Are you thinking Fall season yet? If not, it’s a great time to. We have just the brands to help you transition out of the "dog days" of summer.
It’s sad to think, but summer is over in the beer industry. Wholesalers and retailers will now showcase new fall seasonals to consumers in time for the Labor Day holiday.  We are proud to be a big part of the fall flavor launch. 
Here are some brands to be on the lookout for over the next couple weeks (Some are reoccurring and some are newly released seasonals):

Boston Beer:
Samuel Adams Octoberfest: This Marzen style lager is a malt lover's dream, masterfully blending together four roasts of barley to create a delicious harmony of sweet flavors including caramel and toffee. The beer is kept from being overly sweet by the elegant bitterness imparted by the German Noble hops. 
Samuel Adams Fall Harvest 12 Pk: 2 bottles of 6 excellent styles for the fall. Each box contains Boston Lager, Octoberfest, Black Lager, Irish Red, Dunkelweizen, and Harvest Pumpkin Ale

Magic Hat:
Hex "Our"toberfest: A Malty Amber Ale with hints of toffee and caramel. The uniqueness of this fall seasonal is its smoky finish. This brand is replacing Roxy Rolles.
Night of the Living Dead 12pk:  It’s back again and this year’s version is scary good. Inside this variety pack, consumers will find 3 btls. each of #9, H.I.P.A., Hex, and Green Apple Wit (Odd Notion).

Arcadia Brewery:
Nut Brown Ale:  A full bodied English-style brown ale with a deep mahogany color. They use six different types of premium malted barley to create a flavor that includes hints of chocolate, raisins, dates and almonds.
Fall Variety 12pk: 12 btls of flavorful local brews. 3 btls each of Anglers Pale Ale, IPA, Scotch Ale, and Nut Brown Ale

Frankenmuth:
Oktoberfest:  Straight from Michigan's "Little Bavaria". This Oktoberfest beer is the perfect representation of the classic Marzen style. Rich in malt flavor, copper in color, with slight hop bitterness. A true beer treat. It’s limited and available in draft only.  (FYI...... bottling should be up running at Frankenmuth by the Thanksgiving holiday)

Flying Dog:
Dogtoberfest: Dogtoberfest is deep mahogany in color with an intriguing caramel finish and brewed with 100% imported German ingredients for a true German flavor.

Shiner:
Shiner Oktoberfest:  Available for the first time in this market. This festive Märzen-style seasonal has a deep amber color and slightly toasted flavor. The initial rich malty aroma and sweetness fades to a moderately dry, hoppy finish.

It’s an exciting time of the year to be a beer lover! Prost.

Art Prize will again invade the city of Grand Rapids beginning on Sept 22nd and ending October 10th. I am pleased to announce that Stella Artois will again have a highly visible presence at this event. Last year's success was a surprise to some, but won't be this year.
Art Prize is a truly International contest in which a winner is decided solely by public vote. Artists and downtown venues work together to showcase artwork of all forms during the event. For three weeks, Grand Rapids has a Chicago"esque" feel to it with thousands of bodies walking the center of downtown, admiring the creative work of some extraordinary individuals.
Stella Artois and its high scale brand image along with its commitment to the arts make it a perfect match with this exciting event.
Look for events throughout Art Prize that feature Stella Artois and our Belgian Brands at local Bars and Restaurants.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpXeRCbXnNo

Over the last several months, Arcadia Brewery has undergone the challenging process of changing and updating some key brand logos and packaging graphics.  The goal of the brewery was to create new imagery, while holding on to some of its past.
It is never an easy undertaking when challenged to create new imagery without sacrificing culture already in place.
I beleive Arcadia's updated packaging will only enhance cutomers' interest to discover the great liquid being produced by this brewery. I think you will agree.
The packages that have been upgraded are: Whitsun, Anglers Ale, IPA, Sky High Rye, and 12pk. Variety.
                                    

Looking for the perfect beer to enjoy with grilled food and friends during the hot summer months? I think I've found it.  For a limited time, Shiner Smokehaus will be available in the West Michigan market. This beer combines the flavors of a refreshing Helles-style beer and open flame smoked pale malt.  The result is a thirst quenching brew with a hint of mesquite smoke in the finish.

