Parked out front was a classic Powers Distributing truck.

The first place I beelined it for was the Samuel Adams table in hopes that they would have some special brews that you can’t normally find on shelves. My boyfriend and I traveled to Boston in February during freak storm Nemo and were snowed in the majority of the weekend. The storm finally settled down on our last day, allowing us to make one final stop at the Samuel Adams Brewery for a private tour. The brewery in Boston is their hub for research and development, so you get to sample a lot of beers that you wouldn’t normally find bottled. If you’re ever in Boston, the tour is definitely a must!

Most of the beers at the Samuel Adams table were iconic staples like Boston Lager, Summer Ale, etc. However, they did have a few options available from their Barrel Room Collection that I had yet to try. Word on the street is that the Barrel Room Collection may even be hitting shelves soon. Two of the tasting options were IPAs–sorry for you hop lovers, but I am not a big IPA fan so I skipped those–and the other was the 13th Hour Stout. It had a little more of a tart taste than most of the stouts I prefer, but I still enjoyed it. Overall, it had a nice flavor. On a side note, I really loved the look of the bottle. There were so many well-designed labels in the special collections at the Boston brewery, so it was fun to see that design element make it onto this bottle.

Creative labels at the Samuel Adams Brewery in Boston.

As with any beer event, you have to go in with a goal of what you want to try or you’ll never make it around to everything. After stopping at a few of my favorite Michigan breweries in the room, like Kuhnhenn, I decided to spend the rest of the evening stepping away from my preferred brewers and trying some varieties that I don’t normally drink.

My first stop was the Tommyknocker table where I sampled the Maple Nut Brown Ale. I’ve never had Tommyknocker before and the first thing I noticed about this brew was the maple syrup. The flavor was very apparent, but it wasn’t thick or an overpowering syrupy taste. I would definitely drink this again.

My next stop was the Leinenkugel table. Their Summer Shandy (which everyone was grabbing), doesn’t really do it for me, but I wanted to give them a second chance since I haven’t had many of their other varieties. I opted to try the Creamy Dark and the guy that poured it mentioned that it was a good introduction for those that haven’t had many dark beers. I think this was the perfect way to describe this beer because it was very bland. There was no particular flavor that stood out as I was drinking it and the only way I can think to describe it is to say, “Meh.”

Continuing on my goal of drinking outside of my usual selection, I decided to give in and have a hard cider since so many breweries there were serving it. I would normally steer away from hard ciders because I often find them almost sickeningly sweet. I stopped at the Woodchuck table to browse what they were carrying and the guys at their table suggested I try the Pink since most of the girls liked that. That comment had the opposite affect on me and I decided to try the Summer instead (let’s please not generalize what all girls like!). As with most hard ciders, it was very sweet, but the blueberry taste was really nice. It was a good cider, but I don’t think I could have drank more than a glass of this.

In saving the best for last, my favorite beer of the night was the Pyramid Apricot Ale. This was definitely the perfect summer beer. It was so light and refreshing and the apricot taste was apparent but didn’t have a super fruity taste. The balance of flavors was just perfect. I had never heard of Pyramid before, but I can’t wait to buy some more of this particular brew.

The Pyramid Apricot Ale was my favorite beer of the night.

Besides the beer, my favorite part of the event was meeting Bobby Vedder, a certified cicerone at Powers. For those that don’t know, a cicerone is like the beer version of a sommelier. I had a great time talking to Bobby about the certification process–which includes blind tastings, a test and an essay portion. I asked him how he trained for it and he said it was almost two decades in the making; he’s loved the craft beer scene for as long as he can remember. Bobby is definitely a beer aficionado and it was fun picking his brain.

With more than 500 attendees, Powers had a great turnout for their first event. I enjoyed having the opportunity to check out some breweries that I don’t normally get a chance to sample. Hopefully, this become an annual event for Powers. American Craft Beer Week runs until May 19, so don’t forget to raise a glass to the occasion. Cheers!

The post Recap: Powers Distributing Craft Beer Expo appeared first on Drink Michigan.

Ingredients
4 lbs pork butt or shoulder
1 12oz bottle of Bell’s Porter
1 18oz bottle of Stubb’s Sweet Heat Bar-B-Q sauce
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp of red pepper flakes
1 tbsp of garlic powder
1 tbsp of paprika
2 tbsp of tomato paste
salt and pepper to taste

Step 1:
Throw everything in the crock pot except the BBQ sauce. Cook on low for 10-12 hours, stir throughout the day.

Step 2:
About two hours before you serve, remove the bones from the pork. Shred the pork into pieces, and add in your bbq sauce. The mixture might be a little juicy, so you can remove some of the liquid before putting in the bbq sauce if you want the pork to be a little thicker.

Step 3:
Serve on slider or regular buns, or just eat it sans bread for those carb conscious readers.

The post Bell’s Porter Crock-pot BBQ Pulled Pork appeared first on Drink Michigan.

