Beer Festivals

GREAT LAKES BEER FESTIVAL – MIDLAND, MI

Hoppy attended the Great Lakes Beer Festival on August 16th. While there, he had an enjoyable time and sampled a number of beers. This fest was in a great location at the beautiful Dow Diamond Stadium. This allowed for indoor restrooms and an upstairs air-conditioned VIP area, where a tasty buffet meal was served. The delightful music was provided by Alex McMath Music, Fröhliche Musiker Blasorchester and Air Margaritaville and was perfect for a beer fest! They also had on-field activities such as corn hole and fowling. And what beer festival has a mascot? This one did! It was energetic, engaged and added to the festivities.

Given all of these positives, there were still areas where improvements could be made. Tastings were poured into plastic cups instead of the sample glassware preferred by Hoppy. (The sample-sized glass can also serve as a souvenir.) Also, Hoppy found only one brewery pouring their draft beer – Maple Grille Microbrewery. All the other beers were poured from cans by festival volunteers. I believe that the most important thing missing was the ability to interact with the different brewery representatives as they poured their fresh draft beer!

This is the list of beverage providers at the event:

Altes Beer – Detroit

Athletic Brewing Co (NA) – Milford, CT

Atwater Brewing – Detroit

B Nektar Meadery – Ferndale

Bell’s Brewery – Kalamazoo

Bier Distillery – Comstock Park

Biere De Mac Brew Works – Mackinaw City

Big Lake Brewing – Holland

Blackrocks Brewery – Marquette

Blakes Hard Cider – Armada

Brew Detroit – Detroit

Brew Dog Brewery – Cleveland, OH

Brewery Vivant – Grand Rapids

byGeorge Brewery – Munising

Carbliss – Sheboygan, WI

Cheboygan Brewing Co – Cheboygan

Cider Boys Hard Cider Co – Stevens Point, WI

Dark Horse Brewing Co – Marshall

Dragonmead Brewery – Warren

Founders Brewing Company – Grand Rapids

Frankenmuth Brewery – Frankenmuth

FUL Beverage – Detroit

Grand Armory Brewery – Grand Haven

GrandTraverse Distillery – Traverse City

Great Lakes Brewing Co – Cleveland, OH

Griffin Claw Brewery – Birmingham

Keweenaw Brewing Co – Houghton

Kickstand Brewing – Commerce Twp

Loggers Brewing – Saginaw

Long Road Distillers – Grand Rapids

Ludington Bay Brewing Co – Ludington

Maple Grille Microbrewery – Hemlock

Mass Bay – Boston, MA

Middlecoast Brewing – Traverse City

Midland Brewing – Midland

Motor City Brewing Works – Detroit

Mountain Town Brewing – Mt. Pleasant

New Belgium Brewing Company – Asheville, NC

New Holland Brewing – Holland

North Peak Brewing Co – Traverse City

Odd Brothers Cider – Homer

Oddside Ales – Grand Haven

Old Nation Brewing Co – Williamston

PerrinBrewing Co – Grand Rapids

Petoskey Brewing – Petoskey

Pigeon Hill Brewing Co – Muskegon

Red Rocker Brewing Company – Detroit

Revolution Brewing Co – Chicago, IL

Right Brain Brewery – Traverse City

Right Coast Spirits – Boston, MA

Roak Brewery – Marshall

Rochester Mills Beer Co – Rochester

Saugatuck Brewing Company – Saugatuck

Shorts Brewing Co – Bellaire

Sierra Rose Cellars – Kentwood

St Julian Winery – Paw Paw

St. Ambrose Cellars – Beulah

Surfside Tea – Philadelphia, PA

The Long Drink – Utica, NY

Three Bridges Distillery – Midland

TK Mulligan Craft Cocktails – Raleigh, NC

Toppling Goliath Brewing Co – Decorah, Iowa

Tri-City Brewing Company – Bay City

Tripelroot Brewery – Zeeland

Upper Hand Brewery – Escanaba

Vander Mill Ciders – Grand Rapids

Vosa Spirits – Detroit

War Water Brewery – St. Clair

Pictures follow:

On the Big Screen
Stadium Entrance
Entrance Line
View from Tasting Concourse
On-Field Games
Mascot in VIP Lounge
Fröhliche Musiker Blasorchester
Air Margaritaville
T-Shirt Merchandise

ANDERSON ON TAP

Hoppy attended the Anderson On Tap Craft Beer, Wine & Spirits Fest last Saturday. Since it had been postponed from the previous month there were many fewer vendors there than were anticipated. Also, turnout was much lower than normal due to the scorching temperature and anticipated storm. Because of this Hoppy left the event early and sauntered to the Creatures of Habit Brewery taproom nearby.

