITALIAN. While we categorize it as “Italian,” that’s a bit limiting for this downtown Holland spot, which specializes in creating inventive pasta dishes. Housed in an old industrial building, 84 East is a favorite splurge spot among REVUE’s Hope College minions. 84 East also serves up designer pizzas and a few non-pasta house specialties like Pork Marsala and Mahi Mahi. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sunday GO THERE FOR: Baked Spaghetti Pie, Tuxedo Chicken Pasta.

Mia & Grace 1133 3rd St., Muskegon. 231-725-9500 AMERICAN. Calls itself a bakery and bistro, but that’s too limiting to describe the creativity of Mia & Grace’s menu. The farm-to-table eatery in downtown Muskegon is casual and comfortable and serves lots of one-of-a-kind items like the Pork Belly Reuben or the Duck PB&J (duck confit, carmelized onions, cashew-peanut butter, green pepper jelly, anadama bread). SERVING: Breakfast Lunch OPEN ON: Closed on Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Salads, Soups, Creme Brulee.

74 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

Salt of the Earth 114 East Main St., Fennville. 269-561-7258 AMERICAN. Salt of the Earth is a farm-to-table-inspired restaurant, bar, and bakery located in the heart of SW Michigan farm country in Fennville. Focuses on fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients whenever possible. Also serves up live music on weekends. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: House made rustic cuisine.

Saugatuck Brewing Company 2948 Blue Star Highway. 269-857-7222 BREWPUB. Enjoy a traditional Irish-style pub that features quality beer, wine, food and service. Try one of 12 unique brews that are served in the pub and bottled and distributed throughout the Midwest. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Beer in a family friendly pub environment.

Vitale’s of Zeeland 59 W. Washington St. (616) 772-5900 ITALIAN. This family owned restaurant specializes in Italian dining, but also has a full menu including Mexican and American specialties. Family friendly atmosphere with newly remodeled dining, and an expanded sports bar with big screen TVs. Happy hour specials, live music every Saturday and has been voted Best Pizza seven years in a row by the Grand Rapids Press. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Pizza.

while you drink up. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The Beer. Bravo! 5402 Portage Rd., Kalamazoo 269-344-7700 ITALIAN. Much-lauded restaurant has earned its stripes over past 23 years as one of the region’s best dining experiences, including a 3-star rating in the 2010 Forbes Travel Guide (formerly the Mobil Travel Guide). The Tuscan-inspired cuisine is spectacular, the atmosphere comfortable and intimate, and the service first-rate. Also brews its own beer in small batches for pairings with menu offerings. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. (Closed Sat. lunch) GO THERE FOR: A great dining experience.

Fieldstone Grille 3970 W. Centre St., Portage. 269-321-8480 AMERICAN. Lodge-retreat atmosphere overlooking the Moors Golf Club natural wetlands. The “field-to-plate” menu features burgers, pizzas, steaks and some eclectic items like quail. Try the FSG chips, a combination of potato, beet and sweet potato chips. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Blue Burger, Almond Crusted Walleye, FSG Chips.

Food Dance 401 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo. 269-382-1888 AMERICAN. An eclectic American menu that reflects ownership’s fixation on “finding honest-to-goodness fruits, vegetables, meat and eggs that come from the farm, not the factory.” Lots of unique choices, for breakfast (gingerbread pancakes), lunch (crab cake sandwich) and dinner (beer roasted chicken). SERVING: Breakfast Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Fresh Local Foods.

Old Burdicks Bar & Grill 100 W. Michigan Ave. (269) 226-3192 AMERICAN. Old Burdick’s Bar & Grill features tasty sandwiches, burgers, salads and entrees, as well as a great selection of cocktails, wines and beers. SERVING: Lunch Dinner. OPEN: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: The Old Burdick Burger.

Olde Peninsula 200 E. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo 269-343-2739 BREWPUB. Downtown brewpub serves up the expected (e.g., steaks, ribs), the authentic (e.g., London Broil) and some pleasant surprises (e.g., extensive vegetarian offerings, Italian food). Offers a range of beers brewed on the premises and served on tap, plus a full bar. Check out the seasonal porters on tap right now, including the Vanilla Porter (5.5% ABV) and Stout Chocula (5.25% ABV). SERVING: Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Beer-B-Que Ribs, London Broil.

Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Arcadia Brewing Co. 103 Michigan Ave., Battle Creek. 269-963-9520 BREWPUB. You’ll find some of the usual suspects on the Battle Creek brewpub’s menu, including wood-fired pizzas and some of the best barbecue in the region. But you’ll also find some delightful surprises — Osso Bucco in a brewpub?! — on the menu, courtesy of award-winning Chef Sean Kelly. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: 7 days. GO THERE FOR: Handcrafted ales and barbecue.

