Posted on
by

Traverse Tall Ship Company Offers Multi-Day Autumn Excursions Aboard the Schooner Manitou

(TRAVERSE CITY, Mich) — Pure Michigan is blessed with the Great Lakes—the largest bodies of fresh water in the world. You’re invited to turn off your cell phone, set your email on autoreply and set sail on the inland seas for one of the multi-day excursions aboard the Schooner Manitou. 

The Traverse Tall Ship Company is once again offering a series of educational, entertaining and relaxing multi-day cruises throughout the fall color tour months of September and October. During these trips, guests enjoy a stress-free get-away, while visiting quaint coastal villages and soaking up the panoramic views of the northern Michigan shoreline. Leave your busy schedules and the daily grind in the wind as you head out on the freshwaters of Grand Traverse Bay for an experience like no other.

Excursions with remaining availability for this fall include:

6-Day Explorer Cruise (September 7-13, 2016) – Cost: $939 per person.
Join us on a longer cruise and fully embrace the rhythm of wind, wave, and shipboard life. This one books quickly!

4-Day Michigan Craft Beer Cruise (September 15-19, 2016) – Cost: $769 per person.
Michigan has made a name for itself as one of the premier craft brew states in the country, and considers itself the “Great Beer State” with more than 200 breweries throughout two peninsulas. What better way to partake of these fine beverages than from the deck of a beautiful vessel resting in a peaceful harbor!

Chef and craft beer aficionado Amy Sherman will serve as host and guide as we enjoy tastings with hors d’oeuvres, followed by specifically designed food pairings with dinner. After graduating from Aquinas College, Amy Sherman found her true calling in the kitchen. A 20-year restaurant veteran, she’s held every job possible, from ravioli runner, prep chef, book keeper, waitress, to manager, sous chef and pastry chef.  She has taught cooking classes throughout West Michigan, runs a catering company called Two Chicks and an Oven, and with her husband runs the local food company, Farmlink. As the host of the Great American Brew Trail, she drank her way across Michigan, one pint at a time. She currently hosts a podcast called “Behind the Mitten” with MLive’s John Gonzalez and was recently added to the Mlive “Best Of…” Team. She also leads culinary adventures here in the states and Europe.  Her main job, however, is being mom to three ruffians in Grand Rapids.

4-Day Star Gazer Cruise (September 22-26, 2016) – Cost: $769 per person.
We’re excited to be joined by Mary Stewart Adams, director of theHeadlands International Dark Sky Park, who will guide us through a journey of the night sky. Mary is a star lore historian, storyteller and author who has been immersed in the history of star knowledge for nearly 30 years. She led the initiative that resulted in International Dark Sky Park designation for the Headlands property in Emmet County, MI, which later resulted in the State of Michigan passing legislation to protect the night sky over an additional 23,000 acres of state park and forest land.

Mary writes and speaks extensively to local, national and international audiences on our relationship to the night sky and its cultural consequences, and has received numerous honors for her work. In addition, she is a member of the International Dark Sky Places Committee of the International Dark Sky Association, protecting and designating dark sky sites around the world. Mary’s weekly radio program “The Storyteller’s Guide to the Night Sky” airs during Morning Edition on Interlochen Public Radio every Monday. Mary makes her home under the starry skies of Harbor Springs, MI.

4-Day Explorer Cruise (September 29-October 3, 2016) – Cost: $749 per person.
A shorter version of our season starter cruise, this trip should also offer up a bit of fall color along the shoreline.

As one of the largest sailing ships on the Great Lakes, the Manitou is a replica of an 1800s “coasting” cargo schooner. A traditional two-masted, gaff rigged, topsail schooner, Manitou measures 114 feet in length with more than 3000 square feet of sail.

There is plenty of space for sitting and moving around the decks while under sail. While aboard the Manitou, passengers are free to leave the sailing to the experienced crew or lend a hand and learn the arts of the sailor. An excursion aboard the Manitou allows you to remove yourself from the trappings of modern life: no TV, phone (cell phones are discouraged), internet, email and definitely, no itinerary.

Trips are limited to 22 individuals, with accommodations provided in 11 double-bunk cabins. Fare includes lodging, all meals and sailing activities.

