Category Archives: Beer

Wyoming’s Two Guys is ‘Big City Dining’ with a personal touch

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

Owners Tom and Amy Payne. Amy works in her garden every morning to pick vegetables for their kitchen. (John D. Gonzalez)

TwoGuys Brewing thinks of itself as “Big City Dining,” but without the hassles of driving and parking downtown.

Even when they put together a business plan in 2006 – 12 years before they opened – the owners always planned to offer quality, locally sourced dining for the community of Wyoming.

“Upscale is not even the word,” said former homebrewer-turned-head chef, Tom Payne.

It was always meant to offer a “downtown restaurant feel and quality of food for our neighbors here in Wyoming.”

Tom and wife/co-owner Amy are doing exactly what they set out to do, and they’re doing it in a remodeled 7-Eleven store at 2356 Porter St. NW. It’s a no-frills location, just great food and beer.

Quality that doesn’t break the bank

The quality of dining is what you might find in downtown Grand Rapids or other metropolitan cities, they said, but not at the same cost. Plus, they have free, on-site parking in Wyoming.

Burgers at Two Guys start at $11. (John D. Gonzalez)

“Pricing downtown is just exorbitant, and I understand, their rents are also much higher than ours in some cases,” Amy said.

“But we’re Gen-exers,” she added. “We don’t park six blocks away from where we’re eating.”

“I worked 16 hours today; I don’t want to walk,” said Tom with a laugh.

A burger downtown, for example, might cost as much as $18.

At TwoGuys, where burgers are ground fresh every day, it will cost $11, unless you customize it with a lot of add-ons, like one online customer who built a half-pound burger with multiple toppings that came in at $19.

One of Tom’s priciest creations, a Poutine Burger, which was a special in July, cost $14. It was Prime rib, ground fresh from English cut roast shoulders.

It might cost a little extra, “but we touched every part of that burger, from the condiments on it, to the grinding of the beef,” Tom said.

“And it had hand-cut fries on it,” Amy said.

Foodies and others are taking note

Since opening in 2018, TwoGuys has established itself as “a great place for delicious eclectic food and great Michigan beers. Family-friendly with a great neighborhood feel!,” which it says right on their Facebook page.

That’s where most of their 13,000-plus followers keep up to date on food specials, new beer releases and community causes.

Two Guys Brewing is located in a remodeled 7-Eleven store at 2356 Porter St. NW. (John D. Gonzalez)

Just take a look at their food photos online, and you will immediately have a craving for one of Tom’s creative creations.

Along with a team of dedicated employees, they’re hard work is paying off and putting Wyoming on the map. Foodies everywhere are taking notice.

With a national tourism conference in town last week, Experience GR had some nice things to say about them in a blog post offering a “Locals’ Guide to Breweries with Great Food,” saying TwoGuys is a “must visit” for craft beer and food enthusiasts “due to its decadent food, dessert and craft beer selections.”

It added:

“TwoGuys makes most of its items in house, to the extent of house-smoking beef, corned beef and turkey, hand-dredging chicken and hand-cutting potatoes for fries. The menu emphasizes shareables, from tacos, fried pork rinds and wine-braised mushrooms to cheese curds, charcuterie boards and chorizo fundido, a sausage-and-beer cheese combo.

You can also count on a tantalizing special or two, always made with the freshest local ingredients.”

The silver lining of COVID

The praise is heart-felt by the couple, who work countless hours, but always put their staff and customers first.

“There are some weeks we don’t take home a paycheck,” Amy said. “And we’re OK with that.”

They were humbled during Covid when locals flocked to their restaurant to pick up pre-packaged, family meals that Tom said was “real honest food that you didn’t have to do the hard part.”

To borrow a couple of overused words at the height of the pandemic, they learned to “pivot” and make the best out of an “unprecedented” period in our country’s history.

In a weird way, it was Covid that put TwoGuys on the map outside of Wyoming.

“We have regulars now who would not have come in here except for that,” Tom said on an episode of our radio show “Behind the Mitten with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez.” “So although COVID has been a pain in the ass, it’s been a blessing.”

Feeling the love of its community

They were humbled again this summer when a smoker caught fire and caused damage to the exterior of their building, which led to a GoFundMe Page. On Facebook they posted:

Damage from the smoker fire that took place earlier this summer. (John D. Gonzalez)

“We could use your help if you’re so inclined.

“We DO have insurance. Anything donated above the deductible and immediate costs to repair, replace, and clean up will be donated to a local charitable organization supporting women, pregnancy, and infants. It has always been our mission to support our local community and we will do that through this as well!”

They asked for $2,500, which the community nearly doubled in less than a month.

It wasn’t an easy ask for a couple that, like the community itself, prides itself in hard work and pulling themselves up by the bootstraps.

They were overwhelmed.

The extra money will go to charities they support and align “with our values.” But they’ll do it quietly without making a big deal about it.

“When you do something good, sometimes you just have to shut up and let people notice,” Amy said.

“There are a lot of good restaurant owners in this community, but you’re never going to miss the fact they are doing good. That takes a little bit away from (the fact) you’re doing good if you’re using it as a marketing plan.”

More than a family affair

Married in 1990, the couple met in 1988 at Village Inn Pancake House on 28th Street (now New Beginnings). He was 18. She was 16.

Seeing their restaurant full is one thing that keeps Two Guys Brewing owner Tom Payne going. (John D. Gonzalez)

Today they are the parents of three adult daughters (Meghan, Zoe and Abigail). They live only a few blocks away from TwoGuys.

As local business owners, the couple just wants to make an honest living, support the community, and make great food and beer.

Amy works in her garden every morning to pick vegetables for their kitchen. When he needs a little “alone time,” Tom creates beautiful tie dye shirts across the street in the production facility to sell in their merchandise shop.

What keeps them going every day?

“Seeing this place full every night,” Tom said.

“Coffee and Ibuprofen.” Amy said.

‘Just be good’

In all seriousness, they hope popular beers, seltzers, sangrias, along with hand-cut fries, New Orleans-inspired food, burgers, tacos and other specialties will keep people coming back. It’s been a dream of the couple “forever.”

“But it’s never been a selfish dream,” said Tom, referring to the jobs they’ve created for their family and employees.

“We’ve got 20-some families of those that work here whose lives are better because we’re here,” he said.

That fits with their core values, which is to make a difference and “just be good.”

“Be better than you were yesterday,” Amy said.

“Change the world one pint at a time,” Tom said.

“We’ve really worked hard to try to make this corner of Wyoming better,” Amy said. “We’re hoping that ripples into other corners of Wyoming.”

Learn more about TwoGuys Brewing at https://twoguys-brewing.com/.

To make a charity contribution: https://gofund.me/69d17608 

Listen to the TwoGuys Brewing interview on “Behind the Mitten with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez.”


John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also co-hosts the radio show and Podcast “Behind the Mitten,” which airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM and FM. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

City of Kentwood celebrating start of summer with Food Truck Festival

By WKTV Staff
greer@wktv.org

A view of a previous City of Kentwood Food Truck Festival. (WKTYV/2018)

The City of Kentwood and GR8 Food Trucks will once again kick off the summer season with the annual Food Truck Festival.

The Kick-Off to Summer Food Truck Festival is set for Saturday, June 4 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. in the parking lot of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. The popular community event offers free admission and will feature 30 food trucks, live music and beer. There will also be community booths for attendees to explore. Another food truck festival will celebrate the end of the summer season on Sept. 17.

This year’s trucks offer a wide variety of cuisines, from pizza and burgers to traditional Hispanic and Filipino recipes. Whether you’re looking to snack on a soft pretzel, enjoy a barbecue dinner or satisfy your sweet tooth with a frozen treat, the festival has options for every appetite.

“We’re excited to welcome the community back to this popular event, now featuring more food trucks than ever before,” said Kentwood Parks and Recreation Director Val Romeo. “GR8 Food Trucks and our local vendors and musicians have been phenomenal partners and we encourage everyone to come out and enjoy this fun-for-all-ages event.”

Food trucks participating in the event include:

Saladino Smoke will be one of 30 trucks at the June 4 event. (supplied)

Live music will start at 11 a.m. with Downtown Authority, followed by DJ SnaxMolly and the Azz-Izz Band. A beer tent featuring local craft beer favorites will be open 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

“Food trucks are the ultimate way to support local small business owners in a fun and relaxing outdoor environment,” said GR8 Food Trucks President Alan Tomlinson. “Kentwood’s Food Truck Festival gives residents an opportunity to build community while enjoying great food.”

This year’s diamond sponsors are Macatawa Bank and NN Mobile Solutions. While entry to the festival is free, cost for food and beverages varies by vendor.

Volunteers are needed for the event. Find more information about the Kick-Off to Summer Food Truck Festival and sign up to volunteer at kentwood.us/SummerFoodTruckFestival.

On Tap: Liquid updates from across West Michigan

By Amy Sherman
WKTV Contributing Writer


Perrin Brewing sold to Monster Energy

Recently announced was the purchase of the CANarchy Collective, which includes West Michigan based Perrin Brewing, by Monster Beverage Corporation. (Amy Sherman)

Another major Michigan brewery buyout/acquisition occurred this week, with Monster Beverage Corporation announcing that they would be purchasing the CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective, which includes Comstock Park based Perrin Brewing Company. CANarchy was formed in 2015, as a group of like-minded breweries came together to share capital, distribution networks, beers and products to the market in a new, collaborative company. Members, in addition to Perrin, include ​​Oskar Blues Brewery, Cigar City Brewing, Squatters Craft Beers, Wasatch Brewery, Deep Ellum Brewing Company,  and Revitalyte. The group is considered the sixth largest craft brewery in the country.

 

Monster is purchasing the group for $330 million, in an all cash deal. This will be the energy drink maker’s first foray into the alcoholic beverage market. What does this mean for West Michigan? While Perrin declined to comment at this time, we can say that the sale does not include their pub in Comstock Park, so you should be able to continue to enjoy a burger and beer there. In the future, it probably won’t change much of what is on the shelves here, but may help Perrin get out to a larger national audience.

Locally brewed gluten-free beer is finally here

Brewery Nyx, Michigan’s first dedicated gluten-free brewery is right here in Grand Rapids, and now has beers on the shelves of local retailers. Founded by business partners Jessica Stricklen and Sebastian Van Bommel, the brewery has a production facility in the southwestern part of the city, and can be found on the shelves at Bridge Street Market, and certain D&W’s, with more retail to follow as production ramps up.

Gluten-free Brewery Nyx is finally on the shelves in West Michigan, and it’s been worth the wait. (Photo courtesy of Brewery Nyx)

Stricklen, who has been gluten-free for 10 years, loves craft beer, but couldn’t find a Michigan one that was truly up to her standards. She and Van Bommel, who is the head brewer, decided from the beginning that their beers needed to be able to go head-to-head with regular brews. Instead of trying to strip the gluten from a beer made with barley, they are brewing their beers right from the start with gluten free grains like amaranth and quinoa. The resulting beers are every bit as full bodied as any regular beer, with incredible aroma, big mouthfeel, and great flavor. You would be hard pressed to tell these gluten-free brews from a regular one.

Right now Brewery Nyx is in limited distribution only. Although they have plans to open a tasting room in the future, the goal right now is to just get the product out on shelves. If you are lucking enough to find some, don’t get surprised at the price. Yes, these four packs are more than your typical local craft beer, but it is absolutely necessary. The ingredients they use to make this beer can costs up to four times more than traditional brewing ingredients. But if you are gluten-free, and have been missing that precious pint of local beer, Brewery Nyx is a gift from the celiac gods.

 

Larry Bell named Environmentalist of the Year

Don’t mess with Larry Bell might be the message here, and with very good reason. The Bell’s Brewery founder, who recently announced a sale of the family owned company to New Belgium Brewing, was named the Sierra Club of Michigan’s Environmentalist of the Year for 2021. Bell’s work to protect the Kalamazoo River, as well as his battle to shut down Enbridge’s Line 5 oil pipeline, made him the first business owner chosen for the award in its thirty year history.

 

“Larry Bell’s fact-based, non-partisan and pragmatic advocacy has illuminated the dangers of the ticking time bomb that threatens the Great Lakes every day Line 5 is allowed to operate in the Straits of Mackinac,” said Gail Philbin, Sierra Club Michigan Chapter state director said via a press release. “He and other visionary leaders in the Great Lakes Business Network are indispensable voices for businesses who understand how vital it is that we protect our Great Lakes.”

 

Bell began his environmental work after the 2010 Enbridge oil spill in Kalamazoo threatened his Comstock production brewery. Enbridge decided to store toxic sledge in the area, without letting officials know, or pulling any of the necessary permits. Bell sued Enbridge, and then created the Great Lakes Business Network, to help shut down Enbridge’s Line 5, an oil pipeline that runs through the Straights of Mackinac.

 

“When the spill happened 30 miles away from us, the oil came down the Kalamazoo River and started impacting us,” recalled Bell, via the release. “Our eyes were opened. Then we found out there was this pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac. It was unbelievable that this company owned those pipelines in the Straits. I said, ‘Hell, yes, I’m in.’”

Bell said he plans to increase his environmental work, now that he has sold his brewery. “I can be stronger now in my sentiments and work harder for the causes I care about,” said Bell.

Small Pours from West Michigan breweries:

Mitten Brewing Company on Leonard St in Grand Rapids has reopened and expanded their outdoor dining area known as Base Camp. (Courtesy photo provided by Mitten Brewing Company)

Founders Brewing is hosting their famous Cellar Raid, from Jan. 26 to 30, at both their taproom in Grand Rapids as well as Detroit. The event features taproom exclusive, small batch, barrel-aged, and even some never before seen beers. The brewery will release tap lists each day, and all the beer is available on a first come, first served basis. There will be special food pairings available as well. On Saturday, Jan. 29, there will be live music from Oracle.

 

Railtown Brewing in Dutton revealed a new winter food menu on Monday January 17. According to the brewery, “it’s chili season.”

Cedar Springs Brewing Company has its winter Biergarten open, and is offering live music most nights of the week. You can see the full listing of who’s playing weekly on the brewing company’s Facebook page.

 

Arvon Brewing in Grand Rapids just celebrated its second anniversary, and have several special brews on tap and available to-go to honor this special occasion. Stop by the brewery on Division to see what’s still pouring.

Broad Leaf Brewery is hosting a special “vegan weekend,” Jan. 21 – 23. The special food menu will feature “munchies” from Chef Gabe. Featured will be chicken fried seitan, Tot-chos, French bread pizza, a carrot corn dog, and a dirt cup dessert. There will also be a limited regular menu.

 

City Built Brewing continues to host their pop-up Li Grande Zombie, a special menu offered weekends at the brewery featuring Creole and Cajun cuisine. They announce the menu on Facebook each week. Look for things like crawfish étouffée with chicken fat biscuits, and a mean fried hot chicken sandwich. Each Monday, look for local favorite StreetChefShaw to be throwing down some of his famous tacos on site.

Creston Brewery recently opened for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. The menu features classic breakfasts like pancakes and a breakfast burrito, as well as lunch offerings like oven baked mac and cheese, and a cheeseburger. There’s also a kids menu, which includes a pancake mountain, which sounds hard to beat.

Bier Distillery in Comstock Park has a new special, Thirsty Thursdays. All 8 of distillery’s burgers are $2 off, and draft pours are 50% off. They also have live Irish music each Thursday.

 

Wednesday Jan. 19, stop by 3 Gatos Brewery in Wyoming for a special trivia night featuring the television show “The Office.” Get there early as it starts at 7 p.m.

ELK Brewing announced the close of their Comstock Park brew pub this week. Their tasting room on Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids will remain open.

West Michigan restaurant beats the odds by opening, thriving in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic

The interior of Condado Tacos in Grand Rapids (in good weather there is also an outdoor space). (WKTV/D.A. Reed)

By D.A. Reed, WKTV Contributing Writer

ken@wktv.org

While launching a new restaurant in the middle of a worldwide pandemic may seem daunting, in West Michigan and really anywhere, Condado Tacos location on Bridge Street in Grand Rapids proved it could be done, and done in an artful way.

Like its menu, which they say is “adaptable to every diet,” Condado Tacos just had to be adaptable to Grand Rapids ever-shifting pandemic landscape — and health regulations. But Condado Tacos opening in February of 2021, during one of the pandemic’s surges, did present unique challenges for staff as they worked to get boots on the ground in West Michigan.

