It was a big week for Michigan breweries at the 2010 Craft Brewers Conference, held at the Chicago Sheraton Towers, April 7-10.

BREWERS ASSOCIATION RECOGNITION AWARD

Larry Bell – Founder and Owner of Bell’s Brewery, Inc. – in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was one of three industry leaders in the national brewing community recognized during the opening session of the Brewer’s Association’s annual Craft Brewers Conference this past weekend in Chicago. Bell was presented with the Brewers Association Recognition Award.

Bell started the Kalamazoo Brewing Company (now’s Bell’s Brewery, Inc.) in Kalamazoo, in 1985, the first craft brewery in the eastern half of the United States. His dedication to the industry includes serving as a former chair of the Brewers Association’s predecessor organization and acting as a driving force with current Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper for the creation of American Beer Month (which evolved into American Craft Beer Week).

“Larry is a leader in our industry known for his innovative beers and the passion he brings to craft brewing,” said Brewers Association Board of Directors Chair Nick Matt, CEO of Matt Brewing Company. Mountain West Brewery Supply’s David Edgar noted in documents supporting Bell’s nomination that “He is continually pushing the envelope with experimenting with different grains, different yeast strains and plenty of hops.”

To select a winner of the Brewers Association Recognition Award each year, members of the association nominate candidates and the Brewers Association Board of Directors votes to determine the winner.

This is the second time in the award’s 23 years that Michigan has taken the top honors; Fred Scheer from Frankenmuth Brewery received the award in 1994.

WORLD BEER CUP

The 2010 World Beer Cup eclipsed the record of the Brewers Association’s own Great American Beer Festival (GABF) to become the largest commercial competition ever. There were 3,308 entries judged in the 2009 GABF, compared to the 2010 World Beer Cup’s 3,330 entries judged. Brewers from six continents earned awards from an elite international panel of judges this week in the 2010 Brewers Association World Beer Cup - the world’s largest-ever commercial beer competition. The eighth bi-annual competition announced awards to brewers from 19 countries ranging from Australia and Italy to Iceland and Japan. This year, 642 breweries from 44 countries and 47 U.S. states vied for awards with 3,330 beers entered in 90 beer style categories.

Michigan snagged 11 individual awards, ranking among the top six states for total number of awards, behind heavy-hitting brewery states like California (40+), Oregon (14), Colorado (12) Illinois (12) and Washington (12). Founders Brewing Co., of Grand Rapids was honored in four categories, while Kuhnhenn Brewing Co. of Warren and Big Rock Chop House & Brewery of Birmingham each brought home gold medals. The breakdown of awards for Michigan includes:

Bastone Brewery, Royal Oak
• Silver: Saison du Bastone – Belgian- and French-Style Ale

Big Rock Chop House & Brewery, Birmingham
• Gold: Norm’s Raggedy-Ass IPA – American-Style India Pale Ale
• Silver: Bonnie’s Raggedy-Ass Imperial IPA – Imperial India Pale Ale

Detroit Beer Co., Detroit
• Silver: The Detroit Dwarf – German-Style Brown Ale/Düsseldorf-Style Altbier

Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids
• Silver: Founders Porter – Robust Porter
• Silver: Dirty Bastard – Strong Ale
• Silver: Centennial IPA American-Style India Pale Ale
• Bronze: Imperial Stout - American-Style Imperial Stout

Kuhnhenn Brewing Co., Warren
• Gold: Fourth Dementia Olde Ale – Old Ale

Redwood Brewing Co., Flint
• Silver: Cream Stout – Sweet Stout

Short’s Brewing Co., Bellaire
• Bronze: Black Licorice Lager – Herb and Spice Beer or Chocolate Beer

Michigan’s thriving brewing industry contributes over $24 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $133 million. In terms of overall number or breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #6 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”

The Michigan Brewers Guild exists to unify the Michigan brewing community; to increase sales of Michigan-brewed beer through promotions, marketing, public awareness and consumer education; and to monitor and assure a healthy beer industry within the state. For more information, including a list of Michigan microbreweries and brewpubs, log on to www.michiganbrewersguild.org.

FOR CONFERENCE PHOTOS: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=407802&id=127215395079

You can pick up your copy of the 2010 Great Beer State Magazine at all member breweries as well as most state Welcome Centers. It is full of valuable information about our beer festivals, beer styles, beer and food pairings, as well as a complete listing of all our member breweries.