To make reservations for any of the 2016 Manitou sailing adventures, call toll free 800-678-0383 or order tickets online. Gift certificates are also available. For additional information about the Manitou, including its corporate charters, log on to www.TallShipSailing.com.

Traverse Tall Ship Company is located at 13258 S.W. Bay Shore Drive (M22) in Traverse City and shares a dock with the fleet from the Maritime Heritage Alliance, creating a unique nautical experience for the area.

Posted on
by

Brewers come together from Michigan Breweries to make great beer, and great music together, and take both on tour.

Mashpaddle is the name of both the beer, and the band, that are going to be traveling on tour to selected stops in Michigan this summer.  Brewers from New Holland Brewing Company, Old Boys’ Brewhouse, Lake Charlevoix Brewing, Rare Bird Brewpub and Big Hart Brewing, have come together to produce this collaborative brew.  They will be taking the beer to a series of events ant each of their respective pubs.  beginning beginning on Wednesday June 29, and continuing through July 3rd you will be able to hit up one of these brewpubs to find Mashpaddle.

Along with the beer, you Will also find Mashpaddle the Band.

Mashpaddle includes, Adam Engelman from Lake Charlevoix on guitar, Steve Berthel from New Holland on pedal steel, Jesse Jett on vocals and The Beervangelist Fred Bueltmann on bass and sousaphone.  Alternating with them will be sets played by The Strapping Owls, An energetic trio made up of Chicago music veterans, Nicholas Barro, Larry Beers and Fred Bueltmann.  The will be bringing thier unique sound they call “Live Wire Soul”, a “melding influence and improvisation into raucous interpretations of traditional tunes and lively original & spontaneously composed music.”

The full schedule is included in the following press release, So be sure to check it out and try to make it out to see these events, hear this great music, and taste this great new beer.

Continue reading →

Posted on
by
The Shed Beer Garden Logo

The Shed Beer Garden Grand Opening June 3

Look around you my friends in the north. If you wander about Traverse City, Michigan you may just find a new Beer Garden to try out, The Shed Beer Garden.  Personally, I love enjoying the out of doors while partaking a refreshing brew.  There is really something about the fresh air and the sun on my face that makes it all taste so much more satisfying.  I hear what you’re saying, “But Kristoffer, I can’t trust you.  Your taste in beer sucks.”  Well to that good sir, (or madam), all I can say is, “shut your face.”  But also, don’t worry.  The Shed is tapping a fine variety of beers for you. North Peak, Shorts, Petoskey, and Bells.  And being in Traverse City the are of course featuring a selection of wonderful wines for your wine friends.  To go with those beers you will find a wide variety of sliders and fries.  And for your sweet tooth, s’more kits for roasting over either of their two large fire pits.
Continue reading →

Posted on
by

Is one day a long enough holiday to really celebrate?  Not for me.  I’m willing to bet, not for you either.  Luckily for us, this week is just what we ordered.  Welcome to America Craft Beer Week!

This is the week to expand your tastes and look for some great new craft beers.  I challenge everyone to go out this week and, responsibly, try to gether a sample of new craft beers that you have never tried before.  At least one for each day of the week.  Take it easy though, you can’t apprecieate new beer if you’ve already killed your pallet, so leave that tripple IPA for later.  Follow me on untappd if you want to see what I’m drinking, and I’d love to see what you’re having too.

Special message from The Michigan Brewers Guild

Here in the Great Beer State, the Michigan Brewers Guild has a special message for everyone.
Continue reading →

Posted on
by

PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS

(MARSHALL, Mich)—As part of American Craft Beer Week, Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub is hosting a release party for Dark Horse Brewing’s new summer seasonal, Kamikaze Kaleidoscope, onWednesday, May 18 from 5-9pm in Winston’s Pub. American Craft Beer Week (May 16-22) is sponsored by the Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade group dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s small and independent breweries.