Tina Femeyer, general manager of the Condado Tacos Grand Rapids location, looked back on the restaurant’s first year and told WKTV that she was originally supposed to begin work the week of the Michigan statewide shut down in early 2020.

Tina Femeyer, local general manager of Condado Tacos. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)

“Everything got pushed back 6 to 8 weeks,” Femeyer said. “I ended up training in the Royal Oak location for four months, but they were only doing carry-out. I had to completely re-train for dine-in once things opened back up.”

Founded in 2014, Condado Tacos currently has 20 locations in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Michigan. But they were committed to Grand Rapids.

“We were not certain if we were going to open at that time,” Karen Reed, Director of Off Premise Sales, said to WKTV. “There were some slight delays on parts (supply chain issues) and acquiring and confirming our liquor license were the two most challenging issues. Also, making certain we were in the position to combat and prevent COVID from spreading in the restaurant on a regular basis…It was a matter of doing whatever it would take, with a great commitment from our staff.”

And getting that staff together was high on the priority list.

Femeyer eventually moved to Grand Rapids in November of 2020 and began conducting in-person interviews.

One of the initial hires at Candado Tacos, Kentwood bartender Dan Voetberg, behind the bar. (Supplied)

“We knew we were opening at only fifty percent capacity but planned to hire full staff,” said Femeyer.

Conducting interviews while masked and socially distanced was a new experience for the general manager, but Femeyer said the process went smoothly.

Advance marketing and the use of the Indeed employment website for recruiting helped potential employees be aware of Condado Tacos and their entrance into the market.

“It appeared we had a bit of a following even prior to opening,” said Reed.

The art of tacos, and a taco restaurant

As Condado Tacos planned its opening, also in the plans was showcasing local artists.

When asked what prompted the decision to make art a main feature of Condado, Femeyer said that it was always a vision of original founder Joe Kahn, and other executives of the corporation, to ensure art was a key component of each Condado store.

“The art ties back to the local community, creating a unique space that speaks to what the city is about while being consistent with menu and service,” said Femeyer. “Art is the backbone of what they (corporate) wanted to make each space.”

Femeyer also revealed that the art is the most time-sensitive part of the construction process, often beginning before heat, air conditioning, or plumbing are completed.

“They (the artists) truly are a part of the construction team,” Femeyer said. “They work all hours of the day and night after drywall is in place.”

While each store features artwork distinctive to the city’s artists, diners can also look for a variation of a gnome and ghost chilies at each location, creating a link of unity between each store.

Condado Tacos on Bridge Street in Grand Rapids. (WKTV/D.A. Reed)

Condado Tacos is now at full capacity, though they do offer a patio with heaters for comfort, and also heaters stationed near the entrance to the restaurant in case people would like to enjoy a cocktail or wait for a table in a less populated space.

Condado’s success in Grand Rapids comes down to two things, Femeyer said.

“Great staff. They have all been unbelievably gracious and understanding that many things were out of our (management’s) control during opening. They were very adaptable.” Femeyer said. “I think the space really speaks to how people want to dine. They want a more light-hearted, ‘come as you are’ feel, which Condado Taco speaks to. It speaks to people of all walks of life.”

But Reed added that it doesn’t end there. “Our goal each shift and every day at our Grand Rapids Condado Tacos and all of our locations, is to be very consistent in our execution along with a focus on continual improvement daily.”

Grand Rapids will not be the last Michigan location for Condado Tacos. With three locations already open in the Detroit area at the time of the Bridge Street launch, Femeyer says Condado intends to continue expanding in Michigan, with plans already in place to open a store in Ann Arbor in early 2022.

Weekend event gave only a ‘taste’ of the diversity Grand Rapids has to offer

By Amy Sherman
WKTV Contributing Writer


Jonathan Jelks, left and Willie ‘Willie The Kid’ Jackson, right, are throwing a party downtown Grand Rapids on November 13. “The Taste of Black Spirits” will be held at City Flats Hotel, and will feature Black owned beverage based businesses, with plenty of drinks to taste and try. (Courtesy Image)

Looking to break out of the box, or the bottle? The Taste of Black Spirits event that happened this past weekend expanded people’s tasting horizons, while also celebrating minority owned beverage companies. Hosted by two Grand Rapids-based entrepreneurs, this event is just one part of their vision to diversify West Michigan.

“The event is a fantastic way to spotlight, support and celebrate black owned brands in the market that people may not know exist,” said Nayana Ferguson, owner of Anteel Tequila, one of the Black-owned vendors that was at the Taste of Black Spirits which was held at the City Flats Hotel on Saturday.

The event had been put together by Jonathon Jelks and his business partner Willie “Willie the Kid” Jackson. Together with their company GR USA, a merchandising entity, as well as Lazar Favors, a Detroit-based marketing company, they pulled together about two dozen minority-owned beverage businesses for the one-day only event.

Jelks and Jackson participated in a similar event in Detroit, and were inspired to bring the energy and vibe back to their hometown of Grand Rapids.

“I’m from Southeast Grand Rapids, so this area is near and dear to my heart,” said Jelks during an interview.  “Being here in the ‘Rust Belt’ as they call it, and I’m proud to be part of the transformation.” The duo founded their own spirits company, Motu Viget, in 2019. They currently have three products in the market: ​​Motu Viget Brut, Eye Candy, and  Avani Supreme Vodka, with more than 200 placements in the Michigan market, which includes 70 Meijer stores.

For Jelks, it’s important to pass on both his knowledge and his success. “With us having our own spirits company, and having some traction and some success, we wanted to bring some of that to others,” he said. “We wanted to make sure that the small businesses could make the proper connections, and succeed as well. We are in a unique position to do this”.

Jelks’ background is in ‘serial entrepreneurship’. “Anything where I see there is a niche and we can contribute and service the community, those are the kind of things that float my boat,” he explained.

“We felt that the next thing that is going to help Grand Rapids become a world class community is by creating culture. Bars are a big part of that, live entertainment venues are a part of that.”

In addition to the Nov. 13 event, the duo has a whole host of other developments in the works.

Ambiance GR Kitchen & Lounge, which will be located in the former Raggs to Riches space,  should open by the end of 2021. “Ambiance will have live entertainment, events, and will have a kitchen component to it. We’ll be serving American and Cajun dishes, something unique for the restaurant ecosystem downtown Grand Rapids. We are super excited for Ambiance, everyone has been anticipating it, and we are really ready to share it with the community.”

Sip Coffee and Cocktails in Grand Rapids on Alger and Eastern is yet another place that they’ve invested in, along with other partners. This spot is a coffee shop/bar hybrid, and a spot that will welcome all, no matter the time of day.

The duo’s entrepreneurial spirit isn’t limited to just Grand Rapids, they also have two bars in the works in Muskegon. The Motu Lakeshore Wine Bar, named after their spirits company, and Prohibition, an event space, will both be housed in the same building right downtown on 8th Street and should open in the next year.

With no restaurant experience, it’s been a bit of a learning curve for Jelks. Coming out of the pandemic, he’s getting a baptism by fire into the industry. “Labor costs, hiring the right staff, staffing the kitchen is really brutal right now,” he said. “So many people just don’t want to be in the industry anymore, or feel underwhelmed by the pay, and where things are at. There’s a lot of things the industry has to address, and those of us who are invested in the industry are learning to navigate those things.”

Jelks clearly has a bigger vision than just owning a bar or two. And not that owning and operating those alone aren’t a big deal. He’s thinking all the time about Grand Rapids as a whole, and that is what sets him apart. “I look at how some people in Grand Rapids have built big businesses, being very forward thinking, by diversifying our economy,” he said.  “Our city has done a great job in figuring out how to problem solve, and keep people gainfully employed. As small business owners, you just want to continue to add to that DNA, add to that fabric, and create more opportunities. Despite the fact that we have one of the fastest growing cities here in the country, when it comes to black and brown folks, our ratings aren’t so high. There was a Forbes article that came out about 4-5 years ago that rated Grand Rapids as one of the worst cities economically for African Americans. One of the ways we can change these social inequities is through entrepreneurship. That’s very important. We want to not only create businesses where we’ll make money and be successful, but also where we’ll create that pipeline for other entrepreneurs and other folks that can be in leadership in Grand Rapids and Muskegon.”

Anteel Tequila (Courtesy Image)

One of the vendors that was at the Taste of Black Spirits was Anteel Tequila, a Michigan-based spirits company. “Anteel Tequila launched in August of 2018 only in Michigan, our home state and since then Anteel has won over 27 awards, expanded to 8 states, the Caribbean and received global attention for our world’s only Coconut Lime Blanco Tequila,” said owner Ferguson. “We have three additional expressions besides Anteel Coconut Lime that includes a Blanco, Reposado and a limited release Tarocco Blood Orange Blanco Tequila”.

“I think it’s slow, but I’m new to the spirits industry, but I’m having my eyes open to the business,” said Jelks. “It’s like having an epiphany. There are so many different avenues on how to make money in this industry. But also how to have a good time, how to curate. And once you have an internal knowledge of how the spirits industry works, you will find some kind of opportunity. And we just want to encourage people to do so. Knowing what is out there is half the battle.”

“The Black community is not only asking for more Black ownership, but they are also looking for the avenues to gain traction with.”  Mainstream following is the key to success, Jelks emphasized. “It’s our job as Black pioneers to make a way to put a magnifying glass on it, so everyone can see clearly that this is happening. That this transformation is on.”

Jelks doesn’t mince words. “Grand Rapids is suffering from a diversity problem,” he said. “Culturally, we need more events downtown that are culturally led. That is what makes you into a diverse, world class city that is a magnet for attraction and retention, in 2021.

What could young entrepreneurs of color do to move their vision forward? According to Jelks, “Utilize the tools and resources you have in front of you, study up on the position that you want to be in. There is a glamor side to having your own alcohol, but there is so much work. This is one of the more archaic businesses that is still around.” He stressed how hands-on this business is, and that it really isn’t too far off from Prohibition with many of the rules and regulations. “Relationships still mean a lot,” he stressed.

“The industry can be difficult to navigate in for emerging brands without immense marketing budgets,” said Ferguson. “Events like [The Taste of Black Spirits] allow brands to get in front of the masses in a fun, educational manner, allowing us to grow our audience.”

Events like this allow all of us to expand our range of what we taste and experience.

“We’re having the time of our lives doing this,” said Jelks. “We’re busy,” 

New brewery in Wyoming offers a German-Brazilian twist

By Amy Sherman
WKTV Contributing Writer


Take a lifelong dream, add in some time in Europe, and a hearty dose of Brazilian heritage, and you’ll brew up something awesome in Wyoming, Michigan. 3 Gatos Brewery recently opened, and is offering up something unique to the brewing scene here in West Michigan.

“The good thing here is that everybody is knowledgeable, everybody is passionate,” said 3 Gatos co-owner Linus De Paoli about the beer and brewery scene in West Michigan. He owns the brewery with his wife Renata. “There is great craft beer everywhere.”

Well, we couldn’t agree more.

“We just fell in love with it, with doing it and sharing it with people, and the whole history of beer, we were just drawn to it,” said Linus. “So we asked, could we make a living out of this?”

The couple took the leap, and purchased the former Ktizingen Brewery in Wyoming in 2020,  after leaving their corporate jobs with Ford Motor Company.

 

“We just kept asking ourselves this question,” said Linus about turning brewing from a passion to a livelihood.

 

Renata was a huge force in the development of the brewery, explained Linus, as her palate is spot on. She’s also “brutally honest” according to Linus. The couple, who formerly were both engineers, got transferred from their native Brazil to Koln (Cologne) Germany. The beer culture there grabbed their hearts, and through a series of events, they met the former owner of Kitzingen Brewery, and discussed purchasing the brewery. Linus came to visit Grand Rapids in February 2020, right before the pandemic hit. “It’s not the best time of year to visit,” said Linus about coming to GR during the cold weather months.

 

The brewery endured several pandemic induced delays to opening, but finally welcomed the public into their remodeled Wyoming storefront this past summer. It’s a bright and open space, located in an unassuming strip mall on the busy 44th street corridor. Gone are the heavy German decorations that used to grace the space, in are bright colors, and a simple, slightly modern design.

 

Linus comes to West Michigan with a ‘world’ of experience, having worked as a brewer’s apprentice in Germany, and eventually taking over the role of head brewer, working to refine both his technique and craft. He now offers a complete range of styles at 3 Gatos, from traditional German brews, to beers that are decidedly much more American.

Renata has helped guide what beers are brewed since the start. “She’s the best quality control I have,” he said. From classic German beers, like the stellar, crisp and clean Kolsch that I sampled, to more unique brews like the raspberry flavored Chartreaux, 3 Gatos offers a little something for everyone.

A staple at many breweries is the “wall of stickers”. 3 Gatos has just started their own. (Amy Sherman | For WKTV Journal)

Another great thing that has developed from their Brazilian heritage plus time in Germany is the food menu that is available here. You can go simple snacking, and just get some of the freshly popped, and lightly salted corn that seems to always be going at the end of the bar. Or, peruse the menu for something more substantial, and decidedly Brazilian in flavor.

Try the Torta de Palmito, a popular, and unexpected offering, that is a pie made with hearts of palm, tomatoes and corn. Sandwiches are interesting, with a Mortadela made in the Sao Paulo style, or a Linguica featuring Brazilian sausage on a specially made Brazilian style roll baked just for 3 Gatos by Nantucket Bakery.

You can also grab brewery favorites like a soft pretzel with beer cheese, or an American style hamburger here.

 

3 Gatos “has been a dream of my wife and I” said Linus. “It’s been our dream for some years, since we started homebrewing.” I asked if his homebrew was really that good in the beginning. He replied “If I had to go back, I would probably not serve it to people. Some of the first ones, no, definitely not.”

They offer an amazing array of styles at 3 Gatos, using about 5 different yeast strains to brew their beers.

 

We joked about how being a brewer is really actually being a janitor, since so much of the job is about sanitation. “Totally,” Linus said. “If you look at my mug club mug, mine actually says ‘janitor’ on it. Brewing work is actually 99.5% cleaning.”

Linus is happy that he doesn’t have to explain certain beer styles to his mostly West Michgian clientele. “They’re knowledgeable about beer. I don’t have to describe to every person who walks in our bar what an IPA is, which was kind of the case in Germany. I’d bring beers I was brewing at the brewery in Germany to friends and they would ask, what’s this eeee-pa? Eeee-pa?”

“They know a lot about German-style beer, but not about what is coming from the outside,” Linus explained about the current brewing scene in Germany.  “It’s hard to convince them to try something new.”

“There’s a small craft beer movement now,” in Germany, Linus said. “It’s gaining traction, with young consumers who are more aware of what’s happening outside of the country, and who are more curious to try different things. It’s a slow change that is happening over there.”

Not so here in Michigan. Linus has been impressed with our ability and interest in embracing the new. “That’s the good thing about the new world, we don’t have 1,500 years of tradition,” he said. “We can just go crazy and try everything, fusion, different types of food, different types of beer, and just get crazy with it.”

“I think it’s great,” said Beth Legate, a first time 3 Gatos customer, that I met at the bar during my visit. “They’ve really held onto some of the old German side of things. And I’m ok with German-style beers, but they’ve also introduced a variety now. I enjoyed it when I visited before, but now it’s even better.”

And while the space was friendly before, “it’s even friendlier now” said Legate, as she sipped a pint of Main Coon, a New England IPA from the brewery. She lives right nearby in Grandville, and had to give a shout out to her neighborhood brewery Osgood’s, where she has a mug club membership. “That’s my jam,” she said with a smile. She recommended Osgood’s pickle pizza, when you are not visiting 3 Gatos.

 

The biggest surprise of my interview was the fact that Linus is a proponent of the three tier distribution system here in Michigan…..which you don’t normally hear. While he’s not a big fan of all of the regulations around the sale of alcohol across the state, he does like that the system gives a little more power back to the little guys, as opposed to how things work in Europe. “There are positives,” Linus said about the system. “A bigger brewery cannot abuse its economic power to push beer to the detriment of the smaller breweries.”

 

Part of the draw to opening a brewery in a foriegn country was specifically the welcoming atmosphere of the West Michigan brewing scene. Beer City USA has done a great job of making these newbies feel welcome, according to Linus.

“Linus and Renata are wonderful people and they’ve done a lovely job of learning quickly and collaborating in the community,” said David Ringler, owner of Cedar Springs Brewing Company. “I think their Brazilian and European dual theme will serve them very well and we look forward to a “collaboration brew” on Bridge Street in the future.” Ringler recently took delivery for new brewing equipment for his new brewery location on the West Side of Grand Rapids, which will hopefully open in 2022 and will be called Kusterer Brauhaus.

