Tag Archives: Cedar Springs Brewing Company

On Tap: ‘Strong beer’ in Cedar Springs, Tulip Time gin, and boots fit for Dragons

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Its almost time for a little summer beer tasting. (Supplied/Brewery Vivant)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

A sure sign that this spring and summer will be different than last (we can hope) is the return of the Starkbierfest — “strong beer festival” — to Cedar Springs Brewing Company, scheduled for Saturday, April 17, from 3-9 p.m., in downtown Cedar Springs.

The rain-or-shine event will feature a heated tent — you know those Michigan Aprils, right? —  with live music, limited beer release, and all the sausage you can eat.

“Besides the famous Oktoberfest, Starkbierfest … or Frühlingsfest, are the second big German beer festival times during the year,” according to promotional material of the event. “Historically, monks brewed strong beer or Bockbier which was higher in calories and a bit stronger to substitute for food during Lenten fasting. This “Liquid Bread” and annual brewing specialties have survived the times.”

The event is open to aged 21+ (w/valid ID) and $10 cover includes 2 hospitality tickets, valid for food or beverage. Tickets are available for pre-purchase and will also available for purchase at the door on the day of the event.

Among the beers to be released are a Küsterer Pale Weizenbock — one of my favorites — and a Wilderness Trail Barrel Aged Dunkel Lager (both in limited quantities), as well as eight other beers.

The live music scheduled includes Rudi Tegethoff, who we are told plays “energetic German polka” music, from about 2-4 p.m.; then Tony Halchak Music’s “Craft Brewed Americana”, from about 4:15-6:15 p.m.; and Hazy Past’s “vintage rock” from about 6:30-9 p.m.

For more information visit csbrew.com.

A little Dutch heritage with Knickerbocker Gin at Tulip Time

Holland’s Tulip Time is just around the corner — scheduled to return May 1-9 — and we are told that means over 37,000 tulips will be in bloom in Holland. And New Holland Brewing is getting into the spirit, literally!

To celebrate New Holland’s Dutch heritage, and the return of the Tulip Time Festival for 2021 after being canceled last year, New Holland’s distillery is set to release a collectible Knickerbocker Gin bottle featuring delftware artwork.

New Holland Knickerbocker gin in special bottle. (Supplied)

This commemorative bottle will be available for preorder through Sunday, April 25 (or as long as supplies last.) It will be sold as a single 750mL bottle for $29.99 (plus tax). Pickups will take place at our Holland or Grand Rapids store locations from Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 9.

New Holland promotional material notes that all preorders must be placed through their online store, however, the bottles will not be available for shipping. And every person picking up orders must present a valid ID showing proof of age of 21+.

https://www.tuliptime.com/2021

For more information on Holland’s Tulip Time 2021 visit tuliptime.com. For more information on the special Knickerbocker Gin bottles, visit here, or visit newhollandbrew.com and click on Shop/Online Store.

When you feed Dragon’s Milk to a Wolverine …

New Holland Brewing’s joint project with Wolverine — a limited edition Dragon’s Milk x 1000 Mile boot that also serves to support the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program — is on the verge of being sold out, according to the wolverine.com website.

 

Wolverine’s New Holland Dragon’s Milk boots, and some reason to walk 1,000 miles. (Supplied/Wolverine)

The “Deliciously Dark” Stout-colored leather boot is “inspired by the rich hues and notes of coffee, chocolate, vanilla, and oak found in Dragon’s Milk,” according to promotional material.

The boot also includes the iconic Dragon’s Milk logo transformed into a metal fob and heat-embossed onto the boot, just like the burnishing on the barrels the stout is aged in. And we are told “Just as Dragon’s Milk develops its unmistakable taste through its aging process, this timeless handcrafted boot will gain character with every wear.”

Wolverine will be donating 10 percent of all sales of this limited edition collaboration to the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program. For more information visit here.

And if you are heading up the Traverse Road

Northern Latitudes Distillery recently announced it is opening its complementary tasting room in Lake Leelanau, with three new spirits — including, we are told, a Horseradish Vodka that a taste of can serve as the “world’s smallest Bloody Mary.”

Northern Latitudes Distillery tasting room. (Supplied)

“We have our tasting room set up to keep you and our spirit guides as safe as possible with plexiglass dividers, disposable tasting glasses, cleaning between customers, and strictly limited numbers to assure social distancing,” according to promotional material.