Shiner, out of Texas, has been producing unique, German influenced, brews since 1909. This great brew is no different. There are towns throughout Germany that have been smoking the malt that they use to brew, over open fire, for centuries.  Probably the most well known location to create what is known as "RAUCHBIER" (Smoked Beer) is the town of Bamberg.

Bamberg produces beers so heavily smoked that they definitely take some time to appreciate. However, they are extremely unique and the people of Bamberg have a great sense of pride to their beer identity.

Shiner Smokehaus gives the American drinker a taste of this German tradition.

Enjoy!

                                                   

Wanna test your beer skills? If you do, there is the "Great Beer Test". Referred to as the GBT 100, this is a great tool for you to test just how much you know about the wonderful world of beer. The GBT 100 is used by many wholesalers and breweries alike to test their team’s comprehension on the liquid that they sell. It is also great for the beer lovers, in any profession, to educate themselves in the art of fermentation.
Go ahead, give it a try.

The website address is: www.greatbrewers.com.
When you get to the site set up a log in and a password, free of charge.
Once you have logged in, hit the education tab at the top of the page. There you will see the GBT100 tab.
Have fun doing this alone or challenging your friends to see who knows more about your favorite pastime.

Garrett Oliver is the Brewmaster of The Brooklyn Brewery, the author of The Brewmaster’s Table, and the foremost authority in the United States on the subject of traditional beer. After years of amateur brewing inspired by beers he had encountered during a year in England, Garrett Oliver began brewing professionally at Manhattan Brewing Company in 1989 as an apprentice. He was appointed brewmaster there in 1993. He soon became widely known both here and abroad for his flavorful interpretations of traditional brewing styles and as an avid and entertaining lecturer and writer on the subject of fine beer. He has hosted hundreds of beer tastings and dinners, writes regularly for beer and food-related periodicals, and is internationally recognized as an expert on traditional beer styles and their affinity with good food.

In 1994, Garrett joined The Brooklyn Brewery as Brewmaster and partner. Many of his beers have won national and international awards. He has served as a judge for the Professional Panel Blind Tasting of the Great American Beer Festival for many years, and is a perennial judge for the prestigious Great British Beer Festival competition and the Brewing Industry International Awards. He has hosted tastings and talks for numerous cultural institutions, including the Smithsonian, MassMOCA, the American Museum of Natural History and The Jewish Museum. In the United States, he has made numerous radio and television appearances as a spokesman for craft brewing. Garrett’s profile was featured in Gourmet magazine, which referred to him as “a passionate epicure and talented alchemist.”  A two-page profile in The New York Times Dining Section referred to his “brilliant” ability to match craft beer with great food.

Garrett has hosted beer tastings and dinners at many fine restaurants and on Monday, April 26^th, he will be in downtown Grand Rapids to sign his book and host a Brooklyn beer dinner. This is a tremendous opportunity for any beer enthusiast. I can’t tell you where, due to MLCC law, but I can tell you that you will find him at a location on Ionia Street.

To find out more about Garrett Oliver, go to his website at www.garrettoliver.com.  Hope to see you there!

I am extremely excited to announce that on Monday, Feb. 22nd, we will be the proud distributors a new (old) Michigan brewery. The brewery is Frankenmuth. The Frankenmuth Brewery has a long history of making great Michigan made beer. The brewery originated in 1862, making it the oldest Michigan brewery and second nationally, behind The Yuengling Brewery in Pennsylvania.
The town of Frankenmuth, referred to as "Little Bavaria", still takes great pride in their German roots. These German roots are also very prevalent in the beer that they brew.
The flagship beer is a Munich Dunkel. This German style lager has a dark appearance and a notably smooth malty flavor. The sweet and toasted flavor of the malt is perfectly balanced by a subtle hop flavor.
The other styles will include a German styled Hefeweizen and an amber ale called Red Sky.
Initially, all the brands will available in draft only. We will service the greater Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo markets.
Keep your eyes peeled when out in your favorite beer bars for this new local selection.
And if you ever make it over to Frankenmuth, MI, you need to make time to check out the 28,000 sq. ft. brewery and restaurant.
Prost!