Ringler continued, “I wish them the best,.” We can confidently say that all of West Michigan agrees. Good luck to you, 3 Gatos.

Gonzo’s Top 5: Weekend on the run

By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer


Well, we knew the warm weather wasn’t going to last.

Welcome to a chilly, Amway River Bank Run weekend, and another “Gonzo’s Top 5” list.

This is my weekly list of the “coolest” things happening in West Michigan. It’s a list I have compiled for about two decades, and I hope you enjoy it.

As always, I welcome your input and recommendations. If you have something for me to consider, just send me an email at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

The first two people to email me will get a special “treat.” No tricks. I promise.

I’ll share the results next week.

Ready for the weekend?

Here we go.


5. Arvon/City Built/Speciation Tap Takeover

Have you ever wondered about the beers at Arvon Brewing Co., City Built Brewery and Speciation Artisan Ales, but never had a chance to experience them? Here’s a great opportunity as these three Grand Rapids breweries will offer five beers at Horrocks Market Tavern in Kentwood. The event is planned from 5-8 p.m. Friday (Oct. 22). 

Here is a list of beers:

Speciation Artisan Ales – “Neontology” Barrel Aged Sour with Passionfruit, Lime, Matcha & Vanilla. “One of our more popular beers of 2021. It’s wild,” said owner Mitch Ermatinger.

Arvon Brewing – “Breakfast Bowl” Kettle Sour with Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, Granola, Vanilla and Lactose.

Arvon Brewing – “Double Voyager” Double New England IPA, a “super hazy and super flavor forward” beer, according to co-owner Brett Bristol.

City Built Brewing – “Prague Underground” Czech Pilsner.

City Built Brewing – “TBD IPA” West Coast-ish IPA.

All beers will be available by the glass and to-go in howlers, growlers and crowlers. Click here for my WKTV Journal story about the event.

4. 5th Annual Nightmare on 84th Street: The Haunted Trail

Remembrance Ranch, a program to help troubled teens, is offering its annual The Nightmare on 84th Street haunted trail experience. Dates are Oct. 23 and 30. All proceeds from the event will help at-risk families receive scholarship funds to attend Remembrance Ranch next year. Hours are 9-11 p.m. A tax-deductible donation for $20 per ticket to Remembrance Ranch will gain you access. A special “no scare” edition is planned from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 30. It is free or by donation. Learn more about the trail on the Facebook event page. Learn more about Remembrance Ranch at Remembranceranch.org. It is located at 12307 84th Street, Allendale.

3. Chrysanthemums & More!

Can you say “Chrysanthemums” five times in a row? It’s not easy. What is easy — and exciting – is the return of Chrysanthemums & More at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. For the past 23 years it’s been a popular show and the largest of its kind in Michigan. Attendees can experience thousands of blossoms across 158 sprawling acres. “Each display is a visual spectacle of flowers and foliage, appearing to glow from within,” according to organizers. The exhibition is open through Oct. 31 at Meijer Gardens, 1000 East Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI, MI 49525. Call 616-957-1580 for more info, including parking and admission fees, or go to meijergardens.org/calendar/chrysanthemums-and-more.

2. “Don Giovanni” at Opera GR

As part of Opera Week, Opera Grand Rapids returns for a new season with “Don Giovanni,” which follows the final day in the life of Don Juan, in an original production of Mozart’s Prague masterpiece. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday (Oct. 22) and 2 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 24) at DeVos Performance Hall. Individual tickets start at $27. For more details, as well as details on COVID protocols (proof of vaccination is required or negative test), go to operagr.org/don-giovanni.

Writers Amy Sherman and John D. Gonzalez at the 40th anniversary of GR’s Amway River Bank Run, which was in 2017. (John D. Gonzalez)

1. River Bank Run

If you’re not running in downtown GR’s Amway River Bank Run, you probably think, “What’s the big deal? I’m avoiding downtown Grand Rapids. Thanks for the reminder.” The truth is, even if you’re not a runner, you probably know a participant or two. And if you’re like me, you need inspiration in life to keep you motivated on your personal goals. Trust me, you WILL be inspired attending the Amway River Bank Run presented by Fifth Third Bank with Spectrum Health. More than 10,000 people are expected to compete Saturday (Oct. 23) in the largest 25K road race in the country. Yes, world class athletes will be on hand, but the bulk are your neighbors, friends, and moms and dads, who have all been training for months. Add special divisions like a 25K Wheelchair race, a 25K Handcycle division and 5K Community Walk, and soon you learn it’s about setting goals and accomplishing them. Come out, cheer, and be inspired. A Finish Fest is planned from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Calder Plaza. The first race (5K) begins at 8 a.m. The big 25K race begins at 9:30 a.m. More info on parking, start times and more at amwayriverbankrun.com.


That’s it. Have a great, safe weekend.


Be sure to email me!


John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

New social district opens in Grand Haven

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org


Starting this Friday, Oct. 22, Grand Haven Main Street and the City of Grand Haven will open a brand new Social District to the public.

The district will span down Washington Avenue from Harbor Drive to Third Street and down the side streets of First and Second Street. Current plans for Grand Haven Main Street’s Social District covers these six blocks in beautiful downtown Grand Haven. While inside the district, visitors are able to enjoy an alcoholic beverage from approved vendors utilizing authorized cups with the business logo or name and the Grand Haven Main Street Social District.

Currently approved venues that are able to serve in the Social District include Odd Side Ales, Grand Armory Brewing, 12 Corners Tasting Room, and The Kirby House.

“We are looking very forward to opening the Social District in Grand Haven this Friday,” said Grand Haven Main Street Executive Director Jeremy Swiftney. “This has been a work in progress for many months, and we are very thankful for our volunteers, the City of Grand Haven, and its City Council for believing in the safety and feasibility of this planned district. Economic vitality and recovery from the pandemic are very important to our community and to Grand Haven Main Street. This is just one more example of our business community, advocates, local leaders, and local residents all working together to assist in achieving these results for our Main Street businesses.”

As more venues receive approval from the State of Michigan, we will continue to open the district up to their business as well. Currently approved by Grand Haven City Council, and awaiting state approval, are Long Road Distillery, Anna’s House, The Grand, The Eagles, Portobello Restaurant, Tip-A-Few, and Tip-Two. For more information about Grand Haven Main Street and the Social District, please contact us at 616-844-1188 or visit www.downtowngh.com for more information.

New chef, local food, cold brews at Broad Leaf Brewery in Kentwood

By Amy Sherman
WKTV Contributing Writer


Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits in Kentwood has introduced a new exciting menu, as well as craft spirits, to compliment its artisan beers. The brewery is excited to welcome new executive chef Gabriel Araujo, who is bringing years of experience, and a special passion for cooking that is going to fit right in here.

“Gabe has a wonderful reputation around town for the quality of his dishes and the care he puts into creating them as well as for being a great leader,” said Broad Leaf co-owner Kris Spaulding. She owns the three year old brewery with her husband Jason. They are also the owners of Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids.

Araujo comes to the brewery with ‘broad’ experience. Originally from Saranac, he’s been working in West Michigan kitchens for close to two decades. He was the opening chef at Harmony Hall West, Hancock, and most recently was the general manager and chef at Fish Lads and Carvers at the downtown market.

 

He also did a short stint at the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at Grand Rapids Community College, but left before completing his degree. As a self taught chef myself, I can totally get behind his approach of just getting to work, and learning on the job.

“I found myself getting bogged down, I was working at two restaurants while attending school full time,” said Araujo via a Facebook post. “I decided to drop out and make money learning hands-on rather than paying to sit at a desk. I felt I got much more out of hands-on experience than I did at school. Being in the s*** on the line and working your way out of it while trying to stay calm, collected, organized is a better way for me to learn than any class I could take. Not to mention being surrounded by fire and knives on a slick floor.”

Chef Gabrial Aruajo works the line at Broad Leaf Brewing in Kentwood. He was recently hired as executive chef. (Photo courtesy of Broad Leaf Brewing)

Broad Leaf, which is located on the corner of Lake Eastbrook and 29th street, has gone through a few menu iterations since opening, some of which were chef driven and some due to the pandemic closings. The new menu that Araujo just introduced features interesting flavor combinations inspired by street style world cuisine.

 

So what the heck does that mean?

It means you’ll find things like a creamy, sweet and spicy baked corn dip, that comes out hot and bubbling with mozzarella cheese, and laced with spicy Korean gochugaru red pepper flakes. A slow and low burn comes from poblano peppers in the pork green chili, which features local pork shoulder braised to tender perfection and brightened by fresh green cilantro. The hot chicken katsu sandwich melds a classic Japanese technique with hot and spicy American flavors. A hearty chicken breast gets a crunchy panko coating and a heavy swipe of chili oil, then topped with a homemade miso pickle, shredded lettuce, American cheese, and curry mayo. When you say that a dish has flavors that sing, that is what we are talking about with Araujo’s cooking at Broad Leaf.

 

“I love taking the most simple of ingredients and turning them into something that someone will want to eat again and again,” said Araujo via Facebook.

Pairing up this exciting food is easy with all of the drink offerings at Broad Leaf. They recently added distilled spirits to their lineup, with their first offering being a gin, which is one of Araujo’s favorites. “The gin is killer, and Shayla (the bartender) has been doing some really cool stuff with cocktails using local seasonal fruits,” said Araujo.

 

Chef Gabriel Araujo (Photo courtesy of Broad Leaf)

As for beer, there is something for everyone, as the restaurant offers both the more traditional American styles that Broad Leaf makes, as well as the classic Belgium style beers that Vivant brews. Araujo is a fan of Cosmic Question, which is described as an ‘intriguing ale’ described as having a malty fruit punch flavor with just a bit of tartness. As an IPA fan, I’ve liked the Rapid IPA, which contains my favorite hop variety, Amarillo. Enigmatic Velocity is a juicy little IPA with notes of grapefruit, orange and red currant. If you are already a fan of Vivant beers, you’ll find classics like Beach Patrol to enjoy. The drinks menu changes daily, and you can see the updated list online at the Broad Leaf website.

Broad Leaf is a big, open, colorful space, with plenty of room to safely spread out. There are some private dining booths, lots of communal style tables, and a new outdoor patio. The kitchen is located in a converted shipping container inside the building, and you can see the production facility and barrel storage adjacent to the pub. Depending on the day, you might order beers at the bar. The knowledge of the staff is impressive, you can ask any question and they are happy to share what they know, and to guide you to the drink that you’ll love.

The passion of the staff here can only be enhanced by the addition of Araujo. “I love cooking because I love to create,” said Araujo. ”I love feeding people, making people happy and giving nourishment.”

The whole team at Broad Leaf is excited that Chef Gabe has arrived. “His passion and dedication to his craft inspire his team to do great things, while his approachability and kindness build a positive atmosphere,” said Kris Spaulding. “It’s something not found in enough kitchens in the restaurant industry.”

City of Kentwood to close out its summer events with Food Truck Festival

The City of Kentwood Food Truck Festival will return Saturday, Sept. 11. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood and GR8 Food Trucks will again partner to offer a Food Truck Festival with more than 20 vendors to both help the community support small businesses and make the most of the end of the summer season.

The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 11, in the parking lot of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE, according to a Sept. 7 statement from the city.

The free-to-attend community event will run 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and feature 24 food trucks, live music and a beer and wine tent.

This year’s event will coincide with the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The event will include a moment of silence led by Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley, at 5 p.m., to honor the victims of 9/11, followed by a brief performance by local bagpiper Tom Bradley. There will also be posters from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York on display in the Library Community Room.

“We’re looking forward to the return of our Food Truck Festival, which has become one of our community’s favorite events to enjoy great food and music as we near the end of summer,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director. said in supplied material. “We’ve developed a great lineup of food trucks with GR8 Food Trucks, as well as several musicians for a full day of fun outdoors.”

There will be a wide variety of sweet and savory food options available for purchase, according to the statement, with participating food trucks including Bigfoot Burger, Big Mike’s Kettle Corn, Beecher’s Pretzels, Curry in a Hurry, Daddy’s Dough Cookies, El Jalapeño, Fire and Rice Paella, Kool Breze, Kona Ice of Lowell, Lazy Man BBQ, Mapocho Fresh Sanwishes, Mexcellente, Nick’s Gyros, Olly’s Donuts, Patty Matters, PJW Creole Cuisine, Pressed in Time, Saladino Smoke, Sanse Filipino Cuisine, Street Frites, Touch O’ Dutch, Arcane Pizza, Whipped, a Brunch Truck, and UCC Desserts.

Live music will start at 11 a.m. with Bucket O’ Maybes, followed by DJ Snax, Moonshot Band and Last Gasp Collective.

The City of Kentwood will continue to monitor public health guidance and orders, according to the statement, which may require changes to the event. Residents are encouraged to follow current public health guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

For more (and the the latest) event information visit kentwood.us/FoodTruckFestival.

David Gerald, and his ‘Power Trio’, set to bring Detroit power sounds to Kentwood summer concerts

David Gerald (Courtesy of David Gerald)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

It is no coincidence that guitarist and vocalist David Gerald likes to call his tight, taught guitar-bass-drum group a “Power Trio” — seeing him on video, hearing him on vinyl, tells you he knows that his hometown Detroit blues, R&B and rock sound is all about bringing the power to the stage.

Which, we can assume, he and his trio will do, Thursday, July 29, as they visit the outdoor Kentwood Summer Concert free series for a 7 p.m. gig.

Gerald also knows all about the blues, coming from a family that lived it, and grabbing the power, from a father who grabbed it.

Gerald is the son of rural Mississippi born and raised parents, and while he was born in Detroit, the youngest of 11 children, six of his siblings were born and partly raised in Mississippi.

David Gerald. (Courtesy of David Gerald)

“Because segregation and racial discrimination were so bad in Mississippi at the time, my dad moved the family north to Detroit when he was 33, so we’d have a better chance at the American dream,” Gerald said in supplied material.

And Gerald’s version of the American Dream is playing his beloved Detroit-sound music — what he calls “blues-infused rock and soul hybrid” — with his lead guitar a central figure since he first pickup one up at age 14.

“I was lucky enough to have a neighbor who was a guitarist and gave me scrap guitars. I would piece them together and build ‘Frankenstein’ guitars,” Gerald said. “They were horrible to play and sounded bad, but I had to play music. It was and is my destiny. I finally scraped up enough money to buy an old amp and I was happy.”

After cutting his teeth and honing his guitar skills in the 1980s, he says he began to explore the music of blues guitar heavyweights like Albert King, ZZ Hill, B.B. King, and Stevie Ray Vaughan — and his sound “evolved and expanded to where it is today.”

His 2009 debut CD, “Hell And Back,” reached #1 on Roots Music Report’s Blues Chart for Michigan based artists and remained in the top 20 for many weeks in a row. His newest album, “N2U”, was released in April 2018.

“N2U” had “been a long time coming,” he said. “I put together these songs for myself, my friends and supporters. It’s all about new thoughts, new experiences and deeply felt emotions. I hope everyone who listens can find something that touches them. Something they can relate to.”

For more information on the David Gerald Band, visit davidgerald.com.

The Kentwood Summer Concert Series has two more Thursday night dates: The Accidentals on Aug. 5 and a rescheduled night with The Soul Syndicate on Aug. 19.

Concerts will be livestreamed by WKTV for those who would prefer to enjoy the performances from home.

Before the music starts, get a little treat at Kentwood Farmers Market. (WKTV/K/D. Norris)

All concerts will begin at 7 p.m., and conclude around 8:30 p.m., on the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair. Each concert will feature food trucks, which will have food and beverages available for purchase. Guests may also bring their own food and beer or wine.

All are also invited to visit the Kentwood Farmers Market, which overlaps with the concert schedule as the market will take place 4:30-7:30 p.m. each Thursday in front of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

More information is available at kentwood.us/SummerConcertSeries.

Local small entertainment venues still waiting on federal ‘Save our Stages’ assistance

The pandemic shut down Spring Lake’s Seven Steps Up and other small music venues in Michigan. The slow rollout of federal assistance is not helping them come back and fill the seats. (Seven Steps Up)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Three West Michigan “small stage” music venues — Listening Room and Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids and Seven Steps Up in Spring Lake — are moving ahead with scheduling a few nights of music in the coming weeks.