And after a tasting, you can settle in on their deck for, among other cocktails, a Plum Rum Mule, which features both their Whaleback Spiced Rum and Visions of Sugar Plums Liqueur. (Ps. The Plum Rum Mule recipe is 1 oz. Visions of Sugar Plums Liqueur, 1 oz. Whaleback Spiced Rum, squeeze of half a lime, and ginger beer — squeeze lime into a copper mug or rocks glass with ice. Drop squeezed half into cup as garnish. Add spirits. Top with ginger beer and stir.)

Note, the indoor cocktail bar remains temporarily closed due to COVID safety cautions.

  

Northern Latitudes Distillery is located at 112 E Philip St (M-204), Lake Leelanau. For more information visit their Facebook page here.

On Tap: Everclear at Burning Foot fest, gin & tonics, bike nights

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Everclear will be the headline band at the Burning Foot Beer Festival in August, (Supplied by the band)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Now in its fifth year, the Lakeshore Brewers Guild will host “the Great Lakes region’s only on-the-beach beer festival,” the Burning Foot Beer Festival Saturday, Aug. 24, at Pere Marquette Beach in Muskegon.

“We’re really upping our game this year,” Allen Serio, Burning Foot Beer Festival chairman, said in supplied material, with the festival having “more breweries, bigger bands and better sound.”

And they ain’t kidding when they talk bigger bands — with the likes of Everclear and Sponge lined up — or more breweries.

Something around 80 breweries from around the Great Lakes region will be represented at the festival — including those as close at Dutton’s Railtown Brewing Company and as far away as Sprecher Brewery form Wisconsin.

The festival will feature a “Hop Up” Art Tent with brewery inspired art by local and regional artists. Attendees can also look forward to “the flaming ‘Hop Tower’ installation and interactive element charging stations”. Not sure what either means, but they sound cool.

And as far as the music? The festival will offer two stages, one main stage and one waterfront stage for acoustic acts, with sets by country performer Matt Williams and regional bands like Tropadelic and the Melophobics. But the headliners will be 1990s alternative bands Sponge and Everclear — think back for Everclear hits “Santa Monica” and “Father of Mine.”

Festival goers don’t need to worry about getting home after the festival, either — with the purchase of camping tickets, they can camp on sites right next to the festival grounds.

“You get down there, you spend the whole day at the beach, you enjoy this great festival, and then you can sleep right next door and wake up and hear the waves 20 feet away, crashing on the shore,” Serio said.

Tickets for the festival will first be available at a ticket release party hosted at the downtown Muskegon beach volleyball courts located behind the Western Market chalets on Saturday, June 8, from 12-4 p.m. The party will feature draft beer and music, and all tickets will be on sale without a processing fee before they are released online. General Admission tickets will also be available at a discounted rate of $45. Online ticket sales will open at 5 p.m. on June 8.

For more information about the Lakeshore Brewers Guild visit lakeshoreguild.beer . For more informant on the Burning Foot Beer Festival visit burningfoot.beer .

Long Road Distillers named state’s best gin maker

Long Road Distillers was recently named Michigan Gin Distillery of the Year at the 10th Annual New York International Spirits Competition. More than 600 spirits from 29 countries were submitted and judged by a panel of “trade-only” judges at the annual event. The judges come from a variety of disciplines, but all work with spirits on a daily basis. They are made up of restauranteurs, sommeliers, retail buyers, distributors and importers.

The possibilities are not endless for craft distilled liquor at local distillers, but close. (Courtesy Long Road Distillers)

“We’re honored to claim this title,” Jon O’Connor, co-owner and co-founder of Long Road Distillers, said in supplied material. “We take a great deal of pride in crafting our portfolio of gins – it’s one of our favorite spirits to produce and share with others.”
  

Opened in 2015, Long Road has a long line-up of botanical spirits, including Long Road Dry Gin, Long Road MICHIGIN and Long Road Aquavit, as well as other year-round and limited-release gins, including Long Road Barrel Reserve Gin, Long Road Patriot Gin, and the very limited Long Road Barrel Reserve MICHIGIN.

Long Road’s distillery and tasting room is located on Grand Rapids’ West Side at 537 Leonard Street SW, and also available in many restaurants and cocktail bars.
 

For more information visit longroaddistillers.com .

Bike Nights (and beer rewards) return to Cedar Springs Brewing

Again this year, Cedar Springs Brewing is working with the Speed Merchants biking group to host two bicycling groups — one for leisure and another for serious training — on Mondays starting at 6:30 p.m., thorough September.

The training group ride is a 28-36 mile gravel ride for fat tire, mountain, gravel, or cx bikes. Led by Speed Merchants, the initial rides will be 1.5-2 hour rides, increasing to 2-2.5 hours as more daylight allows. The pace will be a minimum of 16 mph.

For those who like a more leisurely pace, a family friendly group will embark on a shorter paved ride on the White Pine Trail.

