Posts for Articles section of Beverages page.
Stock up on snacks, pick a meeting place, fill the tank, and hit the road. There are few things I enjoy more than a road trip, especially when it involves some of my favorite people. Such was the case recently, when my high school friends and I headed up north for a long overdue winetasting weekend. Winter
Sometimes it’s hard to tell which came first, the rise in popularity of craft cocktails or the availability of handcrafted and small batch spirits, but they unquestionably go hand in hand now. Consumers are increasingly on the hunt for unique and tasty cocktails, and the liquor each contains is as important and diverse as the ingredients used
The month of May marks the anniversary of Michigan Prohibition, which began on May 1, 1917. “But wait," say those of you who know your Constitutional History. “Prohibition was the 18th Amendment and that took effect on January 17, 1920.” Well, my friends, the state of Michigan, which is now home to Beer City USA, passed a prohibition
The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA), has announced the winners of its Sixth Annual Judging of Craft Spirits. The annual Awards marked the official opening day of the 2019 ACSA Distillers Convention and Vendor Trade Show in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Michigan distillers captured nine medals. According to ACSA, the competition received nearly 500 entries from 38 states and
To many beer connoisseurs, Dragon’s Milk is the nectar that truly put New Holland Brewing Company on the map. The West Michigan-based company opened its doors in 1996, and in 2001 a “legend” was born. The release of the first batch of the stout known for its roasty malt character and deep vanilla tones, was a gamechanger.
Each November, the MSU Product Center, part of Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, brings together food producers, buyers, and representatives from supporting entities for Making It In Michigan. Part trade show expo and part educational conference, the Lansing event seeks to advance the success of agricultural-related endeavors in the state. The 2018 gathering is now
Welcoming a new season isn't just about a change in weather, it also brings welcome changes that are sure to please the palate. For example, it turns out that pumpkin and autumnal spices can taste just as enjoyable in a pilsner glass as they do in a coffee mug. Check out some of Michigan’s most revered beers
It’s apple harvesting season, and there’s nothing quite like biting into one of these sweet, crispy fruits of fall. That is of course, unless you take advantage of one of the many other scrumptious ways to drink in all that flavor. About half of the more than 20 million Michigan apples harvested each year, are processed into
One of my favorite occurrences is when two great Michigan companies partner together to create a unique and exceptional product. Such is the case with the collaboration between Grand Rapids neighbors, Founders Brewing Company and Ferris Coffee & Nut, that resulted in the production of MF Donkey Stout. The product has been around a well-received for a
Winemakers and oenophiles from both peninsulas gathered yesterday for the state’s ultimate celebration of fermented grapes in their many forms. The Gold Medal Reception for the Michigan Wine Competition was held at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center on the campus of Michigan State University. Guests at the annual event were invited to experience the best Michigan
While the current version of Grand Rapids Brewing Company (GRBC) has only been around since 2012, the original, dates back to 1893. Perhaps that is what makes GRBC the perfect brewery to revisit an old school brewing technique known as bottle conditioning. The company is set to release two of these specialty beers on July 14. Bottle
With its multi-year designation as Beer City USA, there is no doubt that Grand Rapids is one of the best places to experience frothy goodness, but make no mistake, it’s not the only awesome beer town in the state. Kalamazoo is another must-visit destination for true brew connoisseurs. It’s almost difficult to imagine in the Great Beer
Paw Paw’s St. Julian Winery, Michigan’s oldest and longest-operating winery, has set its sights on expansion. The company has announced plans to open two new tasting locations this year according to Nancie Oxley, Vice President and Winemaker. “This is an exciting time for St. Julian as we continue to increase our overall wine and spirits production as well
It’s Craft Beer Month here in Michigan, and it’s pretty easy to figure out what to do to celebrate. Arguably the hardest part of the decision is which pint to hoist! Lest you think the only thing to celebrate is the deliciousness of the libations our state is producing, (and indeed that would be reason enough for
While much of the libation attention in the state in recent years has been on the enormous growth in popularity and quality of the craft beer industry, our wineries have earned high acclaim as well. For example, earlier this year, Wine Enthusiast magazine chose Michigan as the only U.S. state on its global list of “Wine Regions
Michigan has quite a bit in common with Scandinavia: peninsulas, water, fishing, cold winters, and now highly acclaimed versions of Aquavit, thanks to Long Road Distillery. The Grand Rapids-based company’s version of the popular Scandinavian spirit recently earned Best in Show honors at the American Craft Spirits Association (ASCA) Annual Distillers Convention and Vendor Trade Show in
March not only marks the return of greenery and baseball, in many cases it also harkens in the release of some of Michigan’s most popular and unique brews. You’ll notice an influx of wheat and fruit in most of these offerings that are meant to make our minds dream of summer. Here are a few fresh thirst
Just two months old when the company began, Laura Bell, has been named chief executive officer of the brewing dynasty her father founded in 1985. Originally known as Kalamazoo Brewing Company, Bell’s Brewery is now considered to be the seventh largest craft brewery in the United States. The elevation of his daughter from vice president to CEO,
Traveling from vineyard to vineyard tasting fruit of the vine along one of Michigan’s wine trails has become one of the most popular things to do in our beautiful state. Each winery offers its own unique style, but it can be very time-consuming going from place to place, not to mention often involves travel. Well what if
Gubernatorial proclamations have made it an annual tradition for April to be celebrated as Michigan Wine Month. The designation kick-starts a season that attracts more than 2 million visitors. It’s also a good time to take a closer look at the economic impact of Michigan’s expanding wine industry, and toast the coming season. The number of wineries
Five Michigan distilleries were honored with 16 individual awards last week at the 2nd Annual American Spirits Competition, presented by the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA)—a not- for-profit trade association dedicated to protecting and promoting American craft spirits. According to the Michigan Craft Distillers Association, New Holland Artisan Spirits received “Best of Class” in the Gin category for its Barrel Aged