Listening Room is hosting concerts outside the “Room” on the Listening Lawn with its first inside stage concert currently set for Aug. 6 with Tobin Sprout, while Pyramid Scheme’s first live show will be Charles The Osprey + Cavalcade + Crooked Heart on July 10, and Seven Steps Up has scheduled Leigh Nash (of Sixpence None the Richer) for a July 22.

But as the venues begin to come back to life — and live shows return to their stages — after the pandemic shutdown, both had hoped to already have received promised federal financial support from the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA).

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich. District 2), shown on the set of “WKTV Journal In Focus”. (WKTV)

That support has not shown up despite their being qualified and early applicants, WKTV has learned from both venues, and that delay has drawn the ire of local U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga. Last week, Rep. Huizenga, who represents both Wyoming and Kentwood, joined more than 200 bipartisan members of the House of Representatives in sending a letter to SBA administrator Isabel Guzman “urging immediate action to stabilize and improve the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant” program.

According to a statement from Rep. Huizenga’s office, the rollout of the SVOG program has been plagued by technical challenges and persistent delays. Since launching the program in April, the SBA has approved roughly 400 grants as of June 14 — despite receiving more than 14,000 applications. In the letter signed by Rep. Huizenga the SBA was urged to “expedite the release of relief funding to struggling venues across the country.”

And that expediting of the relief funding will come none-too-soon for Seven Steps Up and the other venues.

“The portal opened officially on April 26 at noon and we submitted our application at 3:01p.m.,” Michelle Hanks, co-owner of Seven Steps Up, said to WKTV. “To date we have not had a response, although about a week ago it changed from Application Submitted to Pending Final Review. (On June 25, that status was upgraded to ‘Approved”) … But we have no timeline for funding.”

Quinn Mathews, general manager of Listening Room, also is still in the dark about its application — so the venue is moving forward while it waits.

Tami VandenBerg of Pyramid Scheme said they applied for the SVOG grant “in April. We have been in ‘under review’ status for several weeks now… .  Hoping to hear of an approval soon.”

Michelle and Gary Hanks, owners and mangers of Seven Steps Up. (WKTV)

“Yes, we applied and we have yet to hear anything,” Mathews said to WKTV. “But we are producing concerts outside in our Studio Park Piazza all summer and we’ll be adding indoors as well here soon. We have a busy lineup for late summer and into the fall.”

The delay is of particular difficulty for Hanks and Seven Steps Up as it struggled to get back to business.

“We know we are eligible, and we are stuck without it. We can’t move forward,” she said. “We can’t, at this point, decide to quit because if we do we will owe tens of thousands of dollars for grants we have accepted under the condition that we certify we plan to reopen. We can’t hire employees. We can’t start up basic services or purchase basic supplies. Or fix our broken sign. Or deal with the hundreds of other decisions we have to make daily with absolutely no clue what to do.

“It’s a nightmare every day and the money is sitting there while venues go out of business. I don’t think it can be called emergency assistance now that it has been almost seven months since the legislation was passed.”

And for Rep. Huizenga, that delay is just unacceptable.

“It’s been six months since Congress created the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program to help some of the hardest hit small businesses in the nation,” Rep. Huizenga said in supplied material. “The Small Business Administration’s inability to properly administer the funding in a timely manner is completely unacceptable. The more time that passes due to bureaucratic inaction, the more small concert venues will close their doors for good.”

The letter which Rep. Huizenga signed points out “These small businesses not only provide good jobs and contribute economically to our local communities, they contribute to the spirit and local culture as well.”

For an up-to-date schedule at Seven Steps Up concerts, visit sevenstepsup.com.

For an up-to-date schedule of Listening Room concerts, both on the lawn and, soon, inside, visit listeningroomgr.com.

Soul Syndicate’s sweet ’n’ hot sounds opens City of Kentwood Summer Concert Series this week

The Soul Syndicate will kick off the Kentwood Summer Concert Series this week. Can you say “Party time!” (Supplied by the band)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Classic soul, R&B and a little ‘funk” for your summer evening will be provided by The Soul Syndicate this week as the City of Kentwood Summer Concert Series’ free concerts return for a summer run beginning Thursday, June 24, at 7 p.m.

The summer series, which will run most Thursday nights through Aug. 5, will also include West Michigan favorites The Accidentals, Bootstrap Boys, Benzing Graves Collective, Dalmatian Stone and David Gerald.

Concerts will be livestreamed by WKTV for those who would prefer to enjoy the performances from home. (Click on the Live Streams link in the upper right of the page.)

All concerts will begin at 7 p.m., and conclude around 8:30 p.m., on the lawn behind Kentwood City Hall, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair. Each concert will feature food trucks, which will have food and beverages available for purchase. Guests may also bring their own food and beer or wine.

All are also invited to visit the Kentwood Farmers Market, which overlaps with the concert schedule as the market will take place 4:30-7:30 p.m. each Thursday in front of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

New this year, Kentwood will offer essential workers and their guests special VIP seating near the stage. Essential workers who are interested can RSVP online prior to each concert.

More information is available at kentwood.us/SummerConcertSeries.

As national touring concert scene awakens, Meijer Gardens announces complete concert series

How you know its summer … and fall this year … a concert at Meijer Gardens. (Supplied/William Hebert)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

It has been almost two years since Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s summer concert series promoter Chris Mautz last arranged an act on tour to stop in Grand Rapids — if you guessed Calexico and Iron Wine, in September 2019, you were probably there.

But with the national touring band concert season awakening as the COVID-19 pandemic ebbs a little more with every vaccination shot, and concert venue attendance limits are expanded or removed, Meijer Gardens this morning announced the complete lineup for 2021’s late-arriving season.

And despite its late start and abbreviated lineup, the Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens’ 28-show lineup, arranged as always by Mautz and his company, delivers a little something for everyone, from the opening night of Preservation Hall Jazz Band with the Grand Rapids Symphony on July 18, to the closing night of Lettuce and Galactic featuring Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph on Sept. 19.

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band will play with the Grand Rapids Symphony on July 18 (Supplied/Patrick Melon)

In between are 26 other shows including returning favorites The Beach Boys on Aug. 20,  Pink Martini (featuring China Forbes) with the Grand Rapids Symphony on July 29, and O.A.R. on Sept. 9.

The highlights of the season — from this deprived concertgoer — may well be a great two-night blast from the ‘90s past will be The Verve Pipe on July 24 and Collective Soul on July 25, the pairing of the great Emmylou Harris and Los Lobos on Aug. 8, and the return of the “bring-the-house-down” sounds of St. Paul & The Broken Bones on Aug. 27.

Nobody, though, is more glad to see the business of live concerts returning than Mautz — after all, it is his business.

“This 14-, 15-month pause is certainly not something any of us expected to happen, right? But it sure does feel good to be coming back,” Mautz said to WKTV. “There has been a desire from both sides (music venues and touring acts) to be engaged again.”

And things have been moving, cautiously, in the right direction for opening up the national touring scene for a few months.

“For so many of us, it has been the last three-ish months that we have been on a good positive trend — for the most part — case rates going down, vaccine rates going up, hospitalization rates going gown. … That consistency of heading in the right direction has given a little opportunity, for me personally, to get that engine cranking a little bit.”

Capacity restrictions no longer in place

According to the Meijer Gardens announcement, “Consistent with current COVID-19 guidance, as of July 1 there will be no capacity restrictions and 1,900 general admission tickets will be available for each concert.”

Emily Lou Harris. (Supplied/Kat Villacorta)

And that means there is likely to be full houses for many, if not all, of the aforementioned concerts and well as the rest of the lineup.

Among the other Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens are:



The Grand Rapids Symphony conducted by Bob Bernhardt, Principal Pops Conductor on July 22; Watchhouse (formerly Mandolin Orange), Aug. 5; Kansas, Aug. 6; Harry Connick, Jr. and His Band – Time to Play!, Aug. 9; America, Aug. 11; Umphrey’s McGee, Aug. 12; Mat Kearney, Aug. 13; Shakey Graves, Aug. 16; Blues Traveler + JJ Grey & Mofro, Aug. 18; 38 Special, Aug. 19; Squeeze, Aug. 22; Ani DiFranco, Aug. 23; Colin Hay of Men at Work, Aug. 26; Old Crow Medicine Show, Aug. 29; Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Sept. 1; Indigo Girls, Sept. 2; Black Violin + Blind Boys of Alabama, Sept. 12; Toad the Wet Sprocket, Sept. 15; and Pat Benetar & Neil Giraldo, Sept. 16.

Some bands back on the road, but not all

While the Meijer Gardens lineup is well represented with different musical genres and acts, and other local venues are beginning to schedule as well, there will be a time lag for the touring bus to get back to full throttle, Mautz believes.

The Verve Pipe (Supplied)

“A lot of people think there will be a flood of activity from the touring world, and the  public will want to get back out there,” he said. “But I think, like many things with this pandemic, it will be different shades of grey. … 

“Certainly a lot of bands are itching to get out there, but some are working and have been working throughout the pandemic, while others have been a little more patient and will stay that way. I would not be surprised to see that have a reflection on the business in general.”

Details of getting the tickets

Tickets for the concerts, via Meijer Gardens’s new new ticketing partner, Etix, will be available online at Etix.com (preferred method) with handling fee of $10 per order, or by phone at 1-800-514-etix (3849), also with a handling fee of $10 per order. There will be no on-site ticket sales at Meijer Gardens.

Gate and show start times vary. Check MeijerGardens.org/concerts for details. All information is subject to change. All shows will take place rain or shine, weather delays are possible. There are no ticket returns or refunds.

Kansas (Supplied/Emily Butler Photography)

Meijer Gardens has created an Insider’s Guide to Buying Tickets to help with ticket purchasing. The Insider’s Guide is available at MeijerGardens.org/concerts.


Members can buy tickets during the members-only presale beginning at 9 a.m., Saturday, June 26, through midnight, July 9. Members save $5 per ticket during the presale. After July 10, members save $2 per ticket. There is a limit of 8 tickets per show, per transaction. To join or renew a membership before June 26, visit MeijerGardens.org/membership or call the membership department at 616-977-7689.


Sales to the public begin at 9 a.m., July 10. There is a limit of 8 tickets per show, per transaction. Again, there will be no on-site ticket sales at Meijer Gardens. Ticket can be purchased online at eTix.com with a handling fee of $5 per order (not per ticket) and convenience fee of $5.25 per ticket applies to all sales, or by phone at 1-800-514-etix (3849), also with a handling fee of $5 per order and convenience fee of $5.25 per ticket applies to all sales.

It’s back to summer fun in Kentwood as the Food Truck Festival returns to library parking lot

A view of a previous City of Kentwood Food Truck Festival. (WKTYV/2018)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood and GR8 Food Trucks aren’t waiting until the end of summer to offer the annual Food Truck Festival this year – they’re kicking off the season later this month with the first to two planned food truck events.

The “kick-off” of the Summer Food Truck Festival will take place Saturday, June 19, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., in the parking lot of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE. To wrap up the summer season, another food truck festival is slated for Saturday, Sept. 11.

A variety of for trucks will be at Kentwood’s End of Summer Food Truck Festival. (WKTV)

“We’re pleased to expand the Food Truck Festival to two dates and double the opportunity for community members to come together for fun, fellowship and fantastic local food and music,” Val Romeo, Kentwood Parks and Recreation director, said in supplied material. “We’re delighted to again partner with GR8 Food Trucks, vendors and musicians to provide this wonderful all-ages event for our community.”

The free-to-attend community event will feature 16 food trucks, live music and a beer tent, according to supplied material. The food trucks will offer everything from Filipino cuisine to Indian food, as well as barbeque options, hot dogs, fries and a variety of dessert options. While entry to the festival is free, cost for food and beverages varies by vendor.

The event also will have community booths including the Kent County Black Caucus, which will honor the day and educate the public about Juneteenth, an annual holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the country. Workforce Employment Specialists, United Healthcare and others will be on-site as well.

Live music will start at 11 a.m. with The Boogie Woogie Kid, followed by DJ Snax, Hazy Past and Asamu Johnson and The Associates of the Blues. A beer tent featuring local craft beer favorites will be open 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Among the food trucks expected to participate are Beecher’s Pretzels, Curry in a Hurry, Daddy’s Dough Cookies, Detroit’s Original Coney Island, Kona Ice of Lowell, Kool Breze, Little Mamma’s Ultimate Dessert & Snack Truck, Nick’s Gyros, Patty Matters, Pig Out on the Fly, Pressed in Time, SANSE Filipino Cuisine, Specialty Cheesecake and Dessert Company, Street Frites, Touch O’ Dutch and UCC Dessert.

“Food trucks offer a great way to sample a variety of cuisine in a relaxed and outdoor setting,” Alan Stone, president of GR8 Food Trucks, said in supplied material. “Kentwood’s Food Truck Festival provides an opportunity for residents to have fun while supporting local businesses, which is especially important during the pandemic.”

More information about the Kick-off to Summer Food Truck Festival is available at kentwood.us/SummerFoodTruckFestival.

Volunteers are also needed for the event. Those interested can sign up online.

On Tap: Bell’s mural goes up, Gov. gets down with distilled, GR’s ‘Wine, Beer and Food’ fest returns

Bell’s Eccentric Café in Kalamazoo is now sporting a fitting mural by Dream Scene Placemaking, and mural artists Anna Lee Roeder and Erik Vasilauskas. (Dream Scene Placemaking)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The next time you are in Kalamazoo, looking for Bell’s Eccentric Café, and your Siri directions have your running in circles, just stop and look for the wall of hops — the big wall of big hops.

A new outdoor mural at Bell’s Eccentric Café, created and installed by Dream Scene Placemaking, is now one of the largest murals in downtown Kalamazoo and the imagery reflects the brewing process — including a wall of hops — as well as Bell’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The murals are part of the the Café’s celebration of its 28 anniversary, officially set for on June 11. (Fun fact: Did you know that Bell’s was the first Michigan brewery to sell beer by the glass, on site, since Prohibition?)

Anyway, back to the murals …

Even before the Eccentric Café opened in 1993, Bell’s Brewing has “been committed to its community and re-vitalizing its areas in downtown Kalamazoo,” according to supplied material, and the murals are another example of “that commitment to breathe new life into the community.”
 

The Kalamazoo-based Dream Scene Placemaking, and mural artists Anna Lee Roeder and Erik Vasilauskas, began working on the mural on April 19.

Another wall of the Bell’s Eccentric Café mural by Dream Scene Placemaking. (Dream Scene Placemaking)

This mural project had been in the planning stages for a few years. Work was scheduled to begin just before the COVID-19 Pandemic hit in March 2020. It was completed on May 14.

The mural incorporates images and messaging that represent what Bell’s is passionate about, according to supplied material, including the highest quality ingredients (hops), innovation along with high quality and consistent craft beer no matter how much the brewery grows over time (silhouette of our original brewery).

It also features the Brewers Associations’ Independent Seal, which can only be used by breweries who fit the trade group’s definition of small, independent craft brewers. Bell’s is proud to remain 100 percent family-owned and “fiercely independent.”

The company’s commitment to being “Open to All” is also well-represented.

“‘Open to All’ greets everyone who visits any of our buildings, whether that’s our pub, store, or our Comstock Brewery,” Carrie Yunker, Bell’s executive vice president, said in supplied material. “We are firmly committed to an environment that is rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion for our employees and our guests. This mural makes that statement loud and clear.”

For more information visit bellsbeer.com.

Gov. Whitmer signs bills benefitting Michigan Craft Distillers

Last month, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer saddled up to the bar at Grand Rapids’ Long Road Distillers and … wait for it … signed a series of senate bills which “will make it easier for distillers and retailers to distribute and sell mixed spirit drinks, offering consumers more choices and growing our economy,” according to a statement from her office.

Canned cocktails represent a growing part of the spirits industry, and Senate Bills 141-144 will allow for an expanded array of canned cocktails to be sold in Michigan. Previously, canned cocktails were capped at 10 percent alcohol-by-volume. These bills will allow for private wholesalers — often distilleries based in Michigan, such as Long Trail — to distribute canned cocktails up to 13.5 percent alcohol-by-volume.

Jon O’Connor, owner of Long Road Distillers, (middle), and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Sen. Winnie Brinks of Grand Rapids, and others at the singing of several state bills supporting the craft distilling industry. (State of Michigan)

“We thank the governor and the bi-partisan efforts in both the House and Senate for recognizing the importance of the craft distilling industry in Michigan as well as the need to make these changes which create new opportunities to get products to market,” Jon O’Connor, co-founder of Long Road Distillers and president of the Michigan Craft Distillers Association (MCDA), said in supplied material. “We believe this is the beginning of continued and expanded support for future efforts related to enhancing opportunities for Michigan small distillers.”