Helmets are required. Spare tube, bike pumps, and Strava app recommended.

At the end of each ride, riders will meet up at the brewery — after all good rides end with a beer with friends. Bike night participants receive $2 off appetizers, or refuel with Chef’s “Radfahrer Special” a power packed meal for cyclists.

For more information visit csbrew.com or email events@csbrew.com .

On Tap: The trifecta — wine, beer and food fest; beer bread in Cedar; Long Road goes north

Beer, Entertainment, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , ,

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By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

It doesn’t matter if your a chardonnay sipper or a porter pounder, there will probably be something to your taste at the 11th Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival, returning Nov. 15-17 to DeVos Place downtown.

 

Three days overflowing with food, beverage and culinary-themed entertainment presented by area chefs, restaurants and purveyors of the spectrum of libations — including of the caffeinated variety. What’s not to like?

 

Six restaurants will offer “pairing menus” throughout the festival, a chance to sit down with the chef and watch as they prepare an elegant multi-course meal table-side paired with the finest wine, beer or spirits. Advanced reservations are required. An additional 15 restaurants serve up small plate offerings.

 

It is on the beverage side of the street that variety is really available, and there is literally whole sections dedicated to one’s beverage of choice.

 

The Vineyard are will feature 1,200 plus wines of all styles. Hemingway Hall will showcase craft spirits and cocktails from Michigan’s finest distilleries. The Beer City Station – OK, my favorite place to wait for a train that will never come — will just about the entire craft brewing world. Cider Row will focus on hard ciders made locally and beyond. And, because we all need to drink responsibly if not eat so, RendezBREW will offer cordials and coffees paired with desserts and other delicious “nightcap” offerings.

 

The festival will also be food demonstrations, educational tasting lessons — including one called “Not Your Grandma’s Rosé: A Tasting of Rosés”; got to love that! — as well as cocktail workshops. And for the ear buds while you are working the tastebuds? Throughout the weekend, musical entertainment will include Melophobix in The Vineyard, Jake & Jimmy Band and Valentiger on the Beer City Station Music Stage and a variety of performers in the RendezBREW seating area in the Grand Gallery.

 

The festival will run Thursday, Nov. 15 and run through Saturday, Nov. 17, and hours are 6-9 p.m. Thursday, 4-10 p.m. Friday and 2-10 p.m. Saturday.

 

Advanced tickets for the Festival may be purchased online for $15 per person and are valid for a one-time use Thursday, Friday or Saturday. A 3-Day Pass is also available. Once inside, festivalgoers can purchase tasting tickets for 50-cents each which are used for all food and beverage tastings (excluding the special pairing menus), with each sample requiring a varied amount of sampling tickets. Admission is for those 21 or older, and valid ID is required to purchase tickets and to enter.

 

For more information on the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival visit here .

 

Beer bread with really good beer: Who would have thought?

 

Over the summer, favorite Cedar Springs Brewing Company beers were baked into Cedar Rock Bread Company’s fresh homemade breads and sold at the brewery’s farmers market. Now, those same tasty loaves will be available for purchase year round in the CSBrewery Shoppe.

 

“Part of our mission is community involvement, so we were happy to work with Kris and her team at Cedar Rock Bread Company through our CSBrew Farmers Market this summer,” David Ringler, Cedar Springs Brewing Company’s Director of Happiness, said in supplied material. “Together, we created authentic, classic breads using our traditional beers, which are made using only four ingredients.”

 

Fresh beer bread, and humor, are served up at Cedar Springs Brewery and the CSBrewery Shoppe next door. (CSBrewery Facebook photo)

A rotating variety of freshly baked beer breads will be delivered twice weekly to the shop, located at 81 N. Main St NE in Cedar Springs. Customers can purchase styles like Golden Ale Baguette, Golden Grain Artisan Loaf, Irish Stout Rye Sourdough, and IPA Cherry Wheat Bread throughout the week.

 

The beer bread will also be incorporated into Cedar Spring Brewing Company’s food menu, which can be tasted in the brewery’s taproom at 95 N. Main St NE in Cedar Springs.

 

“We will feature these breads regularly in sandwiches, appetizers, and specials served in our taproom and Biergarten,” Ringler said.

 

Follow the CSBrewery Shoppe’s Fresh Bread Days events on Facebook. For more information on Cedar Springs Brewing Company visit Cedar Springs Brewing Company  and on the CSBrewery Shoppe visit CSBrewery Shoppe , also on FaceBook.

