(KALAMAZOO, Mich) – The Michigan Brewers Guild recently elected its 2018 Board of Directors at its annual meeting, January 13, at the Kalamazoo Radisson Plaza Hotel. Each board position is a two-year term, elected in alternating years (4, 3).

The conference was a record-breaker in many ways for the organization, with more than 525 attendees and 112 vendors in the Allied Member Trade Show. The Guild also reported a record 245 member breweries during the Annual Meeting—an increase of 22 members since the previous January.

This year, four people were elected to the Guild board:

  • Ryan Cottongim, Owner of Witch’s Hat Brewing Company in South Lyon, was re-elected to serve his second term on the board, and will serve as the Guild’s Secretary.
  • Scott Newman-Bale, Vice President of Short’s Brewing Company in Bellaire, was re-elected to his fifth term and will once again serve as the Guild’s Treasurer.
  • David Ringler, Owner of Cedar Springs Brewing Company in Cedar Springs, was elected to his first term on the board.
  • Chas Thompson, Beer Engineer at Schmohz Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, was appointed in 2017 to fill a vacancy on the board and he was elected to his first term on the board.

Additional board members include:

  • Eric Briggeman, Director of Brewing Operations at Rochester Mills Production Brewery, continues his seventh term on the board and will serve his eleventh year as Guild President.
  • Isaac Hartman, “Ambassador of Great Beer” from New Holland Brewing Company, continues his fifth term on the board of directors.
  • Garry Boyd, Managing Partner at BarFly Ventures (HopCat & Grand Rapids Brewing) continues his second term on the board and chairs the organization’s sustainability and quality committees.

The Michigan Brewers Guild is the network of innovative and passionate brewers that serves as the recognized advocate for the Michigan craft beer industry. The mission of the Guild is to promote and protect the Michigan craft beer industry with an overarching goal to help craft beer acquire 20% of the market by 2025.

 

Michigan’s thriving brewing industry conservatively contributes more than $144 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $600 million. In terms of overall number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #6 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”

PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS

(LANSING, Mich)—More than 700 individuals are expected to attend the Michigan Brewers Guild (MBG) and Master Brewers Association of the Americas (MBAA) – District Michigan Annual Conference & Trade Show, January 10-12, 2018, in Kalamazoo.

The three-day event kicks off with the largest Trade Show to date, with about 110 exhibitors inside The Valley Arena at the Wings Event Center. Throughout the day on Thursday and Friday, a series of breakout sessions will be held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center focusing on topics of interest to the growing craft beer industry. The MBG’s Annual Meeting and Board of Directors vote will take place on Thursday morning followed by the keynote presentation by Dan Carmody, President at Eastern Market Corporation in Detroit.

Other speakers include Rich Michaels, F.X. Matt Brewing Company – Utica, NY; Karl Ockert, Deschutes Brewing Company – Bend, OR; John Holl, Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine; Carl Setzer,Great Leap Brewing -Beijing, China; Gary Nicholas, Nicholas Brewing Projects – Minneapolis MN; Joe Short, Short’s Brewing Company – Elk Rapids and Bellaire; and Julie Stanley, Food Dance Restaurant – Kalamazoo; among others. The complete schedule, including all speakers, can be found on the Conference Page on MiBeer.com.

Thursday culminates with an elaborate strolling beer dinner developed by The Beervangelist Fred Bueltmann of This Craft Nation & Red Horse Creative Solutions in Fennville (Fred is also one of the conference speakers) and the culinary team at the Radisson.

The cost to attend the conference is $300 per person ($225 for members of the Michigan Brewers Guild (MBG) and Master Brewers Association of the Americas (MBAA) – District Michigan). Online registration is now open.

The Michigan Brewers Guild is the network of innovative and passionate brewers that serves as the recognized advocate for the Michigan craft beer industry. The mission of the Guild is to promote and protect the Michigan craft beer industry with an overarching goal to help craft beer acquire 20% of the market by 2025.

 

Michigan’s thriving brewing industry conservatively contributes more than $144 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $600 million. In terms of overall number breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #6 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”

You may remember when I posted back about the 9th Annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival tickets going on sale.  Well I’ve got some more news about the event, and it looks to be a very exciting festival.

This year, the festival has had nearly 120 Michigan breweries signed on to appear.  you can find the complete list so far here, and I think that with this lineup, you are guaranteed to find something that you will like.  I’m always excited to see what kind of new and exclusive brews I can find from the likes Shorts, Vivant, and Jolly Pumpkin.  And I really want to see what Old Nation has brewing since I have totally fallen in love with M-34.  There are plenty of breweries on this list that I have never had a single beer from, and I bet many of you are in the same boat.  So it is probably a great idea to get adventurous and find something new.