Pictures follow:

Anderson On Tap
Anderson On Tap
Anderson On Tap
Creatures of Habit Draft List

COLUMBUS ON TAP – COLUMBUS

Hoppy attended the Columbus On Tap beer festival on Saturday, at the beautiful Custer-Nugent Amphitheatre & Festival Field at Mill Race Park in Columbus. While there, he enjoyed visiting the many vendors, listening to the band Medicated Mind, and, of course, sampling the libations!

Some of the brews sampled by Hoppy are listed below:

450 North Brewing DDH Double IPA – Brewed with El Dorado and Anchovy hops. 8% ABV.

Gnosis Brewing Solscape Hazy IPA – Brewed with Citra and Galaxy hops displaying light bitterness. 6.5% ABV.

Creek Bottom Brewery Dasha Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout – 12% ABV, 49 IBU.

St. Benedict’s Brew Works St. John Belgian IPA – 8% ABV, 70 IBU

Hog Molly IPA – Described as a well-balanced American IPA brewed with Columbus, Amarillo, Citra, and Mosaic hops. The malty backbone of this beer smooths out the bitterness, resulting in a complex hop forward flavor and aroma that includes resin, citrus, and tropical notes. 7.2% ABV, 78 IBU.

Tree City Brew Co. Willy’s Raspberry Sour – 4.5% ABV.

Pictures from the event follow:

450 North Brewing Selections
Gnosis Brewing Selections
Creek Bottom Brwery Selections
St. Benedict’s Brew Works selections
Hog Molly Brewing Selections
Tree City Brew Co. Selections

WINTERFEST 2025 – INDIANAPOLIS

Hoppy attended the Indiana Brewers Guild Winterfest on Saturday. It was a chance to sample over 200 beers from 75+ Indiana breweries!

Some of the beers sampled by Hoppy were as follows:

Deviate Brewing Hop Supremacy DDH Hazy IPA – This is brewed with Citra and Mosaic Cryo hops. 6.5% ABV.

Moontown Brewing Temple of Dank Hazy DIPA – Made with a pilsner malt base along with unmalted wheat, rolled and malted oats. It is whirlpooled with Idaho 7 and /Citra hops and dry-hopped with a substantial amount of Nectaron and another hit of Citra. It is described as drinking very smooth and creamy with a refreshing finish, full of citrus and tropical notes along with a hint of dank, it has a tame body that lends to even greater drinkability. 8% ABV.

Metazoa Brewing Wicked Pawesome Hazy IPA – Described as an experimental Hazy IPA that leans on additions of Loral and El Dorado hops to give a tropical fruit and slightly floral flavor to this medium full-bodied IPA. 6.3% ABV, 25 IBU.

Taxman Brewing DIPA: Idaho Gem + Cryo-Pop – Described as two hops working in harmony to create a balanced hop-forward experience. The Pacific Northwest duo of Idaho Gem and Cryo-Pop hops contribute vibrant notes of sweet berry meshed with tropical fruits and citrus, all backed by zesty pine, spice and hazy saison yeast. It is a flavorful farmhouse double IPA! 8% ABV, 70 IBU.

Broad Ripple Brewpub Lavender Lawnmower Firkin Pale Ale

Moontown Brewing Firkin Oaked Lager

Sun King Brewery Afternoon Delight Bourbon Barrel-Aged Doppelbock – Described as having aromas of brown sugar and molasses accentuated with the sweet flavors of vanilla and wood from the bourbon barrels. 11.1% ABV, 23 IBU.

Pax Verum Brewing Reptilia West Coast IPA – Described as like reptiles traversing the ancient journey, it weaves through the world on fire, mastering the subtleties of evolution and the art of standing out. 6.7% ABV, 75 IBU.

ZwanzigZ Brewing 7 Mary 3 & 4 West Coast Hazy IPA – Brewed with “ChiPs.” 6.4% ABV, 64 IBU

Creatures of Habit Brewing Remo’s Revenge Bourbon Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout – Described as aged on Bourbon Oak to develop rich flavors from the caramel and roasted malts with notes of honey, chocolate and coffee. The high alcohol gives way to a complex and balanced finish. 10.5% ABV.

King Jugg Brewing Earl of Citra SMASH American IPA – This is a single hop and single malt (SMASH) beer brewed with Citra hops. 6% ABV, 65 IBU.