 

Kamikaze Kaleidoscope (5% ABV | 16 IBUs) appears hazy straw in color with a bright white head thanks to the healthy amount of wheat in this friendly summer wit. Sweet wheat and citrus aromas come to the scene next with a slight hint of wit yeast that makes this such a unique and drinkable beer. Subtle flavors of orange and lemon lace in nicely with a big wheat mouthfeel and a slight tartness thanks to the wit yeast used in this beer. Finishing dry and clean, this beer will definitely be on your list of summer beers to crush from now on, available May through August on draft at Schuler’s.

 

Dark Horse Brewing is one of more than 215 members of the Michigan Brewers Guild, the official state trade association representing craft breweries. Michigan’s thriving brewing industry conservatively contributes more than $144 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $277 million. In terms of overall number breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #5 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”

 

Michigan has identified craft beer as one of its marketing “passions” for the year, according to Travel Michigan (a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation)—creators of the Pure Michigan and Michigan.org brand. As part of this promotion, the state released a video, voiced by actor Tim Allen, titled “Here’s to the Curious”. It is the second video from Pure Michigan focused on this growing craft beer industry. The first video, “Michigan Craft Beer& Breweries” was released in 2013.

 

Schuler’s itself has a long-standing history of supporting Michigan craft beer. All eight draft taps in Winston’s Pub feature Michigan craft beer, including Schuler’s Brew. These draft features change seasonally, but always include at least one selection from nearby Dark Horse.

 

Dark Horse can also be found on the Schuler’s menu, as a key ingredient in the Swiss Onion Soup and the batter for beer-battered Fish & Chips. Dark Horse even delivers spent grain to the Schuler’s bakery team weekly. This brewing byproduct is added to several of the homemade bread and roll recipes, adding to the texture and complexity of the baked goods. These items not only are used in various menu items at Schuler’s, but at Dark Horse as well.

 

Since opening in 1997, the award-winning Dark Horse has gained a hold in the craft beer industry – with a portfolio of 19 unique products, distributed in 13 states and Europe. The brewery is ranked byRateBeer.com as one of the 100 Top Craft Breweries in America.

 

Founded in 1909, the iconic Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub epitomizes hospitality excellence as a family-owned and operated business. Located at the crossroads of south-central Michigan near the intersection of I-94 and I-69, this world-class Pure Michigan destination has built its 107-year reputation by offering guests quality food and excellent service, in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Posted on
by

PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS

(LANSING, MICH)—Tickets are on sale now for the 5th Annual Beerfest at the Ballpark on Saturday, April 30, at Cooley Law School Stadium.

Beerfest at the Ballpark is an outdoor beer, cider and mead festival with live acoustic music hosted by the Lansing Lugnuts and promoted by I’m A Beer Hound. Festival hours are scheduled from 3-8 p.m. with special VIP entry starting at 2 p.m. Tickets are available atBeerfestAtTheBallpark.net, LansingLugnuts.com or by visiting the Cooley Law School Stadium Box Office.

Attendees will have the opportunity to taste 250+ craft beers from 55 Michigan breweries in addition to ciders, meads and – new this year– wines from 15 Michigan cideries, meaderies and wineries. Live music will be provided by Donny Brown of The Verve Pipe, The Black Barn Band and Mark Warner.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door and include entry, a logoed tasting glass, and 10 tasting tickets. VIP Tickets may be purchased for $40 in advance, $45 at the door, and include early entry to the festival, a logoed tasting glass and 15 tasting tickets. Additional tasting tickets will be available for purchase on the day of the event.

A special package is also available, offering VIP tickets and benefits to both the upcoming Beerfest at the Ballpark and this autumn’s Beerfest at the Ballpark for $70.

You must be 21 years of age to attend. Ground transportation will be readily available via iCab Taxi Service and a $5 Designated Driver ticket will be offered on the day of the event. Area hotel accommodations can also be found at Lansing.org.

A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit Old Newsboys, a local charity that provides shoes for deserving school children.

 

For more information, including a full list of the attending brewers, visit BeerfestAtTheBallpark.net.

