The Greater Grand Rapids Area has become a destination for travelers seeking out “Beer City USA” and one of Expedia’s “21 Super Cool US Cities.” With a rise in visitors to the area, what does that mean for locals when it comes to getting around town? If you’ve ever felt frustrated by trying to find parking or other commuting struggles, this is your time to be heard!
The City of Grand Rapids Parking Services and Mobile GR want to know, “What’s Your Commute?” The new parking and mobility census was developed to better understand the community’s values, needs and priorities when commuting. Your feedback will help shape future transportation options. They have set a goal of having 10 percent of trips use alternative modes of transportation, such as bikes or busses and better managing parking demand for the 90 percent who travel via car.
The survey is available online in English — Parking & Mobility Census and Spanish — Censo de Estacionamiento y Movilidad. The census will only take three to seven minutes and participants are eligible for prizes to local businesses! Share your opinion to help shape the future of parking and transportation in our community. To learn more about the Census and its goals, visit the Mobile GR & Parking Services website.
Your Community in Action! is provided by ASCET Community Action Agency. To learn more about how they help meet emergency needs and assist with areas of self-sufficiency, visit www.communityactionkent.org.
Long Road Distillers will release a new seasonal gin, “Michigin”, crafted from 100 percent Michigan ingredients, on Monday, Feb. 6. (Supplied)
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Even in Beer City, men — and women — do not live on beer alone.
Long Road Distillers, based in Grand Rapids, will release a new seasonal gin, “Michigin” — a liquor crafted from 100 percent Michigan ingredients including red winter wheat from Heffron Farms in Belding and juniper harvested by hand on Beaver Island — on Monday, Feb. 6.
The limited-release is the first gin to use all Michigan ingredients, according to supplied material.
“We’ve been planning Michigin since before we opened our doors two years ago, but we were struggling to find a source for Michigan-grown juniper, a non-negotiable ingredient when it comes to gin,” Kyle VanStrien, Long Road Co-owner and Co-Founder, said in supplied material.
Juniper is commonly sourced from Europe or the Pacific Northwest, but last year Long
Road spirits discovered a Michigan source, VanStrien said.
“I mentioned in passing that we were on the hunt for local juniper,” VanStrien said, “and my cousin stopped me and said that it was everywhere on Beaver Island where she grew up!”
Less than a month later, VanStrien and business partner Jon O’Connor were on a small plane headed to Beaver Island, Lake Michigan’s largest island, 30 miles northwest of Charlevoix. After a short scouting visit, it was clear they could find more than enough for a limited production run. During the last week of September 2016, a dozen members of the Long Road staff harvested nearly 200 pounds over a two-day period.
Long Road Distillers is located in Grand Rapids. (Supplied)
Long Road Distillers is located at 537 Leonard St NW. For more information LongRoadDistillers.com.
The Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring a series of Craft Beer 101 classes starting this week. (Supplied)
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
It is not too late to fill your Monday calendar with a little beer (education) as the Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department beings four weeks of its Craft Beer 101 adult education program Monday, Jan. 23, with a program at Jaden James Brewery.
The program — continuing on Monday evenings from 6-8 p.m. on Jan. 30 and Feb. 6 and 13 — is for people 21-years-old and older who want to learn more about what goes into beer, how beer is made and the various kinds of beer, according to supplied information. The class will include tasting.
The classes are led by Ben Darcie, founder of Experience Beer WM and a beer writer, educator and self-proclaimed “beer geek extraordinaire.” The classes are for the beginner as well as the advanced home-brewer.
The program at Jaden James Brewery, located at 4665 Broadmoor Ave. SE, is called “Intro: Beer Ingredients and Process” The other classes, in order of date, are “Beer Tasting: Lager, Pale Ale & IPA; Hops and Brewing Them” at Schmohz, 2600 Patterson SE; “Beer Tasting: Belgian, Porter and Stout; Alternative Yeast and Recipe Design” at Railton Brewing, 3555 68the St. SE; and “Infection and Off-flavor” at Horrock’s Market at 4455 Breton SE.