Bell’s Eccentric Cafe 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave. 269-382-2332 BREWPUB. Eccentric Café’s regular menu of appetizers, sandwiches, sides and salads — plus the daily soups and specials — exists for a simple and important purpose: to complement the Kalamazoo microbrewery’s award-winning beers. Eat up

Martell’s 3501 Greenleaf Blvd., Kalamazoo. 269-375-2105 AMERICAN. Tucked away in a quiet neighborhood that overlooks Willow Lake, Martell’s offers casual ambiance and an expansive menu with steaks, prime rib and other comfort food entrées like Italian style meatloaf and pork shank. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Open 7 days (Sundaysdinner only) GO THERE FOR: Quiet casual ambiance.

Union Cabaret & Grille 125 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. 269-384-6756 AMERICAN. A partnership with Western Michigan University, Union features eclectic food and cocktails, plus live jazz music performed by WMU faculty and students. SERVING: Lunch Dinner OPEN ON: Closed Sunday. GO THERE FOR: Portabella Fries, Bloody Maries with infused vodkas. n

Scene | Sounds | Sights Dining Schedule

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

friday

NOV . doors open @ 8pm EVE

@ The B.O.B.

20 monroe / grand rapids

616.356.2000 / thebob.com

AN OUTRAGEOUS HAIR DESIGN

BATTLE & SHOWCASE see who will reign supreme

prizes $7 COVER cash 500 Benefits Helen DeVos

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital

$ BEST AVANT GARDE $500 BEST GLAMOUR

25 entry fee per category

To register or to reserve VIP bottle service, contact Angela at ashea@gilmorec.com or 616.356.2627 x32

76 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

The Schedule Get Scheduled! E-mail your info to schedule@revuewm.com or add your events into our calendar at revuewm.com.

Tuesday

10.01 Billy’s Lounge Preservation Lounge Jazz DeVos Performance Hall Broadway Grand Rapids Presents Jersey Boys Downtown Grand Rapids ArtPrize Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Reimagining the Landscape and the Future of Nature, Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg

Kalamazoo Institue of Art ARTbreak: William Kentridge: Anything is Possible, Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection? Kent District Library Connect with an Author: Mo Willems Knickerbocker Theatre Knickerbocker Film Series: Blue Jasmine Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection UICA Play, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, Good Ol’ Freda Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: Planet Terror

wednesday

10.02 The 411 Club Open Mic Night Billy’s Lounge Campus Karaoke Downtown Grand Rapids ArtPrize Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Reimagining the Landscape and the Future of Nature, Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Intersection We Came As Romans wsg Silverstein, Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!, The Color Morale, Dangerkids

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China Knickerbocker Theatre Knickerbocker Film Series: Blue Jasmine Mary Idema Pew Library HOMERathon 4 Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection San Chez Bistro ArtPrize: Tapas and Art Tours UICA Play, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, Good Ol’ Freda

thursday

10.03 Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Aquinas College Theatre Presents: Nickel and Dimed Bell’s Eccentric Café Appleseed Collective Billy’s Lounge 90s Holla Back Downtown Grand Rapids ArtPrize Downtown Zeeland Zeeland Pumpkinfest Dr. Grins Dave Dyer Founders Brewing Company Matuto

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Reimagining the Landscape and the Future of Nature, Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Louis Armstrong Theatre Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival presents Much Ado About Nothing GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium Les Miserables Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China Knickerbocker Theatre Knickerbocker Film Series: Blue Jasmine Master Arts Theatre Oliver! Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection Papa Pete’s Latin Salsa Night The Pyramid Scheme Quintron and Miss Pussycat, ZZZ Rockford Brewing Company Live! Bottom Line Blues UICA Play, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, Good Ol’ Freda

friday

10.04 The 411 Club Art Hop featuring works of Ben Lyon Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Aquinas College Theatre Presents: Nickel and Dimed Avenue for the Arts First Fridays presented by Avenue for the Arts Bell’s Eccentric Café Tea Leaf Green wsg Whitewater Ramble Billy’s Lounge Brandon McCall Downtown Grand Rapids ArtPrize Dr. Grins Dave Dyer Four Winds Casino Rita Rudner Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Reimagining the Landscape and the Future of Nature, Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Louis Armstrong Theatre Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival presents Much Ado About Nothing GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Holiday Bar Goodwin Drive Intersection Mega 80s Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium Les Miserables

