GR Beer Week: February 22-28th

Having already welcomed you to Beer City USA, in the cold month of February, I would like to welcome you to Grand Rapids Beer Week! This time of year leaving the house is less than appealing, but the upcoming week is surely a good enough reason to bundle up in the toughest winter gear.

If you had a rough weekend never fear, the Grand Rapids Beer Week begins on a Sunday. You can either end the weekend with a bang, or see it as starting the week off on the right foot! Sunday the 22^nd at Downtown Market, from 10am-2pm (if you’re at least 21) you can visit the crêperie and try the special crêpe of the day—paired with Founder’s beer. If you prefer something a little stronger, try a beer cocktail.

(pictured above is Downtown Market)

If you feel like continuing the Sunday fun-day, head over to Tavern on the Square at 4pm where Founder’s will be taking over the taps with 10 of their beers. Sunday may be an inconvenient day for some so don’t worry. Throughout the week there will be Arbor 2 Day tap takeover at Buffalo Wild Wings downtown, Winter Beer Festival Primer Dinner at The B.O.B. and New Holland Strange Brew Night at the SpeakEZ Lounge, just to name a few.

Closing off the week, find yourself at the Fifth Third Ball Park for the 10^th Annual Winter Beer Festival. There will be over 100 Michigan Breweries, over 800 craft beers to try. Paired with music and food, this event is held Friday the 27^th and Saturday the 28^th. Local breweries will also be at this event from Grand Rapids Brewing Co. to HopCat so take your time to show some support as you wander through a beer sampling wonderland. Saturday is already sold out so if you want to take part in Friday make sure you get a ticket soon!

So beer fans: bring out your toughest winter boots and open-mindedness to try new beers because if there’s a week to be adventurous in beer tasting this is it! There will be hundreds of beers to try throughout the week, surely one for everybody!

 

For more information on GR Beer week visit their Facebook page: click here.

For more information on the Winter Beer Festival at Fifth Third: click here.

This post was written by Arena District PR intern, Aimee Ridella

Downtown Market Grand Rapids (N/A). Classes and Programs: Craft Beer Cocktails & Crêpes. Retrieved from: http://downtownmarketgr.com/classes-programs/beer-brunch-with-penelopes-creperie

GR Beer Week (16 February 2015) Upcoming Events page. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/grbeerweek/events?key=events

Michigan Brewers Guild (N/A). 10^th Annual Winter Beer Festival. Retrieved from: http://www.mibeer.com/winter-festival

Member Spotlight: The B.O.B.

          Choosing an activity or gift for Valentine’s Day can be difficult. Who wants only chocolate and flowers these days? This year, The B.O.B. (The Big Old Building—with 5 floors) offers a different experience in downtown Grand Rapids and a unique way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

As a college student, I was sold once they mentioned “no cover for ladies over 21.” However, on Saturday they will be offering much more than that. Have you always wanted to take dance lessons but needed an excuse? Free dance lessons will be provided by Martin Perez, from Arthur Murray Dance Studio, from 8pm-10pm in Eve. The spots are limited, so if you are feeling like participating in Tango or Salsa, sign up in advance. For some, two hours might not be enough. Or, after your dance lessons, you may want to continue showing the crowd at The B.O.B. just what a talented dancer you are! Dance lessons will lead into the Sweetheart’s Ball, where the Best Red & Black Dressed Couples Contest begins. The prize? A 7-day trip to Redstone Inn in Colorado.

There is also an extensive list of “goodies” provided that evening—some of which are complementary. Goodies range from chocolate shots and an ice luge to a photo booth and chocolate fondue. They have taken the traditional “box of chocolates” idea and made it much more appealing! The B.O.B. has decided that for every entry or specialty red drink that is ordered they will donate $1 to The Grand Rapids Red Project.

More than chocolate fondue might be needed to fuel some of you newly seasoned dancers. Dinner reservations are being accepted February 12-14 at Bobarino’s, Gilly’s and Judson’s. If you make a reservation you could also win a “Tour Of The Gilmore Collection.”

Not a fan of the Valentine’s Day festivities? If you miss out or opt out on the chocolate fondue and dinner for Valentine’s Day you can get your paczkis fix at The B.O.B on February 17^th at the Fat Tuesday event.

From 2pm to midnight, there will be a variety of activities from the masquerade contest to the gumbo challenge. If your masquerade mask is the most extravagant you could win $500 in cash. So bring out the feathers and glitter and get crafty! If your gumbo is the best you win a trip to the Redstone Inn in Colorado and GR’s Best Gumbo Trophy! I have no idea how to make gumbo, so I would prefer to be on the tasting side: 50 cents per taste.

Food and drinks will include $2 hurricanes, paczkis, crawfish fritters and much more. Even better, there will be a beer and coffee tasting. Yes, you read that correctly… beer AND coffee! The B.O.B. is bringing in Ferris Coffee and Fermenta to create this taste bud heaven. Pay $1 for a taste or $20 for all access and try craft beer paired perfectly with coffee, my inner coffee addict is smiling.