Cost of the four-class program is $50 or $15 per class; and night-of registration is available. For more information call 616-656-5270 or visit yourkprd.org
The Kent District Library’s continuing KD aLe program will visit Wyoming’s Kitzingen Brewery on Wednesday, Jan. 11, for a brewery tour — and a little taste of Kitzingen’s speciality: German beers and German food.
The event beings at 7 p.m. The brewery is located at 1760 44th St SW.; Suite 8A; in the Chateau Centre strip mall. Attendees receive a discount on beer when you show your library card.
The beers produced by Kitzingen brewmaster Rommie Bailey include between 9 and 15 brews on tap, including an IPA, a stout and a seasonal authentic Hefeweizen, according to its website: “We’re inspired by the proud German brewing tradition but we will give it a healthy twist of the innovative American craft brewing spirit,” Bailey said.
For more information on Kitzingen Brewery call 616-805-5077 of visit Kitzingen-Brewery.com . For more information on the library’s KD aLe program visit KDL.org
After nearly 10 years of working a small business plan, and recent action by the City of Wyoming, TwoGuys Brewing has taken over an old firehouse and a rundown one-time 7-Eleven convenience store in the Wyoming Park neighborhood and — with any luck to match hard work — should be serving up craft beer for guys and gals who like microbrews in 2017.
Tom Payne of TwoGuys Brewery. (WKTV)
“Now its about six months of demolition and renovation, were we turn this ugly old 7-Eleven into a beautiful tap room,” Tom Payne, managing partner and brewmaster of TwoGuys Brewing, said Nov. 10 at a friends-and-neighbors open house at what will be the new brewpub. “We are hopeful for September 1” to open.
“This business came about about 10 years ago,” he said. “I realized I was not just another home brewer, at least I did not think so. I had entered beer in outside competition, outside of just (treating) my normal friends, and it was taken very well. I said ‘You know what? I think we’ve got something here.’ And then my wife and I, after hours and hours of talking, we said ‘This is something we are going to do.’ At that time we put together a 10-year plan, and we are at the end of that 10 years. It is time for TwoGuys Brewing to open.”
An old 7-Eleven story will become TwoGuys Brewery’s taproom. (WKTV)
Opening the brewery and brewpub involved the leasing of two buildings located across from each other on Porter Street SW, the old 7-Eleven at 2356 Porter Street SW and an unused fire station at 2385.
An old city fire station will become TwoGuys Brewery’s brew house. (WKTV)
The leasing of the fire station to Tamaz LLC (an LLC doing business as TwoGuys Brewery) by the city was part of three actions taken by the Wyoming City Council in late November. The actions included granting the business a liquor license, a waiver of city zoning code to allow for the sale of alcohol within a certain distance from a church or residential area, and the lease of the old fire station, which had been used by the city for a meter shop and a temporary laboratory but was currently vacant.
City support of business
“The City of Wyoming has been absolutely instrumental in this,” Payne said. “We approached the city three or four months ago, we completely laid out our business plan and what we wanted to bring to Wyoming Park. They put together a timeline … a ‘we need you to do this and we need you to do this’, and we have done everything the city has asked for. … They have been fantastic.”
Wyoming City Manager Curtis Holt made clear the reason for the city’s actions:
“Our region is increasingly embracing craft beer,” Holt said. “You can look around our community and see the many brewpubs that have sprung up over the last five years. We are pleased that TwoGuys Brewing has identified Wyoming as its location and feel that it will be a welcomed by the neighbors — and by Wyoming residents in general.”
Several of those neighbors visited the open house on Dec. 10 as well, and Payne said he expects to be an attribute to the neighborhood.
“The biggest reason (for placing their business in Wyoming) is that this is where we live, my wife and I,” he said. “I grew up in Wyoming Park. I graduated from Wyoming Park. I have lived, aside from my time in the Marine Corps, in this area and it has always been my home. When we decided to open up our brewery, it was going to be where we live and provide our neighbors with something they could certainly be proud of.”