Best Bet: Punk

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule

Guttermouth

Guttermouth is a band that’s deliberately explicit, offensive and intended to shock. Need proof? The band pissed off everyone at Warped Tour so much that they were kicked off the bill mid-tour. Yeah, you’d kind of hope that a band called Guttermouth isn’t crooning poetic love lyrics about Jesus. Or maybe that’s just the kind of thing these punks would do just to Guttermouth, wsg Agent piss off both their fans and their haters Orange and Pinata Protest alike. Formed in 1988, the formidable The Pyramid Scheme, punk rock band has toured extensively Grand Rapids and has nine albums under its belt. Oh, Oct. 12, 8 p.m. and then there was also this one time they $12 in advance, $15 at the door were banned from performing in Canada pyramidschemebar.com, for almost two years, due to aggressively (616) 272-3758 offensive material. If you’ve somehow managed to anger even the easy-going Canadians, you’re either doing something incredibly wrong or drastically right. In Guttermouth’s case, I don’t think it’s hard to guess which trajectory they’re on. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson

Schedule Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Kalamazoo State Theatre Arlo Guthrie Master Arts Theatre Oliver! Miller Auditorium Hal Holbrook in Mark Twain Mocha-N-Music Ukulele Club Open Jam Mulligan’s Pub Flood The Desert & Blue to Grey wsg. The Kalki Incarnation Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom The Olde World Village Oktoberfest The Pyramid Scheme Touche Amore, Jowls, No Longer Bound Saugatuck Brewing Company Oktoberfest Saugatuck Center for the Arts Tiempo Libre Seven Steps Up Pat McGee Band wsg Keaton Simons St. Cecilia Music Center The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill ChupaCobras UICA Play, Good Ol’ Freda, Blue Caprice Wealthy Theatre Into The Mind by Sherpas Cinema The What Not Inn Christy & Velvet

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China Knickerbocker Theatre Film Series: Blue Jasmine Master Arts Theatre Oliver! Mulligan’s Pub The Faultline Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection The Pyramid Scheme Real Friends, Mixtapes, Forever Came Calling, Pentimento, It’s A Secret Rockford Brewing Company The Moonrays Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill The Dock Ellis Band & Ryan Dillaha and the Miracle Men UICA Play, Good Ol’ Freda, Blue Caprice

saturday

Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

10.05

Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Nickel and Dimed Bell’s Eccentric Cafer Ultraviolet Hippopotamus Billy’s Lounge Thirsty Perch Brewery Vivant Wood Aged Beer Festival DeltaPlex Arena Bassnectar with special guest Koan Sound & Andreilien Downtown Grand Rapids ArtPrize Dr. Grins Dave Dyer East Grand River Park Eastown Fallfest Founders Brewing Company Deal’s Gone Bad, SOL, The Blind Staggers Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts Buster Keaton Film Festival Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Reimagining the Landscape and the Future of Nature, Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Louis Armstrong Theatre Grand Valley Shakespeare Festival presents Much Ado About Nothing GVSU Allendale Campus Grand Valley Renaissance Festival GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Intersection Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls wsg The Smith Street Band, Koo Koo Kanga Roo Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium Les Miserables

HopCat End of Days Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium Les Miserables Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre London Grill Live Irish Session Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection The Orbit Room Five Finger Death Punch wsg Escape the Fate, Miss May I, Gemini Syndrome St. Cecilia Music Center The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe UICA Play, Good Ol’ Freda, Blue Caprice

monday

10.07

2nd Floor Eberhard Center, GVSU Pew Campus Fall Arts Celebration: Lecture by Laurie Garrett Billy’s Lounge BassBin

10.06

78 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

tuesday

10.08

Billy’s Lounge Preservation Lounge Jazz Dimnent Chapel, Hope College Jazz Arts Collective and Jazz Combos Concert Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Intersection Alpha Rev Kalamazoo Institue of Arts ARTbreak: Meet the KIA Faculty:

Randy Walker, Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Knickerbocker Theatre Knickerbocker Film Series: The Girls in the Band Lower Wege The Clothesline Project Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom Tip Top Deluxe Tim Easton UICA Good Ol’ Freda

wednesday

10.09

Bell’s Eccentric Café Homebrewing and Bottling Demonstration Billy’s Lounge Campus Karaoke Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power

GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Kzoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Kirkhof Center Out ‘N’ About Amateur Drag Show Knickerbocker Theatre Knickerbocker Film Series: The Girls in the Band Lower Wege The Clothesline Project Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection The Pyramid Scheme Saint Vitus, Pallbearer, The Hookers UICA Good Ol’ Freda, Blue Caprice Wealthy Theatre Mars Hill Movie: Jiro Dreams of Sushi

thursday

10.10

Bell’s Eccentric Café This Must Be The Band Billy’s Lounge 90s Holla Back

Best Bet: Eclectic

sunday

Aquinas College Performing Arts Center Aquinas College Theatre Presents: Nickel and Dimed Bell’s Eccentric Café Bell’s Roll Out the Barrel Party Billy’s Lounge Revival: ‘80s Night Dalton Center Recital Hall Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Downtown Grand Rapids ArtPrize Founders Brewing Company Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Reimagining the Landscape and the Future of Nature, Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Allendale Campus Grand Valley Renaissance Festival GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Holiday Bar Open Mic Night Knickerbocker Theatre Knickerbocker Film Series Movie 2