                                                 

For the first time, the Arcadia Brewing Company will be putting their "Brew Crew" Vintage style beers into 12oz bottles. These beers are very limited and sought after. They have won some prestigious trade show awards, including a Gold Medal at last year's Great American Beer Festival. Each of the brands will also receive a package upgrade. Cereal Killer Barley Wine (Gold Medal Winner), Big Dick's Olde Ale, and Imperial Stout will be available in four pack bottles and the "prized" Shipwreck "Barrel Aged" Porter will come in individually boxed 12oz servings.
All of these styles are great to drink when you buy and also to vintage, for future consumption.
Be on the lookout at local specialty beer accounts. All but the Shipwreck Porter are being released into the Grand Rapids market this week.

'Tis the season for sharing with those closest to you. What better way to say "I care about you" than the gift of some wonderful brews. Each year, many craft brewers package seasonal and/or limited variety packs that showcase some wonderful styles. This year is no different. Here are a few selected variety packs that will enhance any get together:

Samuel Adams "Winter Classics" Variety Pack (12 bottles) - In this pack you will find some great gems. Three styles, in particular, are not released at any other time of the year and are not distributed in six packs. These three styles are:

Old Fezziwig Ale - A full bodied beer with caramel and chocolate notes. It has the spicy blend of orange, cinnamon, and ginger.

Holiday Porter - A flavorful and robust beer.  Deep, rich, roasty, and balanced with English and Bavarian hops.

Cranberry Lambic - A sweet, tart, and spicy cranberry fruit beer brewed with a wild yeast strain. Besides the cranberry flavor, this beer imparts a clean vanilla maple note.

The three other styles contained inside this pack are the "Flagship" Boston Lager, "Seasonal" Winter Lager, and "Newly Released" Coastal Wheat.

Magic Hat Feast of Fools (12 bottles) - The brewers at Vermont's Magic Hat Brewery have given us another reason to smile with this year's winter 12pk seasonal. Inside this box, you will find three bottles of each of the following:

Magic Hat #9 - A "not quite" Pale Ale

Lucky Kat - An irresistible Pale Ale

Howl - A Black Lager and this year's winter seasonal

Winter '09 Odd Notion - An American Sour Ale (Very Limited and not available in any other package)

Best of Belgium (18 bottles) - Three six packs of three different, yet refined, styles from the beautiful country of Belgium. This pack makes a perfect tag along for any party that food is being served.

Stella Artois - The best selling Belgian brand in the world. This European pilsner is crisp, clean, and refreshing. A great session beer for any setting.

Hoegaarden Belgian Wit - The Original "White" from Belgium. This unfiltered wheat beer will go great with the white meat of a turkey along with salads and stuffing.

Leffe Blonde - This Abbey Ale is elegant, sweet, and soft. It has a subtle banana finish with a hint of clove and vanilla. For all you that prefer the dark meat of a turkey, this is your beer. Also, try this with apple or pumpkin pie. You won't be disappointed.

For over 10 years now, we have had the privilege of selling Widmer Hefeweizen.  Widmer Hefeweizen is America’s Original Hefeweizen.  It is an unfiltered wheat beer that imparts great citrus flavor and has long been known to be served with a slice of lemon to enhance its hop and citrus flavor.

Now….. I am extremely proud to announce that we are able to officially begin the expansion of styles within our Michigan markets. We are now launching two very well known and successful brands as these extensions. They are: Drop Top Amber Ale and Drifter Pale Ale

Drop Top Amber Ale:  A rich, flavorful Amber that's smooth and easy to drink. Drop Top is fermented by an American Ale yeast to produce beer with a clean flavor and fruity aroma. The velvet texture is from using Honey malt and a touch of milk sugar. The Alchemy bittering hops provide soft bitterness. Simcoe, a newly developed hop variety, adds unique hop flavor and aroma.