 

For more information regarding Valentine’s Day at The B.O.B. click here.

For more information regarding Fat Tuesday at The B.O.B. click here.

This post was written by Arena District PR intern, Aimee Ridella

 

The B.O.B. (N/A) Homepage, Restaurants, Nightlife, Craft Beer. Retrieved from: http://www.thebob.com

The B.O.B. (N/A) Fat Tuesday Party. Retrieved from: http://www.thebob.com/events/fat-tuesday.php

The B.O.B. (2015) Valentine’s Day Weekend. (Photograph) Grand Rapids, MI. Retrieved from: http://www.thebob.com/events/valentines-day.php

The B.O.B. (N/A) Valentine’s Day Weekend Specials. Retrieved from: http://www.thebob.com/events/valentines-day.php

The Grand Rapids Red Project. (N/A). Home page. Retrieved from: http://redproject.org

All About Us!

At Arena District we believe in a new year, fresh start! 2015 will kick off a new direction along with a new team to aid in that process. We intend to bring innovative ideas for our members as well as make new relationships within the downtown Grand Rapids community.

I will start off the introductions with myself, followed by my fellow interns and our lovely directors!

Aimee Ridella:

• French Major, Public Relations (PR) and Advertising Minor
• Favorite Food: Cheesecake
• Favorite place in Grand Rapids: HopCat (ehm crack fries)
• Fun fact: I love yoga!
• Position: PR and blogger

Brianna Stoecker:

• Marketing Major
• Favorite food: Chicken Parmesan
• Favorite place in Grand Rapids: Millennium Park
• Fun fact: I have a pet chinchilla named Casey!
• Position: Social Media

Margaret Deloy:

• Hospitality and Tourism Management Major, Business Minor
• Favorite food: Chinese or sushi
• Favorite place in Grand Rapids: XO Asian Cuisine
• Fun fact: I love to play volleyball!
• Position: Events

Kathryne Phillips:

• Hospitality and Tourism Management Major with an emphasis in Meeting and Events/Lodging.
• Favorite food: Mac and Cheese
• Favorite spot downtown: HopCat
• Fun fact: In my free time I like to go fishing or play with my dogs Chili and Diesel.
• Position: Events

Catherine Hilbrands:

• Environmental Studies Major with Minors in Social Work and International Development
• Favorite food: Michigan apples and blueberries
• Favorite place downtown: Fulton Farmer’s Market; HopCat; Reeds Lake (sorry, I can’t choose just one!)
• Fun fact: Last spring/summer I hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, 2000+ miles from Georgia to Maine.
• Position: Nonprofit

 

NeYane Daniel:

• Industrial Design Major
• Favorite food: Fruit
• Favorite place in Grand Rapids: The Urban Institute for Contemporary Art
• Fun fact: I’m ambidextrous.
• Position: Graphic design

Monica:

• Undergrad: Major in Public Relations, minor in advertisingGraduate: Major in Business Administration concentration in Strategic Management
• Favorite food: Tacos
• Favorite spot downtown: Founders Brewing Company (the restaurant I visited before I became engaged).
• Fun fact: I love to travel and hope to study abroad in Summer 2016
• Position: Public Relations and Program Director

 

Janine:

• Undergrad: Major in Commercial Recreation and Facility Management with a Marketing Minor
• Favorite Food: Mexican
• Favorite spot downtown: Back Forty Saloon
• Fun fact: I have gone to 30+ concerts in one year.
• Position: Community Relations and Development Director

There you have it—the Arena District team. At this point you are 1) Hungry from reading about our favorite foods or 2) Wanting to check out new places downtown. Whichever it is, we hope to see you back here next Wednesday when we showcase one of our members, The B.O.B.

This post was written by Arena District PR intern, Aimee Ridella

Beer City USA

For many college kids in America, turning 21 is a huge birthday. That birthday is even better when you live in Beer City USA- Grand Rapids Michigan.

As the youngest of my friends, turning 21 over Christmas break senior year, I have heard them rave about various places to drink in Grand Rapids. Rest assured once I turned 21, I had to go try them out.

First things first, of all places to be voted Beer City USA, how did Grand Rapids win? USA Today made an online poll for everyone to vote once every 12 hours on his or her pick for Beer City (Ellison 2014.) Simple enough and we won, out-scoring Tampa, Florida as second place and third place Asheville, North Carolina. Our not so little city proved that even in 2 feet of snow, people still go out to drink great beer.

So what types of bars are in Grand Rapids that swayed everyone in our favor you ask? Founder’s Brewing Co. has been titled the 3^rd best brewer in the world and carries one of the world’s top ten beers (Founders, 2015). (Don’t worry; the first weekend back from break I made a stop here). Founder’s often has live music, and for the real beer enthusiasts: beer tours. From between $10-$30 depending on the tour type, you can earn a pint glass, taste beers and take a guided tour of the facilities(Founders, 2015). It’s a beer lovers dream.