The Suicide Girls

Um, is anyone else as surprised as I am that the Suicide Girls are still a thing? Since Sept. 3, 2001 (turns out, culture prior to 9/11 was also once a thing), the groundbreaking website, suicidegirls.com has provided fans of goth and indie/alternative sub-genres with soft-core porn pictorials that feature girls who might look more at home in a Misfits mosh pit than at a Playmates beach party. While we haven’t heard much from the girls, or indeed the SG brand itself lately, it appears that The Suicide Girls: the collective has moved offline Blackheart Burlesque and branched into the realm of The Orbit Room, burlesque. After executing popu- Grand Rapids lar past performances all over the Oct.12, 8 p.m. country, and high-profile opening $20 in advance, gigs for the likes of Courtney Love $25 day of show and Guns ‘n’ Roses, the Girls have orbitroom.com, revived the “Blackheart Burlesque” (616) 456-3333 tour after a lengthy hiatus — and this time, they’ve upgraded to the next decade by employing Lady Gaga’s choreographer. So, maybe it’s really not all that surprising that the Suicide Girls are still a thing after all. Keep on keepin’ on, ladies. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson

The BoDeans Dr. Grins Ian Bagg Founders Brewing Company The Claudettes Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Kalamazoo Institue of Arts Wit and Wiles: Satirical Art in the Age of Reason, Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Knickerbocker Theatre Knickerbocker Film Series: The Girls in the Band Mulligan’s Pub Valentiger wsg CARE Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection Papa Pete’s Latin Salsa Night The Pyramid Scheme Local H, The Cloak Ox, Decades Rockford Brewing Company Luke Warm and the Not so Hots Shaw Theatre Noises Off UICA Good Ol’ Freda, Blue Caprice

friday

10.11

saturday

10.12

Arcadia Creek Festival Place Octoberfest Bell’s Eccentric Café Dopapod wsg Genetics Billy’s Lounge Greg Nagy DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents “Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto” Dr. Grins Ian Bagg Founders Brewing Company Founders 10th Annual Harvest Party wsg The Appleseed Collective, Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy, Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys, Honky Suckle Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg HSB Building Grand Rapids Comic-Con Humane Society of West Michigan Bark in the Dark Intersection Dweezil Zappa Guitar Masterclass; Zappa Plays Zappa Roxy & Elsewhere 40th Anniversary Tour Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium Les Miserables

Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Knickerbocker Theatre Knickerbocker Film Series: The Girls in the Band Lion’s Park New Buffalo Harvest & Wine Fest Mulligan’s Pub Frank Booth wsg Cosmonaut Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection One Trick Pony Trace Duo The Orbit Room Inked Magazine presents Suicide Girls: Blackheart Burlesque The Pyramid Scheme Guttermouth, Agent Orange, Pinata Protest Saugatuck Center for the Arts Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition Shaw Theatre Noises Off Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill The Alligators UICA Blue Caprice Wealthy Theatre Pop Scholars The What Not Inn Mark Kahny Trio

sunday

10.13

Billy’s Lounge Revival: ‘80s Night Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium Les Miserables Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Loutit District Library David Palmer Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection Peter Martin Wege Theatre Mother Goose & Friends by Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company Shaw Theatre Noises Off

Best Bet: Charity Inaugural events! Charity! Who isn’t immediately interested right now, and why are you such a cold-hearted maladroit? Assuming everyone reading this is interested, you’ll be happy to hear that WCYE is kickstarting a regular fundraising event that brings together nationally renowned touring bands and good causes. Dynamo combo, wouldn’t you agree? As the first in the “Live at Wealthy Concert” series, Grand Rapidians can help benefit D.A. Blodgett/St. John’s, a community outreach nonprofit that focuses on helping local children, while grooving to the tune-age of Wisconsin heartland rockers, The BoDeans. Although The BoDeans have been around since 1983 and are Midwestern to the core, this event also represents the group’s first time performing in Grand Rapids. Solid, nostalgic roots-rock that helps community children connect with positive resources? We’re sold. Come on out for an evening of good music, good times, and a very good cause. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson

An Evening with The BoDeans Wealthy Theatre, Grand Rapids Oct. 16, 8 p.m. $18 in advance, $23 at the door; members $15 in advance, $20 at the door grcmc.org, (616) 459-4788

