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Monday, February 14, 2011

Michigan Winter Beer Festival: Shakin' a Fist at Ole Man Winter

Michigan has many nicknames, such as The Mitten, The Great Lakes State, America's High Five and more recently The Great Beer State. That’s right, beer. With over 30 microbreweries just in West Michigan, Michigan knows a thing or two about creating a world-class brew.

And what comes with beer? A festival obviously! That’s right- it’s almost that time again- time for the beer filled event that every enthusiast is counting down to: the Michigan Winter Beer Festival. Every year the Michigan’s Brewers Guild hosts four different beer festivals around Michigan: two in the fall that take place in Marquette and Detroit, one in the summer hosted in Ypsilanti and the infamous winter festival held right here in West Michigan. For the past six years, thousands of beer lovers pack into the Fifth Third Ballprak in Comstock Park for beer, food, fun and the singing of the Michigan Beer Anthem. That’s right; Michigan beer is so awesome that we even have our own beer song.

The festival is an outdoor celebration of Michigan beer, featuring more than 250 different beers from over 45 breweries. Hot food and live music is always on the agenda and the show goes on snow, rain or shine. Dress for winter weather and let the hearty winter brews warm your soul.

In the spirit of the festival we took a poll around the office today to find out everyone’s favorite West Michigan Beer- here is what we found:
  • Judy- Oval Beach Blonde Ale- Saugatuck Brewing Company
  • Tom- Reds Rye- Founders Brewing Company- Grand Rapids
  • Bruce- Mad Hatter IPA- New Holland Brewery- Holland
  • Shannon- Breakfast Stout- Founders Brewing Company
  • Cheri- Heirloom Ale- New Holland Brewery- Holland
  • Kelly- Maggie’s Irish Ale- Saugatuck Brewing Company- Douglas
  • Intern Matthew (yes, he is 21)- Pale Ale- Founders Brewing Company- Grand Rapids
The festival has become so popular in the past six years that tickets for this year’s event are already sold out. But of course, the WMTA has some good news for one lucky winner. We will be giving away a pair of tickets to this year’s event taking place on February 26 from 1 - 6pm. All you have to do is tell us what your favorite Michigan beer is. Let us know by this Friday and it could just be your lucky day!

Cheers! Slainte! Prost!

-Kelly

23 comments:

Unknown said...

I like Huma-Lupa-Licious from Short's Brewing in Bellaire, MI

Kay_GR said...

Thirsty Trout from Darkhorse in Marshall! I've tasted a lot of porters in my reign as beer queen of GR, but this ranks right up there with the best! Nomnomnom :)

Unknown said...

Scotty Karate from Dark Horse in Marshall, Michigan is smooth as silk and delicious!

IrisTina said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Scott said...

Rover's Waggin Red at Old Boys Brewhouse in Spring Lake!

JJ said...

Final Absolution Belgian Style Trippel by Dragonmead Microbrewery. Absolutely delicious :)

Anonymous said...

I still have to say that Oberon is one of the best! Or maybe Kewinaw's Pick Axe Blonde.

wademerrill@wayne.edu

Unknown said...

Pandemonium Pale Ale from Short's is a great beer, but pretty much anything from Short's is quality. Even though it is a long ways off, I am looking forward to the Ann Arbor Blonde on a warm sunny day.

Nicole said...

My top Michigan beer, hands down, is Founders KBS. I love the taste, the smoothness, the aroma...but I think part of me loves it because I know I can't get it all the time. The rarity of its availability is one of its best attributes.

A couple of months ago, I stopped in Founders to fill a growler, and was shocked to learn that a surprise batch of KBS had been released that morning in honor of a Stout Breakfast they had hosted. Only a few four-packs remained, and every adult at every table had one in his or her possession to take home: kind of a cool moment of good-beer solidarity. I followed suit--an amazing treat months before I thought I was going to have KBS again. mmmmmm. Is it March 15 yet? No worries....the WBF (I hope!) will keep me warm until then.

Anonymous said...

I definitely have to go with Bell's Two Hearted. Mmmmmm bitterness and hops!

Julie - julie.eisen11@gmail.com

Sarah said...

I have to agree with Nicole, Founders KBS all the way. Not only is it my favorite Michigan beer, it is my favorite beer.

Tom Scheidel said...

It's hard to pick just one favorite because there are so may excellent Michigan brews. So I'll pick two. Huma Lupa Licious from Shorts and Red's Rye from Founder's.

Katie said...

I like Huma Lupa Licious from Shorts.

Keri Sue said...

It is defintely hard to pick a favorite. But, The Poet, from New Holland Brewery is in the top 5 for sure!

Pete said...

Short's Nicie Spicie is pretty great.

Unknown said...

Considering Kentucky Breakfast Stout is the #4 beer on the planet, I can't argue with reality. On those hot summer days spent outside, there is nothing better than a nice cold Oberon while gardening.

Sherry in MI said...

Bell's Oberon is still my favorite summer beer - hands down. With an orange slice, of course!

Carola said...

Bellaire Brown from Shorts Brewing Company is the best chocolaty, caramelly, stouty brown in Michigan - hmmmm!

Sam Eggleston said...

I guess I'll have to represent the U.P. in this one. Keweenaw Brewing Company's Widow Maker Black is my favorite here in Michigan, and I've had a lot of beer, including several Michigan beer festivals.

I do like a few from Darkhorse, and who can complain about Bell or Founders?

But, I have to stick with my boys from KBC... they treat me right and I can sip on that Widow Maker all day long.

Ryan Matthews said...

My current favorite is Bell's Hopslam, though Short's Cup of Joe and Key Lime Pie are up there too.

abbyfoxphoto said...

My favorite stout is either the Smores or Turtle Stout by Short's Brewing. So delicious. Hopslam is hands down the best IPA!

Jill said...

Kuhnhenn Raspberry Eisbock- from the Kuhnhenn Brewing Company in Warren, Michigan! So good I wish I wasn't unemployed so I could afford more :)

Anonymous said...

I love Bell's Cherry Stout and Founder's Cerise:)

matth2jk@yahoo.com