If you would like to order bulk copies of the magazine to display in your establishment, please e-mail our Executive Director from our Contacts page and some will be sent to you.

I would like to thank all the breweries, volunteers, staff, media, and GREAT fans of Michigan beer who joined us in Grand Rapids for the Winter Beer Festival. We had a fun time organizing the event and I hope that all of you had just as much fun working and/or attending the festival. It would not have grown into the premier winter event that it is without all of you. Please feel free to offer any feedback and suggestions for the 2011 Winter Festival by commenting on this post.

Remember - tickets for the Summer Beer Festival (July 23-24) go on sale May 1st!

Cheers,
Eric Briggeman
President

For those planning their Winter Beer Fest strategy, here is the link to the official program with the list of breweries and brews and the tent layout. See you all on Saturday! Last word on the forecast was mid 30s and light snow.

2010 Winter Beer Festival Official Show Program (PDF)

Hey all you Michigan craft beer lovers…if you didn’t get your tickets to Saturday’s SOLD OUT Winter Beer Festival at Fifth-Third Ballpark…here are 5 ways you can WIN a PAIR!

1.) Listen to the Tony Gates Show on WJRW AM1340 around 10:30am on Wednesday

2.) Log onto www.GRNow.com Wednesday afternoon around 2:30pm

3.) Tune into “Take 5 & Company” on WZZM TV13 between 9-10 on Thursday morning

4.) Listen to the Todd Chance Radio Show on HOT FM 105.3 between 9:20-9:30 on Friday morning

5.) Listen to “Mouth 2 Mouth” on WOOD AM1300 between 11-11:30 on Friday morning

The 2010 Winter Beer Festival is now Sold Out! On-line ticket sales have been cut-off, and other than a limited number of tickets that remain at select ticket outlets there will be no other tickets available. Please note, there WILL NOT be any tickets available at the gate on the day of the Festival. Tickets for the 2011 Winter Festival go on sale December 1st. Thank you for your continued support of Michigan Beer!

Here is the list of participating breweries for the 2010 Winter Festival and the beers they plan to feature at their tables.

The Opening Ceremony will feature firkin tappings from New Holland Brewing Co. and The Livery.

Arbor Brewing Co.
Abby Normal
Huxell Best Bitter
CryeBaby
Pleasuring the Pirate Imperial Porter
Honey Lavender

Arcadia Brewing Co.
Roggen Berry
Brigid’s Irish Red
Cereal Killer Barleywine
Hop Mouth Double IPA
Coffee Cocoa Loco
Big Dick’s Olde Ale

Atwater Block Brewery
Vanilla Java Porter
Voodoovator Doppelbock
Teufel Bock
Double Down Imperial Amber Ale
Dirty Blonde
Atwater Pale
Michigan Lager
Mai Bock

Bastone Brewery
Dubbel Vision
Coffee Stout

Bell’s Brewery
Best Brown
Two-Hearted Ale
Amber Ale
Batch 9000 American Strong Dark Ale
Hopslam
Sparkling Ale
Java Stout
Rye Stout
Third Coast Old Ale
Winter White
Consecrator Doppelbock
Pale Ale
Special Double Cream Stout
Black Note Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout
Bourbon Barrel Aged Hell Hath No Fury

Big Buck Brewery
IPA
Dunkel
Doc’s ESB
Buck Naked Light
Raspberry Wheat
Imperial Porter
Winter Ale

Big Rock Chop & Brewhouse
Norm’s Raggedy Ass IPA
Bonnie’s Raggedy Ass Imperial IPA
Flying Buffalo Stout
Wheat Wine
Bourbon Stout
Reserve Pilsener

Black Lotus Brewing Co.
Detroit Hip Hops IPA
Funkin’ A Apricot Wheat
The Gift Belgian Strong Ale
Black Bottom Bourbon Stout
Columbian Ski Team Extra Coffee Stout

Blue Tractor Brewery
The Darkside Lager
Smoked Silly Red
“Hands Off My Goat!!” Stout
Schokolade Weizen

B.O.B.’s Brewery
Tiramisu Stout
BOB’s Robert the 4th Barrel Aged Brown
Scotch Ale Wee Heavy
Bier de Garde Belgian Wheat

Copper Canyon Brewery
Northwestern Gold
Devil’s Peak IPA
Blueberry Vanilla Cream Ale (11-2:30)
Rocktoberfest (11-2:30)
Ginger Kids Revenge Imperial Red (11-2:30)
Elzar’s Spice Weasel Explosion (11-2:30)
Apple Streudel Tripel (2:30-5)
India Pale Lager (2:30-5)
The Beer Wench Belgian IPA (2:30-5)
Heidrun Finnish Sahti (2:30-5)

