Arcadia Brewing Co.'s Big Beer Series hits the streets

by KalamaBrew Staff

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 9:00 AM

BATTLE CREEK -- Arcadia Brewing Co. head brewer Josh Davies said the popular Big Beer Series -- Cereal Killer Barleywine, Shipwreck Porter and Big Dick's Olde Ale -- is waiting for you at the brewery and in stores now.

Davies said you can pick up the cherry, apricot and raisin flavors in the Cereal Killer and that he was excited about the Shipwreck, which sat in bourbon barrels for five months but isn't too overpowering.

"It's surprisingly drinkable," he said.

You can have your wine and drink some beer too at the Grand Rapids International Wine and Food Festival

by KalamaBrew Staff

Monday November 17, 2008, 4:13 PM

GRAND RAPIDS - It may not seem like it at first glance but there will also be beer, cider and spirits at the Grand Rapids International Wine and Food Festival this weekend (Nov. 21 through 23).

Arbor Brewing Company, Atwater Block Brewery, Founders, New Holland, and Goose Island are just a few of the brewers who will be represented this weekend at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids.

Black Star Farms and Uncle John's Fruit House and Winery will have cider as well.

Admission is $15, sampling tickets are extra.

Find a complete list of what will be available plus workshops and other useful information, go here.

UPDATED WITH BREWERIES: Winter has knocked down the door, here's something to keep you warm

by KalamaBrew Staff

Monday November 17, 2008, 1:00 PM

TRAVERSE CITY - It may not be until March 7, 2009, but it's something to look forward to as the cold front continues to march in.

If it's anything like the Fall Color Tour (which is only half the event this is) it's sure to give you all kinds of warm feelings inside.

The third annual Suds and Snow will feature microbrew samples from ten Michigan breweries combined with snowshoeing. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door (advance sales close at noon on March 6).

(Follow the link below for a complete list of participating breweries...)

Continue reading "UPDATED WITH BREWERIES: Winter has knocked down the door, here's something to keep you warm" »

This beer is for the dogs, just in time for happy hour

by KalamaBrew Staff

Monday November 17, 2008, 10:38 AM

THE DOG HOUSE - Beer has come to the dogs.

Bowser beer, a non-carbonated, non-alcoholic beer for dogs (hops can cause seizures in dogs and the alcohol can lead to other health complications), comes in two flavors, Beefy Brown Ale and Cock-a-Doodle Brew.

"Dog owners tend to want to treat their beloved pets as another human being. ... Now as owners pop a cold brew, they're dogs can too," said Jennifer Brown, creator of Bowser Beer.

Continue reading "This beer is for the dogs, just in time for happy hour" »

Would you care to see the menu before your Bell's beer dinner?

by KalamaBrew Staff

Friday November 14, 2008, 8:16 PM

GRAND RAPIDS - Hopcat is cooking with Bell's this weekend.

You can start with an appetizer of Beer 101 on Saturday (Nov. 15 at 3 p.m.) and "get smart" about stouts and porters with Steve and Jim Parks of Bell's and then come back for your main courses on Sunday (Nov. 16 at 6 p.m.).

On the menu for Sunday's beer dinner featuring the beers of Bell's Brewery, Inc.:

First course: Baked brie with raspberries and candied walnuts paired with Third Coast Old Ale.

Second course: Grilled shrimp and asparagus in orange vinaigrette paired with Winter White.

Continue reading "Would you care to see the menu before your Bell's beer dinner?" »

Bell's Brewery Inc. questioning whether or not to hold annual Eccentric Day

by KalamaBrew Staff

Wednesday November 12, 2008, 5:30 PM

KALAMAZOO -- Bell's Brewery Inc.'s annual Eccentric Day may have gotten a little too big, and wild, for its brightly-colored britches.

Bell's president Larry Bell said the December event, which has been featured in USA Today as one of the "10 Great Places for Holiday Cheer," was "out of control" last year and he's not sure if he'll host the party at the Eccentric Cafe, 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., next month.

"It's a question of whether or not we can pull it off," Larry Bell said Tuesday. "It was kind of a disaster last year. People trashed the place. ... I'm not going through that again."

Eccentric Day started in 1991 as a celebration of Eccentric Ale, a specialty seasonal brew. It also featured entertainment and eccentric food. In order to get into the daylong party, patrons had to elaborately dress up. But as Eccentric Day gained popularity, trouble has followed. Bell said it took weeks to clean up after last year.

Bell said he expected to "make a decision in the next few days," but said people will have to check the brewery's Web site for updates.

The Walldorff presents an evening with five of its best beers paired with five of its best dishes

by KalamaBrew Staff

Wednesday November 12, 2008, 11:40 AM

HASTINGS - Beer and dinner they go hand in hand.

Add The Walldorff Brewpub & Bistro in Hastings to a growing list of local places with beer and food pairing sessions. Their tables will be set on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m.

Brewer Sam Sherwood will be offering five of his best, including the '07 Old Woody, a bourbon barrel-aged IPA, State Grounds Java Brown Ale, a mild brown ale with coffee and hazelnut flavors and most likely the Candysnatcher Pumpkin Ale to be paired with creations from the Walldorff's culinary staff.

Tickets are required and will cost $50 ($45 for Pub Club members). You can get them at the Walldorff. Call (269) 945-4400 for more details.

Take a tour of the Walldorff before you head out to Hastings.

PODCAST: When KalamaBrew talks about beer, the sun comes out

by KalamaBrew Staff

Friday November 07, 2008, 5:40 PM

A thirst for beer triumphs in Ottawa County, big beers from Arcadia Brewing Company and a special shout out from Uncle John - these are just a few of our favorite things to talk about this week as KalamaBrew bloggers John Liberty and Anne Holcomb join host The Captain on WIDR's Nonchalant Cafe Hour.

Tune in every Friday at noon for our weekly chat about Michigan's craft beer scene.

Download the latest KalamaBrew podcast, subscribe via iTunes or listen below.

Celebrate "Pre-Christmas" by pairing seasonal beers and food

by Anne Holcomb | KalamaBrew

Friday November 07, 2008, 1:05 PM

If you're a fellow Halloween procrastinator, perhaps you noticed -- once again this year -- how quickly the pumpkins, black cats, and witches were replaced on store shelves with ornaments, reindeer, and Santa - even a week or two into October.

The season that we here at KalamaBrew like to call "Pre-Christmas" creeps farther and farther into the warm months every year. Nary a flake has fallen outside, but in the aisles of our area big-box stores, it's already Yule.

Season creep happens in the craft beer world too.

Continue reading "Celebrate "Pre-Christmas" by pairing seasonal beers and food" »

These ales and lagers are for all the ladies out there

by Anne Holcomb | KalamaBrew

Wednesday November 05, 2008, 4:02 PM

GRAND RAPIDS - Sorry, guys -- this is a ladies only event.

Seriously, no peeking.

Schmohz Brewery is hosting a beer tasting this Friday (Nov. 7) at 8 p.m.

Schmohz' 'Ladies Ale Society' event offers a chance to expand your knowledge of beer (and all the grains and hops that go into it) with a guided tour of more than 14 different ales and lagers. There will be a brewery tour as well, along with door prizes and crackers and cheese.

You get all that for a $15 participation fee. Sign up at the brewery to reserve your spot or call 616-949-0860 for more information.

KalamaBrew's own efforts at a women's beer tasting event are still in the works. Sisters, if you're interested, drop Anne a line.