 

Grand Rapids-based Long Road Distillers opens new Boyne City location

 

Business is good at Long Road Distillers as the Grand Rapids-based maker of specialty distilled liquors announced recently that they will be opening a new distillery tasting room in Boyne City. The northern Michigan outlet will be the company’s first offsite tasting room apart from their headquarters on the West Side of Grand Rapids, where they house their production facility, cocktail bar, and restaurant.

 

Long Road Distillers is located in Grand Rapids — and now at a second location. (Supplied)

“The Long Road team is thrilled to join the Boyne City community,” Kyle VanStrien, Long Road Distillers co-founder and co-owner, said in supplied material. “It’s a beautiful town with a thriving retail district, engaged business community, and countless activities for residents and visitors to enjoy throughout the year.”

 

The Long Road Tasting Room will be located at 118 Water Street in the heart of the Central Business District in downtown Boyne City.

 

Northern Michigan has become a vital part of the Long Road story and holds a special place in the hearts of VanStrien and fellow owner and founder Jon O’Connor, according to supplied material.

 

“We are committed to using Michigan-grown ingredients in our spirits whenever possible,” said O’Connor. “Michigin, our 100 percent Michigan ingredient gin, depends on ingredients grown in Northern Michigan. Our team spends several days each fall harvesting juniper on nearby Beaver Island, and we’ve incorporated galena hops from the Michigan Hop Alliance in Northport to add a citrus component to the gin’s botanical makeup.”

 

Bottom line: gin and tonics for all!

 

For more information on Long Road Distillers visit their page here.

 

Merrell invites Grand Rapids residents to celebrate fall hiking and hit the trails

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Urban-thru-hiker Liz Thomas

By Lauren King

Merrell

 

The Merrell team will be out and about on local urban and traditional trails this Saturday, Oct. 20 with the goal of surprising Grand Rapids residents along the way. As part of their “Merrell Magic” campaign that’s been happening across the nation this year, hikers that come across the Merrell crew at parks and trails including, but not limited to, Ada Seidman and Fallsburg, will be delighted to receive items such as swag, gift cards and more.

 

Merrell believes in the profound power of the trail and is looking forward to celebrating the fall trails in their own backyard here in greater Grand Rapids.

 

Coinciding with the Merrell team dispersing around the city and surrounding areas to spread “Merrell Magic” on the trails, the brand has also teamed up with Liz Thomas, the queen of urban thru-hiking, to hike West Michigan’s “Ale Trail” starting Wednesday, Oct. 17 in Cedar Springs (North Country Trail) and ending Saturday, Oct. 20 in downtown Grand Rapids.

 

Liz’s four-day urban hike will make stops at 25 breweries in and around Grand Rapids and showcase that hiking can be done in an urban setting with the added experience of exploring the local beer scene.

 

Liz Thomas’ Urban Thru Hike Schedule:

 

Wednesday, October 17 (14 miles, 3 Breweries)

  • Start: Cedar Springs Brewing; End: Comstock Park
  • Breweries: Cedar Springs Brewing Company (11 a.m.), Rockford Brewing Company (2 p.m.), Bier Distillery (4:30 p.m.)

 

Thursday, October 18 (24 miles, 9 Breweries)

  • Start: Comstock Park; End: East Grand Rapids
  • Breweries: Perrin (11 a.m.), Hideout (1:30 p.m.), Creston (3:40 p.m.), The Bob (5 p.m.), Fountain Hill (5:45 p.m.), ELK Brewing (6:45 p.m.), Brewery Vivant (7:30 p.m.), East West (9 p.m.), Harmony (9:40 p.m.)

 

Friday, October 19 (21 miles, 4 breweries)

  • Start: East Grand Rapids; End: Grand Rapids near Brass Ring
  • Breweries: Thornapple (11 a.m.), Schmolz (12:30 p.m.), Jaden James (2:30 p.m.), Brass Ring (5:45 p.m.)

 

Saturday, October 20th Team Merrell Magic Day (13 miles (2.5 miles to Outside Coffee Co.), 9 breweries)

  • 9 a.m. Start at Outside Coffee Co. @ Woosah Outfitters (Merrell Ambassador Erica Lang’s place).
  • Breweries: Grand Rapids Brewing Co. (10am), HopCat (10:30am), Founders (11:25 p.m.), Atwater (1:20 p.m.), City Built (2:30 p.m.), Greyline (3:20 p.m.), The Mitten (4:10 p.m.), Jolly Pumpkin (5:10 p.m.), New Holland Knickerbocker (5:40 p.m.). Times may vary based on the Michigan-Michigan State game.