Northbrook Brewing Leon Spruce IPA – Described as a bold and aromatic IPA infused with fresh spruce tips for a unique piney character. The earthy resinous notes are balanced by a touch of citrusy hop bitterness, delivering a crisp and refreshing finish. Perfect for adventurous palates seeking a taste of the forest. 5.5% ABV, 85 IBU.

Hoppy also sampled a Three Floyds Premium Cocktail Tequila Splash Paloma – Made with Tequila, Grapefruit Liqueur, Lime and Grapefruit Juices, and Sparkling Water. 9% ABV.

Pictures from the event follow:

BIG RED BUS BREW OCTOBER FEST – MYRTLE BEACH, SC

Hoppy attended the BIG RED BUS BREW OCTOBER FEST in Myrtle Beach. Transportation was provided to four Myrtle Beach breweries via an English double-decker bus that had the top removed in order to create an open-aired upstairs. The event takes place every Friday in October.

The tour began at VOODOO BREWING. They opened their doors in May of this year, and they are a veteran owned franchise. Here Hoppy drank a Good Vibes West Coast IPA. It is described as being hopped five times in the kettle and double dry hopped to produce bodacious dank fruit notes using gnarly amounts of Galaxy, Amarillo, Mosaic and Apollo hops. 7.3% ABV, 85 IBU.

The next three breweries on the tour had been visited by Hoppy previously, and more information about them can be found on this website.

The second brewery on the tour was NEW SOUTH BREWING. Here Hoppy imbibed the following:

Dirty Myrtle Double IPA – Described as packed ridiculously full of Mosaic, Simcoe and Falconers Flight hops. 8.9% ABV.

Bourbon Barrel-Aged Big Wooly Mammoth Imperial Stout 2023 – Blantons – Aged in Blantons Bourbon barrels for one year. 10.5% ABV, 65 IBU.

The next visit was at TIDAL CREEK BREWHOUSE. Here, Hoppy drank a Coastlines West Coast IPA described as a modern take on a west coast style IPA, with a citrus forward hop aroma accented with notes of pineapple and evergreen, carried along by a light but sturdy malt backbone to deliver a clean, hoppy bitter finish. 6.5% ABV, 60 IBU.

There is a lack of photos from this location as this is where Hoppy ate his dinner.

The last visit on the fest was at GRAND STRAND BREWING. During this visit Hoppy quaffed a Sandy Cheeks West Coast IPA described as a classic West Coast style IPA with a bit of a modern twist using modern hops. Citrus aroma from the hops and a solid malt backbone help round out the IPA. 6.9% ABV.

TIPTON ON TAP – TIPTON

Hoppy attended the 4th Annual Tipton On Tap Craft Beer, Wine & Spirits Fest last Saturday. While there, he enjoyed sampling the following ales:

Sinister Goat Brewing Reign In Blood New England Blood Orange IPA – 7.8% ABV.

Northbrook Brewing West Coast IPA – 7% ABV, 90 IBU.

Lost Hollow Beer Cheeky Scouser EPA – Described as having a caramel and malt sweetness with a hoppy aroma and finish. 5% ABV, 40 IBU.

Elm Street Brewing Citranot American IPA – Described as featuring loads of Citra, Citra Cryo and Ekuanot hops! Loads of oats round out the mouthfeel. 6.8% ABV, 52 IBU.

Triton Brewing Rail Splitter American IPA – Their flagship beer, and a true example of the style, it is a fresh golden brew with noticeable citrus and floral aromas balanced on a nice malty backbone with a dry finish. 7% ABV, 70 IBU.

Primeval Brewing French Kiss French Farmhouse Ale – Described as an amber colored ale with rich toasty, caramel malt flavors. The traditional French artisanal yeast strain produces a dry, spicy and floral finish. It was stored cold for three months to achieve the smooth character of this very unique beer! 7.7% ABV, 28 IBU.

Big Lug Brewing Topanga Pale Ale – Described as a citrus pale ale that’s crisp and refreshing with a nice hoppy finish. 6.2% ABV, 40 IBU.

Pax Verum Stray Thoughts New England IPA – A New England IPA series which revolves around elements of harmony within the disorder.

Photos from the event follow:

Tipton Town Square
Veterans Memorial & Town Square
Password Reset Band Performing
Sinister Goat Brewing
Northbrook Brewing
Lost Hollow Beer
Elm Street Brewing
Triton Brewing
Primeval Brewing
Big Lug Brewing
The Pour Pair Pouring Pax Verum Brews

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