One of the bills was sponsored by state Sen. Winnie Brinks of Grand Rapids.

“This is commonsense legislation to allow our small businesses to distribute new products to people all over Michigan,” Sen. Brinks said in supplied material. “Grand Rapids may be known as ‘Beer City,’ but we have many innovative craft distillers who contribute to our economy and culture in West Michigan. Now that many national sellers are pushing seltzers and canned cocktail drinks, it’s only practical that we give our local businesses a fair chance to get their products in front of consumers easily and quickly.”

After a year off, GR International Wine, Beer & Food Festival set for November

The 14th Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival has announced its 2021 dates as Nov. 18-20 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. And this year it will “kick off the holiday season with an unprecedented and diverse display of food, beverage and culinary entertainment presented by the area’s finest chefs, restaurants and purveyors of libations from around the globe,” according to supplied material.

Since its inception in 2008, the festival — named in 2019 as one of a dozen “Fall Wine Festivals In North America You Don’t Want to Miss” — has grown to be the largest and of its kind in the Midwest.

“Following the brunt of the pandemic, people will be looking to finally spread their wings and gather with their friends,” Henri Boucher, show producer, said in supplied material. “We are excited to once again welcome our exhibitors, presenters and the public to join us as we celebrate the return of events in a safe and welcoming venue.”

For more information visit here.

Rockford Brewing Co. plans to add pizza pub near its brew pub

When Rockford Brewing Co. first opened its doors patrons could order a beer from the bar and order a pizza from nearby Vitale’s Pizza. Both would magically show up at your table.

Who would have thought beer and pizza would go together? Like everybody!

Malphs Pizza Pub rendering (Rockford Brewing Co.)

Anyway, it was announced last month that Malph’s Pizza Pub, created by the owners of Rockford Brewing Co., will take the place of Vitale’s Pizza of Rockford by spring of 2023 and will contain a new pizzeria, distillery and brewery inside a historic building “following an extensive restoration.”

According to multiple media reports, the remodeled 5,764-square-foot space will offer “substantial seating, including two separate bars and gorgeous views of the historic Rogue River Dam and downtown Rockford. Building plans also feature expansive outdoor seating complete with a large beer garden patio and an elevated deck.”

Malph’s Pizza Pub, we are told, takes its name from Rockford Brewing’s Malph’s Premium Beer, a throwback to the lager styles popular in the post-war era.

Wyoming-Kentwood chamber urges local restaurants — and breweries — to take advantage of Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Before the pandemic, and its resulting restrictions, at Wyoming’s Two Guys Brewing. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Much news was made of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan’s federal-government economic stimulus effort resulting from COVID-19’s negative economic impact, which was recently signed into law by President Joe Biden. But a possibly little-known portion is the current roll-out of the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund administrated by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

In brief, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) will provide small, independent restaurants — and similar small businesses including breweries and bars —  with funding “equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023,” according to an announcement from the SBA.

As part of the SBA announcement, local business leaders and business groups were urged to disseminate RRF information to their business communities, and the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce was more than happy to do so.

“The new SBA program for restaurants is long overdue,” Bob O’Callaghan, president/CEO of the local chamber, said to WKTV this week. “As we all know, the restaurant industry is one of the hardest hit by COVID-19. I am glad to be able to get this information to our chamber members.”

Jessica Ann Tyson (center) of The Candied Yam, at the Kentwood restaurant with visitors in late 2020. (The Candied Yam’s Facebook)

The RRF plan also is designed to provide assistance to communities and businesses “underserved” by previous stimulus efforts, including Black-owned businesses.

“In addition to historically having less operating liquidity and revenue than almost any other small business demographic, Black-owned restaurants received significantly less stimulus funding during the COVID-19 pandemic, heightening challenges and leading to disproportionate closures,” Ron Busby, Sr., president and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., said in supplied material. “The USBC believes this initiative and collaboration with the SBA will bring needed resources and relief to these often underserved businesses to aid in stabilization, recovery and ultimately, strengthen our economy.”

Have a beer while application process is rolled-out

While details on application requirements, eligibility, and a program guide are now available in English at www.sba.gov/restaurants or in Spanish at www.sba.gov/restaurantes, program application will be rolled-out in a staggered eligibility process to allow for ease of application and an initial focus on certain businesses.

After the SBA conducts a “pilot period” for the RRF application portal, the application portal will be opened to the public. And, according to the SBA announcement, for the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will “prioritize reviewing applications from small businesses owned by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.”

Railtown Brewing Citra Warrior IIPA. (Supplied)

Following the 21-day period, all eligible applicants can submit applications.

And local breweries will be among those able to take advantage of the program.

“Small and independent craft breweries are vibrant community gathering places that can be found in nearly every congressional district in the U.S. and contribute to manufacturing, hospitality, retail, tourism, and agricultural industries,” Bob Pease, president and CEO of the national Brewers Association, said in supplied material. “We are pleased to work with the SBA to promote the Restaurant Revitalization Fund … and assist the breweries hit hardest by COVID-19 secure much needed additional relief to help them survive the pandemic and prepare for the restart of the economy.”

On Tap: ‘Strong beer’ in Cedar Springs, Tulip Time gin, and boots fit for Dragons

Its almost time for a little summer beer tasting. (Supplied/Brewery Vivant)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

A sure sign that this spring and summer will be different than last (we can hope) is the return of the Starkbierfest — “strong beer festival” — to Cedar Springs Brewing Company, scheduled for Saturday, April 17, from 3-9 p.m., in downtown Cedar Springs.

The rain-or-shine event will feature a heated tent — you know those Michigan Aprils, right? —  with live music, limited beer release, and all the sausage you can eat.

“Besides the famous Oktoberfest, Starkbierfest … or Frühlingsfest, are the second big German beer festival times during the year,” according to promotional material of the event. “Historically, monks brewed strong beer or Bockbier which was higher in calories and a bit stronger to substitute for food during Lenten fasting. This “Liquid Bread” and annual brewing specialties have survived the times.”

The event is open to aged 21+ (w/valid ID) and $10 cover includes 2 hospitality tickets, valid for food or beverage. Tickets are available for pre-purchase and will also available for purchase at the door on the day of the event.

Among the beers to be released are a Küsterer Pale Weizenbock — one of my favorites — and a Wilderness Trail Barrel Aged Dunkel Lager (both in limited quantities), as well as eight other beers.

The live music scheduled includes Rudi Tegethoff, who we are told plays “energetic German polka” music, from about 2-4 p.m.; then Tony Halchak Music’s “Craft Brewed Americana”, from about 4:15-6:15 p.m.; and Hazy Past’s “vintage rock” from about 6:30-9 p.m.

For more information visit csbrew.com.

A little Dutch heritage with Knickerbocker Gin at Tulip Time

Holland’s Tulip Time is just around the corner — scheduled to return May 1-9 — and we are told that means over 37,000 tulips will be in bloom in Holland. And New Holland Brewing is getting into the spirit, literally!

To celebrate New Holland’s Dutch heritage, and the return of the Tulip Time Festival for 2021 after being canceled last year, New Holland’s distillery is set to release a collectible Knickerbocker Gin bottle featuring delftware artwork.

New Holland Knickerbocker gin in special bottle. (Supplied)

This commemorative bottle will be available for preorder through Sunday, April 25 (or as long as supplies last.) It will be sold as a single 750mL bottle for $29.99 (plus tax). Pickups will take place at our Holland or Grand Rapids store locations from Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 9.

New Holland promotional material notes that all preorders must be placed through their online store, however, the bottles will not be available for shipping. And every person picking up orders must present a valid ID showing proof of age of 21+.

https://www.tuliptime.com/2021

For more information on Holland’s Tulip Time 2021 visit tuliptime.com. For more information on the special Knickerbocker Gin bottles, visit here, or visit newhollandbrew.com and click on Shop/Online Store.

When you feed Dragon’s Milk to a Wolverine …

New Holland Brewing’s joint project with Wolverine — a limited edition Dragon’s Milk x 1000 Mile boot that also serves to support the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program — is on the verge of being sold out, according to the wolverine.com website.

 

Wolverine’s New Holland Dragon’s Milk boots, and some reason to walk 1,000 miles. (Supplied/Wolverine)

The “Deliciously Dark” Stout-colored leather boot is “inspired by the rich hues and notes of coffee, chocolate, vanilla, and oak found in Dragon’s Milk,” according to promotional material.

The boot also includes the iconic Dragon’s Milk logo transformed into a metal fob and heat-embossed onto the boot, just like the burnishing on the barrels the stout is aged in. And we are told “Just as Dragon’s Milk develops its unmistakable taste through its aging process, this timeless handcrafted boot will gain character with every wear.”

Wolverine will be donating 10 percent of all sales of this limited edition collaboration to the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program. For more information visit here.

And if you are heading up the Traverse Road

Northern Latitudes Distillery recently announced it is opening its complementary tasting room in Lake Leelanau, with three new spirits — including, we are told, a Horseradish Vodka that a taste of can serve as the “world’s smallest Bloody Mary.”

Northern Latitudes Distillery tasting room. (Supplied)

“We have our tasting room set up to keep you and our spirit guides as safe as possible with plexiglass dividers, disposable tasting glasses, cleaning between customers, and strictly limited numbers to assure social distancing,” according to promotional material.

And after a tasting, you can settle in on their deck for, among other cocktails, a Plum Rum Mule, which features both their Whaleback Spiced Rum and Visions of Sugar Plums Liqueur. (Ps. The Plum Rum Mule recipe is 1 oz. Visions of Sugar Plums Liqueur, 1 oz. Whaleback Spiced Rum, squeeze of half a lime, and ginger beer — squeeze lime into a copper mug or rocks glass with ice. Drop squeezed half into cup as garnish. Add spirits. Top with ginger beer and stir.)

Note, the indoor cocktail bar remains temporarily closed due to COVID safety cautions.

  

Northern Latitudes Distillery is located at 112 E Philip St (M-204), Lake Leelanau. For more information visit their Facebook page here.

On Tap: a drink with a president, looking ahead to warm weather (and the 19th hole)

Journeyman’s Not a King Rye Whiskey. (Journeyman Distillery)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Legend if not history has it that following his victory over the British, Gen. George Washington — soon to be the nation’s first president — was celebrated by the masses as the “King of America” but he famously responded by stating that he was “Not a King.”

To celebrate Washington and his also legendary distillery prowess, and almost all presidents, in the month of the President’s Day holiday, Journeyman Distillery again offers a patriotic tribute to our nation’s first distiller-in-chief with its Not a King Rye Whiskey release.

Batch #6 of Journeyman’s Not a King Rye was officially released at the Three Oaks distillery on Feb. 12, but to find where you can get it locally check out journeymandistillery.com/find-your-spirit.

Handcrafted from grain to barrel to bottle, with a mash of 60 percent rye, 35 percent corn and 5 percent malted barley, the limited release is, according to supplied material, “an interpretation of Washington’s original rye whiskey recipe” that  “takes drinkers back to the late 1700s with nuanced flavors reminiscent of the spirit America’s original settlers would enjoy.”

 

“The Crossing” has Jeff Daniels as Gen. Washington. (crop of publicity poster)

Aged 3 years in 30 gallon barrels, it’s the makings for a perfect Old Fashioned or Manhattan, with a twist of history, we are told. The offered-up mixology is a drink called “The Founding Father (2 oz. Not a King Rye Whiskey and 1 oz. Amaretto, shaken over ice and strained into a clean or ice-filled rocks glass, then finished with an orange peel.)

Me, on a cold February night, I say find the movie “The Crossing” — a fine period piece starring the great Jeff Daniels as the General — on your television, pour a clean shot, and drink with the president.

For more information about Journeyman Distillery, visit journeymandistillery.com.

North Kent Golf Course. (Courtesy)

Michigan Brewers Guild look forward to teeing off

The Michigan Brewers Guild usually holds big beer festivals each year, including one in Kent Country, and may still yet later in 2021. But this year, as last, things are different. Still the guild is looking forward to sunny summer days on the golf course, with a beer or two at the 19th hole, by announcing plans for three “Great Beer State Golf Outings” coming up this year, the first being local, on Wednesday, June 9, at North Kent Golf Course in Rockford.

The other outings will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 11, at Forest Akers Golf Course in Lansing, and Saturday, Oct. 9, at Treetops Resort in Gaylord.

“The golf outings we have planned are not intended to replace our larger events and we are hopeful that we will be hosting beer festivals again this year,” Scott Graham, executive director of the guild, said in supplied material. “We are looking for additional ways to raise operating funds for our non-profit trade association, while also getting together with some of our brewery members, allied businesses and beer enthusiasts in a fun and safe way.”

Registration for teams and sponsors the first outing will open in March. Details for all events will be posted soon on MiBeer.com under the EVENTS tab.

Formed in 1997, the Michigan Brewers Guild represents nearly 300 member breweries.

To heck with Punxsutawney Phil, summer is coming

New Holland Brewing is ignoring Punxsutawney Phil’s disheartening winter prediction for 2021 and has released a new style of craft beverage, a Watermelon Spritz — one part seltzer, one part sparkling ale, and a healthy splash of natural watermelon.

New Holland Watermelon Spritz can (Supplied)

If that doesn’t say summer nothing does.

The hybrid beverage, according to supplied material, is the result of brewing a wheat beer that is high in fruity esters, combined with natural watermelon and fizzy seltzer for a “bubbly, crisp and slightly tart” beverage with bold fruit flavor. Watermelon Spritz comes in at a “respectable” 4.3 percent ABV.

Watermelon Spritz hit the market this month in 6 packs of 12-oz. cans — their Summer Ale — a tart IPA  — will become available in May in the same way. For more information visit NewHollandBrew.com.

On Tap: ‘adult beverage’ Halloween treats, old made new again, and local beer awards

The Eastern Kille Half Blood Prince cocktail kit, ready for gross additions. (Eastern Kille)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Grand Rapids’ Eastern Kille Distillery has a little Halloween treat to share, of the adult beverage variety and in two styles: a little traditional and a little gross.

The distillery, located at 700 Ottawa Ave. NW, has two Halloween cocktail kits ready for mixing on that spooky night or any chilly fall evening: a Half Blood Prince kit — ready made for serving with creepy fake eyeballs (not supplied but shown) — and a Hot Rum Cider kit, for those less in the gross-out mood.

The Half Blood Prince cocktail kit can be ordered in the standard size (4 cocktails) or party size (12 cocktails). It features raspberry, pomegranate, blueberry, sage and maple flavorings along with Eastern Kille Aged Rum … to make “blood red cocktails to compliment your favorite scary movies,” we are told.

The Eastern Kille cider kit. (Eastern Kille)

The Hot Rum Cider cocktail kit is intended to be created in a large batch and serves 20 cocktails. Featuring fresh local cider, cinnamon, ginger Eastern Kille Aged Rum, and Appelflappen — a liquor that tastes like the also named Dutch pastry, we assume — this kit creates “a warm punch perfect to enjoy the cool holiday weekend with.”

You can order your Halloween cocktail kits online and pick up at the Eastern Kille Distillery Tasting Room beginning Thursday, Oct. 29. If you would prefer to remain in your vehicle, they are offering curbside delivery.

Eastern Kille Distillery can be reached at 616-893-3305 or by visiting easternkille.com.

Historic distiller Joseph Magnus joins Holland’s Coppercraft 

A (really) old Magnus bottle, circa 1903. (Supplied)

It as announced recently that Joseph A. Magnus & Co., a premium brand of award-winning bourbons and dry gins, will relocate its operations from Washington, D.C., to Holland, Mich., later this month.

Joseph Magnus will “share both talent and production space” with Coppercraft Distillery, according to the announcement. “Coppercraft’s distilling team will work closely with Joseph Magnus master blender Nancy Fraley in a space reserved for Magnus’ triple cask blending and finishing process.”

Joseph Magnus master blender Nancy Fraley, doing her thing. (Supplied)

The return to Michigan is sort of a coming home for the brand, as the eponymous Joseph Magnus had a summer home in Oden, Michigan, in the early 1900s, where he was an active and philanthropic member of the community. In 1921, he purchased a tract of land on the shores of Little Traverse Bay and donated it to the City of Petoskey. (If you know the Traverse area you know Magnus State Park as well as other ties to the historic name and brand.)

The celebrated Magnus brand was originally founded in 1892 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and reestablished in 2015 in Washington, D.C.