There is more information in the Press Release that I have included below.

PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS

Nearly 120 Michigan Craft Breweries to Participate in 9th Annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival

The Michigan Brewers Guild’s 9th Annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival (Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28 at Eastern Market in Detroit) promises to be bigger and better than ever before—with nearly 120 Michigan craft breweries signed up to participate. Now in its 20thyear, the Michigan Brewers Guild prides itself as hosting the oldest, largest and original craft beer festivals by the brewers, about the brewers and for the brewers.

The Motor City has a long-standing brewing history and in recent years it has been revitalized thanks to a growing interest in the craft beer movement. Established in 1891, the current Eastern Market is one of the nation’s oldest farm markets and the area is rife with brewing history. In its heyday, there were more than 40 breweries in the Detroit area and malt silos still stand as a testament to the rich brewing history – making it the perfect backdrop for the Detroit Fall Beer Festival.

Tickets for Friday are $40 in advance (and $45 at the gate, if any remain available); Saturday tickets are $45 in advance. Admission includes 15 tasting tokens, each good for a three-ounce sample. Additional tokens are 50-cents each. Designated Drivers are encouraged and DD tickets are for $5 each. Designated Drivers must be 21 with a valid photo ID and are not permitted to drink any beer during the event.

The festival is held, rain or shine. Festival attendees must be 21 years of age or older and have valid photo ID to enter. Active Enthusiast Members ($55 annual fee) are admitted 1 hour prior to the general admission. The list of breweries, beers and entertainment will be posted in early October on The Mashblog.

The Michigan Brewers Guild is the network of innovative and passionate brewers that serves as the recognized advocate for the Michigan craft beer industry. The mission of the Michigan Brewers Guild is to promote and protect the Michigan craft beer industry with an overarching goal to help craft beer acquire 20% of the market by 2025.

Michigan’s thriving brewing industry conservatively contributes more than $144 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $600 million. In terms of overall number breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #6 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”

Hey everyone, I got another announcement from North Peak Brewing Company. You know the _other_ beer in the short fat stubby bottles. Also they make some of my favorite IPAs. Seriously, if you don’t know you should check them out. They are easy to find if your local shop carries them, just scan for the aforementioned stubby bottles. It looks like they are launching a new year-round sessionable ale, the Hail Pale Ale made with… wait for it… “maize flaked corn and blue corn grits” It is sure to please any Michigan Wolverines that give it a try. Check out the Press release below for more information.  But before that let me leave this here.


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If you live in Michigan, and you haven’t had a chance to make it out to one of the Michigan Brewers Guild Beer festivals, you are really missing out.  They are a great chance for beer enthusiasts to come together and meet with Michigan breweries from all over the state.  Coming up this fall is the 9th annual U.P. Fall Beer Fest in Marquette (tickets are already on sale)  and the 9th annual Detroit Fall Beer Fest (ticket sales start today).  Check out the press release below for details about the Detroit event, and check the Michigan Brewers Guild Website for information about the U.P. event along with all the other MBG Events.  Hope to see you there!

PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS

(LANSING, Mich) – Tickets for the Michigan Brewers Guild’s 9th Annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival (Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28 at Eastern Market in Detroit) go on sale this Thursday, August 3 at 10am. Tickets for Friday are $40 in advance (and $45 at the gate, if any remain available); Saturday tickets are $45 in advance. Admission includes 15 tasting tokens, each good for a three-ounce sample. Additional tokens are 50-cents each.

The list of breweries, beers and entertainment will be released in the weeks leading up to the festival and will be posted on The Mash blog. Last year, more than 80 Michigan Brewers Guild member breweries participated in the two-day festival, with more than 700 beers available for sampling.

The Michigan Brewers Guild is the network of innovative and passionate brewers that serves as the recognized advocate for the Michigan craft beer industry. The mission of the Michigan Brewers Guild is to promote and protect the Michigan craft beer industry with an overarching goal to help craft beer acquire 20% of the market by 2025.

Michigan’s thriving brewing industry conservatively contributes more than $144 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $600 million. In terms of overall number breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #6 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”

PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS

(ROCHESTER & AUBURN HILLS, Mich) – Rochester Mills Beer Co. & Production Brewery announce the 2017 release of Raspberry Radler, a summer beer brewed with pureed raspberries, lemons and fresh Michigan hops. Coming in at around 4% ABV, this is a Radler- or Shandy-style beer, with a refreshingly-tart yet sweet flavor, that pours deep pink with a bright white head.

