Restaurants

Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo among 'Best Small Cities for Beer-Lovers'

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Wednesday, June 19th, 2013, 11:19am

Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo among 'Best Small Cities for Beer-Lovers'

Two West Michigan communities have made the cut for “Best Small Cities for Beer-Lovers.”

Both Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo made TravelNerd’s top ten list, based on their breweries, events and pubs.

In Grand Rapids, TravelNerd highlighted Founders Brewing Company, rated one of the best breweries in the world by Rate Beer, Brewery Vivant, for traditional Belgian-made beer, Grand Rapids Brewing Company, which limits its landfill waste to 10 percent, The Hideout Brewing Company for its variety of beer, and Harmony Brewing Company for its pizza.

In Kalamazoo, TravelNerd focused on Bell’s Brewery, the largest and oldest craft brewery in the state, Arcadia Brewing Company and Olde Peninsula BrewPub.

Michigan and Colorado were the only two states to have two cities on the list. The rankings are limited to cities and towns with populations under 400,000.

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New Sports Pub & Grill open in Walker

Submitted by Kal Kamyszek, Part-time Blogger, Part-time Receptionist & Cook on "In the Kitchen w/Kal"

Thursday, June 6th, 2013, 11:13am

WALKER, Mich.-- It started out originally as National Pastime, this restaurant in Walker, MI. Then it went to Marne E Walkers and now this establishment was remodeled and re-opened last Friday by Dave Link as Beer 30 Sports Pub & Grill. Dave also owns Playstation on Leonard St. NW.

The interior has been remodeled with the double sided bar moved to the front of the building with big easy chair style bar stools on one side and wooden stools on the other. There is booth seating along with cocktail type tables. Off to one side is a small private room for more privacy for very small groups and there is even a room sectioned off for Nudgemaster machines and a few others.

The pizza station is still in the middle of the building where customers enter. The back area of the building is roped off at present, to be remodeled also.

Beer 30 is open 7 days a week and is located at 4322 Remembrance Rd. NW in Walker, MI.

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10th annual Local First Street Party

Submitted by Cheri Mikowski, WZZM Receptionist & Community Blogger

Thursday, May 30th, 2013, 7:00am

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- The street in front of Bistro Bella Vita will rock June 1 during the Local First Street Party.

Founders Brewing will commemorate Local First's 10th anniversary with a new beer release. The event will also include local food, local beer and local music. The Local First Street Party runs 3 p.m.

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Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor among Beer City USA poll leaders

Submitted by dvanderkooi on Saturday, May 18th, 8:49 am

Michigan started Craft Beer Week out with a bang with last week’s Beer City USA poll.

Grand Rapids, which tied for first place last year alongside Asheville, North Carolina, took exclusive rights to the title this year, getting over twice as many votes as any other nominated city. Kalamazoo took second place, with Asheville slipping to third, cementing Michigan’s reputation as The Great Beer State.

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Grand Rapids Beer City USA 2013 - the time to vote is now!

Submitted by dvanderkooi on Thursday, May 9th, 9:00 am

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- There is no question 2012 was great year for Grand Rapids and beer.

A record number of breweries opened, including Eastown’s Harmony, Mitten Brewing, and Grand Rapids Brewing Company as well as both Pike 51 and White Flame in Hudsonville, Perrin in Comstock Park and Rockford Brewing Company. Additionally, Grand Rapid’s most successful brewery, Founders, celebrated their 15 year anniversary in style which included the release of their 15% Bolt Cutter Barleywine. But perhaps the defining moment in 2012 was the nomination and securing of the title Beer City USA in a tied vote along with previous year victors Asheville, North Carolina.

Read Article: http://www.imabeerhound.com/michigan-brewery-news/grand-rapids-beer-city-usa-2013-the-time-to-vote-is-now.html

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Specialty beer on tap as Grand Rapids defends Beer City USA title

Submitted by Christa Graban, Producer

Sunday, May 5th, 2013, 9:00am

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—Ten area breweries are teaming up to create a new beer, as Grand Rapids defends its title of Beer City USA.

The new rye IPA, called #55555513, will be available on tap starting Sunday, May 5. The beer received its creative name because it contains 5.5% alcohol, 55 International Bitterness Units (IBU), and is being released on 5/5/13.

Participating breweries include:

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WAVE Award nominations open

Submitted by mkennedy on Thursday, May 2nd, 9:00 am

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.-- Experience Grand Rapids and the Kent County Lodging Association have opened the 6th Annual WAVE Award nominations.

The annual awards program recognizes outstanding service providers in the Grand Rapids and Kent County hospitality industry. Nominations will be accepted from employers and guests from April 30 to Oct.7, 2013. One award will be presented in each of the following categories: Transportation, Retail & Service, Attractions/Events, and Nightlife. New categories to the 2013 awards program include: Restaurants/Breweries, Lodging, and Volunteer in Hospitality.

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