Give thanks this holiday season with your favorite craft beers

by Josh Smith | KalamaBrew

Friday November 21, 2008, 2:34 PM

Why settle for the traditional turkey dinner made with traditional ingredients this holiday season? Skip the wine bottle and add a little beer love to your holidays.

Most of the recipes below come from the culinary mind(s) behind The Homebrew Chef and New Holland Brewing Company's Brewer's Kitchen. Both deserve further exploring the next time you're hungry for something new.

Let us know what you think. If you have your own recipe that you would like to share, drop us a line. Cheers and gobble, gobble.

Continue reading "Give thanks this holiday season with your favorite craft beers" »

Get your copy of the sixth edition of Michael Jackson's "Great Beers of Belgium"

by Kalamazoo Gazette Staff

Thursday November 20, 2008, 6:58 PM

BOULDER, COLO. -- Just in time for the holidays, the sixth edition of "Great Beers of Belgium" by famed beer writer Michael Jackson is on sale now.

The updated version has more than 50 percent more information than last edition published in the U.S. in 1998. It covers 326 different beers from 13 style groups. There are more than 500 pages and 750 color photographs. Brewers Association director of publications called the book "the most complete picture of Belgian beer ever assembled in the English language."

Not a bad line to throw at the person who gets it as a gift.

More on the 'Great Beers of Belgium' • Purchase the book online • Try these sample pages: • No. 112-113 • No. 148-149 • No. 176-177 • No. 310-311 • No. 482-483

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

by KalamaBrew Staff

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 9:00 AM

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

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

"It's surprisingly drinkable," he said.

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

by KalamaBrew Staff

Monday November 17, 2008, 4:13 PM

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

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

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

Admission is $15, sampling tickets are extra.

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

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

by KalamaBrew Staff

Monday November 17, 2008, 1:00 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

by KalamaBrew Staff

Monday November 17, 2008, 10:38 AM

THE DOG HOUSE - Beer has come to the dogs.

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

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

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

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

by KalamaBrew Staff

Friday November 14, 2008, 8:16 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

by KalamaBrew Staff

Wednesday November 12, 2008, 5:30 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

by KalamaBrew Staff

Wednesday November 12, 2008, 11:40 AM

HASTINGS - Beer and dinner they go hand in hand.

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

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

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

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

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

by KalamaBrew Staff

Friday November 07, 2008, 5:40 PM

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

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

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