 

About the Lansing Lugnuts
The Lansing Lugnuts, Class-A Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, ‘Go Nuts’ as they enter their 20th season in Michigan’s Capital City. Featured in USA Today and on CNN for their successes, the Lugnuts make their home at beautiful Cooley Law School Stadium. Built in 1996, Cooley Law School Stadium continues to be a key component in revitalizing Lansing’s downtown while providing fun, affordable, family entertainment to fans in Mid-Michigan and beyond. Find them online: www.lansinglugnuts.com

 

About I’m a Beer Hound
I’m a Beer Hound is a Michigan Beer News Website, App, Event Promotion Group & Membership Card featuring discounts at over 90 beer bars, breweries and restaurants statewide.  Find them online: ImaBeerHound.com or Facebook.com/ImaBeerHound.

Posted on
by

Michigan Brewers Guild Announces 2016 Board of Directors

 -PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS-

(KALAMAZOO, Mich) – The Michigan Brewers Guild recently elected its 2016 Board of Directors at its annual meeting, January13, 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 450 attendees and nearly 60 vendors in the allied member Trade Show. The Guild also reported a record 201 member breweries during the Annual Meeting—an increase of 53 members since the previous January.

 

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

  • Ryan Cottongim, Owner of Witch’s Hat in South Lyon, was elected to his first term on the board, and will serve as the organization’s secretary.
  • Ron Jeffries, Owner of Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales in Dexter, was elected to his fifth term on the board during the history of the organization. He was a founding board member, serving from the organization’s formation in 1998 through 2003, and again in 2007-2008.
  • Scott Newman-Bale, Vice President of Short’s Brewing Company in Bellaire, continues to serve as Treasurer, was reelected to his fourth term and will once again serve as the organization’s treasurer.
  • Kristy Smith, Owner of Axle Brewing Co. in Royal Oak, was elected to her first term on the board.

 

Additional board members include:

 

  • Eric Briggeman, Director of Brewing Operations at Rochester Mills Production Brewery, continues his sixth term on the board and will continue serve his eighth year as Guild President.

 

  • Isaac Hartman, “Ambassador of Great Beer” from New Holland Brewing Company, continues his fourth term on the board of directors.

 

  • Garry Boyd, Ringleader & Managing Partner at BarFly Ventures (HopCat & Grand Rapids Brewing) continues his first term on the board and chairs the association’s sustainability committee.

The Michigan Brewers Guild was formed in 1997 and held its first festival in July 1998. Today, the Guild hosts four festivals dedicated exclusively to Michigan craft beer produced by its 201 member breweries.

 

Michigan’s thriving brewing industry conservatively contributes more than $144 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $277 million. In terms of overall number breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #5 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”

 

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.

Posted on
by

Cambrian Launches Groundbreaking, Small-Scale Wastewater Treatment Solution

PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS

(BOSTON & DEXTER, Mich)—Cambrian Innovation, provider of distributed water and wastewater solutions for industrial producers, today announced Northern United Brewing Company (NUBC) is the first customer to install Cambrian’s EcoVolt® Mini. The EcoVolt® Mini converts high-strength wastewater into reusable quality water in one simple container designed specifically for growing breweries, wineries, and dairies. Northern United Brewing Company (NUBC), a family-owned Michigan brewery dedicated to making beers of outstanding art and flavor, will use EcoVolt® Mini to scale operations, cut operating costs, and improve its environmental footprint.

 

NUBC purchased the EcoVolt® Mini to alleviate pressure on the local wastewater treatment plant, allowing both the brewery and the community to grow. The State of Michigan provided a grant to help fund the project. EcoVolt® Mini will remove contaminants and solids from the wastewater while producing up to 11,500 therms of heat per year. The system will eliminate over 65 metric tons of CO2 per year, the equivalent of planting over 50 acres of trees every year. This initial installation will support an expansion of NUBC’s production of more than 40 percent.

 

“We were stuck between a rock and hard place—we wanted to make more beer to meet growing demand, but our community’s treatment plant capacity was tapped out,” said Northern United Brewing Company CEO and CFO Tony Grant. “With the City’s and State’s help, we are bringing wastewater management in-house with an innovative system from Cambrian. We’re excited to expand our production, and we’re proud to do our part to reduce pressure on the community’s water system.”