Corner Brewery
Jackhammer Old Ale
Espresso Love Breakfast Stout
Phat Abbott Dubbel
Ypsi Gypsi Pale Ale
Michael Faricy’s Irish Stout

Dark Horse Brewing Co.
Crooked Tree IPA
Raspberry Ale
Double Crooked Tree IPA
4 Elf Winter Ale
Scotty Karate Scotch Ale
Boffo Brown Ale
Perkulator Doppelbock
Beat Your Wheat Toasted Wheat IPA
Busterhighmen Cherry Ale
Donut Beer
Smells Like Weed IPA
One Oatmeal Stout
Too Cream Stout
Tres Blueberry Stout
Fore Smoked Stout
Plead the Fifth Imperial Stout

Detroit Beer Co.
Russian Imperial Stout
Chocolate Lager
People Mover Porter

Detroit Brewing Co.
Detroit Lager
Detroit Dwarf

Dragonmead Microbrewery
Final Absolution Tripel
GT’s Dortmunder
Juggernaut Double Red
Full Fathom Baltic Porter
St. Nicole’s Weizenbock

Founders Brewing Co.
Double Trouble Imperial IPA
Centennial IPA
Red’s Rye PA
Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale
Porter
Black Biscuit Baltic Porter/Old Ale
Kentucky Breakfast Stout
Nemesis Maple Barrel Aged Wheat Wine
Hand of Doom Barrel Aged Imperial IPA
Spite Pepper Pale Ale

Frankenmuth Brewing Co.
Munich Style Dunkel
Pilsener
Easy Brown Ale
Hefeweizen

Grand Rapids Brewing Co.
Lumberman Dark
Rye Pale
River City Red
Brown Ale
Pale Ale

Grizzly Peak Brewing Co.
Verloene Hosen Uber-Marzen
Sheerwater IPA
Edwyn’s Warm-Up Ale
Fouch Hill Dark Ale
Final Repose Ale Barley Wine

Hideout Brewing Co.
Smuggler’s Hazelnut Stout
Bootleg IPA
Scotch Ale
Hemp Amber
Sumatra Imperial Stout
Belgian Triple

Hopcat
Hopwork Orange
Black Scratch Fever Double Black IPA
Oil Rigger Imperial Stout
Sage Against The Machine American Pale
Step Child American Red

Jamesport Brewing Co.
Scottish Strong Ale
Weizenbock
Alt Bier

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
Madrugada Obscura - oak aged sour Belgian style stout
Bog Beast - Robust Porter
Oro Guarjillito - oak aged Belgian style golden strong with peppers
Baniper - our classic farmhouse Bam Biere aged on Juniper berries

Keweenaw Brewing Co.
Pick Axe Blonde
Redjacket Amber Ale
Liftbridge Brown Ale
Widowmaker Black Ale

Kuhnhenn Brewing Co.
Loonie Kuhnie Pale Ale
Winter Wonder Eisbock
Fourth Dementia Olde Ale
Olde Bruin Flemish Brown with Cherry
Double Rice IPA

Liberty Street Brewing Co.
Liberty One Anniversary Porter
Russian Imperial Stout
Kilt Tilter
Tart Cherry Porter
Foreign Extra Stout
Pooh Beer
Siamese Dream

Livery
Telewhacker Winter Brown Ale
McGilligans IPA
Carvana Belgian IPA
1/10th of a Mountain Pilsener
Maillot Jaune barrel-aged Farmhouse Ale
Double Paw IPA
Umami barrel-aged Wheat Wine
Rye Barrel Jak Imperial Pale Ale
Karhu IPA

Michigan Brewing Co.
High Seas IPA
Winter Warmer
Celis Grand Cru
Russian Imperial Stout

Motor City Brewing Works
Ghettoblaster
Motor City Strong Ale
Bohemian Lager Beer
Motor City Hard Cider

Mount Pleasant Brewing Co.
Coal Stoker’s Blackberry
Iron Horse India Pale Ale
Steam Engine Stout
Train Wreck Amber
Cow Catcher Red
Second Wind Wheat

