Tag: Beer City USA

Day tripping to Cedar Springs Brewing

After a long weekend of family, turkey, parties and leftovers, the Beer City Hoops crew made our way north to Cedar Springs Brewing for Sunday brunch and beers.

In a new tradition created after the Sunday Morning Referee show came to an end earlier this year, we’ve headed out ‘On The Michigan Road’ in honor of the former WoodTV storyteller & my personal childhood hero, Dick Evans, to bring you the interesting people and places that West Michigan has to offer.

Today’s adventure took the crew north to the familiar streets of Cedar Springs, MI. Located a mere 17 miles north of Grand Rapids city center, the Red Flannel town has a brand new brewery to welcome the locals and visitors alike. While I had previously had an opportunity to sit at the bar and taste some of the brews, this would be my first time experiencing the food menu, or even seeing it for that matter.

Upon our arrival just after the clock struck noon, we were greeted promptly and seated within minutes. Although they have communal seating at the tables in the middle of the room, we were sat at a high top in the northeast corner with a great window view of Main Street’s happenings. It was quiet in the streets of my alma mater’s town but the buzz inside Cedar Springs Brewing was hopping with excitement.

IMG_2412Our first priority was to try the brew. We had the Cedar Cider and the Yinzer
Roundabout IPA. Our CFO gave the Cedar Cider a 4-star (out of 5) review. Sweet to taste, not bitter and an appealing bubbly flavor were the highlights. I had the Yinzers, hoping that I would find an IPA that could make me sneeze like Sierra Nevada’s Revenge Rye IPA. While the hops held their own, the bite didn’t make me sneeze. Without sneezing, it just not going to get that 4th star. 3-stars for the Yinzers!

On to the food menu we moved as I’ve been waiting for weeks to try the Mac and Cheese that John Gonzalez of mlive.com was so very eager to recommend upon the Brewery’s opening.  I also ordered the Wings appetizer with the bacon-ranch sauce and the CFO ordered the Grilled Cheese and Flannel Fries. The wait was minimal and our server’s attention was uber-focused on the section. #hugetip #noemptyglass 

The wings were hot and done to perfection, not too spicy. Sweat rating: Noticeable. (I love hot, spicy food but sweat like glass. It’s a conundrum.) Not enough napkins used wiping my forehead. 3-stars only.

The cheddar cheese melted out of and off the grilled sandwich onto the Flannel Fries and that made them both spectacular. 5-stars!

When it came time to dig into the Mac and Cheese, it was the dream that actually lived up to expectations. Creamy white-cheese and macaroni with bacon, onions and broccolini made this exquisite meal a privilege to partake i. I may just have saved a soup cup full to take home and enjoy early Monday morning. 5-stars!

 

It’s Mayhem! North Peak wins offseason

TC’s best brewery in our hearts

When the fog finally lifted and the crew able to focus again, ballots were cast and counted to find the numbers feeling lucky for North Peak Brewing and their crazy-good lineup of Traverse City beer.

Upon arriving back in GR after the trip to the Cherry Capital the bartering began with yours truly trading two Dubious for one Sinuous and one Diabolic beer glass.

No doubt we will be back at the bar at North Peak Brewing next time we’re near the Bays. Until then, enjoy the Wanderer with us!

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The Beer City moratorium

Our week away in the Mitten

It took a couple days for the crew to get ourselves packed and head out on our Pure Michigan adventures, but by Monday morning the show was on the road.

With a quick early morning trip south to the Gun Lake Casino, we piled up all our change and headed on in to the penny slots to gamble the morning away. What seemed like an eternity to go through nearly $30 in coins actually only lasted a couple hours seated at the slots consistently luring us in for the ultimate risk and reward. But, playing on the penny slots really helped keep some change in our pocket for later in the day. By the time we were ready to head out to lunch, the last of our paper credits were being played in a $5 machine just to “see what the rich people play like”. No big winners but the house.

On Tuesday it was off to Michigan’s Left Coast and a trip to see our friends at the Grand Haven Brewhouse. But first, as always, the long stroll down the boardwalk from the Marina’s cleaning station past the Surf Shop and south down to Snug Harbor before turning back toward downtown amid the hustle and bustle of a summer day near the Big Lake. As we turned up Washington, we were stunned that we had all previously been to the movie theatre to see a film. Who goes to the movies in Grand Haven? Beer City Hoops crew! Upon our arrival at the GH Brewhouse, we chose to sit outside, which for the weather was a good idea but maybe not so much for the atmosphere. Although the outdoor seating area is in a nice spot behind the restaurant, the surroundings are more reminiscent of a smoking patio for the late-night crowds. That led us to quickly finish up our first round and seek yet another adventure. Having checked in at the Brewhouse on Facebook our good friend and beer aficionado Chuck was adamant that we take our tastebuds over to Oddside Ales across the street, albeit from his home in Pennsylvania.

Oh, dear Varano, thank you for your wonderful gift.

We sat at the bar at Oddsides (I had the Fussy IPA.) and met some interesting folks from Fairmont, IN who just love Michigan beer and spend their days traveling throughout the State vacationing and visiting breweries near and far. Today, Grand Haven was on their agenda. As we talked about where we’ve been and what we’ve enjoyed for local beer, our attention turned toward GR. Although they were fans of Founders’ beer, their take on the Taproom was a bit more sour. Our focus was on getting them over to the Mitten or Harmony Brewing. #WestSideGR Surprisingly, at least to me, their favorite spot in Beer City is the Hideout near Lamberton Lake on the City’s Northeast side. Tucked back behind the Plainfield mile near FOX17, it’s now a place we’ll be seen on the Beer Tour.

You can catch up with the rest of our week away from Beer City right here or by listening to the Beer City Hoops nightly podcast at 6:30pm on blogtalkradio.com or at beercityhoops.com
#Beer City Hoops#Grand Haven#Michigan