2004 GABF Gold Medal Award Winner
2008 GABF Gold Medal Award Winner

Drifter Pale Ale: With its unique citrus character, smooth drinkability, and distinctive hop character, Drifter Pale Ale is truly an original. Brewed with generous amounts of Summit hops, a variety known for their intense citrus flavors and aromas, Drifter has a taste unique to the Pale Ale category. True to style, the bittering hops are perceptible enough to give the beer a crisp, clean, quenching finish, yet also soft enough to keep the beer smooth and balanced.

2006 GABF Silver Medal Winner

Drop Top Amber will be available in 6pk Btls and Draft, while Drifter Pale will be available in 6pk Btls only.  Look for these in your favorite craft beer stores and bars very soon. Enjoy!

Last weekend I had the disctinct pleasure of attending The Great American Beer Festival, in Denver Colorado. It was my second one in as many years. It is truely a beer lover's paradise. Nearly 50,000 people attend this sold out event, annually. Over 450 U.S. breweries combine to showcase and sample over 2,000 different beers to the beer loving public. Over 3,000 beers are entered to be judged and, hopefully, win metals.
We attended both the Friday and Saturday night sessions and enjoyed every minute of the madness.  When we weren't inside the convention center we spent time traveling to local breweries such as New Belgium, O'Dell's, and Breckenridge.  When we weren't at the breweries, we were hanging in really cool beer bars like Falling Rock, Coopersmiths, and Rock Bottom. When we weren't in any of these wonderful places we were resting. It was literally two full days of "beer research". Did I mention that I love my job?
As stated earlier, over 3,000 beers are entered into a competition to be judged by some of the most well reknowned beer experts. Each beer is entered into a style catagory, in hopes of recieveing a gold, silver, or bronze metal. I am proud to say that we had some brewery partners who found great success in the competition and I would be remissed if I didn't recognize them.
Here is a list of brewery partners and their brands that achieved GABF Metals for 2009:

Arcadia Brewery (Battle Creek, MI)
Gold Metal for Cereal Killer Barleywine

Flying Dog
Award for Mid-Size brewery of the Year
Gold Metals for Horn Dog Barley Wine, Gonzo Imperial Porter, and Dogtoberfest
Silver Metal for Barrel Aged Gonzo Porter

Widmer Brewery
Gold Metal for Hefeweizen

Redhook Brewery
Gold Metal for Redhook ESB
Silver Metal for Treblehook Barleywine

Brooklyn Brewery
Silver Metal for Brooklyn-Schneider Hopfen-Weisse

Boston Beer Company
Silver Metal for Sam Adams Double Bock

Congratulations to all of our brewery partners! We are proud to sell your brands.

When I think of the fall season, I think of colors changing on trees, sweatshirts, blue jeans, the smell of crisp autumn air, and football games. I also recognize that lemonade and iced tea give way to apple cider and hot tea. The reason that I mention this is that I am noticing an interest of "hard ciders" in the market. More consumers seemed to seek out ciders in the summer and I don't expect it to tail off this fall.
Hard ciders are made from the juice of fermented apples and contain alcohol.  Also, they are a great alternative for those who are searching for a GLUTEN-FREE alternative. Most are gluten free because of the absence of barley when brewing. 
The hard cider category continues to intrigue both traditional and non-traditional beer drinkers, alike.  It is a beverage that can help traditional wine drinkers step out of their comfort zone and be very satisfied with the result. Like wine, no two ciders are exactly alike. Tastes can range from sweet and tart to dry and crisp.
In Europe, hard ciders play a major role in the alcohol industry. In Ireland, Magners (Bulmers) dominates alcohol sales. Great Britain, Spain, France, and Germany also drink large quantities of Cider.

Hard ciders typically range from 3.0 - 8.0% ABV. The liquid of hard ciders can be "crystal" clear to dark brown. Usually, the brands imported from Europe will tend to be a bit dryer to the tongue. U.S. brands are known to be quite a bit sweeter.
We are proud to sell two very good ciders from our portfolio.

Magners Cider(4.5% abv) is produced in Ireland and plays a significant role in the alcohol drinking culture there. It is known as "Bulmers" inside of Ireland, but has the name "Magners" outside of the country. Magners can be found in bars in restaurants in the imperial pint bottle (19.2 US ounces). It is generally served over ice and pours a slight pinkish color. It is a dryer bodied cider that is very enjoyable to drink. Currently the greater Grand Rapids market only has the imperial pint serving. But, look for 6pk btls and draft in the upcoming months.