UICA Blue Caprice

monday

10.14

Billy’s Lounge BassBin Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Holiday Bar Open Mic Night Knickerbocker Theatre Knickerbocker Film Series: Austenland The Pyramid Scheme Grooms, Haunted Leather, Helical Scan Shaw Theatre Noises Off

tuesday

10.15

Billy’s Lounge Preservation Lounge Jazz Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Kalamazoo Institute of Arts ARTbreak: The Search for The Scream, Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in

the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Knickerbocker Theatre Knickerbocker Film Series: Austenland Miller Auditorium The Price Is Right Live Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection Shaw Theatre Noises Off Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Pete Anderson UICA Blue Caprice Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: 28 Days Later

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule

Bell’s Eccentric Café Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys Bethlehem Lutheran Church The Fauxgrass Quartet Billy’s Lounge Genetics Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center All Sons & Daughters Concert Coopersville Farm Museum Country Line Dancing with Helen Walters DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents “Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto” Dr. Grins Ian Bagg Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Friday Nights at GRAM, Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Holiday Bar Romance for Ransom

Intersection Savoy wsg LoBounce Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium Les Miserables Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Knickerbocker Theatre Knickerbocker Film Series: The Girls in the Band Miller Auditorium Sinbad Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection Peter Martin Wege Theatre Mother Goose & Friends by Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company The Pyramid Scheme Turquoise Jeep, Convotronics Rockford Brewing Company The Billies Shaw Theatre Noises Off UICA Blue Caprice

Schedule GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Intersection Bayside and Motion City Soundtrack (Co-Headline) wsg What’s Eating Gilbert and State Champs Intersection’s Stache Lounge Kill Paris wsg Mr. Segrin & Wiily Wompa Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Gallery Talk: A Selection from the Copley to Kentridge Exhibition, Wit and Wiles: Satirical Art in the Age of Reason; Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge; BOO! Images of the Macabre Knickerbocker Theatre Knickerbocker Film Series: Austenland Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection New Holland Brewing Company HarvestFest: Ichabod Crane Party Papa Pete’s Latin Salsa Night The Pyramid Scheme The Lonely Forest Riverside Park Beer City Party in the Park/Dedication of the Brewer’s Grove Riverside Park Rockford Brewing Company Roosevelt Diggs Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents The Whipping Man UICA Blue Caprice Van Singel Fine Arts Center Broadway Rox

wednesday

10.16

Billy’s Lounge Campus Karaoke DeVos Place, Steelcase Ballroom Bravo! 2013 Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power Grand Valley State University’s Cook-Dewitt Center Arts at Noon Series: Dodworth Saxhorn Band GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Intersection Minus The Bear wsg INVSN and Slow Bird Intersection’s Stache Lounge Michal Menert wsg Odesza, Mikey Thunder Kzoo Institute of Arts Book Discussion: The Swan Thieves, Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge; BOO! Images of the Macabre Knickerbocker Theatre Knickerbocker Film Series: Austenland Loutit District Library Wicked Lake Forest Cemetery Tour Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection The Pyramid Scheme Obituary, Strong Intention Shaw Theatre Noises Off UICA Blue Caprice Wealthy Theatre WYCE: Live at Wealthy Concert series presents the BoDeans

10.18

thursday

Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

friday

10.17

Bell’s Eccentric Café Turkuaz Billy’s Lounge 90s Holla Back Dr. Grins Moshe Kasher Founders Brewing Company Paleface, Grrropolis, Pistolbrides Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power

80 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

Bell’s Eccentric Café Paleface wsg Joshua Davis Billy’s Lounge Starfarm Buffalo Wild Wings (Wyoming) New Holland Meet the Brewery Fall Tap Night Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center Calvin Music Festival Dr. Grins Moshe Kasher Farmers Alley Theatre Crawlspace Eviction Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Friday Nights at GRAM, Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water Grand Rapids Civic Theatre The Giver Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power

GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Holiday Bar The Black Chucks Intersection Mega ‘80s Intersection’s Stache Lounge Jon McLaughlin Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium Nancy Drew: Girl Detective Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Knickerbocker Theatre Knickerbocker Film Series: Austenland Mulligan’s Pub Remedy Blue Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection The Pyramid Scheme Senses Fail Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents The Whipping Man Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Chuck Whiting and his Rowdy Friends CD Release Party

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre The Giver Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Intersection’s Stache Lounge Matt Wertz wsg Elenowen, Mark Sala Intersection Sick Puppies wsg 10 years & Charming Liars Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium Nancy Drew: Girl Detective Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the

Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Kalamazoo State Theatre Big Gigantic Miller Auditorium Fancy Nancy The Musical Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection The Pyramid Scheme The Tossers Saugatuck Center for the Arts Real to Reel & Intriguing Conversation: GASLAND II