 

Compressing the revolutionary bioelectrically enhanced EcoVolt® Reactor and the EcoVolt® MBR into one, prefabricated module, the EcoVolt®Mini is an all-in-one water reuse container. Designed for food and beverage producers that are generating under 15,000 – 20,000 gallons of wastewater a day, the Mini rapidly removes over 99.9 percent of pollutants and solids from the waste stream, producing reusable water and renewable biogas. The system is designed to be automated, cutting down on operating expenses and saving businesses the headache of dealing with their wastewater.

 

“This project is the result of a strong collaboration to adopt and implement the right solution not only for NUBC, but also the community,” said Cambrian CEO Matthew Silver. “The EcoVolt® Mini’s compact design brings our EcoVolt® product line to smaller-scale operations that still want the big benefits of advanced wastewater treatment.”

 

At current levels, the waste stream resulting from the NUBC brewing process uses a significant amount of the industrial capacity in the City of Dexter’s municipal wastewater treatment system, preventing new food, beverage, or agricultural businesses from setting up operations in Dexter. This venture between Cambrian and NUBC, which will knock down barriers to business growth within the region, is funded in part by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD) through the Strategic Growth Initiative Grant Program.

 

“This project is timely and very important,” stated Dexter Mayor, Shawn Keough. “Capacity constraints have not only capped NUBC’s growth, but they have affected the City’s ability to operate our plant efficiently. The solution developed by Cambrian and Northern United will hopefully free up capacity in our treatment system and reduce our operational challenges. We are excited to see the positive effects of this new technology.”

“We anticipate that this project will be a model that can be deployed across the State of Michigan. There are hundreds of food, beverage, and agricultural producers in Michigan who face the same challenges as NUBC,” said MDARD Agriculture Development Division Director Peter Anastor. “Cambrian’s innovative solution helps food and agriculture businesses grow and relieves pressure on our public infrastructure.”

 

NUBC’s EcoVolt® Mini is scheduled to be installed during the spring of 2016.

 

About Cambrian Innovation

Cambrian Innovation solves industrial resource challenges with advanced biotechnology. The EcoVolt® Reactor, Cambrian’s flagship product, treats wastewater while generating energy to reduce costs and eliminate the burden of wastewater management for food and beverage companies. Spun out of MIT in 2006 with funding from NASA, leading partners include Lagunitas Brewing Company, Bear Republic Brewing Company, the DOD, the EPA, the NIH, the USDA, and numerous other government agencies. Cambrian was recently recognized as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer and named the Emerging Company of the Year by the Northeast Clean Energy Council. Learn more at.

 

About Northern United Brewing Company

Northern United Brewing Company was formed in 2008 out of the mutual respect and shared passion of the friendly founders of Grizzly Peak Brewing Company (1995), North Peak Brewing Company (1997), and Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales (1997). The mission of NUBC is simple: continue to make beers of outstanding art and flavor. Making beer is a labor and a love, and everyone at NUBC strives to create beers to lighten the spirit and soothe the soul. The craft beers of NUBC use the finest, hand-made quality using ingredients borne of the northern Michigan landscape. This is why Northern United Brewing Company brews with Michigan malted-grain, hops and water whenever possible.

 

About the City of Dexter

The City of Dexter is a small community with a welcoming heart that strives for the best in whatever we do, including the way we provide services to our residents and businesses, in the way we create a sense of place for all who live, work and play in Dexter, and in the way we plan opportunities for development and redevelopment.

 

Posted on
by

PRESS RELEASE FOLLOWS

(LANSING, Mich)—With titles like the “Great Lake State” and “Great Beer State” it’s no wonder Michigan is home to dozens of brews focused on its sun, sand and shorelines.

 

Did you know Michigan boasts more miles of freshwater coastline than any other state (and more overall coastline than any other state in the continental US) at 3177? Did you know Michigan is home to 11,000-plus inland lakes (more than Minnesota, the “Land of 10,000 Lakes)? Did you know the Michigan Brewers Guild has a record 157 member breweries (as of July 1, 2015—and growing).

 

“The Great Lakes give us so much to be thankful for – and are among the biggest contributors to the ever-growing craft beer industry here in Michigan,” Michigan Governor Rick Snyder says in the 2015 issue of Michigan. The Great Beer State magazine.

