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
Cheers! Slainte! Prost!
-Kelly
23 comments:
I like Huma-Lupa-Licious from Short's Brewing in Bellaire, MI
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 :)
Scotty Karate from Dark Horse in Marshall, Michigan is smooth as silk and delicious!
Rover's Waggin Red at Old Boys Brewhouse in Spring Lake!
Final Absolution Belgian Style Trippel by Dragonmead Microbrewery. Absolutely delicious :)
I still have to say that Oberon is one of the best! Or maybe Kewinaw's Pick Axe Blonde.
wademerrill@wayne.edu
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.
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.
I definitely have to go with Bell's Two Hearted. Mmmmmm bitterness and hops!
Julie - julie.eisen11@gmail.com
I have to agree with Nicole, Founders KBS all the way. Not only is it my favorite Michigan beer, it is my favorite beer.
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.
I like Huma Lupa Licious from Shorts.
It is defintely hard to pick a favorite. But, The Poet, from New Holland Brewery is in the top 5 for sure!
Short's Nicie Spicie is pretty great.
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.
Bell's Oberon is still my favorite summer beer - hands down. With an orange slice, of course!
Bellaire Brown from Shorts Brewing Company is the best chocolaty, caramelly, stouty brown in Michigan - hmmmm!
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.
My current favorite is Bell's Hopslam, though Short's Cup of Joe and Key Lime Pie are up there too.
My favorite stout is either the Smores or Turtle Stout by Short's Brewing. So delicious. Hopslam is hands down the best IPA!
Kuhnhenn Raspberry Eisbock- from the Kuhnhenn Brewing Company in Warren, Michigan! So good I wish I wasn't unemployed so I could afford more :)
I love Bell's Cherry Stout and Founder's Cerise:)
matth2jk@yahoo.com
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