New Holland Brewing Co.
Dragon’s Milk barrel-aged Stout
2008 Dragon’s Milk
Existential Hopwine
Charkoota Rye Smoked Doppelbock
The Poet Oatmeal Stout
2009 Night Tripper Imperial Stout
Sundog Amber
Full Circle Kolsch
Mad Hatter IPA
2009 Pilgrim’s Dole Wheatwine
Black Tulip Trippel
2009 Brother Jacob Belgian Dubbel
Cabin Fever Brown Ale
Envious
Imperial Mad Hatter

North Peak Brewing Co.
Wired Pig Stout
J.C.’s Happy Juice Smoked Scotch Ale
More Cow Bell IPA
She Will Strong Belgian Dark

North Peak - Distribution
Diabolical IPA
Siren Amber Ale
Majestic Wheat
Vicious American Wheat IPA
Scotch Ale

Old Boys’ Brewhouse
Cerberus Belgian Strong Ale
Les Chiens de Mars
Kennel King IPA
Old Boys’ Brown Ale
Magnum Breakfast Stout
Dog’s Bane Chocolate Stout

Old Hat Brewery & Grill
Peche Peach Lager
Bees Knees Honey Ale
Tommy Stubbin’s Oatmeal Stout
Scotch Ale
Dirty Red Milf

Olde Peninsula Brewpub
Forest Street IPA
Stout Chocula
Dark Day IPA
Downtown Brown

Original Gravity Brewing Co.
Southpaw IPA
Belgian Training Wheels
County Street Amber
Primordial Porter
440 Pepper Smoker
Bellywasher Scotch Ale

Redwood Brewing Co.
Dopple Sticke Alt
English Barleywine 2005
Wheat Wine
Ordinary Bitter
Oud Bruin

Right Brain Brewery
My North Passion Brew Winter Warmer
Hearthside Stout
Stuck Truck Stout
Theodore Belgian Trippel
Magnum Hospitality XXIPA
Alter of Heaven Ginger IPA

Rochester Mills Beer Co.
Hops Up the Ass Double Dry-Hopped Double IPA (VIP Hour only)
Imperial Stout
Brown Ale
2008 Barley Wine
Double IPA
Wit’s Organic
Milkshake Stout

Round Barn Brewery
Cocoa Stout
Motha Pucker Dark Sour Ale
The Swartz Coffee Stout

Royal Oak Brewery
Snowdrift Winter Ale
Morning Glory Java Porter

Saugatuck Brewing Co.
Singapore IPA
Oval Beach Blonde
Pier Cove Porter
Saugatuck ESB Amber
Bamberg Rauchbier
Vanilla Nutmeg Oatmeal Stout

Schmohz Brewing Co.
Zingiberene Ale
Mad Tom’s Porter
Hopknocker
Barleywine
Miracle off 28th Street Old Ale
Kiss My Scottish Arse Scotch Ale

Sherwood Brewing Co.
Buxom BlonDDe
Gun Powder IPA - aged on Habaneros and pepper corns (1pm release)
Evil IPA
Leadbelly Oatmeal Stout
Mistress Jades Hemp Ale
Stimulator Doppelbock
Incinerator Doppelbock - aged on Habaneros (3pm release)

Short’s Brewing Co.
Key Lime Pie
Mystery Stout
The Curl Imperial Pilsner
Caramel Apple
Black Cherry Porter
Plum Rye
Pistachio Cream Ale
Chinook Pale Ale
Turtle Stout
Cup A Joe Coffee Stout

Tri-City Brewing Co.
Hell’s Half Mile Helles
Brownhoist Nut Brown
Fortunato Belgian Trappist
Giant Slayer Russian Imperial

Walldorff Brewpub
Hopnoxious IPA
Bee Sting Honey Rye
State Street Stout
Chocolate Baltic Porter
Barrel Aged Bee Sting
State Grounds Java Brown
Teresa’s Ceremonial Braggot
Blackberry Belgian Triple

Woodward Avenue Brewers
JiLfeWeizen
Raspberry Blonde
Custom Pale Ale
Vanilla Porter

There it is…299 beers! See you on the 27th!

Cheers!

Chill Out at 2010 Michigan Winter Beer Festival

Record Number of Craft Brewers Gather to Mock Winter
at February 27 Outdoor Festival at Fifth Third Ballpark

* * * Tickets Selling Fast – Sell Out Expected Once Again * * *

Attendees at the 2010 Michigan Winter Beer Festival will find more craft brewers than ever before – with about 50 signed up to showcase 300-plus craft beers from around the state. Sponsored by the Michigan Brewers Guild (MBG), the fifth annual event runs from Noon to 5pm on Saturday, February 27, at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, just north of downtown Grand Rapids.