 

On Tap: New-school Brewsaders book, brews at the Castle, a ‘Feelgood’ tap

Beer, Entertainment, Local Entertainment, Recreation, , , , ,

Not only does the Beer City Passport program allow you to get great beers, you get to fly your Brewsader freak flag with a t-shirt. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

The Beer City Brewsader Passport program recently celebrated the 10,000th Beer City Brewsader, which allows those “that have done the hard work of visiting 8+ breweries to earn the title and the t-shirt,” the group says.

 

For those of us for whom the t-shirt is just a bit of a show-off, the real reward of all that “hard work” is a book full of stamps and beer stains — my stamp book (not to brag; okay, to brag a little) has the original book filled, the first additional book almost filled, and the blank pages stamped with two new breweries not yet in the book(s).

 

Of course, there is also the new Beer City Brewsader app, and you can transfer your paper passport stamps to the app as people work toward their “Ultimate Brewsader” status. “Don’t worry, for those that love your paper passport we are still using those too! The app is an additional option,” according to supplied information.

 

For more information the Brewsader Passport (either new-school or old-school), visit experienceGR.com .

 

57 Brewpub becomes Castle Brewing (still has great outdoor music)

 

As reported here in December 2017, Greenville’s 57 Brewpub and Bistro changed ownership and now Castle Brewing Co. has launched their new “brand”. But don’t worry, its not some Medieval-themed place.

 

According Castle Brewing’s website, “About the name . . . no, our building isn’t a castle. We just wanted to pay tribute to the building that stood on the property for decades and those of us old enough to remember it.”

 

J.R.’s Roller Castle was once a roller rink but also a building that dates to the 1920s before being demolished in 2011.

 

“We’re sure we’re not the only ones who fondly reminisce about our first “hitchhike” skate at JR’s!” the website statement continues. “We know this space holds many more memories to come – we look forward to being a part of them!”

 

There is a little bit of new at Castle Brewing. They have an expanded list of beers on tap, both in-house and guest — I’m looking forward to trying their Red Castle red Irish ale (6.2 percent in case you keep track of such things). They still have their great outdoor seating and occasional music, but now boast a new and expanded beer garden.

 

Castle Brewing Co. is located at 1310 West Washington, Greenville. For more information on Castle Brewing Co., visit castlebrewingco.com .

 

Cedar Springs Brewing’s ‘Feelgood Tap’ helps local fight leukemia

 

Cedar Springs Brewing Company’s June “Feelgood Tap” is its Blood, Sweat and Tears Pale Ale, and during this month $1 from each pour goes to support Kohen Karn’s fight against leukemia.

 

“He is the child of our friends at Elk Brewing: Comstock Park and Elk Brewing: Grand Rapids, and part of the Beer City Brewers Guild family,” Cedar Springs Brewing explains in an email about the promotion.

 

Cedar Springs Brewing Company’s “Feelgood Tap” is part of a Michigan program which works with breweries to raise funds for various community causes.

 

Cedar Springs Brewing Company is located at 95 N Main, Cedar Springs. For more information visit csbrewing.com . For more information on Feelgood Tap visit feelgoodtap.org .

 

Perfect partners: GRPM’s Beer Explorers pairs beers, snacks

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum, as part of the Museum’s Beer Explorers program, is partnering with Creston Brewery for a beer and “beer snack” tasting and discussion on Thursday, June 21. To explore “how fermentation changes flavor,” brewmaster Scott Schultz will take participants through the science of how you get those flavors, and how to pair the beer best with foods, according to supplied material.

 

A sampling of beers at the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s Beer Explorers program — yes there are glasses of what you like available for purchase. (Supplied)

Creston Brewery will feature five beers in this month’s Beer Explorers, including two with unique names related to Grand Rapids history — Fox Deluxe and Quimby. The museum will also showcase historic beer artifacts for participants to see a glimpse at where these names came from, as well as see artifacts not normally on display.

 

Class begins at 6:30 p.m., and will be held on the first floor of the museum. Admission to class includes beer and snack samples, and access to the museum’s first two floors to explore. A cash bar will be available.

 

Tickets for the event are $10 for museum members and $20 for non-members. Participants must be 21 and older. GRPM is located at 272 Pearl Street, NW. For information and tickets to Beer Explorers, visit grpm.org .

 

For more information about Creston Brewery, visit crestonbrewery.com .

 

On Tap: Thornapple Brewing plans (own) birthday party; beer and associated activities 

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Cascade Township’s Thornapple Brewing Company will celebrate its first anniversary with a party featuring special releases, live music and games. (Thornapple Brewing)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Cascade Township’s Thornapple Brewing Company will celebrate its first anniversary with a party featuring special releases, live music and games on Saturday, June 9, from 11 a.m to late (12 midnight?).