Founders Brewing Company and Pure Michigan have teamed up to let drinkers decide which Founders beer style best represents “Pure Michigan.” The choices are Vanilla Stout, Apple Ale, and Wheat IPA. The winning beer will be featured in the Founders tap room in Grand Rapids throughout the month of July as part of Michigan Craft Beer Month. You can cast your vote once a day until Friday, May 3rd. Currently Apple Ale has a slight edge over Vanilla Stout, with Wheat IPA falling behind. To cast your vote – click here.

If you could pick any beer from any Michigan brewery to be labeled the “Pure Michigan” beer, what would it be? Leave your answer below in the comments section. Cheers!

The post Pure Michigan and Founders Crowd Source Beer appeared first on Drink Michigan.

Tickets for the event cost $15, and include eight 3 ounce beer samples and strolling dinner; and $5 from each ticket sold will benefit Rock Star (Sustainable Talent And Retention) Warriors, a Michigan nonprofit that works to provide jobs for Michigan’s veterans. Tickets can be purchased online at www.craftbeerexpo.net. Additional beer tasting tickets may be purchased at the event. Ticket purchasers and event guests must be of legal drinking age. Guests are encouraged to drink responsibly.

“Craft beer is exploding in popularity,” said Gary Thompson, chief operating officer of Powers Distributing. “Michigan is the fifth largest craft beer state in the country. Our breweries are experiencing fantastic development and the state offers an amazing selection of both local and national beers to craft beer drinkers. To celebrate this, we created a local beer event. American Craft Beer Week seemed to be the perfect time to invite the public to learn more about this 4,000-year-old beverage and how wonderfully it pairs with cuisine.”

Participating breweries include: Cheboygan Brewing Company, Dragonmead Brewing Company, Kuhnhenn Brewing Company, North Peak Brewing Company, Saugatuck Brewing Company, Uncle John’s Cider, Oskar Blues Brewery, Blue Moon Brewing Company, Tenth & Blake Beer Company, Samuel Adams – The Boston Beer Company, Magic Hat Brewing Company, Vermont Hard Cider Company (Woodchuck), Brooklyn Brewery, Boulder Beer Company, Tommyknocker Brewing Company, Spoetzl Brewery (Shiner), and Anchor Brewing Company.

Nine Canterbury Village food stations will provide pasta, chicken and beef cuisine samples including:

•          Bow tie pasta with fresh marinara and hand grated parmesan.
•          Bow tie pasta tossed in olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs and lightly sprinkled with Romano cheese.
•          Bow tie pasta served with a rich creamy Alfredo sauce and topped with fresh brigade herbs.
•          Lightly breaded boneless chicken breast baked and served with a Champagne cream sauce and topped with shoestring vegetables.
•          Boneless chicken breast coated with rich honey and baked to perfection, then drizzled with a sweet and zesty barbecue sauce.
•          Chicken breast marinated with soy, honey, teriyaki and fresh herbs, topped with fresh grilled pineapple and sprinkled with crispy bacon.
•          Tenderloin beef tips sautéed with onion and mushrooms and finished with a robust zip sauce.
•          Tenderloin tips tossed with bell pepper, red onion and fresh herbs and spices.
•          Midwest style beef tips marinated and cooked to perfection, and dusted with a Canterbury Cajun spice.

As the beneficiary of the Craft Beer Expo, Thompson said he recognizes Rock Star Warriors for the work they do for our veterans. The event will allow patrons to “celebrate the service and return of those who have given the most for our safety, and those that make it possible for us to pursue our passions here at home,.” He said.

Julie Mann, founder of Rock Star Warriors, said she was pleased to be involved with the event in its first year. “We consider our military as a longstanding and large ‘family’ with a shared sense of purpose and mission, said Mann. “We consider ourselves fortunate to work with a company such as Powers who believes in the importance of longevity and family.”

The Craft Beer Expo will also offer event goers a chance to win raffle prizes including a Shiner Bock bike, bean bag toss game, a Weber Grill, and a golf bag. The purchase of an event ticket, each of which has a control number printed on it, automatically qualifies guests to enter to win one of these prizes. Winners of each item will be announced at the event by ticket number. Winners must be present to win.

Greater Media Detroit’s WCSX 94.7 FM is the event’s media sponsor. Visit www.wcsx.com for details about how you canwin free event tickets from WCSX.

About Rock Star Warriors

Rock Star Warriors work with businesses to locate veteran talent with the needed skills and experiences to fill current openings. The non-profit secures job placement and sustainable employment for Michigan veterans while assisting businesses through the hiring process. Through a collaborative effort between Rock Star Warriors and Dale Carnegie Training, Rock Star Warriors provides every hired veteran with a 2-year career development program that assists in the shift to a civilian work life and increases job retention. With 9.8 percent of veterans unemployed, it’s more important than ever to help our veteran’s transition from war to the workplace.