Hardcore Cider(4.0% abv) is produced inside the USA, by The Boston Beer Co. Hardcore has been a diamond in the rough for us in this market. Jim Koch and the brewers at The Boston Brewery have created a nice easy drinking hard cider that has similar characteristics as those produced in Europe (Dry and Crisp).  It is also sold at a very attractive price.  Hardcore is available in draft and 6pk btls.

Enjoy!

Was that a football game on TV last night? Are stores really having back to school sales, already? The answer is "yes". Get ready to see a change over the next couple of weeks in the beer world, as well. Summer seasonals are now about to fade out and give way to fall arrivals.  Because the fall seasonals aren't available very long, here are some brewery choices to keep your eyes open for when buying beer:

Sam Adams Octoberfest - Samuel Adams® Octoberfest is a malt lover's dream, masterfully blending together four roasts of barley to create a delicious harmony of sweet flavors including caramel and toffee. Available in 6pk btls, 12pk btls, and Draft. 5.4% ABV

Arcadia's Nut Brown Ale (Fall/Winter Seasonal) - An easy-drinking medium-bodied English-style Brown Ale.  Six varieties of premium malted barley provide the beer with a deep, mahogany color and a rich flavor. Available in 6pk btls and Draft. 5.6% ABV 

Arcadia's "Jaw Jacker" Ale  (Very Limited)- A beer to celebrate harvest-time and the changing of the seasons.  Although no pumpkins are used, a blend of nutmeg, allspice and cinnamon work with malty flavors to create a bold flavor reminiscent of pumpkin pie.  Available in 6pk btls and Draft.  6.0% ABV

Magic Hat Roxy Rolles - Formerly a winter seasonal, this bright colored Autumn Amber Ale offers a perfect blend of hop kick and malt balance. A perfect beer to watch the leaves change. Available in 6pk btls and Draft.  5.1%ABV

Flying Dog Dogtoberfest (Very Limited)- Dogtoberfest is deep mahogany in color with an intriguing caramel finish and brewed with 100% imported German ingredients for a true German flavor.  Available in 6pk btls and Draft.  5.3% ABV

Brooklyn Pumpkin Ale (Very Limited)- Hundreds of pounds of pumpkins are blended into the mash of each batch, creating a beer with an orange amber color, warm pumpkin aroma, biscuity malt center, and a crisp finish. Available in 6pks and Draft.  5.0% ABV

Brooklyn Oktoberfest (Very Limited)- Brewed from the finest German malt and hops, Brooklyn Oktoberfest is true to the original style.  This beer is full bodied and malty, with a bready aroma and light, brisk hop bitterness. Available in 6pk btls.  5.5% ABV

Redhook Late Harvest Autumn Ale - This is an easy-drinking, yet flavorful brew that features a deep chestnut color and unique, roasted malt aroma and flavor. It's rich flavor is the result of using four different malts, yet the robust profile remains balanced and sophisticated, thanks to our two distinctive hop additions. Available in 6pks.  5.7% ABV

This past weekend, I was very fortunate to travel with some of my co-workers to the beautiful city of Boston. While there, we were able to see much of this historical city. When visiting, people can see the location of the Boston Tea Party, Bunker Hill, Paul Revere’s home, or the many other endless historical sites that this city holds. But our reason was to see another famed location: The Boston Brewery.

The Boston Brewery is home to the Samuel Adams family of beers.  Located in the middle of a neighborhood, this brewery is a national attraction for beer lover’s everywhere.  When we arrived, we were graciously welcomed to take part in a “clam bake”.  A clam bake is a Boston tradition of eating your weight in clams, lobster, clam chowder, corn on the cob, etc… along with great tasting beer. 

After that we headed into the brewery where, in 1984, Jim Koch began his brewing legacy.  Immediately, people are met with glass encased trophies and metals, award banners, and interactive screens to help tell the story of Samuel Adams. The number of awards that this brewery has won for their beer would make any “dynasty” sports team jealous.