About that name …
And the name of of TwoGuys? Where did it come from?
“10 years ago, there was me and one of my best friends, Charlie, I had gotten him started brewing,” he said. “So, long story (made short), we entered another competition and took best of show on an IPA (India Pale Ale), which at the time had no name. We brewed this beer at Founders. We brewed 10 barrels having won the best of show. … About half an hour before tapping, Founders said ‘You guys need to name this thing something.’ I told them ‘Its just the two of us, we are just two guys, so how about TwoGuys IPA?’”
Now, though, the name takes on another context, Payne said.
“Our TwoGuys, today, is, well … everybody’s two guys. You’re the other guy. My grandson is the other guy. Everybody is the other guy. I am just one guy. It is all about community, which is what brought us to Wyoming Park. … I will consider every guest that comes into these doors, starting next year, as the family, as the other guy.”
Plans at this point the business will focus on an array of craft-brewed beers — maybe wines, meads and sodas — as well as what the business calls a “pub-centric” menu of food. Payne’s brewer pedigree includes his having been involved with Osgood Brewing in Grandville as well as head brewer at 57 Brewpub and Bistro in Greenville.
“We are going to focus on traditional styles, beers that you don’t necessarily find everywhere else,” he said. “A lot of English style ales that no one brews around here … I am not knocking any other brewery in town, there are some fantastic ones, but it is going to be all about the other guy, what they like.”
Tentatively, seating at the brewpub will be for about 80 with a possible outdoor patio planned. The property has about 18 parking spaces in front, with about 50 possible behind the building and another 25 or so across the street at the old firehouse.
Brewery Vivant teams up with the Grand Rapids Public Museum for a series of classes on the science of beer.
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM), in partnership with Brewery Vivant, will offer a series of three Beer Explorers classes inspired by the new exhibit Earth Explorers, and in conjunction with ongoing Science Tuesdays programs. Each class will offer a different scientific approach to the brewing and tasting of beer.
The three classes will be held June 21, July 19 and Aug. 16. Classes begin at 6 p.m. and will be held in the Barrel Factory on the 1st floor of the GRPM. Admission to each class includes general admission to the Museum as well as three beer samples. A cash bar will also be available. Tickets for the June and July classes are $5 for members and $15 for non-members; tickets for Aug. 16 are $8 for members and $18 for non-members.
Classes will be led by Ryan Engemann, Wandering Monk Sales Representative at Brewery Vivant. Ryan has a vast knowledge of all things beer, first having worked for Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City and then Short’s Brewing Company in Bellaire. While working for Right Brain, Ryan became the first Certified Cicerone® in Northern Michigan.
June 21 – Science of Beer
Beer has been there from the beginning of the scientific revolution. From providing sanitary nourishment to the development of modern medicine, beer has been an integral influence on the development of science. Join the GRPM and Brewery Vivant to explore this fascinating topic, over a beer of course. This class will cover the history of science and beer, as well as examining how science is used in a modern brewery.
July 19 – Science of Flavor with a guided tasting
Explore the science of flavor to learn how taste and aroma combine for the delicious flavor you love, all in the context of and while sampling some wonderful craft beers. The event will conclude with a guided beer tasting in the style of a traditional beer judging contest.
Aug. 16 – Yeast Science/Wild Fermentations
Explore the microbiome of beer with a full-time beer brewer. This class will explain how microorganisms in the natural world are able to make the beer you love. This event will feature rare sour and wild fermentation ales from Brewery Vivant’s new Plein De Vie series.
Science Tuesdays
Science Tuesdays is an ongoing educational experience, offering science programming based on changing themes each month. Every Tuesday in June visitors engage with activities with the theme of Exploration! Science Tuesdays take place throughout the day every Tuesday at the Museum and include a variety of activities and interactive displays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities are free with general admission to the Museum.