“We’re excited to be bringing the Magnus brand home to Michigan to support the next phase of our growth,” Ali Anderson, general manager for Magnus, said in supplied material. “West Michigan is known for its storied history of quality craftsmanship and industry and we are proud to contribute to that legacy in our new location in Holland.”

For more information on the Joseph Magnus brand, visit josephmagnus.com. For more information on Coppercraft Distillery, visit coppercraftdistillery.com.

Michigan Brewers Guild members bring home the bling

It was recently announced that five Michigan breweries brought home a collective six medals from this year’s the Great American Beer Festival Competition in Denver, Co., which is said to be the largest commercial beer competition in the world.

The winners included the big and small of Michigan brewers, from Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids to Silver Harbor Brewing Co. in St. Joseph and Stormcloud Brewing Co. in Frankfort. All are members of the Michigan Brewers Guild.

Just for the heck of it, three maybe interesting, maybe boring groups of facts:

Judges the competition evaluated 8,806 entries from 1,720 breweries from all 50 states, and the “socially distanced judging” took place in 35 sessions over 18 days, with strict safety measures in place.

The beer category with the highest number of entries? Juicy or hazy India Pale Ale, with 377.

And, according to the Michigan Brewers Guild, Michigan’s brewing industry contributes more than 21,000 full-time jobs and $872 million in labor income, with a total economic impact of over $2.5 billion. In terms of overall number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks 6th in the nation — supporting its title as “The Great Beer State.”

For more information on the mibeer.com.

With pandemic still impacting Kentwood small businesses, city extends temporary zoning allowances

Kentwood’s Broad Leaf Local Beer may have to change the way it uses outdoor space for customers as fall turns to winter, but the city is keeping some small business allowances in place to expedite such use. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Kentwood City Commission has extended changes to local small business zoning requirements and procedures — including temporary use of outdoor space and the suspension of some sign restrictions — as part of the city’s continued efforts to support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

According to a statement from the City of Kentwood, the City Commission approved a resolution that extends the changes through October 2021, as recommended by the Kentwood Economic Development Corporation. The changes were set to expire Nov. 1.
 

The resolution allows for an expedited site plan review process for temporary outdoor retail, food, beverage and personal service uses. The extension also means time limits on temporary sign display and certain business licensing fees remain suspended.

“The resolution we passed in June was intended to ease and expedite businesses’ abilities to serve customers in a manner that’s consistent with evolving public health recommendations,” Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley said in supplied material. “As COVID-19 continues to impact our community, the City remains committed to these measures to assist businesses still reeling from the effects of the pandemic.”

Retailers, restaurants and personal service businesses, such as athletic training facilities, wanting to add expanded outdoor spaces for customers may apply for such allowances through a streamlined administrative review process that was put into place earlier this summer to “jump-start the local economy,” according to the city’s statement.

The review and approval of site plans for general retail sales, food, beverage and personal service establishments in the city seeking to utilize outdoor areas, such as exterior building aprons or use of parking areas, are conducted through the Planning Department. (Interested businesses are asked to complete the online application at kentwood.us/businessrestart for consideration.)

Additionally, according to the city’s statement, under the temporary sign moratorium, one temporary sign of up to 32 square feet in area is allowed per business. Other restrictions in the zoning ordinance related to temporary signs, such as sign placement and similar matters, remain in effect.

Also announced was that for the fiscal licensing year 2020-21, City of Kentwood business license fees for all establishments located in Kentwood will be waived with the exception of hazardous material fees and fees for transient, waste hauler, door-to-door and snowplowing licenses.

On Tap: AlePrize on the walls of local pubs, beer and anti-racism, and Belgian Tripel

AlePrize artwork on the wall at Broad Leaf Local Beer in Kentwood. (WKTV)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

The Beer City Brewers Guild’s AlePrize, a celebration of art and beer at Grand Rapids area breweries, is exhibiting local art in two local craft brew pubs in the Kentwood/Wyoming area. The month-long, city-wide event pairs local artists with local breweries.

Broad Leaf Local Beer is showing the work of Ty Davis and David Ruggeri, and Ryan Crowley. Railtown Brewing Company is showing the work of Dave Battjes.

“It’s no secret that the pandemic has impacted the brewing industry in a major way,” according to a statement from AlePrize organizers. “From taproom closures to reduced capacities to the general anxieties of keeping staff and guests safe, these have been challenging times for our region’s breweries. Fall is typically a season where taprooms can expect an uptick in business from ArtPrize visitors, but this year looks different.”

Following the regional art festival’s cancellation, the Beer City Brewers Guild come up with the idea of AlePrize, an event “that celebrates local art and beer during the age of COVID-19,” according to the statement.

AlePrize artwork on the wall at Broad Leaf Local Beer in Kentwood. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“All of us brewers in the guild are gonna miss ArtPrize in a big way,” Chad Atherton, guild board member and Director of Market Development at Founders Brewing Company “AlePrize isn’t a 100 percent supplement for what ArtPrize brings to the community, but we thought it would be a cool opportunity to connect with local artists and utilize our spaces to promote local artists.”

A $1,000 prize will be awarded to the artist who gains the most public votes and another $1,000 prize will be awarded to the top rated artist judged by a panel of local artists and culture community figures.

Of the more than 40 breweries in the guild, nearly half will be participating in some capacity. And beer/art fans should also be on the lookout for beers brewed specifically for AlePrize.

For more information on this event, visit AlePrize

Shorts Brewing part of anti-racism, anti-oppression project

Short’s Brewing Co. and non-profit Title Track have joined forces to create a call-to-action for the entire Michigan craft brewing community — step up and better our businesses and our communities for all people through support of anti-racism and anti-oppression efforts.

“As a Title Track board member, it’s been important for me to find opportunities that could support the work Title Track is doing,” Joe Short, founder of Short’s Brewing Co and Title Track board member, said in supplied material. “The craft beverage and hospitality industry made perfect sense as a platform to scale community conversations about anti-oppression programming to help us build strong and resilient communities.”

The goal is to raise $25,000 to develop anti-racism and anti-oppression programming. Short’s has made that goal even more attainable with an initial pledge of $5,000, according to supplied material.

Once the goal is met, Title Track will host five events across the state that are open to the brewing community. These events are designed to provide “a better understanding of racial justice and the steps needed to create meaningful, lasting change on the path to equity and inclusion for all — which is especially relevant in an industry made up of mostly white males.”

Title Track, a non-profit dedicated to clean water, racial equity, and youth empowerment, was launched in 2019 by Seth Bernard in the hopes of making his Michigan home a better place to live. Craft Libations for Collective Liberation is just one of many programs for the non-profit.

To donate, or learn more about Title Track’s Racial Equity Team, visit here. For more information about Short’s Brewing Company visit shortsbrewing.com.

Take a road trip to Stormcloud

If you’re taking a road trip up north, through Frankfort, before the snow flies, you might want to stop at Stormcloud Brewing Company and try their seasonal release of the brewery’s Harvest Tripel.

According to supplied material, “the innovative and unique beer blends the traditional Belgian Tripel beer style with freshly harvested hops grown in northern Michigan.”

Released annually using a different hop variety every year, the 2020 Harvest Tripel is brewed exclusively with Michigan Saaz hops grown by Michigan Hop Alliance in Omena.

They had me at “Belgian Tripel.”

For more information about Stormcloud visit Stormcloudbrewing.com.

On Tap: A virtual Michigan Irish Music Fest, Bell’s fall lineup

There will not be this such crowds at this year’s Michigan Irish Music Festival. But there will still be fun and music and beer, we assume. (Supplied/previous year)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Over the weekend originally slated for their 2020 festival, Sept. 17-20, the Michigan Irish Music Festival will host “Keeping Irish In Your Heart … Six Feet Apart,” a virtual event featuring musical performances, cultural presentations, and “other ways to engage in one of the lakeshore’s most beloved fall traditions,” according to a supplied statement.
 

There will be both songs and swag available.

Tune in beginning Thursday, Sept. 17 (through Saturday, Sept. 20) to Michigan Irish Music Festival’s Facebook page for special online performances and cultural presentations to celebrate the “weekend that would have been.” There will be a “Live Takeover” by the folk group Scythian and other mini-concerts throughout the weekend.

Other musical guests expected include Runa, Friel Sisters, Shane Hennessy, Dave Curley, Seamus Kennedy, Conklin Ceili band, Crossbow, Peat in the Creel, Uneven Ground, Ruth & Max Bloomquist, Selkies, Kennedy’s Kitchen, Doolin, One for the Foxes. Blackthorn, Irish Music All Stars, The Kreellers, and more. Cultural presentations include Songwriters Circle with Ashley Davis and Baking with Babies, a kid-friendly cooking presentation by Shannon of Runa.

And even if you can’t make it live, you can pretend in future years. The official “Irish There Were a Festival” t-shirt can be purchased for $20 (shipping included).  But the cotton tees will be on sale for a limited time.

For complete event information visit michiganirish.org.

Bell’s welcomes fall with brew familiar and new

Bell’s Brewery always seems to have something special on tap for fall, but this year Best Brown lovers will need to take notice of a new label on the familiar brew as the fall seasonal will have a brand new look when it arrives on store shelves and in coolers over the next couple of weeks.

The new label is a mix of the old and the new,” Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery, said recently in supplied material. “It hearkens back to our original labels while paying homage to the heritage of the brand, a modernized nod to the history of Best Brown.”

Best Brown (5.8 ABV) — a smooth, toasty beer that offers hints of cocoa and caramel — has a long history with Bell’s fans. It was first released in 1988 packaged in 22 oz. bottle, and featured a plain type label and then a winter pine cone. The owl first appeared in 1993 and has been on the label ever sense, represented in different styles throughout the years.

Other fall brews already available from Bell’s include, of course, its Octoberfest, a Special Double Cream Stout, Expedition Stout (including a very limited special edition version celebrating Bell’s 35th Anniversary. Third Coast Old Ale will be available in mid-September, Sideyard at the end of September, and a Cherry Stout — perfect for those crisp Michigan fall nights — in mid-October.

For more information, visit bellsbeer.com.

Zach Cantalice, WKTV Intern

On Tap: Wyoming, Kentwood pubs make room outdoors; Bell’s joins Black is Beautiful initiative

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

When the State of Michigan allowed local craft brewing establishments — along with most Lower Peninsula restaurants — to reopen to inside seating in June, there were and still are some “socially distant” capacity limitations which make sit-down business hard to turn a profit on.

Thank God for beer gardens.

And, in some cases, thanks to various city leaders allowing parking areas and other outdoor spaces to become beer gardens, outside seating has become very important part of local businesses’ recovery plans.

 

WKTV visited three local craft brewers — Two Guys Brewing, Broad Leaf Local Beer and Railtown Brewing Company — to see how they were making the move outside.

Railtown Brewing is located at 3595 68th St. SE, in Dutton but just across the border with Kentwood. (WKTV)

For Railtown Brewing, an existing wrap-around deck area was already in place and required very little changes. For TwoGuys Brewing, they worked with the City of Wyoming to be able to use parking spaces until a new back deck area is finished and approved.

For Broad Leaf Local Beer, working with Kentwood city leaders allowed them to expand into a grassy area onsite and into their parking lot — but that is just the beginning of a cooperative effort, including making the place a little more dog friendly.

(For a video report on Broad Leaf Local Beer’s outdoor spaces, doggie-friendly attitude — and the assistance they have received from the City of Kentwood — see the WKTV YouTube video at the top of this story.)

Railtown andTwoGuys

Railtown’s fairy new facility was perfectly suited for the new rules, and both have continued to garner community/customer support in changing conditions.

“We’re not expanding our space in any way. We’re actually in a fairly unique position to have a lot of space as it is,” Railtown Brewing Company’s Justin Buiter said to WKTV in June. “Inside, we’ve removed many tables, chairs and bar seats to get everyone spaced out appropriately. Outside, our tables were already socially distant, so there wasn’t much change necessary out there.

“In general, the support has continued to be amazing. As most folks are experiencing, face masks are the hot button issue. We really haven’t had any issues to speak of and folks have been generally understanding.”

Two Guys is actually working to offer permanent outside seating while it utilizes temporary outside seating.

Two Guys Brewing is located at 2356 Porter St. SW, Wyoming. (WKTV)

“We have taken advantage of the ‘Temporary Outdoor Space’ and are able to use part of our front parking lot until October 31,” TwoGuys Brewing’s Amy Payne said to WKTV. “We have a permanent patio space in the back that is in the works and will, hopefully, have approval soon for that. … Inside we have reduced our number of tables by half and bar stools by just over half, making sure that all guests are a minimum of 6 feet from the next guest.

“Folks have been very understanding and have followed the rules fairly well. Support has been amazing with many of our neighbors and regulars making sure they come in at least once a week. They want us to be around when this is all over!”

Two Guys Brewing is located at 2356 Porter St. SW, Wyoming. For more information visit twoguys-brewing.com.

Railtown is located at 3595 68th St. SE, in Dutton but just across the border with Kentwood. For more information visit railtownbrewing.com.

Broad Leaf Local Beer is located at 2885 Lake Eastbrook Blvd., Kentwood. For more informant visit broadleafbeer.com.

Bell’s Brewery to join Black is Beautiful initiative

Bell’s Brewery recently announced it has joined the Black is Beautiful initiative, an effort to help “bring awareness to the injustices many people of color face daily,” with the planned August release of a special brew.

The Black is Beautiful initiative originated with Marcus Baskerville, founder and head brewer at Weathered Souls Brewing based in San Antonio, according to supplied material. Originally planned as a Weathered Souls-only release, Baskerville was encouraged to expand his reach and make the recipe and label artwork available to more craft brewers — and so Bell’s plans to step up to the bar.

“We all have some work to do, Bell’s included, and we are committed to that,” Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery, said in supplied material. “It starts on an individual level. We all have a responsibility to do what we can to continue this conversation and help drive real change.”

There are currently more than 700 breweries from across the globe committed to this initiative.

Bell’s version of the Weathered Souls Imperial Stout recipe will be released in 6-pack bottles exclusively at Bell’s General Store in downtown Kalamazoo and Upper Hand Brewery Taproom in August. Upper Hand Brewery is a division of Bell’s Brewery and is located in Escanaba.

As part of this initiative, Bell’s will make donations to two local Black-led organizations, the Kalamazoo NAACP and Face Off Theatre.

This collaboration brew, “while sharing some of the same values,” is not part of Bell’s Celebration Series, according the Bell’s statement. That series, which empowers different groups within the company that makes Bell’s what it is, will continue later this year with another beer designed and brewed by Bell’s employees. That next release, which will come from and celebrate Bell’s Black and African American employees, will be released in the fall.

Previous brews have celebrated International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day, the LGBTQ+ community and veterans.

For more information on Bell’s Brewery visit bellsbeer.com.

Bottle, can deposit returns to be phased back in as ‘limited’ facilities access starts June 15

Deposit bottles and cans can be simply recycled as glass or metal, but with the return process being phased back in, there is probably some cash to be made. (Public Domain)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The State of Michigan Department of Treasury, this week, issued a Notice Regarding Phased Reestablishment of Michigan’s Bottle Deposit Return Program, which includes instructions that beginning June 15 some retailers must reopen their bottle return facilities and resume the collection of returnable beverage containers and refund of customer bottle deposits.

The collection of returnable beverage containers was temporarily suspended by an Executive Order issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on March 23.

According to supplied material, this applies to retailers “with bottle return facilities located at the front of the store or housed in a separate area and serviced exclusively by reverse vending machines requiring minimal or no person-to-person contact.”

Retailers reopening their bottle return facilities must ensure those facilities comply with all state-mandated safety protocols and restrictions, the statement continues.

In addition, retailers may take any or all of the following steps:

— Limit the number of beverage containers that may be returned by a single individual per day to a deposit refund amount of $25.

— Establish special or limited hours of operation for bottle return facilities.

— Limit the number of available and operating reverse vending machines.

— Periodically close bottle deposit facilities as needed for cleaning and supply management.

— Implement such other procedures or restrictions as each retailer may determine are necessary or advisable to promote safety and/or efficiency.

The statement also points out that consumers have the option of recycling their returnable beverage containers if they choose not to return them to a bottle deposit redemption facility.

Snapshots: WKTV ‘good food news’ stories you might have missed

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

Quote of the Day

“Of all the wonders of nature, a tree in summer is perhaps the most remarkable; with the possible exception of a moose singing ‘Embraceable You’ in spats.”

Woody Allen



A taste of summer — Pronto!