As we gathered inside, we noticed that Jim Koch himself was going to be present for our tour.  People were in the midst of a “Beer Legend”.  The onlookers tried to get closer to shake his hands and get pictures. We noticed that the great thing about Jim is that he, still to this day, remains as down to earth as ever. His humble demeanor was magnetic.  He is not about “Jim”. He is about “Beer” and his brewery’s ability to produce the finest quality drink for consumers.

Along with his desire to produce great beer is his desire to stay connected with America’s “grass root” brewers.  This was very evident as we walked the tour with him.  Today’s home brewers have the potential to become some of the shining stars in the years to come. As the appreciation for craft beer continues to grow, the greater the freedom a brewer has to showcase his or her fermented art.  Brewers are artists.  Their passion for self expression has never been more evident than today.

Jim Koch’s story is true American spirit and vision.  Though he has found great success, he has never forgotten from where he came and the people that have helped him get there.  I feel incredibly honored that he spent thirty minutes of his life with us.

Thanks to Jim Koch and everyone at The Boston Brewery. First Class!

F.Y.I. to all beer lovers…………. Sam Adams Octoberfest will hit Grand Rapids in just over a week.

How can you, as a consumer, figure out just how big of a "hop bite" a beer has before consuming, how much alcohol a 12oz. serving of a certain brand contains, or what others think of a brand.  Well, if you are in a bar/restaurant, hopefully a staff member can help with that answer. But, if you are at a store, things may be a little more unclear.

More and more, beer and wine stores are putting educated beer personnel on their staff to help customers find their "beer fit" and answer questions. But, still, some stores that want to sell more obscure brands do not have trained personnel. So, people are left to do a little homework before purchasing these less known brands.

Thankfully, the internet has put resources at our finger tips. Today, there are many beer sites, filled with fact and opinion, about beer. Here you can find specific brand facts, brewer's notes, ratings (based on personal opinion), and connections to brewery websites.

These sites are great and filled with endless amounts of beer information. Whether you want to self educate, check the grade/score of certain brand, find other brewery offerings, give personal opinion, etc.... these sites will fill your needs nicely.

Some sites that I would highly suggest are: beeradvocate.com, worldbeerdirectory.com, and ratebeer.com

Using these types of sites can help your world of beer experimentation take on a whole new meaning. Enjoy!

To many light colored lager/pilsner beer drinkers, beers darker in color can seem like a scary venture for their dollar. What I would like to discuss today is the idea of exploring these beers and offering help to better understand the meaning behind the color and what flavors to possibly expect.

The ingredient in beer that virtually creates all of the color is "Malt".  Malt is referred to by many as the "soul" of beer. Besides color, malt also helps shape body and flavor. Malt is created when raw barley is allowed to start the germination process and begin sprouting. This process is stopped by drying and cooking (kilning) the grain. Depending on the length of time the malt is cooked, different colors and flavors, from the malt will result.  Typically, malt that has been cooked for a lengthier time can take on more buscuity, caramelly, roasted coffee, and/or smokey flavors.  It is similar to coffee. Depending on the length of time that the coffee beans are roasted, certain flavors will appear.

Many people feel "safer" by drinking light or pale colored brews. But, I would love to encourage those who don't think that they would care for a darker beer to gently step into this world. I say "gently step" because going from one end of the beer flavor wheel to the other may prohibit any further exploration, should it be a harsh experience.So this is what I recommend to those who feel uneasy about stepping away from the comfort of light colored beers: Slowly add color to your beer world. Start with an amber colored lager or ale. 

Some of our offerings, from our craft brew partners, that I gladly recommend are:

These amber colored lagers are just as smooth, but just a tad sweeter.  If you are looking to add some hop (floral) notes to your amber colored lager, then jump into Samuel Adams Boston Lager or Brooklyn Lager.

In the "Ale" category: Redhook ESB, Arcadia ESB, and Sam Adams Boston Ale.

These beers are very drinkable, smooth and have a little hop (floral/fruit) Edge.

First and foremost, I hope that everyone had a great and safe holiday weekend. My wish is that you were able to laugh and raise a glass with people you revere most as you celebrated the birthday of this "Great Country".