 

Consider enjoying one of these craft beers as you head out with family and friends to enjoy summer in Michigan! Please note, the beers listed above may be available at retail outlets, or only at the brewery or select off-premise locations. Seasonal beers go quickly, so don’t delay in seeking out these beach-themed brews.

 

57 Brew Pub & Bistro, Greenville. Sun Kissed Blonde (5.2% ABV | 16 IBUs). This American blonde ale is a crisp, clean and very easy drinking beer, showcasing locally-grown hops from Hopyards of Kent.

 

Arcadia Ales, Battle Creek & Kalamazoo. Cheap Date (4.5% ABV | 30 IBUs). If you’re looking for uncomplicated fun, look no further—you’ve got a Cheap Date. Whether you’re relaxing shore side, hitting the competitive lawn game circuit, or just enjoying the seasons and all their splendor, there’s never a bad time for this refreshing hoppy session ale. Keep it casual and enjoy the moment with this standby of high drinkability.

 

Arcadia Ales, Battle Creek & Kalamazoo. Whitsun (6.2% ABV | 17 IBUs).

Brewed in the style of a mid-19th century English festival ale, this unfiltered wheat beer displays a translucent orange color topped with a creamy, white head. Wheat enhances the mouthfeel of the beer and produces pleasant bread-like notes while Michigan honey provides a caramelized sweetness in the flavor profile. This beer is spiced with orange peel, coriander and small amounts of three hop varieties that perfectly counterbalance the sweetness.

 

Atwater Brewery, Detroit. Summertime Ale (5.0% ABV | 24 IBUs). A truly unique representation of the American Wheat style, Atwater’s Summer Time Ale, is a study in refreshing crispness. Vienna malt brings a distinct snap to the finish with dark wheat flavors lightly present. The hot wort is briefly exposed to ground lemon peel and grains of paradise which provide a tidy lemon, citrus finish.

 

Beards Brewery, Petoskey. Luna (6.0% ABV | 12 IBUs). White wheat, 2-row barley and rye create the backbone of this crisp and refreshing Saison-styled American wheat ale while Brewers Gold hops add a balance to this orange brew.

 

Bell’s Brewery, Comstock. Oberon Ale (5.8% ABV | 26 IBUs). Bell’s Oberon is an American Wheat Ale fermented with Bell’s signature house ale yeast, mixing a spicy hop character with mildly fruity aromas. The addition of wheat malt lends a smooth mouthfeel, making it a classic summer beer.

 

Bell’s Brewery, Comstock. Oarsman Ale. (4.0% ABV | 10 IBUs). Tart and refreshing, Oarsman Ale is a sessionable wheat beer that presents citrus and lemony aromas and trades sour for finesse. A perfect pairing with any menu.

 

Bell’s Brewery, Comstock. Lager of the Lakes (5.0% ABV | 34 IBUs). Following in the tradition of Czech Pilsners by offering a combination of firm malt and herbal hop bitterness, Bell’s Lager Beer is as refreshing and crisp as a swim in the Great Lakes. The label has a series of modern map symbols bordering an 18th Century French map of the Great Lakes region.

 

Bell’s Brewery, Comstock. Third Coast Beer (4.8% ABV | 51 IBUs). A crisply hopped American Pale Ale that offers a refreshing bitterness with floral and herbal aromas. This session beer is a tribute to the Great Lakes region Bell’s has called home since 1985. Twenty-four different front labels map all 3,288 miles of the Michigan coastline, touching four of the five Great Lakes.

 

Brewery Vivant, Grand Rapids. Beach Patrol (6.5% ABV | 9 IBUs).  This crushable cloudy wheat beer is accented with coriander and fermented with our farmhouse yeast. It drinks smooth and easy and the coriander triggers a refreshing essence of lemon. It’s perfect to pass around the bonfire after a long day of swimming laps or soaking up the sun. Released in June.

 

Brewery Vivant, Grand Rapids. Tropical Saison (6.5% ABV | 24 IBUs). A slight spicy character, light effervescence, and the addition of real pineapple & mango juice lift us out of our everyday and plop us, feet in the sand, to our beach front reverie. Not cloying, but refreshing and complex, this beer is a true “salut” to summer. The rustic biere de garde yeast lends just a hint of tartness to our pineapple and mango infused Tropical Saison. Released in July.