 

The main attraction will be Thornapple’s 36 pours of beers, ciders, and meads on tap. (Thornapple Brewing)

The main attraction, of course, will be Thornapple’s 36 pours of beers, ciders, and meads on tap, as well as a variety of wine and spirits — including, according to supplied information, a resurrected early version of Hoppy Saison, the first batch of Spicy Salted Session Saison and the first batch of Barrel-Aged Brown-Eyed Girl.

 

“There will be a few more surprises, for sure,” Sebastian Henao, head brewer, said in supplied information. “We’re going to have some fun stuff.”

 

The event will take place both inside the pub and outside in the parking lot under a tent. The bands will play 4-10 p.m, and attendees can also play a variety of outdoor games.

 

Thornapple opened June 10, 2017, serving craft beers, wines and ciders. By September of last year, four new 15-barrel fermenters were installed, increasing the brewery’s capacity.

 

“We started out with just a half dozen ales, now we’ve got a great variety of lagers, ales and more experimental styles on tap,” Jeff Coffey, Thornapple Brewing Company co-founder, said in supplied material.

 

In December of last year, Thornapple introduced spirits to their beverage lineup, including rum, gin, whiskey, vodka and brandy.

 

For more information visit thornapplebrewing.com .

 

Things to do with a beer in hand, or waiting

 

Several Greater Grand Rapids breweries, from downtown to north Kent County, offer the opportunity to be active before, during or after sipping a brew.

 

Atwater Brewery in downtown Grand Rapids boasts outdoor seating and the ability to “bring the pups while you grab a pint” — and just in case you think “pups” is some slang term, they mean you can bring your dogs. Atwater Brewery is located at 201 Michigan Street NW. For more information visit atwaterbeer.com .

 

Rockford Brewing Company — need we say “in Rockford”? — offers “Paddles ’n’ Pints” trips where you can fill plastic growlers at the brewery before spending a couple hours floating down the Rogue River. Please have a duty paddler in the group. Rockford Brewing is located at 12 E Bridge St NE. For more information visit rockfordbrewing.com .

 

And, finally, Cedar Springs Brewing Company — you know where — is teaming with Speed Merchants for “Radfahrer: Bike Night at CSBrew”, either leisure or training group bicycle rides on Monday nights through September starting at 6:30 p.m. According to suppled information, the training ride is 28-36 mile gravel ride for fat tire, mountain, gravel, or cx bikes. The 1.5- to 2-hour ride with a minimum pace of 16 m.p.h., and ending at the brewery. For those who like a more leisurely pace, a family friendly group will embark on a shorter paved ride on the White Pine Trail.

 

Oh, ya. And bike night participants receive $2 off appetizers, or refuel with chef’s “Radfahrer Special”, a power packed meal for cyclists.

 

Cedar Springs Brewing Company is located at 95 N. Main. For more information visit csbrew.com .

 

On Tap: Strong beer in Cedar Springs, fine wine at St. Cecilia, fundraiser at Boatyard

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Whether it is a pint of beer or a glass of wine, your tastebuds can fine what they want in the Grand Rapids area in April. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Looking for something local to cap off your spring break week? Cedar Springs Brewing Company will host its third annual Starkbierfest — strong beer fest — on Saturday, April 7, with a heated tent with live music, limited beer releases, and a sausage party. And you know how well German beer goes with German sausages.

 

Never heard of Starkbierfest? According to the brewery, besides the famous Oktoberfest, Starkbierfest (“Strong Beer Festival”) is the second big German beer festival time during the year. Historically, monks brewed strong beer (Bockbier), which was higher in calories and a bit stronger to substitute for food during Lenten fasting. This “liquid bread” and annual brewing specialties have survived the times and re-emerged … at Cedar Springs Brewing.

 

Four beers are set to be released: Küsterer Maibock, a spring strong lager in collaboration with North Channel Brewing; Küsterer Pale Bock, a traditional Bavarian pale lager bock; Big Sid Rides a Buffalo, a Buffalo Trace Bourbon barrel aged barley wine; and Tim the Enchanter, a strong Belgian golden ale.

 

There are various party packages available, including the Starknaked Package (we will not delve further into the name) for $20 per person, and the four-person Sausage Party Package (again, no comment) for $60.

 

Live music will be provided from 2:30 p.m. until sometime after 8 p.m. or when the beer runs out, by Dave Salvinski (German/folk music), Fauxgrass (progressive bluegrass), and Delilah DeWilde (rockabilly).

 

The Starkbierfest will be held Saturday, April 7, from 3-9 p.m., at Cedar Springs Brewing Company, 95 N Main, Cedar Springs. For more information visit csbrew.com .