As I reflected a little this weekend, I thought about some of the historical figures, from years past, that actually embraced the culture of brewing and enjoyed beer. Some that came to mind were:

George Washington:  Our first president and avid homebrewer. When he served as the commander of the Continental Army, he demanded that each of his troops get a quart of beer with his daily rations (this guy knew how to lead men).  He believed in buying beer made in America, rather than from oversees. He is noted to have handwritten some very nice beer recipes. All be it, a little heavy on the use of molasses. One of these handwritten recipes is actually on display at the New York Public Library.

Patrick Henry:  A founding father of the United States and known for his "Give me liberty or give me death" speech, Patrick was said to be a friend of many. Especially to those who gathered in colonial Virginia bars and taverns.  Because he saw so many friends ruin their lives on whiskey, he tried to encourage more people to drink beer and reduce their use of distilled liquor. Gotta love this guy!

Samuel Adams:  A colonial Patriot and voice for many, Samuel Adams helped inspire American colonists to stand up and rebel against the British government.  This desire for independence from the British may have been a big reason why he opened his own brewery with his father in 1744. He ran and operated the brewery for over twenty years, in the Boston area. Today we know him as a "Brewer Patriot" and his name, in the beer community, is synonymous with America's largest craft brewery. I'm sure he would be proud to see what Jim Koch has done for his legacy.

So.... Here's to the pioneers of the past and the trailblazers of today who brew, sell, inspire, and enjoy "responsibly" the greatness of beer.

Let's talk for a brief moment about the color of your glass beer bottle. Why does it matter? What difference does it make? The answer is that it makes a big difference in the the taste of the liquid being served from inside the bottle. One of the biggest enemies, to the taste qualities of beer, is exposure to light, especially UV rays. Beers that become "lightstruck" from UV or flourescent lighting can drastically change in flavor. For this reason, a majority of all brewers package their beer in dark brown glass bottles. Brown glass gives beer better protection than clear or even green glass can.  A beer that has become "lightstruck" gives off what most refer to as a "skunky" smell and flavor. Though, there are some that don't mind this certain edge to their beer, many others do.

A way to test this theory is to go and buy a six pack of your favorite clear or green glass brew from a well lit store along with a wrapped twelve pack of the same beer. Test a bottle from each of the carriers side by side. I guarantee you will find a significant difference in smell, taste, and finish. The reason being is that the wrapped twelve pack is better protected from light from the cardboard that surrounds it. It's quite interesting to examine.

Finally, after you have finished with your experiement, choose your favorite bottle and proceed to share the rest of the beer with some good friends or go make some.

Either way, you win.

Ahhh, yes. Here comes summertime in Michigan. Only a couple more weeks until its official.  We Michiganders are definately ready. There are many things synonomous with Summer. One of the many that I'd like to discuss is grilling. Why grilling? So I can talk about beer.

Many of us have been to some sort of beer/wine with food pairing event. But how many of us have taken that concept and created our own event at home. If you are passionate about grilling out and drinking great beers, than you might want to consider combining the two passions for yourself and your guests this summer.  There are so many diverse flavors to beer. When beer is combined with foods, the flavors are enhanced. I have seen, first hand, the excitement in somebodys eyes when flavors from beer and food are married together the right way.

Here is a small reference guide, given to me a few years ago, from Garrett Oliver. (Garrett is the head brewer for The Brooklyn Brewery. Garrett is a highly respected voice on beer and food pairings):

Burgers/Steaks:  Brown Ales, Porters, and Amber Lagers/Ales (Brooklyn Lager!)

Seafood:  Wheat Beers and Pilsners

Grilled Veggies:  Wheat Beers and Amber Lagers

Brats:  Almost anything works, but Amber Lagers/Ales, Marzens, or Pale Ales are best

BBQ:  Brown Ales, Amber Lagers/Ales

Spicy Foods:  India Pale Ales (IPA), Pale Ales, and Pilsners

Also, if you have salads to accompany the meal, your best off with Wheat Beers.

Grilling and pairing beers is truely a fun way to explore the complexities of beer and create conversation.

Enjoy!