 

Cheboygan Brewing Company, Cheboygan. La Cerveza (4.0% ABV | 14 IBUs).  Brewed in the Mexican-Bohemian tradition with five different styles of malted barley plus flaked maize and noble German hops for a dry crisp character. This beer is great on its own or compliments the addition of a lime perfectly. It’s lower in alcohol content than our Lighthouse Amber and a perfect thirst quencher for the warm days of summer.

 

Cravings Bistro & Brew Pub, Benton Harbor. Tan Line Brown Ale (6.0% ABV | 21 IBUs). Tan Lines American Brown is the ultimate summer beach beer.  Pour a frosty mug of this delightful beer and note the distinct white on brown tan line that is characteristic of a long summer on the beach.  Malty and not too hoppy for a wonderful summer refresh.

 

Frankenmuth Brewery, Frankenmuth. Twisted Helles Summer Lager (5.5% ABV | 18 IBUs). Inspired by Michigan summers, Twisted Helles stands as a monument to everything we love about the season: beaches and BBQs, patios and porch swings, friends and fireworks. Tinged with mild yet memorable zests of orange and lemon, this crisp, perfectly quenching lager doesn’t just taste like summer,..it feels like it.

 

Greenbush Brewing Co., Sawyer. Sunspot (6.0% ABV | 15 IBUs). This traditional German Hefeweizen is a refreshing avenue to cooling down in the summer heat. A medium-bodied wheat ale with full flavor, as well as banana and clove esters, Sunspot is available on draft and in bottles from through Labor Day.

 

HopCat, Grand Rapids. Light Side Of The Sun, an American style Pale. Brewed with not only the thought having fun in the sun on a beach, but also of American patriotism: flying on the back of a bald eagle with a flag for a cape while dodging enemy bombs and missiles in the name of freedom. Pretty much a perfect fit.

Latitude 42 Brewing Co., Portage. Lil’ Sunshine Golden Ale (4.8% ABV | 22 IBUs). The perfect introduction to craft beer, this brilliant colored ale tastes crisp and clean with a well-balanced malt profile blended with a subtle floral hopping that is sure to refresh during the dog days of summer.

Latitude 42 Brewing Co., Portage. Beach Cruiser (4.5% ABV | 27 IBUs). This cloudy refreshing ale is brewed with German hops and organic wheat malt to provide a thirst quenching experience with citrus and floral notes. This unfiltered American wheat is served with a slice of lemon.

 

Lexington Brewing Company, Lexington.  Beach Babe (5.1% ABV | 25 IBUs). Beach Babe is a Kölsch beer: clean, crisp with soft malt and hop character.

 

New Holland Brewing Co., Holland. Sundog (4.5% ABV | 33 IBUs). Double suns, aka sundogs, have inspired artists and philosophers for centuries. This amber ale pays tribute with toasty caramel tones and a nutty finish.

Ore Dock Brewing, Marquette. Bum’s Beach Wheat (5.8% ABV | 25 IBUs). The carefully crafted companion to a freshwater summer, this American wheat longs for lazy days that turn into night and back again.  Pale Wheat and Pilsner malts lay out their crisp yet creamy rays of ripe citrus through a hazy shade of south shore sun.

 

Right Brain Brewery, Traverse City. Strawberry Fields (5.5% ABV | 12 IBUs). Extracts are for sissies. We use real ingredients at Right Brain Beer, and Strawberry Fields is no exception. This cream ale is brewed with real Michigan strawberries, but don’t expect to taste fruity hard candy in your beer. The natural tart flavor of the strawberries compliment bready malt characteristics, leaving one with a sensation similar to that of Strawberry Shortcake in a glass.

 

Rochester Mills Beer Co., Rochester Lazy Daze Lager (5.25% ABV |18 IBUs). With this easy-drinking German-style lager, there’s no need to buy imports. This clear-filtered brew boasts a rich amber color and medium bodied flavor – from a combination of Munich malt for a subtle sweetness and German hops.