For many in Wyoming and Kentwood, Pronto Pups is associated with Grand Haven where one of the most famous — and the longest running — stands featuring the popular batter-dipped dog on a stick is located. But this summer, Pronto Pups will be coming to local events and locations. Go here for the story.



A taste of summer — Go dog!

The 44th Street Dog and Dairy walk-up eatery, located just east of U.S. Highway 131 in Wyoming, opened just about its normal time of mid-April. While it not entirely “business as usual” due to current restrictions on restaurants, the chill dogs are still hot and ice cream still cold. Go here for the story.



A taste of summer — A pint, please

Three Wyoming and Kentwood area craft breweries and brew pubs — TwoGuys Brewing, Broad Leaf Local Beer and Railtown Brewing Company — are doing what they can to keep their taps flowing. in these times of COVID-19 restrictions … and that means offering up beer-to-go. Go here for the story.

Fun fact:

1.4 billion

Most ice cream is made March through July. July is the busiest production month for ice cream makers. About 1.4 billion gallons of ice cream and related frozen desserts were produced in the U.S. in 2017. Source.

Wyoming, Kentwood craft breweries staying positive despite ‘first to close, last to open’ concerns

Hankerin’ for a dinner of TwoGuys Brewery’s prime rib and beer? TwoGuys managing partner, brewmaster and all-around craft-brew guru Tom Payne shows off a take-home option. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

By K.D. Norris

ken@wktv.org

Three Wyoming and Kentwood area craft breweries and brew pubs — TwoGuys Brewing, Broad Leaf Local Beer and Railtown Brewing Company — are doing what they can to keep their taps flowing in these times of COVID-19 restrictions.

Like most restaurants, they are offer take-out and delivery of food from their kitchens. Like most breweries, they offer to-go craft beer choices from their brewers. And like any good pub, they offer the kind of optimism that any good bartender will offer up to customers contemplating the worst over a cold pint.

Broad Leaf reports they are brewing up a Super Wonderful Happy IPA, “named to contrast the times and keep people thinking positively,” they say.

But despite a barkeep’s optimism, there is a healthy outpouring of concern about the future.

Railtown Brewing Company. (Supplied)

“It’s been a long road so far. Sadly, we’re in the early part of a marathon not a sprint,” Railtown’s Justin Buiter said to WKTV. “We were one of the first industries to see forced shutdowns and we’ll be one of the last to re-open. We’re planning for the worst and hoping for the best.”

TwoGuys also has some concerns about what might happen with a “slow opening” of establishments like theirs.

“As far as plans for when things open back up, we aren’t really sure,” TwoGuys Brewing managing partner Amy Payne said to WKTV. “We are prepared to pivot once again as necessary but have discussed that until all restrictions to regular business are lifted we will, most likely, continue to operate as we currently are. Opening our taproom at half capacity (if that should be the next phase) would definitely be detrimental to sales so keeping with the current model would keep us closer to our goal numbers.”

A bright spot has been community support  

Despite the current hardships, the three breweries have been thankful for the support of the community during these times.

“The community support has been amazing,” Railtown’s Buiter said.”We see a lot of familiar faces every week. Folks genuinely care about us and want to see us through this, and that means more than we can put into words.”

For Broad Leaf and its mother ship, Grand Rapids’ Brewery Vivant, their thankfulness includes community support of employees whose jobs were impacted by the closures.

“All gratuities at both locations are being put into an emergency fund for our hourly staff,” Broad Leaf and Brewery Vivant co-owner and president Kris Spaulding said to WKTV. “We have been amazed at how generous our community is. Through those guests, we have built up a meaningful fund that will surely help out some of our staff who are struggling.”

Broad Leaf is also being a little old-school resourceful when it comes to labeling their to-go beer cans and their brewing choices.

Broad Leaf Local Beer offers door pick-up of beer-to-go, and merchandise, at the Kentwood location. Much of the pub’s usual food fare is available through the mother ship, Grand Rapids’ Brewery Vivant, by pick-up or delivery. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)

“People may notice our simple war-time style labels printed on address stickers as we make do with what we have on hand,” Spaulding said. And “We have been going back to old school methods and are all pulling together to be able to share what we all love with the amazing public that has been going out of their way to support us.”

Also “Super Wonderful Happy IPA … is sort of an old-school IPA made with Mosaic and MI Chinook hops …  Bananicula is a pastry stout with Count Dracula Chocolate cereal, banana, vanilla, and marshmallow that we bottled by hand on a homebrew counter-pressure filler contraption our head brewer Jacob cobbled together.”

Man, and woman, does not live on beer alone

That adapting with the times is also at play in to-go food selections.

Much of Broad Leaf’s eclectic fare — including their appropriately named “Drunken Noodles” — is available for pick up and limited-area delivery out of Brewery Vivant’s Eastown kitchen. (The actual Broad Leaf location has curbside pick up of beer and merch, as well as beer delivery.)

TwoGuys, in contrast, has made some changes to adapt.

“In order to stay relevant in the current situation we took a look at what our guests, and hopefully folks new to TwoGuys, would be looking for as the social distancing seemed like it was going to carry on longer than officials were suggesting,” Payne said. “What we decided was, although hot take-out food is great for some, many were traveling across town to get back home if they worked near us or wanted to support us even though they lived across town. Take-out hot food just isn’t as good when it has travelled for a while. So, we began to work on ‘Take N Bake’ options.”

Currently they offer casseroles, lasagna, mac and cheese — and prime rib meals — purchased in tins ready to be put in the oven when they got home.

Desserts have also been “huge,” she said. “Pans of brownies full of all kinds of delicious additives … Nothing like brownies when the world is full of uncertainty.”

(The take-and-bake fruit cobblers looked too good to pass up when researching this story! And their TwoGuys IPA hits the pale ale spot.)

Railtown Brewing Citra Warrior IIPA. (Supplied)

At Railtown, they are open for pick-up and carryout of beer, cider and much of their regular menu food for lunch and dinner, daily except Sunday. Ordering is by phone only. And they do have some special brews unexpectedly available.

“Due to COVID-19, we had to cancel our Warrior Unleashed party which is a celebration of our Imperial IPA, Citra Warrior,” Railtown’s Buiter said. “The result is, we have a ton of beer selections on tap currently. We released 4 variations of Citra Warrior — Midnight Warrior (Black Imperial IPA), Soulless Warrior (Ginger Imperial IPA), Tiki Warrior (Pineapple Imperial IPA), and Tiki Torch (Pineapple and Cayenne Pepper Imperial IPA).”

Keeping with that barkeep’s optimism, they also have a new “Shutdown Brown”, a hazelnut brown ale.

Railtown is located at 3595 68th St. SE, in Dutton but just across the border with Kentwood. For food and beer information, call 616-881-2364 or visit railtownbrewing.com.

TwoGuys is located at 2356 Porter St. SW, in Wyoming. For food and beer information, call 616-552-9690 or visit twoguys-brewing.com.

Broad Leaf is located at 2885 Lake Eastbrook Blvd, in Kentwood. For food and beer information call 616-803-0602 or visit broadleafbeer.com.

Muskegon Museum of Art announces rescheduled annual gala, other events

A scene from the Muskegon Museum of Art. (MMA photo by Jennifer Green Photography)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

The Muskegon Museum of Art this week announced to members the rescheduling of several events postponed due to COVID-19 related “Stay at Home” restrictions, most notably that the MMA’s annual Gala has been moved to Saturday, Aug. 29.

“As you know, we are a program heavy organization and, disappointingly, have had to cancel and reschedule dozens of events,” Kirk Hallman, executive director of Muskegon Museum of Art, said in an email to members. “The Muskegon Museum of Art will emerge from this a stronger institution. We have weathered many crises since 1912 and we will get through this together as well thanks to your support! We still have big plans for the future.”

Among the other schedule changes announced were: the J2B2 Concert will be held on Sept. 4; On Tap has been moved to Sept. 25; and the Postcard Salon “will be held this fall.”

In detailing the plans for the museum’s exhibits, the summer Permanent Collection Exhibitions, including a planned major Glass Exhibition, will not open as planned on May 14.

“We will open these shows as soon as possible … It will be worth the wait!” Hallman said. “These shows will now run into November. We are disappointed at having to place the 92nd Annual Michigan Contemporary on hiatus for a year. It will return better than ever in 2021.”

   

Currently, the staff has been “putting volumes of content and activities online including a virtual preview tour of three galleries from this summer’s upcoming exhibitions.”

For more information visit muskegonartmuseum.org.

WKTV Community Connection: Special report on Corona-virus, by Dan Stevens

A special “Corona-virus” report from WKTV volunteer Dan Stevens. (Dan Stevens)

By WKTV Staff

ken@wktv.org

WKTV Community Media is all about the communities of Wyoming and Kentwood, as well as our community volunteers who live all over West Michigan — community people who bring life to our building and to our work. So in these days of social distancing we at WKTV wanted to keep us a little more connected.

So, we asked people to “Tell us how are spending your time?” How has your life and work changed due to the COVID-19 restrictions? What has stayed the same in your life. What advice would you give to the other WKTV community members, and the public at  large?

Dan Stevens, long-time WKTV volunteer, video partner (and humorist)

Dan Stevens is a man of many skills, including making sweets for WKTV’s volunteer potluck. (WKTV)

“With the crisis, there are no (sports) officiating opportunities thanks to schools being closed for the rest of the year, which doesn’t affect me much as I was not planning officiating high school sports this spring anyway. Thanks to my 25 months spent on active duty with the military, 19 of which involved recovery from two shoulder surgeries, I have enough money saved to support myself while I wait for summer recreation leagues to start providing me income again.

“Until that happens, though my shoulder isn’t 100 percent, it still works well enough to allow me to get lots of exercise by playing with a small (yet growing) group of outdoor pickleball enthusiasts (and yes we ARE maintaining awareness of social distancing when we play!) who like to play for 2-4 hours a day, 2-3 days a week. We all enjoy it as it keeps us sane and in good shape in the midst of these troubling times.”

And his words of wisdom:

“When I’m not out playing pickleball, I’m focusing on writing books, which I was planning on doing even without the pandemic, learning about stock market investing, learning a 2nd language, taking care of my adorable kitty Hobbes, and laying the foundation for starting my own business training future sports officials, so that when this pandemic blows over — and I have faith it will blow over — we can all get back to doing what we enjoy: reconnecting with work, friends and ESPECIALLY our WKTV family! So keep your chin up, everyone, we’ll all be seeing each other again very soon!”

Thank you Dan, for all you do.

Interested in learning more about WKTV Community Media, maybe getting involved with our volunteer community? Visit wktv.org.

Other WKTV Community Connections:

Paul Kabelman, high school sports announcer

Becci Schumaker, cameraperson extraordinaire

Mike Moll, high school sports director and announcer

Bill Rinderknecht, volunteer cameraman and content contributor

Cory Dalton, high school sports announcer and sports show host

Riley Zoet, volunteer cameraperson and sports intern



On Tap: Mitten Brewing toasts Sen. Peters assistance, where to sample craft liquors locally

Mitten Brewing Co. north, in Northport in the Traverse Bay area, will be a great place to stop by — summer or winter. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

It is unclear which Grand Rapids area craft brew U.S. Sen. Gary Peters likes to order when he makes a stop in the area, but he probably has one on the house coming from Mitten Brewing Company.

Thanks to some federal-level advocacy from Sen. Peters’ office, Mitten Brewing Co. has a new Traverse Bay area craft brewing brewery and pub after Chris Andrus, co-owner and co-founder of the Mitten Brewing Co., was able to expedite a license from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, shown with Sen. Joni Ernst at Washington, D.C.’s annual Rolling Thunder First Amendment Demonstration Run in 2018 (Supplied)

The story, as given by Sen. Peters’ office recently, is that Mitten Brewing Co. discovered that a brewery in Northport, Mich., was going out of business and “They saw this as an opportunity to expand their brewery as well as protect the jobs of those employees. In order to do so, Mitten Brewing Co. needed to obtain their licensing quickly from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to open in time for the (past) summer season.”


 
Andrus reached out to Sen. Peters’ office for help, we are told, and “The office helped cut red tape for Mitten Brewing Co. by contacting the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau regarding the brewery’s licensing application. Chris soon thereafter received approval for the necessary license. The Northport location was able to open in time and is now a thriving part of the Northern Michigan community.”

Don’t know about you, but I love Mitten Brewing’ local locales and brews. Maybe I’ll buy the senator one next time we belly-up to the bar together.

Mitten Brewing’s Andrus shared his story in a video released by Sen. Peters’ office, and can be seen here.

Sen. Peters office states that Michiganders in need of assistance with a federal agency to contact his Detroit office at (844) 506-7420 (toll-free) or can visit his website at peters.senate.gov.

Grand Rapids, regional distillery choices growing all the time

It is no secret that Michigan is a booming market for craft distilled liqueurs, but the quality of Grand Rapids area, or nearby, sources might surprise you as much as they continue to surprise me.

In Grand Rapids, there is Long Road Distillers, with cocktails, small-bites, and bottles to-go are available — you can also take a tour for a behind-the-scenes look at the distilling process and get to know what is in your glass from a distilling expert.

Eastern Kille (once known a Grey Skies, FYI) has a downtown tasting room to sample their whiskey, gin, or coffee liqueur. A seasonally revolving menu of cocktails are available to highlight the spirits made onsite.

Nearby, in the great day-trip location of Saugatuck, the New Holland Spirits offer tasting flights and cocktails made with award-winning spirits, along with light snacks and a retail area with bottles to go. Holland, too makes a good stop as Coppercraft Distillery not only has small batch cocktails but an extensive dining menu.

And in the summer, when you are really in the mood for a road trip to the Traverse Bay area, we are told “Michigan’s oldest award-winning ‘Grain to Bottle’ Craft Distillery” is Grand Traverse Distillery. Grand Traverse Distillery distills all of their vodkas, whiskies, gin, and rum in a 1,100 liter Holstein twin column copper reflux pot still.

And I can personally vouch for the idea of getting a “Latitude Adjustment” at Northern Latitudes Distillery in Lake Leelanau, where their gin is to die for and their limoncello — aptly named Limoncello di Leelanau — is worth living for. The tasting room is open seven days a week, and tastings are free and you can buy your favorite selection by the bottle and/or have it mixed into an incredible cocktail.

OK, sharing a bottle of Northern Latitudes is a good reason to spend the night or weekend out of town.

Learn more about the Michigan small batch spirit producers and distilleries by visiting the website of the Michigan Craft Distillers Association.

Red wine—a microbiome fertilizer?

As little as one glass of red wine each week could enrich the good bacteria in your stomach, according to researchers. (Courtesy Spectrum Health Beat)

By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay


A little pinot noir now and then might help keep the bacteria in your tummy healthy and happy.


As little as one glass of red wine a week can increase the diversity of the good bacteria in your microbiome, which can help lower bad cholesterol and keep your weight down, researchers say.


“The more people drink, the higher the diversity. But even small amounts, such as one glass of red wine every week, shows a benefit,” said study first author Caroline Le Roy. She’s a research associate in the department of twin research and genetic epidemiology at King’s College London.


Le Roy cautioned that while the findings in the study were robust, they can’t prove that red wine improves the microbiome, only that the two are associated.


It’s not the alcohol that has this effect, but rather the polyphenols in red wine. Polyphenols help feed the good bacteria in the microbiome, the researchers explained.


Polyphenols are also found in fruits and vegetables, and include antioxidants.


For the study, Le Roy and her colleagues looked at the effect of beer, cider, red wine, white wine and whiskey on the gut microbiome of 916 female twins.


Only red wine resulted in a more diverse microbiome, the investigators found.


The microbiome is a collection of bacteria in the gut that has an important role in health. A healthy microbiome helps digest food and keeps some diseases at bay.


An unhealthy microbiome can lead to poor functioning of the immune system, weight gain and high cholesterol, Le Roy said.


A microbiome with lots of different bacteria is a healthy microbiome, she added.


Le Roy’s team found that red wine improved the number of different bacteria in the microbiome, compared with those who didn’t drink wine.


The researchers were able to confirm their findings in three other groups in Britain, the Netherlands and the United States, which brought the total number of participants to nearly 3,000.


Moreover, the results remained constant even after accounting for factors such as diet, socioeconomic status and age.


Samantha Heller, a senior clinical nutritionist at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City, thinks that drinking red wine may be a marker of a healthy lifestyle, so the health benefits may be due to other factors.


“Do they, in general, lead healthier lives, such as not smoking, eating more of a plant-based diet and exercising?” she asked.


