By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
New Holland Brewing’s Westside Grand Rapids location, The Knickerbocker, and the city fire department’s Bridge Street fire station have joined together to produce a locally crafted beer — aptly named “Hose ‘er Down” — of which partial sales proceeds will benefit the Great Lakes Burn Camp.
Beer lovers, fire department supporters and those who wish to help raise funds for the burn camp can get “hosed down” this week.
According to supplied information, the Great Lakes Burn Camp exists to provide a unique experience that promotes healing, self-esteem, confidence, and general well-being for burn injured children. The camp operates entirely on donations and fundraisers. These donations allow the campers to come for a week of summer camp and a four-day winter camp with no out-of-pocket expense to their parents.
The collaboration between The Knickerbocker and the Bridge Street fire station will raise funds to allow Great Lakes Burn Camp to operate and continue to support as many burn injured children as possible.
The beer itself, named by the Bridge St. Fire Station, is a red pale ale which is described by the brewery as “an easy-drinking pale ale with balanced, hop-forward flavor and a fiery red hue.”
On Wednesday, Oct. 11, at The Knickerbocker, there will be a launch party for the beer. $1 from every Hose ‘er Down sold (as long as the beer is on tap), plus 10 percent of food sales the day of the launch party, will go toward Great Lakes Burn Camp. Those who come to the release also have the opportunity to meet and mingle with local firefighters and learn more about the burn camp.
For more information about New Holland’s The Knickerbocker, visit newhollandbrew.com/knickerbocker/
In other local beer news:
Rockford Brewing wins national awards
Rockford Brewing Company announced Oct. 7 that the brewery and two of its beers had been honored recently at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colo. According to its Facebook page, the brewery won the 2017 Small Brewpub and Small Brewpub Brewer awards.
In addition, the brewery won a silver medal for its Sheehan’s Stout and a bronze for its Rogue River Brown — my usual choice when sitting on the downtown Rockford brewpubs deck while watching the parade of people on the White Pine Trail bike and walking/running path.
For more information about Rockford Brewing, visit rockfordbrewing.com
Brewery Vivant to release new brew, host Halloween party
East Grand Rapids’ Brewery Vivant, this month, will have something special for beer lovers and Halloween fans alike as the brewery will “hop” up to a new brew and lay down its plans for a Halloween party later in October.
The brewery announced this week the release of “Hop Field”, described in supplied information as “an IPA following the brewery’s farmhouse roots while honoring Michigan’s love of hops.”
Later in the month, on Sunday, Oct. 29, the pub will host a “Stranger Things” themed Halloween party featuring the release of an exclusive small batch beer, which will only available for one night. Details on the party and brew will be coming soon, but you may as well mark your beer calendar.
For more information on Brewery Vivant, visit breweryvivant.com