 

St. Cecilia fundraiser to feature Martha’s Vineyeard wine tasting

 

More of a fine wine palette? The “Eat. Drink. Be Merry!” Martha’s Vineyard Wine Tasting Annual Fundraiser to benefit St. Cecilia Music Center will be held on Saturday, April 14.

 

Wine more your taste? Check out the wine tasting event at St. Cecilia Music Center. (Supplied)

Grand Rapids fine wine purveyor Martha’s Vineyard will supply the wine and food at the music center’s annual fundraiser, to be held from 6-10 p.m., on two floors at St. Cecilia’s historic building. The night will feature more than 100 wine varietals at various price points, we are told. Some of the wines to be featured are specific to the event and will only be available through special order at the event. Discounts on all wine orders at the event will be offered.

 

The event will include hors d’oeuvres from Catering by Martha’s and Nantucket Baking Company, as well as musical entertainment and a silent auction with many unique wines, wine-tasting trips, vacations, entertainment packages and  dining packages up for bid.

 

St. Cecilia Music Center is located at 24 Ransom NE, downtown Grand Rapids. The cost is $40 per person and advance tickets can be purchased at Martha’s Vineyard, 200 Union Ave NE, Grand Rapids, online at scmc-online.org or by calling St. Cecilia Music Center at 616-459-2224. Tickets are limited.

 

Boatyard Brewing plans ‘Friends’ brew as Alzheimers fundraiser

 

It is still a month away, but summer weekend schedules fill up quickly so you may want to mark your schedule for Kalamazoo’s Boatyard Brewing Company release party of its New Friends Brew on Friday, May 11, which will benefit a September “Walk to End Alzheimers” fundraiser.

 

“I am the captain of our walk team and every year in September there is a big walk,” Corie Shireman said to WKTV. “So all year long we do fundraising as a company to raise funds for our walk team. Last year we made our goal of $5,000. So, every year, it becomes more of a challenge for me to think of new ways to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimers Association. So because of my love for craft beer I took it upon myself to ask a local brewery if they would consider naming a beer after us and the possibilities of any of the proceeds going to us.”

 

The result: New Friends Brew, the sales of which will benefit $1 for each draft beer purchased to the New Friends Walk team, and a party.

 

The beer release and tapping party will be Friday, May 11, 5-8 p.m., at the Boatyard Brewing Company, 432 E. Patterson St. The event will include live entertainment from Delilah DeWylde and Lee Harvey. For more information visit boatyardbrewing.com .

 

Grey Skies Distillery releases first straight bourbon whiskey

 

Grand Rapids’ Gray Skies Distillery released its first straight bourbon whiskey on March 22 and while its initial sales will be exclusively at their downtown Grand Rapids tasting room subsequent releases beginning fall of this year will be available through licensed retailers, bars, and restaurants around Michigan, according to the distillery.

 

Michigan Straight Bourbon Whiskey was aged in charred new, oak barrels for over two years and bottled at 90 proof, we are told. Following their Breakfast Rye and Single Malt Whiskey, Michigan Straight Bourbon Whiskey is the third American whiskey Gray Skies Distillery has released.

 

“Michigan Straight Bourbon Whiskey is simply named to highlight what it is – straight bourbon distilled and aged in Michigan,” Steve Vander Pol, co-owner of Gray Skies Distillery, said in supplied material. “The straight designation signifies the bourbon was aged at least two years and has no additional flavors added.”

 

Grey Skies Distillery is located at 700 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids. For more information visit grayskiesdistillery.com .

 

On Tap: Cedar Springs pub crawl or passport stops, your call after Black Friday 

Beer, Entertainment, Food, Going Local, Holidays, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Local Food, Our Cities, Veterans,

 

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

After a hectic Black Friday, looking for something to do on Shop Local Saturday? The 3rd Annual Cedar Springs Pub Crawl will take place Saturday, Nov. 25, starting at 5 p.m.

 

Cedar Springs Brewing is the host of the event, with the two other venues in town being The Gun tavern and the American Legion Glen Hill Post 287 — Cedar Springs Brewing has great German beer and food — been there, done that; and I’m a member of the Cedar Springs’ American Legion, so I can vouch for the patriotic local color.

 

Oh, and by the way, speaking of Shop Local Saturday, CS Brewery’s home brew business next to the pub is have a sale on home brew supplied.

 

First, always have a designated driver when your pub crawling. But, second, if your more in the mood to get your Beer City Brewsader Passport book stamped, after a visit to Cedar Springs Brewing, there is also a couple of other north-of-Grand Rapids brew pubs worth a visit: the Rockford Brewing Company in … wait for it … Rockford; and the recently relocated and expanded Cellar Brewing Company in Sparta.