 

First introduced as a seasonal draft release exclusive in the downtown Rochester brewpub, Raspberry Radler was overwhelmingly popular—selling out the first batch in just one week and prompting the brewing team to perfect the recipe for outside distribution. This year, at the Rochester Mills Production Brewery, the first 100-barrel batch shipped out in kegs with similar speed, which has led to increased production and for the Radler to be packaged in cans for retailers.

 

“The resulting demand has been phenomenal, far exceeding our expectations. Our phones have been ringing off the hook to make the beer available in cans as well,” says Mike Plesz, Founder of Rochester Mills Beer Co. & Production Brewery. “After the overwhelming feedback last year at the brewpub and the Michigan Brewer’s Guild Summer Beer Festival, we knew we had a hot beer on our hands. So, we ramped up production to release this beer across our entire distribution network.”

 

A recent investment in a centrifuge at the production brewery ensures better shelf life for this, and all of Rochester Mills packaged beer, while creating more pronounced flavors when enjoyed in 16-ounce aluminum cans. Supporters of canned beer say it’s not only better for the environment, but it’s more versatile in terms of where and how you transport it (including ease of disposing of empties). Cans also protect the beer from the damaging effects of light and oxygen, providing a better tasting product.

 

“This beer is ideal for hot Pure Michigan summer days spent drinking on the patio or poolside, at the beach or lake, on the boat, along the trails or at the golf course,” Plesz says. “Without question, Raspberry Radler is going to be THE beer of the summer, while enjoying outdoor activities in the Great Lakes region.”

 

Raspberry Radler is available now on draft and in 4-pack, 16-ounce cans across Rochester Mills’ full distribution network in Michigan (including the Rochester Mills Beer Co. in downtown Rochester and Production Brewery Taproom in Auburn Hills), and in select parts of Northern Ohio.

 

Note: A fall spin on the Raspberry Radler will be released after Labor Day. Details will be available soon.

 

ABOUT ROCHESTER MILLS BEER CO. & PRODUCTION BREWERY:
Rochester Mills Beer Co. has been one of the top producing brewpubs in Michigan since it opened in Rochester in 1998. The pub is a full-service restaurant and offers a diverse beer menu with 11 different styles of beer consistently available, as well as a number of reoccurring seasonal offerings.

 

The Rochester Mills Production Brewery, brewers of Rochester Mills Beer Co. brands for distribution, began as a startup brewery in Auburn Hills in 2012, quickly becoming one of the top craft beer producers in the state. Their Lagers and Ales packaged in 16-ounce aluminum cans are currently featured in grocery stores as well as independent and franchise convenient stores, and specialty beverage merchants statewide. Additionally, their core brands, which include Milkshake Stout, Pine Knob Pilsner and Rochester Red Ale, along with their rotating IPA series and seasonal offerings, can be found flowing from more than 1000 taps at bars and restaurants across Michigan and Northern Ohio.

 

More information can be found on their website at: www.BeerCos.com.

Press Release Follows:

Last year, North Peak Brewing Company released its first East Coast IPA called Stormy. An Oat IPA full of haziness unlike any other IPA in their portfolio. Stormy came in with a force and quickly became one of the brewery’s most well received beers ever produced.

“You asked for it and we listened,” said North Peak partner Jon Carlson. “While Diabolical will always be our favorite Midwest IPA, Stormy has quickly become our favorite East Coast-style IPA. The response to this beer has been incredible and everyone wants more. So, we’re going to make more.”

Initially released as a seasonal beer, the popularity of Stormy has led the brewery to develop a year-long Stormy Series schedule to launch early June 2017.  The series will feature five new variations of Stormy. All East Coast or New England-style IPAs, these beers will vary in hop additions but all have the same hazy, juicy mouth feel reflective of the style.

The Stormy Series will include five new beers: Thunder, Cloudy, Zephyr, Torrent and Murky, available in specialty six-packs and draft. The first will debut in June and the remainder of series will release throughout 2017/2018.

North Peak is part of Northern United Brewing Co. NUBC’s philosophy focuses on a dedication to conservation, inspiration and locally-sustainable practices. Find NUBC products at stores, restaurants and bars all throughout Michigan, including: North Peak Brewing Company, Mission Table and Jolly Pumpkin, in Traverse City; Jolly Pumpkin and Grizzly Peak, in Ann Arbor and Jolly Pumpkin in Detroit. North Peak can also be found outside of Michigan, in select markets.