In June, science stations including using telescopes, learning how astronauts work in Space, learn about underwater explorations utilizing scuba gear, learn about terrestrial navigation through hands on compass activities and explore how airplanes fly. Kids can try out their hand at flight by making their own paper airplanes and competing in flight contests against other Museum visitors.
Future Science Tuesdays programming will be themed around activities happening at the Museum. For upcoming months’ themes and activities please visit grpm.org.
Participants will come face-to-face with a Great White Shark in “Earth Explorers” exhibit at the Grand Rapids Publc Museum. (Christopher Gannon/Gannon Visuals) — shot by Christopher Gannon on 9/25/13 in Des Moines, IA Shot for GES
Earth Explorers
Organized around Earth’s eco-zones, Earth Explorers brings the unparalleled adventures of National Geographic to life. Earth Explorers allows visitors to let their imaginations run wild as they become explorers and embark on an adventure to discover new species, study animal behavior and learn about the important roles technology, innovation and ingenuity play in making and documenting these discoveries. The exhibit is free with Museum admission and will be on display through Sept. 4..
The 3rd Annual Cool Brews Hot Eats celebration kicks off today in downtown Grand Rapids.
Through Feb. 28, fifty-one locations will be offering specialties and classics alike in the celebration of Beer City, USA’s sense of crafted beverages and fulfilling food items. In addition to showcasing the local food and drink offerings, the event will serve as promotional work for more than 100 special winter beer events, including the ever-popular Michigan Brewers Guild’s 11th Annual Winter Beer Festival, which is happening Feb. 26 at Fifth-Third Ballpark.
Among the business participants are franchise locations such as Brann’s Steakhouse on Leonard and a few Bagger Dave’s operations in the area as well as smaller operations just outside of Grand Rapids such as Reds on the River in Rockford, Gravity Taphouse on the East Beltline, and the Bostwick Lake Inn on Belding Road. The event coordinators said they expect to treat thousands of foodies and brew aficionados around the region with exquisite beer-infused dishes, like Oatmeal Stout-braised pot roast, fondue infused by Brewery Vivant Farm Hand Ale, and brownies paired with Bell’s Brewery Double Cream Stout.
This event lends itself to variety, as not every beer celebration should be a stein-only affair. The locations vary from sleek and ultra-modern bar operation (Gravity Taphouse), to classic style inns (Cottage Bar), and middle of the road breweries (Founders Brewing Co.). I have personally visited only five of the participating restaurants, but I look forward to adding the other participants to my personal bucket list.
Source: Fox 17
This time around, the event offers an exclusive passport for the Brewsaders who participate, which is slightly different than the regular Beer City Brewader passport. Those who collect eight stamps during the Cool Brews. Hot Eats. will receive a Brewsader koozie and bottle opener as well as a Brewsader t-shirt.
In addition to the prize incentives, participating Brewsaders are eligible for discounted growlers and assorted promotions at more than a dozen restaurants and breweries in the event series. Also of mention are the hotel deals offered in the area coinciding with the event series, giving not just residents the chance to enjoy the festive and delicious happenings.
Citizens and beer enthusiasts from all over are invited to join the celebration, break out the old favorites as well as dare to try the newest brews and food combinations. Y’all have twelve days to experience the fun and the fulfillment of living and experiencing the tastier side of Grand Rapids food and beverages. Enjoy it while it’s here!
Celebration Cinemas and Founders Brewing Company are teaming up for yet another incarnation of their popular Brewed for Film series.
Starting February 10th, Founders Brewing will install itself inside 5 Celebration Cinemas across West Michigan and present a specifically chosen film to share on the big screen with thirsty film-goers, along with serving some fine beverages that match the tone of the shows.
Mixed among the films picked are a Scorsese gangster epic, a classic Indiana Jones adventure, 3 Coen Brothers comedy-dramas, including their award-winning FARGO and Oscar-nominated True Grit remake, a stop-motion animated Wes Anderson family flick, and some Monty Python shenanigans to wrap up this particular series.
As per usual during the series, entry is only $2 per person, 21 years of age and above. In addition, the series is selling a pass for entry to all films as well as a complimentary beer for each show for $25, while supplies last.