Tickets for the Michigan Winter Beer festival – which include admission and 15 tasting tokens – are $35 each in advance and are available online at www.michiganbrewersguild.org, at the Fifth Third Ballpark box office and at participating Guild member breweries and select retail outlets (see the MASH for outlets). The event undoubtedly will sell out, as it did the past two years. If any tickets remain, they will be available at the gate the day of, for $40 each.

“We still expect to sell out this year, even with a 25% increase in available tickets,” says Scott Graham, Executive Director of the Michigan Brewers Guild. “Advanced ticket sales are tracking way ahead of last year already. That says a lot about our reputation for providing a quality entertainment option for Michigan craft beer lovers.”

MBG Enthusiast Members are admitted at 11am, one hour before the general public. Enthusiast membership is $25 per year and may be purchased online at www.michiganbrewersguild.org/beernut.asp. Benefits include discounts at participating membership brewpubs, a free t-shirt proclaiming your Michigan Beer Nuttiness and VIP status at our various festivals with early admission.

“We’re excited to be back in Grand Rapids for our winter celebration,” Graham says. “This year, we’re again setting up in the right field parking lot with a series of tents, an entertainment stage, a food tent and a bonfire to help keep everyone warm – weather permitting.”

Special entertainment for the 2010 Winter Festival includes the Chicago-style blues band Hank Mowery and the Hawktones (www.hawktones.com), who will take to the stage first, followed by the rock / soul / funk sounds of Four Finger Five (www.myspace.com/fourfingerfive)

The Festival will be held in the outfield parking lot at the ballpark, as it was last year, and breweries will be located within several large tents. The tents, combined with body heat will help take the edge off the temperature. Keep in mind, this is an outdoor event and that you should dress accordingly. Hats, mittens, boots and long-johns are recommended to keep you warm. We are planning to have a central bonfire, but only if the weather cooperates with low wind conditions.

It would be helpful if everyone could hoist a Michigan beer and do a fair weather dance. We are hoping for good weather for a late February day in Michigan, but the Festival will take place snow, rain or shine.

Michigan’s thriving brewing industry contributes over $24 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $133 million. In terms of overall number or breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #6 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”

The Michigan Brewers Guild exists to unify the Michigan brewing community; to increase sales of Michigan-brewed beer through promotions, marketing, public awareness and consumer education; and to monitor and assure a healthy beer industry within the state. For more information, including a list of Michigan microbreweries and brewpubs, log on to www.michiganbrewersguild.org.

www.facebook.com/michiganbrewersguild

There are several places offering bus transportation to and from the Winter Beer Festival on February 27th. Here is a list with contact information:

Arbor Brewing Co. / Corner Brewery
Pick-up locations in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Contact either brewery for details.

Legend’s Sports Bar & Grill - Paw Paw, Michigan
Contact Chester Emmons at legendspawpaws@sbcglobal.net

Motor City Brew Tours - www.motorcitybrewtours.com
Pick-up locations in Royal Oak and Southfield. Check website for details.

Hello Winter Beer Fest Fans,

Just to fill you in, the G.R. Hopper will provide shuttle service to Winter Beer Festival on Saturday Feb 27th 2010 starting at 11am. We’ll be picking up patrons at The BOB , Hopcat and Founders (in that order) at 11am, noon and 1pm with return shuttle leaving at 4pm, 5pm and 6pm. Cost will be $10 per person (roundtrip) and that will include an all night Hopper Pass, so you can conclude your night downtown and be brought back safely to your Hotels, Condos and Apartments that we service. Please visit http://www.grhopper.com to view our Hopper Stop locations. For everyone else we recommend you drink responsibly and/or take a cab home. Patrons will be able to purchase tickets on our website (available in the next few days) or directly from our driver. Online purchasers should print their receipt and show to our driver to receive their ticket. Seating will be limited and no more then 60 tickets will be sold. First come first serve. If you have any questions, please contact us at (616) 606-0467 or staff@grhopper.com

FYI: Though not on our website on February 27th we’ll also provide Winter Beer Fest shuttle service to and from the Alpine hotels including Holiday Inn Express, Springhill Suites and Hampton Inn. This is a separate shuttle service and hotel guests will purchase tickets directly from our driver. After Winter Beer Fest these hotel guests will also receive downtown service to conclude their night.

Cheers,
G.R. Hopper Team

Please see the more recent post above.