BD: What are the Guild's thoughts on the 2012 Winter Beerfest?
SG: Really good! We're expecting it to be more popular than ever and we're trying to make some more room for some more people. There'll be more breweries and more people as well.
BD: Last year I read entry was expanded by about 1,000. You mentioned more people for this year, thoughts?
SG: We were a little short of 1000 last year, and we are planning on allowing more people entry this year. the basic idea is that we want to fit in more people promoting michigan beer and keep our breweries growing. even with ticket availability last year we sold out earlier than previous years. So, i think they'll go fast this year.
BD: How did MBG settle on 5/3 ballpark, and how are relations going with them?
SG: When we decided to move the festival in it's third year from Lansing to Grand Rapids, we looked at a few different places, and 53 is one of the ideas that happened to evolve and work out, and we have a great partnership with them, we get along and we love working with eachother. There are things that
we don't get to focus on, like parking, that they completely take care of. We love those guys, they're great.
BD: How many breweries attended last year, and how do you expect this year to turn out with brewery representation?
SG: Our festivals are open to all of our members, we don't set a goal or a target. we're not out trying to reach a number, but as the number of the breweries in the guild grows, so does representation at festival. Last year was about 60.
BD: Have you heard from any number of these brand new breweries that have opened up?
SG: Most of these new breweries are joining the guild, and we would like
every brewery to be a member. There's so many opening that sometimes i don't realize they're there until they're already open!
BD: What would you say to someone who has never been before?
SG: It's just such a great thing to do in Feb. A great thing to do in the winter. Get yourself outside and enjoy some Michigan beer. There's alot less going on in that time and people are looking for something to do. Our crowds have a great attitude, they're happy to be there and are really easy going.
See you in FEB for WINTER BEERFEST!
For beer reviews, brewery visits, interviews, and extended content of REVUE WM.
Monday, October 31, 2011
INTERVIEW: Aaron Burrows - Head Chef - Graydon's Crossing, Grand Rapids
Had an awesome opportunity to talk to Aaron Burrows over at Graydon's Crossing, an awesome beer bar here in GR. Focusing on the menu and it's suggested beer pairings.
BD: So, your menu is pretty impressive.
AB: I have a monthly menu that changes, it's 10 different main items - appetizers, small plates, and entrees - and the beer pairings with those are going to change with the menu every single month.
BD: How do you manage to pair the beers with your menu selection?
AB: The way we decide how the beer apirings is the FOH manager and myself sit down and taste the beers, research them, and he'll get me info on what different spices and herbs are in those specific beers and then I try to mirror that in my food. I also do alot of cooking with beer as well. last tuesday of every month is a beer dinner.
BD: I love that your kitchen is locally focused.
AB: We get all of our produce and meat local. Whole cows pigs lambs chickens, all of it. We do alot of breaking down of meat here in our kitchen. We get the meat whole and then break it down into what we want to use it for.
You can find out more info, including their entire current menu and draft list at Graydon's Crossing's website.
BD: So, your menu is pretty impressive.
AB: I have a monthly menu that changes, it's 10 different main items - appetizers, small plates, and entrees - and the beer pairings with those are going to change with the menu every single month.
BD: How do you manage to pair the beers with your menu selection?
AB: The way we decide how the beer apirings is the FOH manager and myself sit down and taste the beers, research them, and he'll get me info on what different spices and herbs are in those specific beers and then I try to mirror that in my food. I also do alot of cooking with beer as well. last tuesday of every month is a beer dinner.
BD: I love that your kitchen is locally focused.
AB: We get all of our produce and meat local. Whole cows pigs lambs chickens, all of it. We do alot of breaking down of meat here in our kitchen. We get the meat whole and then break it down into what we want to use it for.
You can find out more info, including their entire current menu and draft list at Graydon's Crossing's website.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Oktober BEER ROUND TABLE LIST!
Hello all, it's the third sunday of the month, which brings about my favorite night of the month: the round table.
For those of you who don't know, the round table is a night that was set up between myself and two other avid beer lovers. The whole premise is, everyone brings one bomber of an interesting beer and side beers to sip on during the tasting. Over the course of the night, everyone gets a taste of every single bomber that is brought to the event (should they want it).
So, without further adieu, here is the Oktober Round Table beer list. Mind you, my simple beer rating scale is from 1-10, and is simply relative to my knowledge of the style crossed with initial and extended impression through the beer's tasting. (1 = horrid/pour out, 10 = absolute perfection of the style)
1. Seirra Nevada Northern Hemisphere Harvest Ale - 9
2. Big Dog Dogma - 8
3, Mikeller USA Live (Belgian Mild) - 6 [carb issues]
4. 08' North Coast Old Stock Ale - 10
5. 09' North Coast Old Stock Ale - 8
6. 10' North Coast Old Stock Ale - 9
7. 11' North Coast Old Stock Ale - 9
8. Sierra Nevada Beer Camp #5 - California Common - 8
9. Sierra Nevada Beer Camp #37 - Weizenbock - 9
10. Sierra Nevada Beer Camp #16 - Juniper Black Ale - 6
11. Sierra Nevada Beer Camp #29 - Double IPA - 8
12. Sierra Nevada COLLAB w/ Dogfish Head Brewery - Life & Limb - 9
13. Upland Brewing Co. Raspberry Lambic - 9.5
14. Great Divide Grand Cru - 10
15. Southern Teir Chokolat - 10
16. Stone Brewing Co 15th Aniv. Imperial Black IPA 9.5
17. Samuel Adams Latitude 48 - Single Hopped with East Kent Goldings - 9
18. Rogue Hazelnut Brown Ale - 9
For those of you who don't know, the round table is a night that was set up between myself and two other avid beer lovers. The whole premise is, everyone brings one bomber of an interesting beer and side beers to sip on during the tasting. Over the course of the night, everyone gets a taste of every single bomber that is brought to the event (should they want it).