Press Release Follows

North Peak Collaborates with Busch’s Fresh Food Market for Special Beer Release: Newfangled Pale Ale

 

(Dexter City, MI) — If you live in the Southeast Michigan, you know that Busch’s Fresh Food Markets and North Peak Brewing Company are both businesses focused on serving their local community – so why not do a collaboration? Great brewery with a solid line-up of craft beers meets great Food Market with a rather impressive selection of craft beer. This can only end well!

 

Busch’s Fresh Food Markets and North Peak Brewing Company have partnered together to release their first ever craft beer collaboration. Newfangled Pale Ale is a beer that celebrates the two brands commitment to the craft industry and local business. With a shared emphasis on freshness, consistency and quality of their products, these two brands have created a top-notch beer specifically crafted for our local region. With its Michigan-grown ingredients, Newfangled delivers a fresh, exceptional taste to our community from our community.

 

“At Busch’s Fresh Food Market, we strive to promote and sell locally produced food and beverages,” says Marty Phelan, Category Manager for Busch’s.  “Our ‘Brewed for Busch’s’ program allows us to partner with high-quality local breweries, like North Peak, to create unique beers for our guests to enjoy.”

 

Beginning in March, Busch’s Fresh Food Markets will exclusively offer this 5.5% ABV Newfangled Pale Ale, brimming with Citra, Cascade and Michigan Cascade/Chinook hops at its 16 stores throughout Michigan in Ann Arbor, Clinton, Carleton, Dexter, Farmington Hills, Livonia, Novi, Pinckney, Plymouth-Northville, Rochester Hills, Saline, South Lyon, Tecumseh, West Bloomfield and now in Canton.

 

North Peak is part of Northern United Brewing Co. NUBC’s philosophy focuses on a dedication to conservation, inspiration and locally-sustainable practices. Find NUBC products at stores, restaurants and bars all throughout Michigan, including: North Peak Brewing Company, Mission Table and Jolly Pumpkin, in Traverse City; Jolly Pumpkin and Grizzly Peak, in Ann Arbor and Jolly Pumpkin in Detroit. North Peak can also be found outside of Michigan, in select markets.

PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS

(Dexter City, MI)— New Year, New Beer. Headed your way this month is a new style of IPA for North Peak, an East Coast IPA called Stormy.

The brewery staff boasts this beer quickly became a favorite among them. “It’s a perfect beer for the wintery stormy weather we get here in Michigan,” says Northern United Brewing Company Production Manager Sean Brennen. “The malty, oat backbone balances the assertiveness of the six hop varietals leaving you with a fresh, hazy beer we all can’t get enough of.”

Coming in at 6.7% ABV and 35 IBU, Stormy Oat IPA is full of haziness along with dry/late hop additions to create a juicy mouth feel with citrus, piney notes unlike any other IPA. Stormy is now available in draft and North Peak’s signature stubby bottle 6-packs.

All North Peak beers are represented by a character and accompanying folklore tale (most famously Diabolical and the jackalope). Stormy is depicted by an underwater panther deep in the Great Lakes.

In the deepest depths of Lake Superior lives the most powerful being in the underwater world. The murky, dark, churning waters of its surroundings inspired our unfiltered IPA, Stormy. A mysterious creature with a body of a wild feline, horns of a deer, a scaled back and a tail so long it wraps around its body ending with a fish tail. With a warning hiss like the sound of rushing water, the underwater panther lives as protector of the vast amounts of copper in the Great Lakes. It’s been said that anyone who tries to steal copper from the lakes has grave misfortune befall them. Strangely, the metal has been found on numerous Great Lakes shipwrecks. Perhaps a mere coincidence, but it might behoove you to carry nothing of copper aboard your ship when crossing the Great Lakes.

North Peak is part of Northern United Brewing Co. NUBC’s philosophy focuses on a dedication to conservation, inspiration and locally sustainable practices.

Find NUBC products at stores, restaurants and bars all throughout Michigan, including: North Peak Brewing Company, Mission Table and Jolly Pumpkin, in Traverse City; Jolly Pumpkin and Grizzly Peak, in Ann Arbor and Jolly Pumpkin in Detroit. North Peak can also be found outside of Michigan, in select markets.

Remember the news a couple of months ago about the Craft Beer Cruise being offered by the Traverse Tall Ship Company?  That time is fast approaching.  Traverse Tall Ship Company’s 4 day Michigan Craft Beer Cruise  is taking place from Sept 15th thru the 17th, and will feature great food and beer from around the state while sailing aboard the luxurious Schooner Manitou.
 
The cost of $769 per person covers food and drink and accomodation in a double bunk cabin on board the ship. Along for the tour is Chef Amy Sherman who will be your guide on the cruise, offering beer and food pairings, hors d’oeucres, and beer advice.
 
There is plenty more information in the press release below.

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