Having attended last years showing of The Shawshank Redemption with a friend, I can truly attest to the friendly atmosphere and unique experience offered at the events the two collaborators offer here. The value of entertainment for the price offered is exponentially more than a typical movie outing. Plus, who wouldn’t want the option of refreshing Founders classics at hand for viewing and consuming pleasure?
For all the information, including show dates and featured beer choices, please visit the Celebration information page.
If you’re a beer lover looking to beat the winter blues, your opportunity starts today with the Cool Brews. Hot Eats. event running through Saturday, February 28th. Beer City Grand Rapids and over 50 of its restaurants celebrate the perfect pairing of food and beer as local chefs and brew masters offer beer-infused dishes and meals with complementary beer pairing.
“Back for the third year, Cool Brews. Hot Eats. has grown into an event that is not only a benefit for beer lovers, but also the local economy,” says Doug Small, President and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “The Grand Rapids area beer scene continues to be recognized on a national level, most recently as ‘Best Beer Town’ from the readers of USA Today. Paired with our ever-popular dining scene drawing in food enthusiasts from throughout the region, these two cultures collide to give beer and culinary fans a unique and wonderful experience.”
It’s no coincidence then that Cool Brews. Hot Eats. falls in the same timeline as other popular beer-related events in the area like Beer Week and the 10th Annual Winter Beer Festival at Fifth Third Ballpark. Thanks to 90 Michigan breweries and the offering of more than 800 craft beers, the festival has been extended this year to Thursday, February 26th and Friday, February 27th. Last year the event sold out in less than 30 minutes.
To experience why Grand Rapids was named one of the Top 10 Best Vacation Cities for Beer Lovers, visitors can plan a self-guided craft beer tour on the Experience GR website’s “Beer Page”.
Popular winter beer and food festival makes Grand Rapids stand out!
by Sarah Cavanaugh
Fresh off the heels of being named Best Beer Town by USA Today and Top 10 Vacation Spot for Beer Lovers (www.TheStreet.com), Beer City will once again host beer lovers and food enthusiasts from all over Michigan and beyond for Cool Brews. Hot Eats. in Grand Rapids, February 16-28.
The event will feature more than 50 restaurants and breweries in the Grand Rapids area and celebrates the perfect pairing of food and beer as local chefs and brew masters offer beer-infused dishes and meals with complementary beer pairings. The event returns with area hotels and restaurants expecting record numbers of attendees.
“Back for the third year, Cool Brews. Hot Eats. has grown into an event that is not only a benefit for beer lovers, but also the local economy,” said Doug Small, President and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “The Grand Rapids area beer scene continues to be recognized on a national level, most recently as ‘Best Beer Town’ from the readers of USA Today. Paired with our ever-popular dining scene drawing in food enthusiasts from throughout the region, these two cultures collide to give beer and culinary fans a unique and wonderful experience.”
The event coincides with other beer-related events, including Beer Week and the popular 10th Annual Winter Beer Festival at Fifth Third Ballpark, extended to two days this year, Feb. 27 and 28. The festival includes 90 Michigan breweries and more than 800 craft beers.
Visitors can also plan a self-guided craft beer tour on the Experience GR website’s “Beer Page” to experience why Grand Rapids was named one of the Top 10 Best Vacation Cities for Beer Lovers. Sponsors for the event include Founders Brewing Company and Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College.
Started in 2013, Cool Brews. Hot Eats. is Grand Rapid’s first-ever winter food and beer event. It was designed after a series of events occurred in Grand Rapids, including recognition as “Beer City USA,” Hopcat Restaurant being named “#1 Brew Pub in the US,” Founders Brewing Company being named “Third Best Brewery in the World,” and the growing farm-to-fork culinary scene. The Michigan Society of Association Executives awarded Experience Grand Rapids a Gold Award for Innovative Collaboration for the inaugural Cool Brews. Hot Eats. Promotion.
By ACSET Community Action Agency