Seven Steps Up Seabird Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre GR presents The Whipping Man Wealthy Theatre GRFAS presents Brian Cutean The What Not Inn Mary Rademacher

sunday

10.20

Billy’s Lounge Revival: ‘80s Night

saturday

10.19

Bell’s Eccentric Café Bell’s to Bell’s Bike Ride to benefit the KRVT, Brian Vander Ark wsg Steven Leaf Billy’s Lounge Battle of the Bands, Hip Pocket Calvin College Recital Hall The Kings of Summer Camp Blodgett Lakeshore Brew Fest DeVos Performance Hall The Grand Rapids Symphony Presents “Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddess” Downtown Grand Rapids Beer Romp Downtown Holland GrooveWalk Dr. Grins Moshe Kasher Farmers Alley Theatre Crawlspace Eviction Founders Brewing Company Dragon Wagon Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts Blue Man Group Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water

The Temptations

Best Bet: R&B It could just be my imagination, but there is The Temptations something a little different about The Temptations’ DeVos Performance Hall, lineup these days. No, indeed — mine eyes do Grand Rapids not deceive me. Much like The Beach Boys, The Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. Four Tops, and other soulful ‘60s contemporaries, $39.50-$49.50 the ringleaders of the Motown invasion are still devosperformancehall.com, touring hard and going strong… though perhaps (616) 742-6500 with a slight tweaking to the original roster of crooners. Revolving door membership aside, The Temptations remain one of those instantly recognizable musical brands for which true class will never go out of style. I defy anyone to read the group’s name in print (see: the top of this write up) and not immediately spend the next hour humming “My Girl” at varying degrees of pitch and amplitude. Hitting up DeVos Performance Hall on Oct. 20, the boys will undoubtedly be bringing a set list filled with more classics than an all-Shakespeare library. Hey Temps, keep on doing things the way you do them. Reported by Emma Kat Richardson

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule

REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Schedule DeVos Performance Hall The Temptations Founders Brewing Company Feedback 2013 with The Honeytones, Hannah Rose and the Gravestones, Blue Molly’s Molly B and Friends Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts Blue Man Group Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Cyril Lixenberg; America Near and Far: Photographs from the Collection; Sunday Classical Concert Series: Opera Grand Rapids at GRAM Grand Rapids Civic Theatre The Giver Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Intersection Cute Is What We Aim For wsg Turnover & Tallhart Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium Nancy Drew: Girl Detective Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Kent District Library(East Grand Rapids Branch) EGR Family Sunday Series: Ballet @ the Library Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents The Whipping Man

Herrick District Library - Holland Beervangelism 101 Intersection The Maine & Anberlin (Co-Headline) wsg Lydia, From Indian Lakes Old Dog Tavern Kalamazoo Libation Organization of Brewers Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents The Whipping Man

tuesday

10.22

Billy’s Preservation Lounge Jazz Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting 1820-1950, America Near and Far: Photographs from the Collection 1870-1930 Grand Rapids Civic Theatre The Giver Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Intersection Blue October wsg Unlikely Candidates, Tori Vasquez Intersection’s Stache Lounge Wild Child Kalamazoo Institute of Arts ARTbreak: Meet the KIA Faculty: Lauren Tripp, Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Miller Auditorium The Addams Family Musical Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection Spectrum Theater Jewish Theatre Grand Rapids Presents The Whipping Man Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill The Independents Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: John Dies at the End

monday

Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

10.21

Billy’s Lounge BassBin Bobarino’s West Michigan Jazz Society Monday Night Jazz Series Concert Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting 1820-1950, America Near and Far: Photographs from the Collection 1870-1930 Grand Rapids Civic Theatre The Giver Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg

wednesday

10.23

82 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

Bell’s Eccentric Café Dumpstaphunk Billy’s Lounge Campus Karaoke

Danzig

Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center NEEDTOBREATHE: The Stomping Ground Tour Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting 1820-1950, America Near and Far: Photographs from the Collection 1870-1930 Grand Rapids Civic Theatre The Giver Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Miller Auditorium The Addams Family Musical Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection The Orbit Room 25th Anniversary of Danzig plus Dazing with Doyle wsg Butcher Babies, Texas Hippie Coalition and A Pale Horse Named Death The Pyramid Scheme Orange Goblin, Holy Grail, Lazer/Wulf, Against the Grain Riviera Theatre Sarah McQuaid Wealthy Theatre Anthropology Film Premiere

thursday

10.24

Billy’s Lounge 90s Holla Back Dog Story Theater Stark Turn Players present Children of the Corny Founders Brewing Company Roster McCabe Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting 1820-1950, America Near and Far: Photographs from the Collection 1870-1930 Grand Rapids Civic Theatre The Giver Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power

