Tag Archives: october

On Tap: A round-up of fall beer activities

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, Local Business, Local Entertainment, Our Cities, Recreation, ,
Cedar Springs Brewing will open their new Grand Rapids brewery Kusterer Brauhaus sometime this winter. The renovated storefront lies on the busy Bridge Street corridor on the West Side of Grand Rapids. (Photo provided by Cedar Springs Brewing, used with permission)

By Amy Sherman
WKTV Contributing Writer

Originally slated to open in 2019, Cedar Springs Brewing Company’s new location on the West Side of Grand Rapids took delivery of its brewing equipment last week. The Küsterer Brauhaus will continue the brewery’s German theme, with a Bavarian style beer hall planned for a winter 2022 opening. The brewery, owned by David Ringler, will join the bustling West Side Bridge Street corridor, which is quickly turning into somewhat of a brewer’s row. The Brauhaus will join nearby Jolly Pumpkin, New Holland Brewing, and Harmony Hall, which resides directly across the street. To track the brewery’s progress, follow the Facebook page.

A long awaited reopening has finally happened last week. Creston Brewery reopened under new ownership on Oct. 14, with a grand opening planned for Tuesday, Oct. 19. Saugatuck Brewing Company will operate it under the Creston name, and the menu will feature both original Creston brews, and longtime Saugatuck favorites. The brewery anchors a prominent corner in the neighborhood, and is a true local gathering place. Saugatuck Brewery has retained most of the original staff, including head brewer Scott Schultz. This week, look for a limited menu being offered, while on Oct. 19, there will be special happy hour prices to take advantage of.

 

Bell’s Brewery harvests their own hops from the side yard at their Comstock production brewery. The resulting brew, known as Sideyard, is out on the market now. (Amy Sherman | For WKTV Journal, used with permission)

Bell’s Brewery released its seasonal offering Sideyard on Oct. 8, and the last of this three part series of beers featuring hops grown right at the Comstock brewery came out on Oct. 15. “Using fresh, locally grown hops has a long tradition here at the brewery,” Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s said in a press release. Bell’s harvests its hops, and has them added into the beer within 12 hours of picking. First up was Triumph Sideyard, a single hop varietal brew that was only available at the Bell’s General Store and Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo. Sideyard will be bottled, and can be found throughout Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana. Sideyard Crystal is up next, and can only be found in Kalamazoo. These beers using very specific, and very local hops are a source of pride for the brewers at Bell’s. “Being able to do fresh hop beers, it’s just great,” said John Mallett, vice president of operations at Bell’s. “We’re bringing hops from hanging on the wire, to putting them in the kettle in a matter of a couple of hours. You just can’t do that with hops from Germany or Washington.”

Osgood Brewing in Grandville released Breitenstein this week. It’s the brewery’s take on an Oktoberfest brew, and it comes in at 6.1% ABV, and is described by the brewery as slightly sweet, with a toasted malt flavor, with light hops. Try it paired with one of their handcrafted pizzas, they even offer a gluten-free crust made with cauliflower. Or, belly up to one of the arcade games they have here to play, maybe during happy hour, which runs Monday through Friday from 3-6 p.m.

No matter what the Lions record is, Coppercraft Distillery’s new canned cocktail can help you handle it. Honolulu Blue is made in partnership with the Lions, and features blue raspberry and lemonade with vodka. (Photo provided by Coppercraft Distillery, used with permission)

Arvon Brewing released a special, fruity brew on Oct. 14. Breakfast Bowl is a kettle sour made with a whole bunch of berries and a touch of lactose. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, granola, lactose and vanilla combine into a brightly hued little fruit bomb, balanced out by that nice bright sour punch. You can try it on tap at the bright little brewery located on Division in Grand Rapids, or stop by the brewery to grab a 4-pack of cans.

 

Coppercraft Distilling just released a special cocktail for all of us who suffer as perennial Detroit Lions fans. Honolulu Blue, a premium canned cocktail brewed up in partnership with our #OnePride friends, pays homage to our Michigan team in both name and color. This limited release is a blue raspberry lemonade cocktail made with Coppercraft’s vodka. You can try the drink at either of Coppercraft’s tasting rooms, in either Holland and Saugatuck. It’s also available in cans at select retailers around the state. Perfect for your next Sunday watch party, and especially great to help drown your sorrows after.

Reciprocal membership benefits for public museum, children’s museum members

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Grand_Rapids_Public_MuseumThis month the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) is partnering with the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum (GRCM) to offer reciprocal membership benefits for the month of October.

 

Through this partnership, GRPM members can visit the GRCM and receive free general admission. GRCM members in return can visit the GRPM and receive free general admission, free planetarium shows and free carousel rides. GRCM members will also be able to visit the new traveling exhibit Whales: Giants of the Deep at GRPM member pricing of $2 between October 22 and October 31, as well as visit Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! free of charge between October 29 and October 31.

 

Children's Museum“October is a great time to be a member of the GRPM!” said Kate Moore, Vice President of Marketing and Pubic Relations for the Grand Rapids Public Museum. “The GRPM partnered with the Children’s Museum in May this year, and with such a great success and partnership, we decided to do it again.”

 

“We love to partner with the Grand Rapids Public Museum on reciprocal memberships – there is so much for our members combined between the two organizations!” said Adrienne Brown, Marketing and Events Manager of the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum.

 

For more information on the reciprocal membership benefits or to become a member of the GRPM, please visit grpm.org.

‘Bird’ is the word for fall events fun at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary

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birds-of-prey-at-wk-kellogg
Photo courtesy of W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary website

October is a special month at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, with three events designed to be enjoyed by visitors of all ages who want to learn more about birds.

 

Get to know the Sanctuary’s ambassador birds of prey at Birds of Prey Live on October 1st from 1-2:30 pm. The Sanctuary is home to a number of birds of prey, including owls, hawks, and bald eagles, who are injured and cannot survive in the wild. Visitors of all ages can participate in a variety of games and activities. Admission for members is $5/adult, $4/senior or student and $3/child, and for non-members it is $7/adult, $6/senior or student and $5/child.

 

On October 12th, from 9-10:30 am, join experts on an autumn morning bird walk to see the birds of the Sanctuary at the monthly Birds and Coffee Walk. Following the walk, participants can enjoy a cup of bird-friendly coffee during a discussion of the morning’s finds. These Birds & Coffee Walks are held every second Wednesday of the month (Upcoming: October 12th, November 9th and December 14th). Admission is free for members, and is $5/adult, $4/senior or student and $3/child for non-members.

 

As part of the regional Arts & Eats tour, visit the Bird Sanctuary to see beautiful local art on October 15th and 16th. This is a great opportunity to get to know artists in the area, as well as explore the grounds of the Bird Sanctuary. The Sanctuary will be open on October 15th from 9 am to 5 pm, and on October 16th from 11 am to 4 pm. Admission is free.

 

All of these events will be held at the W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary, located at 12685 East C Ave, in Augusta, Mich. To learn more, visit birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu, call 269.671.2510 or email birdsanctuary@kbs.msu.edu.