Wine comes from grapes, which like a lot of plant foods, are rich in polyphenols, Heller said.


But polyphenols are also found in vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, legumes and teas that don’t contain alcohol, she noted.


“In addition, plants are our only source of dietary fiber, which is the favorite food for the microbes that live in our gut. When they are healthy, they help keep our bodies healthy,” Heller said.


While drinking small amounts of red wine has apparent health benefits, there are also unhealthy effects of drinking too much, such as liver disease, certain cancers, pancreatitis and a depressed immune system, she said.


“Guzzling red wine, or any alcoholic beverage, is not the miracle we have been led to believe,” Heller said.


For those who drink, the American Heart Association recommends an average of one to two drinks per day for men, and one drink per day for women (one 12-ounce beer, 4 ounces of wine, 1 ounce of 100 proof spirits).


“Let’s be honest, most of us probably drink more than that. If you do not drink alcohol, there is no reason to start,” Heller said.


The report was published recently in the journal Gastroenterology.


Reprinted with permission from Spectrum Health Beat.






On Tap: Wyoming, Kentwood breweries share the ‘love’; welcome to Eastern Kille

Beer and cocktails — and drinking responsibly — go hand and hand in West Michigan. (Courtesy New Holland Spirits)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
 
Local brewers Broad Leaf Local Beer, Railtown Brewing and TwoGuys Brewing have joined a group of more than 20 Grand Rapids craft beverage producers to support Safe Haven Ministries’ mission of solving the problem of domestic abuse in the community through the “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” effort.

According to supplied material, participating breweries, wineries and distilleries have each created a new beverage named “Love”, and the unique brews, ciders and cocktails will have a portion of its proceeds donated to benefit Safe Haven Ministries. The project kicked off Thanksgiving week and will run through the remainder of the year.

The Mitten State, an apparel company based in Grand Rapids, will also donate a portion of sales of its Michigan “Love” apparel series. A few participating locations will sell limited-edition “Love” pint glasses to benefit the nonprofit.

“First and foremost, the goal of this project is to support Safe Haven in their mission to solve the problem of domestic abuse in our community,” Dana Mate Dones, operations manager of The Mitten Brewing Company, said in supplied material. “But a secondary goal is to prove that when responsibly enjoyed, alcohol can be a force for good and actually be a part of breaking the cycle of domestic abuse, despite its long negative association with the issue.”

Safe Haven Ministries provides emergency shelter, case management, support groups and more to women and children suffering from domestic abuse. The organization also provides education and prevention programs for businesses, schools, healthcare providers and other members of the community.

Safe Haven Ministries, according to supplied material, believes in a multi-faceted approach to solving the problem of domestic abuse in the Grand Rapids community. The organization offers emergency safe shelter for individuals fleeing domestic violence. Safe Haven also offers prevention and outreach programs for the entire community.

In addition to the Wyoming and Kentwood breweries, other participants include Founders Brewing Company, The Mitten Brewing Company, Speciation Artisan Ales, Long Road Distillers, City Built Brewing, The People’s Cider Co., Vander Mill Grand Rapids, Eastern Kille Distillery ( the new name of Gray Skies Distillery; see story below), Cedar Springs Brewing Company, Harmony Brewing, Harmony Hall, Trail Point Brewing, Rockford Brewing, Thornapple Brewing, Wise Men Distillery, Gravel Bottom Craft Brewery, Brewery Vivant, Atwater Brewing, Coldbreak, and Better Drinking Culture.

“We are honored to be a part of the ‘Love Shouldn’t Hurt’ project, along with many of our friends in the Grand Rapids brewing community to support survivors of domestic abuse,” Mitch Ermatinger, owner of Speciation Artisan Ales, said in supplied material.

Grey Skies Distillery rebrands as Eastern Kille Distillery

After nearly four years in business — the business of distilling some pretty fine liquor in downtown Grand Rapids, in my humble opinion — Gray Skies Distillery recently changed its company name to Eastern Kille Distillery.

The new Eastern Kille name, we are told, comes from the work “Kille”, a Middle Dutch word for “riverbank ” — the distillery’s location in the city’s Monroe North neighborhood on the eastern side of the Grand River.

“We started our distillery in 2014 to produce premium spirits, with Great Lakes water and with Michigan pride,” Steve Vander Pol, Co-founder, said on the company’s website. “We set out to craft authentic spirits with quality, natural ingredients, distilled and bottled in the heart of Grand Rapids — our new name reflects that commitment.”

 

The name change, according to multiple media reports, was the result of a trademark trademark dispute involving the Gray Skies name with Campari America LLC, the U.S. affiliate of Milan, Italy-based Davide Campari-Milano S.p.A., the owner of the Skyy vodka brand.

The name change coincides with the first statewide launch of the company’s Michigan Straight Bourbon Whiskey — after all the legal wrangling, a good shot was probably well deserved.

 
“With our bourbon, gin and whiskey, we respect tradition but dare to explore unique flavor profiles, and this new bourbon is the purest representation of our passion,” Vander Pol said, also on the company’s website. “We’ve created a bourbon to be sipped with the best of them, a bourbon Michiganders can call their own.”

Maybe there is a vodka coming which Michiganders can also call their own. (Just saying …)

For more information visit easternkille.com.

DeHop’s Brewing Co. earns German-style beer honors

Walker’s DeHop’s Brewing Co. & Café was recently earned notice from the World Beer Awards, World Beer Championship, and U.S. Beer Open Championship.

DeHop’s Schwarzbier German Black Lager was crowned the Best Dark Lager in the United States from the 2019 World Beer Awards, according to supplied material. The beer was also awarded a silver medal in the 2019 World Beer Championship along with other DeHop’s brews Brahm’s Best Vienna Style Lager and Maibock.

The brewery was also inducted into the Brotherhood for the International Embracement of the Reinheitsgebot (BIER), an exclusive club based out of Munich, Germany. This award goes to brewers who are creating lagers that support the German Purity Law, which limits the ingredients in beer production to its authentic German roots. All DeHop’s Lagers are brewed in accordance with the German Purity Law.

For more informant visit dehops.com.

This weekend’s Kentwood’s Food Truck Festival popular with residents, food truck community

Scene from 2018’s City of Kentwood End of Summer Food Truck Festival. (WKTV)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

The City of Kentwood, always looking for unique ways to get its community together for a little fun, has had a busy summer with playground improvements, road runs and community sand volleyball tournaments.

But the summer is not quite over yet and Kentwood will host its fourth annual End of Summer Food Truck Festival on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the parking lot of the Kent District Library, Kentwood (Richard. L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE.

The event, with music, family activities, a beer tent and — for course — eats and sweets from nearly 30 vendors, will be both an opportunity for city to offer residents and guests a fun community activity as well as an opportunity for food truck vendors to network and maybe show off a little.

“The food truck rally has been really well received by the public. This is an open even so anybody can come and you can spend the entire day here,” Lori Gresnick, City of Kentwood Parks and Recreation Department, said to WKTV. “This is our fourth year. So we’ve grown from just a couple food trucks to now we have over 30 food trucks — not only food trucks but that includes desert trucks.”

For more discussion from Gresnick and well as the operator of a Kentwood-based food truck, Rock Dandeneau, of Taste Buds Kitchen Concepts and the Pressed in Time food truck, see a video here.

Live music will start at 11 a.m. with The Bootstrap Boys, followed by DJ Snax, Molly and Last Gasp Collective. A beer tent featuring craft beer and cider will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

While entry to the festival is free, cost for food and beverages varies by vendor. For more information visit kentwood.us/foodtruckfestival .

On Tap: New (to me) breweries, beer crawl coming and Two Hearted birthday

Grand Rapids has a great lineup of breweries and beers. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

My Beers City Passport is getting a little crowded but there are always new places to explore, and after all that’s why the passport has those blank pages in the back — pages which came in handy last weekend when my wife and I had a vision quest but needed MapQuest to find Speciation Artisan Ales in Comstock Park.

The quest was accomplished and our thirst was quenched, with a fruity sour beer for my partner and a hefty IPA for me. They are apparently known for their sour beers.

And what sort of a place is Speciation? As only one bit of evidence, on Wednesday, Aug. 21, the brewery and pub will host a Bill Murray Birthday Party when, they say, “We are celebrating the life and work of Bill Murray with a very special birthday party. Special Bill Murray themed beers served in custom Bill Murray glassware. Bill Murray themed trivia begins at 7 p.m., with Quizmaster Quinn. Costumes are encouraged.”

Not sure what a Bill Murray costume might be, but sounds like fun to me.

Check out this and other events at Speciation Artisan Ales — and how to get there — by visiting speciationartisanales.com .

Anyway, placing a new stamp in my passport got me thinking about what I’m missing these days, so thinking I have the Greater Grand Rapids area choices well in hand, and with the help of the West Michigan Tourist Association. I made a short list of places to visit not too far out to town.

In the Saugatuck-Douglas area, is the new Waypost Brewing Company in Fennville looks like a good day trip destination. You got to love their motto “Waypost brewing Co. is founded on the notion that good beer speaks for itself, and the best ones sing.” For more information visit here.

A little closer to home is Old Boys Brewhouse, in Spring Lake, which not only has a dog in their logo but also beers named “DogTail” and “Kennel King” IPAs and “His Porter is the Shih Tzu”. For more information visit here.

GR’s Beer City Fall Crawl starts at Downtown Market

 
Not that we’ll need a good reason to do a little bar hoppin’ on a (hopefully) beautiful fall September day next month, but the Grand Rapids Downtown Market has announced at “Beer City Fall Crawl” partnership with six other Heartside neighborhood businesses.


The crawl will take place Saturday, Sept, 15, from 1-5 p.m., and, according to supplied material, will take participants on a 1.5-mile loop starting and ending at the Market with six other stops in between — Craft Beer Cellar, Peppino’s Pizza, Tavern & Tap, The Grand Woods Lounge, Founders Brewing and The Tin Can, then returning to the Downtown Market. Each stop will have drink specials for participants, with participation costing $30.

Entry includes a t-shirt, a “Chugging Checklist” and a pint glass, with a free first drink at the Downtown Market bar, drink specials at each stop, and a $5 Downtown Market gift certificate.

With all that beer crawling, food consumption along the way is not only available but advisable, at the Downtown Market or along the route.


“Grand Rapids is known as Beer City, and we’re so fortunate to be in the midst of tons of great bars and breweries here in Heartside,” Amanda Gielczyk, VP of the Downtown Market, said in supplied material. “The Fall Crawl is a great way to partner with our neighbors and create a one-of-a-kind experience, and more importantly a reason for participants to support seven local businesses all in one day.”

     

For more information and a link to register visit here.

Bell’s Two Hearted, celebrating a birthday, wins national awards

Bells’ Brewery his holding a two-prong, Two Hearted celebration this week. Not only idd the beer recently gain another national award, but Two Hearted Day, Aug.15, marks the anniversary that Two Hearted Ale debuted in 1997.

“Two Hearted Ale is a special beer for us at the brewery and for many beer lovers,” Larry Bell, president and founder of Bell’s Brewery, said in supplied material. “We’re excited to celebrate with everyone this week. It’s a celebration of all of the people who work tirelessly to make Two Hearted the best quality beer it can be every day. It’s also a tribute to all of the fans who love the beer and helped make it what it is today.”

Bell’s Brewery and two of its beers — Two Hearted Ale and Hopslam Ale — were recognized again in this year’s Best Beers in America survey from Zymurgy magazine. (Ya, that’s a real magazine!)

 
According to supplied material, Two Hearted was No. 1 in the Top-Ranked Beers category and Bell’s Brewery itself was named top brewery. This is the third consecutive year that Two Hearted has claimed this honor. It came in second to Russian River’s Pliny the Elder for seven straight years previously. Hopslam Ale also placed in the top-ranked beers list tied at No. 7.

Full personal connection disclosure: When in doubt at an unknown pub, if there is Two Hearted on tap, it’s mine. And, in case you’ve never tried Northern California’s Russian River brews, Pliny included, you should check it out.

For more information about Bells’s Brewery, visit here.

 
Also, just so you know, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA), which publishes Zymurgy, annually chooses as favorites up to five of their favorite commercial beers available for purchase in the U.S. The full Best Beers in America list, which includes complete rankings on all the top beers, breweries and more, is available at HomebrewersAssociation.org.

Even before Beer Garden concerts begin, Bell’s Café lineup is impressive

Bell’s Eccentric Café’s summer Bell’s Beer Garden concerts start in May. (Supplied/Bell’s Brewery)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Bell’s Eccentric Café has announced its summer Bell’s Beer Garden concert series and there are some great West Michigan bands in the lineup as well as a pleasantly surprising visit by national headliners Kurt Vile, Conor Oberst and Langhorne Slim.

But you don’t have to wait for a big opening-weekend bash May 31-June 2 to wet your whistle and hear some great music — among other music planned indoors, The Way Down Wanderers, touring in support of their new illusions release, will make a stop at the Cafe on Saturday, May 11.

A taste of The Wanderers, and the very unique sounds of (usual) lead singer Austin Krause-Thompson and the band’s great harmonies — are available here in the form a their video for “All My Words” — gives one hankering for more of what can best be/maybe described as an boundary-blurring retro-alt-country newcomer well worth a listen.

Even before you hear the band’s music, it should be attractive enough to know that illusions, the band’s February 2019 sophomore release, was produced by Grammy winner David Schiffman (HAIM, Johnny Cash, Rage Against The Machine).

Way Down Wanderers (Supplied/KeithCotton)

The band, on illusions, in addition to Krause-Thompson on guitar/vocals, is Collin Krause on mandolin, violin, guitar/vocals; John Williams on upright bass, guitar/vocals; John Merikoski on percussion; and Travis Kowalsky on banjo and guitar.

In supplied material, somebody described the Peoria, Ill., band as having the retro sound of Beach Boys meet The Band, though I might add a little Seals and Crofts with an attitude, but with the roots music sounds of The Avett Brothers and Jason Isbell. Sounds right after listening to their sounds.

As far the “feel” of illusions? A line from the title song may be talking about the state of growth of the young band: “They say you grow and lose your illusions one day/Mine won’t fade away I will trade them in some day.”

And that is just the beginning; coming outside …

The Bell’s Eccentric Café Beer Garden season, officially kicks off Friday, May 31, with Steppin’ In it along with May Erlewine and the Motivations. The funk rock of Lettuce will hit the stage on Saturday, June 1. Wrapping up the weekend will be a family-friendly day Sunday, June 2 — a free day of family-friendly activities, games, specials, and music provided by The Crane Wives, Barn on Fire and others.

But that is just the opening act.

“With the Beer Garden improvements we are making now, combined with the incredible lineup, this summer is going to rival some of the best we’ve ever had,” Ryan Tovey, Eccentric Cafe general manager, said in supplied material.

Improvements to the garden include fresh landscaping, walkway repairs and stage renovation, we are told.
 

After opening weekend, the schedule includes Trampled By Turtles on June 15, Built to Spill on June 29, Whiskey Myers on July 9, Kurt Vile on July 19, Conor Oberst on July 23’ Sir Mix-A-Lot on July 27, The Corn Fed Girls and The Red Sea Pedestrians present “Abbey Road” on Aug. 10, Here Come the Mummies on Aug. 16’ Langhorne Slim & the Law on Sept. 14, and Zed Zeppelin, Jake Simmons & The Little Ghosts, Uncle Kooky on Sunday, Sept. 15, a season-ending free show.

Several shows jump out as must-sees, but two top the list.

Kurt Vile (supplied/Jo McCaughey)

First Kurt Vile: now known for his solo work, the former lead guitarist of The War on Drugs, Vile recently released his first solo record in three years, “Bottle It In.” While his work with War on Drugs is still fresh — remember “Pain”? If not check out the video here — he’s into solo and collaboration work these days, where it is “Pretty Pimpin” off his 2015 solo release or his great work with Australian singer and guitarist Courtney Barnett, Lotta Sea Lice. Can’t wait.

The second is The Corn Fed Girls and The Red Sea Pedestrians present “Abbey Road”. Don’t know much about either group but am picturing a great late summer day with two bands coming together to cover one of the greatest albums of all time, the Beattles’ “Abbey Road”, in its entirety. “Here comes the sun, and I say it’s all right …”

Bell’s Eccentric Café is located at 355 E Kalamazoo Ave, in downtown Kalamazoo. Tickets for all shows are now available by visiting the Bell’s General Store, also at 355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., or by visiting bellsbeer.com.