Tag Archives: Cool Brews. Hot Eats.

Cool Brews Hot Eats are Back

Beer, Citizen Journalism, Local Business, Local Food, Upcoming Events, ,

The 3rd Annual Cool Brews Hot Eats celebration kicks off today in downtown Grand Rapids.beer-city-usa-color_ab53ff68-00f3-4222-9b3d-601c0545355d

 

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: Fox17
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!

 

Links:

Participating restaurants and brewhouses

Deals and Promotions

MI Brewers Guild Winter Beer Festival

Beer Tourism Study

Beer City Hotels

What’s the Big Brew-ha-ha? Beer Week GR, Of Course!

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

beer week

By Victoria Mullen

 

Hmmm. Sense that? There’s something in the air.

 

No, not a smell, specifically. And it isn’t something you can readily see. It’s more like a growing vibe. Or anticipation. Or something.

 

Ah, yes. There is something brewing in Grand Rapids, and it’s the 4th Annual Beer Week GR, February 17-28. Founded in 2012, the event celebrates and promotes the craft beer culture in the greater Grand Rapids area through a series of unique beer events.

 

“Beer Week GR has grown into a 12-day event that is not only a celebration 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. Paired with our ever-popular Cool Brews. Hot Eats. collaboration with more than 50 local restaurants, as well as the popular Winter Beer Festival, Beer Week GR offers beer and culinary fans a unique experience during a period of the year not known to draw as many leisure visitors to the area.”

 

Ohhhh, yeah. You’ll need your strength–you know, something to soak up that delicious craft beer–and Cool Brews. Hot Eats. is just the ticket. Sort of like killing two birds with one stone (so to speak): Fill the belly and celebrate perfect pairings (food and beer, of course) as local chefs and brew masters offer beer-infused dishes and meals with complementary beer pairings. We’ve listed just a sampling of participating eateries at the end.

 

But that’s not all, folks.

 

Nope.

 

The 2016 Winter Beer Festival (the 11th annual) will feature more than 100 Michigan breweries and approximately 1,000 different craft beers. Guests will enjoy fine music from local bands and other fun entertainment, and a selection of tasty food will be available for purchase. Takes place at Fifth Third Ball Park, 4500 West River Dr. NE, Comstock Park, MI 49321. $45 in advance, $50 at the gate, (if still available—tickets sell out fast). ‘Enthusiast Members’ with a valid membership ID card are invited to enter an hour early (at 2 pm on Friday / noon on Saturday) to enjoy VIP entry prior to General Admission.

 

So, devoting 12 days to celebrating beer sounds logical, right? Well, we have inquiring minds over here. What’s the real reason behind this big brew-ha-ha? Why did it start in the first place? Instead of going straight to the sources and asking the founders and powers that be–because, let’s face it, that would be too damn easy–we thought it would be fun to hazard a guess or two.

 

Maybe we hit the nail on the head. Maybe not. But here’s what we came up with:

  1. “They” started this whole thing to prevent people from going off the deep end in mid-winter. Gets mighty gray around these parts.
  2. They wanted to carve out a niche for Grand Rapids because there will never be enough lists for us to conquer.
  3. They just wanted an excuse to drink beer.

 

The last, seemingly simplest reason makes the most sense, so we’re going with that, but hell, any way you look at it, it’s win-win-win for craft beer aficionados because the brews will be a-flowing February 17-28.

 

Yes, the last week of February definitely will be beer-centric and if you’re feeling left out, maybe it’s time to join in the fun. Sure, you could stay inside and cuddle up to a fire with a good book. But where’s the fun in that? No, the answer to braving the elements is beer. We wouldn’t expect anything less from the ‘Best Beer Town.’

 

For a schedule of all the special events surrounding Beer Week GR, go here.

 

Cool Brews. Hot Eats. participating eateries:
Aperitivo
Bagger Dave’s- Fulton
Black Heron Kitchen & Bar
Blue Water Grill
Bobarino’s at the B.O.B.
Bostwick Lake Innbeer week graphic
Brann’s – Leonard
Brewery Vivant
CitySen Lounge at CityFlats Hotel
Cork Wine & Grille
The Cottage Bar
Divani
Donkey Taqueria
El Barrio Mexican Grill
Elk Brewing
FireRock Grille
Flat River Grill
Founders Brewing Co.
Gilly’s at the B.O.B.
Grand Rapids Brewing Company
Gravity Taphouse Grille
Green Restaurant
The Green Well
Harmony Brewing Company
Harmony Hall
The Heritage Restaurant (at GRCC)
Horseshoe Smokehouse
Judson’s at the B.O.B.
Kitchen 67, A Michigan Bistro
Luna Grand Rapids
One Trick Pony
Osteria Rossa
Pearl Street Grill
Ramona’s Table
Reds on the River
Rockford Brewing Company
Rose’s on Reeds Lake
Rush Creek Bistro
six.one.six
Terra GR
Tom + Chee
The Winchester

Check back often, more locations are being added daily. Menus for participating locations will be announced on February 1, 2016.

Interested in participating? Contact Kate Herron – KHerron@ExperienceGR.com.

Area hotels are offering complementary shuttle service to and from the festival to get you there safely. More information here. It’s the responsible thing to do.