Best Bet: Metal Renowned kitty litter purchaser and punk/metal icon Glenn Danzig hits the road this year with his band in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the seminal Danzig album. Yes, that’s the one with the original release of the overplayed, get-it-outta-my-head “Mother” on it — although it should be noted that the song didn’t rocket into popularity until it was re-released in 1993 and PLAYED. TO. DEATH. on MTV. (Remember when MTV lived up to its name and actually played music videos? But I digress.) “Mother” aside, the first Danzig album marked a dark, heavy evolution in frontman Glenn Danzig’s sound, especially compared to Danzig, plus Danzig with Doyle the horror-punk of the Misfits and the (from the Misfits) wsg A Pale punk-metal fusion in Samhain. Danzig Horse Named Death, Texas Hippie was bluesy, Sabbathy metal with a plentiCoalition and Butcher Babies ful dose of evil that really showed off the The Orbit Room, Grand Rapids singer’s chops. As the so-called “evil Elvis” Oct. 23, 6 p.m. of metal, Danzig proved the genre could $28.50 in advance, $32 day of show be soulful — even if that soul was blacker 16+ than a shot of Jagermeister. Not one to orbitroom.com, (616) 942-1328 rest on the laurels of the album’s success, the creative genius continued to morph the band’s sound and styling, which even bordered on industrial erotica by the late 1990s, but stayed true to the brooding, melancholic themes that defined that first album. Danzig is as fresh and moody today as when it was released in 1988. With summer long gone and our journey through the death of fall in full swing, there could be no better soundtrack. Reported by Joe Boomgaard

GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Intersection’s Stache Lounge Vanna wsg Alpha & Omega, Betrayal, The Greenery, & Fine Fine Titans Intersection Twenty One Pilots wsg Robert DeLong, Sirah Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium Nancy Drew: Girl Detective Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley

to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection Papa Pete’s Latin Salsa Night The Pyramid Scheme The Chariot, Glass Cloud

Rockford Brewing Company Nicholas James Thomasma St. Cecilia Music Center Great Artist Gala: David Sanborn and Bob James Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill Joanne Shaw Taylor Wealthy Theatre Thriller! Chiller! 2013 Williams Theatre Pride and Prejudice

CELEBRATES 20 YE

ARS!

LADIES LIT LITERARY CLUB 61 SHELD SHELDON BLVD SE

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule

OCTOBER 12 OCTOBER 19 NOVEMBER 9 NOVEMBER 23

OCTOBER 19

SPECIAL SHOWING OF

KINGS OF SUMMER FEATURING RCI ALUM MARC EVAN JACKSON + A SPECIAL IMPROV SET WITH JACKSON AFTER

ALL SHOWS 7:33 PM - RIVERCITYIMPROV.COM REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Schedule friday

10.25

Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

The 411 Club The 411 Club’s Annual Halloween Event The B.O.B. Stolen Horses Bell’s Eccentric Café Roster McCabe Billy’s Lounge Grand Rapids Soul Club DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents “Mozart and Shubert” Dog Story Theater Stark Turn Players present Children of the Corny Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts Thomas Lynch LIVE presented by AH FEST Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Friday Nights at GRAM, Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting 1820-1950, America Near and Far:

84 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

Photographs from the Collection 1870-1930, Joey Ruiter: Objects in Motion Grand Rapids Civic Theatre The Giver Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power Grand Valley State University’s Eberhard Center An Evening of Poetry and Conversation with Christian Wiman and Pattiann Rogers GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Holiday Bar The Electric Red Intersection Psalm One wsg The Whoevers, Sarge The Dame, DJ Providence Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium Nancy Drew: Girl Detective Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Mulligan’s Pub Chip Fundy Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko:

Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids Ballet Presents Dracula The Pyramid Scheme Melt-Banana, Brian Tentacles, Spit for Athena Saugatuck Center for the Arts Cowboy Junkies Seven Steps Up JD Eicher & The Goodnights, Gareth Asher & The Earthlings UICA Night of the Living Dead Wealthy Theatre Thriller! Chiller! 2013 Williams Theatre Pride and Prejudice

saturday

10.26

The 411 Club The 411 Club’s Annual Halloween Event Bell’s Eccentric Café Ragbirds Billy’s Lounge Third Coast King wsg Chemical Edge

DeVos Performance Hall Grand Rapids Symphony Presents “Mozart and Shubert” Dog Story Theater Stark Turn Players present Children of the Corny Downtown Grand Rapids Halloween on Ionia; Zombie Dash Founders Brewing Company Up Until Now Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts Zombie Prom and Apocalypse Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Cyril Lixenberg: The Story of Steel Water, Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting 1820-1950, America Near and Far: Photographs from the Collection 1870-1930 Grand Rapids Civic Theatre The Giver Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Intersection Mayday Parade wsg Man Overboard, Cartel, and Stages & Stereos

Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium Nancy Drew: Girl Detective Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Mulligan’s Pub HEAD wsg. U.T.O. Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection The Orbit Room Coheed and Cambria wsg Balance and Composure, I The Mighty Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids Ballet Presents Dracula The Pyramid Scheme Super Happy Funtime Burlesque Show Round Barn Winery HalloWine Party Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill The Twistin’ Tarantulas! with The JetBeats! Wealthy Theatre Thriller! Chiller! 2013 The What Not Inn Edye Evans Hyde

Williams Theatre Pride and Prejudice

sunday

10.27

Billy’s Lounge Revival: ‘80s Night Dog Story Theater Stark Turn Players present Children of the Corny Founders Brewing Company The Toasters wsg Sailor Kicks Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Cyril Lixenbergl Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting 1820-1950, America Near and Far: Photographs from the Collection 1870-1930, Sunday Classical Concert Series: The Music of Jack Kimmell Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg

R E DANG LS DAMSE ue

Burlesq

”

NY N A N E T O O H “HALLOWEE1N3 NOV. 2, 20

GIRLS! GIRLS! GHOULS! COSTUME CONTEST!

8 PM BILLY’S LOUNGE GRAND RAPIDS, MI $10 REVUEWM.COM | October 2013 |

Scene | Sounds | Sights | Dining Schedule

with live music by... CASH O’RILEY & THE DOWNRIGHT DADDIES

Schedule monday

10.28

tuesday

10.29

Schedule Dining | Sights | Sounds | Scene

Intersection Mushroomhead wsg One Eyed Doll, XFactor1, The X-Members Kalamazoo Civic Auditorium Nancy Drew: Girl Detective Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre John Ball Zoo Zoo Goes Boo London Grill Live Irish Session Muskegon Museum of Arts Andrea Kowch: Dream Fields, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection New Holland Brewing Company HarvestFest: Halloween Costume Party Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids Ballet Presents Dracula Round Barn Winery HalloWine Party Wealthy Theatre Fear the Crooked Corpse Premiere Williams Theatre Pride and Prejudice

86 | REVUEWM.COM | October 2013

Billy’s Preservation Lounge Jazz Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting 1820-1950,

America Near and Far: Photographs from the Collection 1870-1930 Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Intersection The Malah wsg Trodden Embers Kalamazoo Institute of Arts ARTbreak: Meet the KIA Faculty: Alexa Karabin, Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Muskegon Museum of Arts The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection Wealthy Theatre Meanwhile Movie: The Shining

wednesday

10.30

Billy’s Lounge Campus Karaoke

Bronson Park Haunted History of Kalamazoo Tours Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Bernar Venet Exhibition Grand Rapids Art Museum Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting 1820-1950, America Near and Far: Photographs from the Collection 1870-1930 Grand Rapids Public Museum Grandmother Power GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg Intersection The Polish Ambassador feat. visuals by Liminus with DJ Vadim, special appearance by Wildlight Intersection’s Stache Lounge Yo Gotti wsg YG, Zedd Zilla, Shy Glizzy, Ca$h Out Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Kalamazoo State Theatre Umphrey’s McGee Muskegon Museum of Arts The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko:

Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of Freedom: Selections from the Arthur Primas Collection San Chez Bistro Dinner in the Dark UICA Pulso/Pulse Exhibition

thursday

10.31

Bell’s Eccentric Café 5th Annual Masquerade Ball featuring Red Sea Pedestrians and The Crane Wives Billy’s Lounge Halloween Party Founders Brewing Company Founders Annual Halloween Party Featuring Delilah DeWylde and the Lost Boys, The Fuzzrites and Black Bear Combo GR Art Museum Masterpieces of American Landscape Painting 1820-1950, America Near and Far: Photographs from the Collection 1870-1930 GR Public Library Dia de los Muertos GVSU Performing Arts Center Fall Arts Celebration - Cyril Lixenberg

Intersection Helicopter Showdown wsg DJ Funk, Lady Reign, Willy Wompa Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Mountains and Waters: Landscape Paintings from China, Copley to Kentridge: What’s New in the Collection?, BOO! Images of the Macabre Mulligan’s Pub Murder Party! & Antilogical wsg The Sailor Kicks Muskegon Museum of Arts The French Connection, Mark Beltchenko: Narratives in Steel and Stone, Promises of FreedomPapa Pete’s Latin Salsa Night Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids Ballet Presents Dracula The Pyramid Scheme Kool Keith Saugatuck Harvest Halloween Festival UICA Pulso/Pulse Exhibition n

For more events, check out our calendar at revueWm.com.