Just as the spring season promises warmer weather, so to does it promise some great seasonal beer offerings. The following is a highlighted list of what you can expect to see in the West Michigan market, from our brewery partners:

Arcadia Whitsun (6.7% abv) - Arcadia Whitsun is a modern interpretation of a mid-19th century English spring and summer festival ale. It has a translucent orange color capped with a rich, creamy head, full-bodied and has a lightly toasted caramel flavor. The addition of Michigan honey contributes a uniquely smooth drinkability to this unfiltered wheat ale.

Sam Adams White Ale (5.4% abv) -  The brewers of Samuel Adams® beer, taking inspiration from the Belgians, have created a classic of their own. On the malt side, they use malted two row Pale barley, malted wheat, and Munich malt to give this beer a crisp, malty, cereal finish and smooth mouth feel.  They add a proprietary spice blend to give Samuel Adams® White Ale a unique and complex flavor, without being overpowering.  The spice blend includes orange and lemon peel, dried plum, grains of paradise, coriander, anise, hibiscus, rose hips, tamarind, and vanilla.

Sam Adams Double Bock (9.5% abv) - Samuel Adams® Double Bock was first brewed 20 years ago as the first of the Samuel Adams® seasonal offerings, and it is now one of their most acclaimed beers.  They use an enormous amount of malted barley, half a pound per bottle, to brew this intensely rich lager.

Magic Hat hI.P.A. (5.8% abv) - hI.P.A. is a medium-bodied beer with a fresh and fruitful nose. It begins and ends with a big hop bite that is balanced by a steady rhythm of malt. Dry-hopped for extra quenching in the face of heat, it’s an ideal accompaniment to chilling out, turning inward or sailing onward through the music of the night toward the dawn of the mind. It’s the liquid way to say be here now lest you never come this way again.

Flying Dog Garde Dog (5.5% abv) - “Garde Dog” Biere de Garde (Beer for Keeping) is unfiltered with a hazy, deep golden to light copper appearance. Brewed with domestically grown French Hops and German Pilsner Malts, it gives craft beer drinkers a very enjoyable, light-bodied, subtlety sweet beer with toasty malt undertones. Garde Dog is the perfect compleiment to lighter fare such as seafood, salads, cheese and Middle Eastern and Indian foods.

Shiner 100 "Commemorator" (6.7% abv) - Shiner 100 Commemorator is a rich and robust brew that is a fitting tribute to their legacy of 100 years of handcrafting stylish and flavorful beers. One of the highlights of the Bavarian brewing year is the rollout of strong beer or starkbier, developed by monks as “liquid bread” to sustain them through the Lenten season. Commemorator is brewed in that Old-World tradition and embodies the German-Czech heritage Shiner has proudly stood for since 1909.
 

I hope you have a chance to enjoy these wonderful offerings from our brewery partners, this spring.

As long as I can remember, whenever you give a strong opinion, there is always someone who'll disagree.  Sometimes a difference of opinion can get quite heated and escalate into something, well let's just say, not so good.  But, I have found that there is one thing that allows people to give their individual opinion about, and no one really gets heated over it.  In fact, people are encouraged to share more information about this opinion.  This one thing is beer.

The great thing about beer is that it can mean so many things to different people.  If you ask a person their opinion of a certain flavor or style, they usually don't hesitate with an answer.  Beer drinkers are proud to let you know why they like or dislike a certain style or brand. And, no matter the view of the other person, the opinion is generally respected.  Many great conversations are started by discussing a favorite style of beer.  For example, a German wheat beer may mean different things to different people.  Someone who has lived or visited Germany may have a stronger connection to these styles because it triggers a personal memory. 

Beer is personal, because certain brands, styles and flavors evoke memories and emotions of our past.  Usually, the beer we choose to drink is tied to a positive emotion or thought.  Certain brands or styles can remind us of a trip to warmer shores, that excursion through Europe, or that ski weekend out West.  The great thing about the memories is that they are yours and you are the one who knows it best.  Just as people love to hear a good story, people also love to tell a good story.  Beers we drink reflect our story.  So embrace your opinion and value the opinion of others.  We all might learn something about each other and about ourselves.