By Amy Sherman
WKTV Contributing Writer
Perrin Brewing sold to Monster Energy
Another major Michigan brewery buyout/acquisition occurred this week, with Monster Beverage Corporation announcing that they would be purchasing the CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective, which includes Comstock Park based Perrin Brewing Company. CANarchy was formed in 2015, as a group of like-minded breweries came together to share capital, distribution networks, beers and products to the market in a new, collaborative company. Members, in addition to Perrin, include Oskar Blues Brewery, Cigar City Brewing, Squatters Craft Beers, Wasatch Brewery, Deep Ellum Brewing Company, and Revitalyte. The group is considered the sixth largest craft brewery in the country.
Monster is purchasing the group for $330 million, in an all cash deal. This will be the energy drink maker’s first foray into the alcoholic beverage market. What does this mean for West Michigan? While Perrin declined to comment at this time, we can say that the sale does not include their pub in Comstock Park, so you should be able to continue to enjoy a burger and beer there. In the future, it probably won’t change much of what is on the shelves here, but may help Perrin get out to a larger national audience.
Locally brewed gluten-free beer is finally here
Brewery Nyx, Michigan’s first dedicated gluten-free brewery is right here in Grand Rapids, and now has beers on the shelves of local retailers. Founded by business partners Jessica Stricklen and Sebastian Van Bommel, the brewery has a production facility in the southwestern part of the city, and can be found on the shelves at Bridge Street Market, and certain D&W’s, with more retail to follow as production ramps up.
Stricklen, who has been gluten-free for 10 years, loves craft beer, but couldn’t find a Michigan one that was truly up to her standards. She and Van Bommel, who is the head brewer, decided from the beginning that their beers needed to be able to go head-to-head with regular brews. Instead of trying to strip the gluten from a beer made with barley, they are brewing their beers right from the start with gluten free grains like amaranth and quinoa. The resulting beers are every bit as full bodied as any regular beer, with incredible aroma, big mouthfeel, and great flavor. You would be hard pressed to tell these gluten-free brews from a regular one.
Right now Brewery Nyx is in limited distribution only. Although they have plans to open a tasting room in the future, the goal right now is to just get the product out on shelves. If you are lucking enough to find some, don’t get surprised at the price. Yes, these four packs are more than your typical local craft beer, but it is absolutely necessary. The ingredients they use to make this beer can costs up to four times more than traditional brewing ingredients. But if you are gluten-free, and have been missing that precious pint of local beer, Brewery Nyx is a gift from the celiac gods.
Larry Bell named Environmentalist of the Year
Don’t mess with Larry Bell might be the message here, and with very good reason. The Bell’s Brewery founder, who recently announced a sale of the family owned company to New Belgium Brewing, was named the Sierra Club of Michigan’s Environmentalist of the Year for 2021. Bell’s work to protect the Kalamazoo River, as well as his battle to shut down Enbridge’s Line 5 oil pipeline, made him the first business owner chosen for the award in its thirty year history.
“Larry Bell’s fact-based, non-partisan and pragmatic advocacy has illuminated the dangers of the ticking time bomb that threatens the Great Lakes every day Line 5 is allowed to operate in the Straits of Mackinac,” said Gail Philbin, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter state director said via a press release. “He and other visionary leaders in the Great Lakes Business Network are indispensable voices for businesses who understand how vital it is that we protect our Great Lakes.”
Bell began his environmental work after the 2010 Enbridge oil spill in Kalamazoo threatened his Comstock production brewery. Enbridge decided to store toxic sledge in the area, without letting officials know, or pulling any of the necessary permits. Bell sued Enbridge, and then created the Great Lakes Business Network, to help shut down Enbridge’s Line 5, an oil pipeline that runs through the Straights of Mackinac.
“When the spill happened 30 miles away from us, the oil came down the Kalamazoo River and started impacting us,” recalled Bell, via the release. “Our eyes were opened. Then we found out there was this pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac. It was unbelievable that this company owned those pipelines in the Straits. I said, ‘Hell, yes, I’m in.’”
Bell said he plans to increase his environmental work, now that he has sold his brewery. “I can be stronger now in my sentiments and work harder for the causes I care about,” said Bell.
Small Pours from West Michigan breweries:
Founders Brewing is hosting their famous Cellar Raid, from Jan. 26 to 30, at both their taproom in Grand Rapids as well as Detroit. The event features taproom exclusive, small batch, barrel-aged, and even some never before seen beers. The brewery will release tap lists each day, and all the beer is available on a first come, first served basis. There will be special food pairings available as well. On Saturday, Jan. 29, there will be live music from Oracle.
Railtown Brewing in Dutton revealed a new winter food menu on Monday January 17. According to the brewery, “it’s chili season.”
Cedar Springs Brewing Company has its winter Biergarten open, and is offering live music most nights of the week. You can see the full listing of who’s playing weekly on the brewing company’s Facebook page.
Arvon Brewing in Grand Rapids just celebrated its second anniversary, and have several special brews on tap and available to-go to honor this special occasion. Stop by the brewery on Division to see what’s still pouring.
Broad Leaf Brewery is hosting a special “vegan weekend,” Jan. 21 – 23. The special food menu will feature “munchies” from Chef Gabe. Featured will be chicken fried seitan, Tot-chos, French bread pizza, a carrot corn dog, and a dirt cup dessert. There will also be a limited regular menu.
City Built Brewing continues to host their pop-up Li Grande Zombie, a special menu offered weekends at the brewery featuring Creole and Cajun cuisine. They announce the menu on Facebook each week. Look for things like crawfish étouffée with chicken fat biscuits, and a mean fried hot chicken sandwich. Each Monday, look for local favorite StreetChefShaw to be throwing down some of his famous tacos on site.
Creston Brewery recently opened for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The menu features classic breakfasts like pancakes and a breakfast burrito, as well as lunch offerings like oven baked mac and cheese, and a cheeseburger. There’s also a kids menu, which includes a pancake mountain, which sounds hard to beat.
Bier Distillery in Comstock Park has a new special, Thirsty Thursdays. All 8 of distillery’s burgers are $2 off, and draft pours are 50% off. They also have live Irish music each Thursday.
Wednesday Jan. 19, stop by 3 Gatos Brewery in Wyoming for a special trivia night featuring the television show “The Office.” Get there early as it starts at 7 p.m.
ELK Brewing announced the close of their Comstock Park brew pub this week. Their tasting room on Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids will remain open.