Bar Divani dishes up delicious!

Our Cities, , , ,

My compliments to Chef Baird!

by Janice Limbaugh

 

It may be the dead of winter in West Michigan but that doesn’t mean it’s a buzz kill for fun and lively 100_0557excursions. Case in point – Cool Brews. Hot Eats. It’s the second year this celebration within a celebration attracts epicurean curiosities from around West Michigan by offering dates with dishes – very special dishes made up of locally crafted beer and fabulous food. After all, retaining the title of Beer City USA, also for the second year, gives greater Grand Rapids restaurateurs more food for thought. The abundance of craft beer varieties provide a greater menu of food pairings for area chiefs. One would think that for a chef, it’s like being a kid in a candy shop with all the possible choices. What comes first – the food or the beer? Time to ask the expert.

Bar Divani Executive Chef Jeff Baird presents his signature dish for Cool Brews. Hot Eats.
Bar Divani Executive Chef Jeff Baird presents his signature dish for Cool Brews. Hot Eats.

 

Bar Divani Executive Chef Jeff Baird has been on the local restaurant scene for over 23 years, creating culinary delight at well-known Grand Rapids establishments such as Gibsons, The Peninsular Club and Thornapple Village Inn along with SanChez and Rockwell/Republic.  For this GRCC culinary graduate,  choosing the beer first was a no-brainer. He and his Sous Chef had one month to come up with a Cool Brews. Hot Eats. signature dish. “We had our mind set on Dragon’s Milk from New Holland Brewery. It’s both our favorite beer.” Choosing favorites – that was easy!

 

Dragon’s Milk is a Bourbon Barrel Stout that New Holland describes as  ‘a stout with roasty malt character intermingled with deep vanilla tones, all dancing in an oak bath.’  I’ve had this beer on occasion and can attest to that description – even the ‘dancing in an oak bath’ part.  I think that’s why I like it.

 

To create this signature dish, Chef Baird says he started off with flavors he appreciated in the beer then considered food flavors that were opposite fittings.

Bar Divani's Braised Short Ribs, Bourbon Glazed Root Vegetables, Red Dragon Cheddar Mashed Potatoes paired with New Holland's Dragon's Milk.
Bar Divani’s Braised Short Ribs, Bourbon Glazed Root Vegetables, Red Dragon Cheddar Mashed Potatoes paired with New Holland’s Dragon’s Milk.

 

“The beer itself tastes slightly sweet and slightly bitter; perfect for pairing with braised beef short ribs. It also calls for something intense, like the earthy and robust flavors of roasted root vegetables in a Bourbon glaze balanced with Red Dragon Cheddar Cheese mashed potatoes.”

 

This statement sent my mind and mouth on an imaginary flavor rush. I mentioned I’ve had this beer before on occasion. This would be another of those occasions. And without a doubt, Chef Baird knew what he was doing with this dish! The combined flavors of the braised beef rib and the Bourbon glaze lent itself perfectly to a Dragon’s Milk finish.  But the additional blend of the roasted root vegetables and cheddar mashed potatoes truly unified this pairing. The selection of flavors were deliciously complimentary and satisfying on a bitter cold evening. It was my first partaking in Cool Brews. Hot Eats. and I have to say it was an excellent epicurean adventure! My compliments to Chef Jeff Baird for making it possible.

Cool Brews. Hot Eats.

Local Business, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Upcoming Events

By Emily Richett

Beer City USA will once again host foodies and beer lovers from all over Michigan and the country to celebrate Cool Brews. Hot Eats. in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The second annual event runs from February 17 to March 1 at more than 50 restaurants and breweries in the Grand Rapids area. Cool Brews. Hot Eats. encourages talented local chefs and master brewers to collaborate, creating beer-infused dishes using beer as an ingredient, or meals with complementary beer pairings. The event returns after a successful launch in 2013 with participating businesses reporting a 20-60 percent sales increase during the event.

“While the inaugural event in 2013 was a very successful venture for us and those who participated, we expect an even better outcome in 2014,” says Doug Small, president and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “The Grand Rapids area beer scene has thrived over the past year and with that, our ever popular dining scene continues to tempt foodies from throughout the region; together, these two cultures collide to give even the most experienced beer aficionado and most discriminating culinary fans a wonderful experience.”

Cool Brews. Hot Eats. blends craft beer and fantastic food- two things that make Grand Rapids a popular destination. Thousands of visitors are expected to travel to Grand Rapids during the two-week long event and many will celebrate at Beer Week and the sold-out 9th Annual Winter Beer Festival on February 22. 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.

“Grand Rapids continues to evolve as a city that is being recognized as a destination that caters to a wide range of visitor interests,” says Doug Small, president and CEO of Experience Grand Rapids. “Events such as ArtPrize attract nearly half a million visitors annually. In addition, we have a celebrated earth-to-table restaurant scene, an award-winning craft beer culture, vibrant art and cultural communities and easy access to the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. This gives our destination a vibe that is usually reserved for much larger cities.”

For a list of all the participating restaurants and menus:

http://www.experiencegr.com/events/brews-eats/

Craft beer tour map:

http://www.experiencegr.com/things-to-do/tours/beer/