 

Saugatuck Brewing Co., Douglas. Oval Beach Blonde (5.0% ABV | 10.5 IBUs). This is an easy drinking light ale, with subtle malt flavors and aroma perfectly paired with a well-balanced body. Oval Beach Blonde is a great everyday pint and a perfect gateway into the world of craft beer for the newer craft beer drinker.

 

Short’s Brewing Company, Bellaire & Elk Rapids. Local’s (4.0% ABV | 6 IBUs). Local’s is a light, yet very tasty lager. The light pilsen malt creates a soft and subtle flavor profile that finishes crisp and clean on your palate. Local’s is a perfect beer for the seasoned craft brew enthusiast and someone new to microbrews.

 

Stormcloud Brewing Company, Frankfort. The Beach Buddha (8.0% ABV | 100 IBUs). This Imperial IPA is for enlightened hopheads.

 

ThumbCoast Brewing Co., Port Huron. Skinny Dipper Golden Ale (5.8% ABV | 20 IBUs). A brilliant golden colored brew that is nicely balanced and very approachable.  We called Skinny Dipper because it’s a bare bones beer, not too malty or hoppy.  Perfect for lounging on the beach of Lake Huron.

 

Tri-City Brewing, Bay City. Loons Summer Ale (4.8% ABV | 21 IBUs). Loons Summer Ale is a smooth, refreshing blonde ale brewed from 100% malted barley and Nobel hops.  By the lake, at the cottage, or in the backyard, this beer is the perfect complement to any summer day around the Great Lakes.

 

Wolverine State Brewing Co., Ann Arbor. Five Shores Blonde Lager (4.5% ABV | 36 IBUs). This beer is Michigan summer in a glass. It’s a sunny, pale golden Blonde Common built on a foundation of Canadian Pils and pale malt, and citrussy hop notes burst forth on the nose and palate with woodsy Northern Brewer adding some warmth. It was dry-hopped on Michigan-grown Cascade hops, resulting in one delicious wave of flavor.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Five Shores Blonde Lager goes towards the Alliance for the Great Lakes to help them further their mission to protect, preserve, and sustain the Great Lakes. (Five Shores = Five Great Lakes!)

 

Wolverine State Brewing Co., Ann Arbor. Verano Mexican-style Amber Lager (4.1% ABV | 15 IBUs). Wolverine’s signature summer beer. Medium-gold in color, hopped with subtle Hallertau Mittelfruh hops, and made with crisp Vienna malt, Verano practically pushes you out the door and onto the beach. Best enjoyed with a slice of lime. Salud!

 

 

The Michigan Brewers Guild was formed in 1997 and held its first festival in July 1998. Today, the Guild hosts four festivals dedicated exclusively to Michigan craft beer produced by its nearly 150 member breweries.

 

Michigan’s thriving brewing industry conservatively contributes more than $144 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $277 million. In terms of overall number breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #5 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”

 

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 ranks #5 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State”.

Posted on
by

New Sour Beers: Rojzilla & La Roja du Kriek

(DEXTER, Mich)—Jolly Pumpkin’s quintessential beer – La Roja – may be hard to find, but two new specialty brews will hit the marketplace in limited quantities this month and are sure to quench the thirst of sour beer lovers around America. Rojzilla and La Roja du Kriek will be distributed in Michigan and 34 other states during the brand’s “April Showers Bring Jolly Pumpkin Sours” campaign.

La Roja (7.2% ABV | 25 IBU) was the second beer to be released by Jolly Pumpkin, after opening in 2004. This artisan red ale, brewed in the Flanders tradition, is deep amber in color with earthy caramel, spice and sour fruit notes that are developed through natural barrel aging.

Flanders ales are fermented with usual brewer’s yeast in an unfiltered and unpasteurized fashion, then placed into oak barrels to age and mature. The mature beer is then blended with younger beer, to adjust the taste for consistency. The name comes from the usual color of these ales, which are descendent from English porters of the 17th century.

Due to the extensive time involved in the production of La Roja, it is only released in limited quantities and is considered one of the most sought-after sour ales in the country. Continue reading →