If you find yourself bored on a Saturday afternoon and would like to take another beer tour, Brewery Vivant has options as well. For $10 you can sample your way through the tour and get a coupon to spend in the store (Brewery Vivant). This brewery is located on Cherry Street, so when the weather is less Arctic it’s beautiful to walk around and take in the shops afterwards.

For some, touring just one brewery is not enough, but walking in the snow of Grand Rapids from bar to bar is not ideal either. Grand Rapids Beer Tours has you covered. Book a private party for an occasion or just sign up for one of five tour options to hop in the van and visit local breweries. They provide samples at each stop, and make sure you visit 3-4 breweries per tour (GR Beer Tours). Some people, such as myself, like to customize: maybe I do not want to choose from the tour options. Grand Rapids Beer Tours even lets the choosier people like me customize a tour. Even better, they have nice weather options to walk you from brewery to brewery come spring (GR Beer Tours).

            Maybe you have some in-laws coming to town and really want to spice up the tour experience for them. Maybe you would like to burn calories in between sampling beers. Great Lakes Pub Cruiser can provide just that. As a group of 15, you can pedal from brewery to brewery, choosing from the list of planned routes as well as customizing your own. Choose the downtown loop and choose to stop at up to 5 of these choices: The Grand Woods Lounge, Tavern on the Square, The B.O.B., Peppino’s, McFadden’s, HopCat, Bar Divani, J. Gardella’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, or Z’s Bar and Grill (Kermode). I am all for a mini work out in between sipping beer, but I must say I appreciate that they tell you how many hills each route has, as well as difficulty levels.

All this talk of tours, but for those who want to explore the Beer City on their own, make sure to get a safe ride home, that is what Uber is for. I must say I am within walking distance to a few breweries but the wind-chill often gets the better of me and I call a ride anyways.

Next stop is HopCat. When I think of HopCat, this first thing that comes to mind are crack fries. If you are unaware of what those are, you need to stop reading, pick some up, and you can finish reading this while eating them. Now that I am older, I can appreciate a beer with crack fries, the combination is why HopCat has been called the number one brewpub in our nation (Experience Grand Rapids, N/A). HopCat also has something very unique that takes place once a month: The PussyCat Beer Guild GR chapter meets. Their Facebook page explains that besides being 21, you just have to be a woman and can show up and enjoy a beer with them: the perfect woman beer club.

So the women of Grand Rapids have the PussyCat Beer Guild, the men must have an option too right? Men do have beer club choices, as this is Beer City USA. Option number one is The Grand Rapids Homebrewers Club. Their Facebook explains that they have been around since 2013 and their mission is to educate and share advice amongst homebrewers new and beginner alike (Grand Rapids Homebrewers Club). Option number two for the gentlemen is Mug Club at Grand Rapids Brewing Co. To be a new member you simply pay the annual $65 fee and receive a mug engraved just for you, Monday specials and always $1 off your beer (Grand Rapids Brewing Co.).

So being 21 in beer city is not so bad. I will take the wind and the cold (or avoid it with an Uber) to be able to wander Grand Rapids and taste all that it has to offer. I am originally from the east side of the state and never realized what this area has to offer until I moved here, but now that I am here I am loving it.

Stay tuned for next Wednesday’s post…All about us!

This post was written by Arena District PR Intern, Aimee Ridella

 

References:

Brewery Vivant. (2014). The Brewery. Brewery Tours. Retrieved from: http://www.breweryvivant.com/#!tours/cqip

Ellison, G. (2014, October 16). Best Beer Town: Grand Rapids wins USA Today online poll. (Supplemental Material). MLive. Retrieved from: http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2014/10/best_beer_town_grand_rapids_wi.html

Experience Grand Rapids Downtown & Visitor Bureau. (N/A). About Grand Rapids. Cool City. Great Beer. Retrieved from: http://www.experiencegr.com/about-grand-rapids/great-beer/

Experience Grand Rapids Downtown & Visitor Bureau. (N/A). Things to Do. Craft Beer Tour. Retrieved from: http://www.experiencegr.com/things-to-do/tours/beer/

PussyCat Beer Guild GR Chapter. (2015). Facebook. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PCBGuild/

Founders Brewing Co. (2015). Tours & Classes. Brewery Tour. Retrieved from: http://foundersbrewing.com/store/brewery-tour-2/

Grand Rapids Beer Tours LLC. (2014). Grand Rapids Beer Tours. Retrieved from: http://www.grbeertours.com

Grand Rapids Brewing Co. (N/A). Grand Rapids Brewing Co. Homepage. Retrieved from: http://www.grbrewingcompany.com

Grand Rapids Homebrewers Club. (2015). Facebook. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/GRHomebrewersClub

Kermode, K. (N/A). Great Lakes Pub Cruise. Retrieved from: http://greatlakespubcruiser.com