 

For more information on Cedar Spring Brewing and the pub crawl, visit csbrew.com . For more information on Rockford Brewing visit rockfordbrewing.com and for Cellar Brewing visit cellerbrewingco.com .

 

Beer news: Perrin’s birthday party, new Beer Explorers, CSBC wins in London

3-bottom, Beer, Entertainment, Food, Local Food, ,

Plenty is happening this month on a the local beer scene — here is just a taste. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

 

Perrin Brewing’s 5-year anniversary party this week is just the first up on the “what’s on tap” beer list at Grand Rapids area breweries this month as the Grand Rapids Public Museum will also offer another trip with its Beer Explorers and, English beer lovers, London (England) is taking notice of Cedar Springs Brewing Company.

 

Comstock Park’s Perrin Brewing will celebrates five years of craft beer brewing and drinking on Saturday, Sept. 9, at the brewery’s backyard with live music entertainment, food trucks, specialty beers, vendors — and the annual corn hole tournament.

 

The live music entertainment line-up includes: 4 p.m., Paradise Outlaw; 4:55 p.m., hi-ker; 5:50 p.m., Miss Atomic; 6:45 p.m., The Crane Wives; 8:15 p.m., Jake Kershaw; and at 9:50 p.m., Papa Vegas.

 

If you haven’t seen/heard The Crane Wives, do so; the band’s show may be the highlight of the day.

 

The local food trucks scheduled to attend will include Blue Spoon Catering, Daddy Pete’s BBQ, Ice Box Brand Ice Cream, Patty Matters, Pizzaiolo, and What the Truck.

 

The party kicks off the general public at 4 p.m. and runs until 11 p.m. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the gate, open to ages 21 years of age and older. Chairs and blankets are welcome just no outside coolers or beverages. Tickets are available in the Perrin Pub or on EventBrite.

 

Perrin Brewery is located at 5910 Comstock Park Dr NW. For more information visit perrinbrewing.com/

 

‘Back to Beer School’ coming to pubic museum’s Beer Explorers program

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum will continue its Beer Explorers program with “Back to Beer School” on Thursday, Sept. 21, with six local breweries scheduled to be represented.

 

Representatives — with tastes/pours — from Perrin Brewing Co., Elk Brewing, Founders Brewing Co., Speciation Artisan Ales, Brewery Vivant and Creston Brewery will be present to talk about various types of beer and what goes into making each of their beers. Although each brewery offers many of the same styles of beers, each beer is crafted differently to bring out unique flavors.

 

The Grand Rapids Public Museum. (Supplied)

Back to Beer School will find each brewery bringing a special brew that was inspired by something within the museum’s collections. Throughout the evening, participants will explore the three floors of the Museum, stopping at different brewery bars to enjoy their samples. Brewers will be available to answer questions and give insights on their beers. Each brewery will have also a special bread made by local bakery Field and Fire to accompany their beer.

 

The evening will begin with a short presentation from the GRPM’s Chief Curator, Alex Forist, who will use artifacts from the museum’s collections to talk about the Grand Rapids history as Beer City.

 

Tickets to Beer Explorers’ Back to Beer School are $20 for non-members. Tickets include six samples, one from each brewery. A cash bar will also be available. Participants must be 21 and older. Tickets can be purchased at grpm.org/Calendar.

 

The museum is located at 272 Pearl Street, NW. For additional information visit www.grpm.org.

 

Cedar Springs Brewing Company a hit at London’s World Beer Awards

 

Cedar Springs Brewing Company announced in August that it had earned three “Best in the U.S.” titles in the World Beer Awards international competition, held in London, England. The contest is the third international competition the two-year-old brewery has entered and placed in.

 

The awards were for their Küsterer Original Weissbier, named “Best Bavarian Hefeweiss” in the U.S., Küsterer Salzburger Märzen, named “Best Seasonal German Pale” in the U.S. and Küsterer Weizenbock, named “Best Strong Wheat Beer” in the U.S.

 

Speaking from experience as Cedar resident and a Stammtisch Cub member from its opening, the weizenbock is both strong and very good.

 

“We are thrilled to once again have been recognized for the quality of our Bavarian and German style beers by an international judging organization,” David Ringler, “Director of Happiness” for the brewery, said in supplied material.

 

“Very few Americans have had the chance to truly experience some of these styles if they haven’t traveled to Europe,” Ringler added. “We want to do justice to these styles.”

 

Cedar Springs Brewing Company is located at 95 N Main, Cedar Springs. For more information visit csbrew.com/