So, without further adieu, here is the Oktober Round Table beer list. Mind you, my simple beer rating scale is from 1-10, and is simply relative to my knowledge of the style crossed with initial and extended impression through the beer's tasting. (1 = horrid/pour out, 10 = absolute perfection of the style)
1. Seirra Nevada Northern Hemisphere Harvest Ale - 9
2. Big Dog Dogma - 8
3, Mikeller USA Live (Belgian Mild) - 6 [carb issues]
4. 08' North Coast Old Stock Ale - 10
5. 09' North Coast Old Stock Ale - 8
6. 10' North Coast Old Stock Ale - 9
7. 11' North Coast Old Stock Ale - 9
8. Sierra Nevada Beer Camp #5 - California Common - 8
9. Sierra Nevada Beer Camp #37 - Weizenbock - 9
10. Sierra Nevada Beer Camp #16 - Juniper Black Ale - 6
11. Sierra Nevada Beer Camp #29 - Double IPA - 8
12. Sierra Nevada COLLAB w/ Dogfish Head Brewery - Life & Limb - 9
13. Upland Brewing Co. Raspberry Lambic - 9.5
14. Great Divide Grand Cru - 10
15. Southern Teir Chokolat - 10
16. Stone Brewing Co 15th Aniv. Imperial Black IPA 9.5
17. Samuel Adams Latitude 48 - Single Hopped with East Kent Goldings - 9
18. Rogue Hazelnut Brown Ale - 9
Friday, October 7, 2011
FOUNDERS Co-President Mike Stevens Addresses CBS Release Worries
GRAND RAPIDS — Concerns about the cost and availability of Founders Brewing Co.'s Canadian Breakfast Stout, which was released Oct. 3, caused company president and CEO Mike Stevens to issue the following statement:
On another note, there seems to be some concern or confusion on how are beers are allocated per state. We are proud to be a Michigan-based brewery and all specialty releases take this into consideration. We at Founders will never forget our home state market. In terms of CBS, the state of Michigan received an allocation of 21% of the entire batch of CBS. No other state saw more than 12% of the total availability. That being said, no state is treated more fairly than another (including MI). Distributor allocations are simply based on a representation of total number of accounts they represent for Founders. Should rumors of this exist to the contrary, know that they are just that: rumors.
Folks,
We feel that it’s necessary to address a few of the concerns surrounding the release of our Canadian Breakfast Stout (CBS). We understand the frustrations stemming from the lack of availability of this beer and are looking forward to the day when we can produce much more of our specialty brands. As some of you are aware, we have been undergoing constant expansion for the past few years and have been working toward a master plan that will increase our annual brewing capacity by four times our current level. We are happy as hell to share that our new brewhouse is now on line and that we just recently started brewing into the new system. We plan to use this new system in 2012 to increase production of our specialty items to better service the demand for them. It is important to keep in mind, however, that the next couple of 750ml (Backstage Series) releases as well as the 2012 KBS release will still be scarce, because these beers were brewed on the old (smaller) system. But after that we should be off and running toward much greater availability.
On another note, there seems to be some concern or confusion on how are beers are allocated per state. We are proud to be a Michigan-based brewery and all specialty releases take this into consideration. We at Founders will never forget our home state market. In terms of CBS, the state of Michigan received an allocation of 21% of the entire batch of CBS. No other state saw more than 12% of the total availability. That being said, no state is treated more fairly than another (including MI). Distributor allocations are simply based on a representation of total number of accounts they represent for Founders. Should rumors of this exist to the contrary, know that they are just that: rumors.Lastly, we’ve noticed that retail price gouging is also being discussed. I can only give you the brewery’s position on this, but please know that, legally, once we sell our products to our wholesaler, they in turn sell it to retailers throughout our states of distribution. We have no control over what this retailer will charge for the beer. We do establish our suggested retail pricing, but we cannot enforce this whatsoever. When we hear of retail price gouging, it annoys us as much as it annoys you. Our recommendation to our wholesalers in dealing with retailers that are gouging is to communicate that, if the retailer does not stop overcharging, they will jeopardize their ability to receive Founders specialty items in the future.
In short, we just want to set the record straight on these few items floating around on the blogs and make everyone aware that we are working day and night to fix the capacity concerns with our specialty products. We make this beer because we are extremely passionate about creating the best liquid we know how to produce. We started this business as home brewers and still look at ourselves as such. We know that some of you might never get your chance at a CBS bottle, but we feel it would be a greater disappointment to have never shared this product at all.
Cheers,
Mike Stevens | President & CEO
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