About Powers Distributing

Powers Distributing was established in 1939 and is currently owned and operated by company co-presidents Robert and Gerald Powers. Powers Distributing has over 200 employees and 45 trucks managing 85 brands through 30 different supplier relationships across Oakland and Macomb Counties. Powers Distributing and its many suppliers strongly oppose illegal underage drinking, and for decades have played an active role by teaming with parents and educators to implement programs that help prevent underage access and illegal underage drinking. Powers Distributing is located at 3700 Giddings Road, Orion Township, Mich. 48359. For more information about Powers Distributing visit www.powersdistributing.com, and visit Powers on Facebook, Twitter @PowersDist, and Pinterest.

###

Jim Miller
Publicist
Franco Public Relations Group
400 Renaissance Center, Suite 1000
Detroit, MI 48243
313-567-5029 office
248-345-0602 mobile
miller@franco.com

www.franco.com

The post Powers Distributing announces first Craft Beer Expo May 15 at Canterbury Village appeared first on Drink Michigan.

“I’m proud of the proactive environmental steps these award-winning wineries and vineyards on Old Mission Peninsula have taken to become MAEAP verified,” said Governor Snyder. “The actions of these growers speak to their voluntary commitment to responsible on-farm practices and its importance regardless of the location, size, or what commodity your farm produces.”

MAEAP is a collaborative effort of farmers, MDARD, Michigan Farm Bureau, commodity organizations, universities, conservation districts, conservation and environmental groups and state and federal agencies. More than 100 local coordinators and technical service providers are available to assist farmers as they move through the MAEAP process toward verification. To date, statewide more than 1,500 MAEAP verifications have been issued.

“Having all these wineries and vineyards on Old Mission Peninsula verified is a great achievement,” said MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams. “MAEAP’s ability to implement safe farming practices on a variety of farming operations, such as vineyards, shows how strong of a program it is, and will be, for years to come.”

MAEAP is a multi-year program allowing producers to meet farm-specific goals. The program encompasses three systems designed to help producers evaluate the environmental risks of their operation. Each system – Livestock, Farmstead, and Cropping – examines a different aspect of a farm, as each has a different environmental impact. The program assists farmers to comply with state and federal environmental regulations and with Right to Farm practices. Technical assistance at the vineyards was provided by the Grand Traverse Conservation District.

“Grand Traverse is a region rich in agricultural and natural beauty,” said Tree Sturman, Executive Director of the Grand Traverse Conservation District. “Through the MAEAP program, we have empowered our local vineyards to wed their business goals with their affection for the natural world.  The Wineries of the Old Mission Peninsula and their supplier vineyards exemplify this conservation ethic. These businesses are among the more than 100 MAEAP-verifications completed in our area, demonstrating that they are doing the right thing for the land they love by preserving its integrity for future generations.”

The Old Mission Peninsula stretches north 19 miles into Grand Traverse Bay and is only four miles wide at the broadest point. 2 Lads Winery, Black Star Farms, Bowers Harbor Vineyards, Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery, Chateau Chantal, Chateau Grand Traverse, Peninsula Cellars, Lardie Orchards Inc., Manigold Farms, Montanã Rusa Farms, Inc., and Ochs Orchard are all proud to call  Old Mission Peninsula their home. The area is surrounded by 600-foot deep water in East and West Grand Traverse Bays. Seven distinct wineries comprise this stunning appellation, and they have been well recognized by international wine enthusiasts. The Old Mission Peninsula has been recognized for its award winning wines: Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Gewürztraminer, sparkling varieties and prestigious ice wines.

“The wineries on Old Mission Peninsula are all MAEAP-verified farms demonstrating the importance each producer places upon operating in an environmentally responsible manner while embracing sustainable farming practices,” said Eddie O’Keefe, President of the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula.

For more information about MAEAP visit www.maeap.org; for additional information about Old Mission Peninsula visitwww.wineriesofoldmission.com; and to learn more about the Grand Traverse Conservation District go to http://natureiscalling.org.

The post OMP wineries and vineyards recognized for responsible farm practices appeared first on Drink Michigan.

Chris Lopez from Black Star Farms poured us a nice sample of the 2010 Arcturos Pinot Noir, and we also tried the new Winemaker’s Red from new kids on the block, BluStone Vineyards. Their tasting room opened back in November, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting a chance to check it out. Some other favorites of the day were the Chateau Grand Traverse 2011 Whole Cluster Riesling, Verterra 2011 Chaos White Cuvee, Hawthorne Vineyards 2012 Pinot Blanc, Brys Estate Pinot Noir Riesling & the 2011 Merlot, and the L. Mawby Redd.

We had all kinds of fun talking to all the winemakers and representatives, bloggers, and Rattlesnake staff. Even Brix (the infamous Bernese Mountain Dog from Bowers Harbor) was there in spirit, or in miniature stuffed form looking over the wine.

The post 30 Days of Michigan Wine – The Michigan Wine Showcase appeared first on Drink Michigan.

I’ve never been to the winery in Paw Paw, however I have been to one of the tasting rooms. There are currently 5 tasting rooms through out southern Michigan in which you can sample and purchase St. Julian wine. The tasting room I frequented was off 94 outside of Jackson. It has since been relocated after an unnamed adult business decided to spring up over night next door. It’s a shame, because I loved stopping off at that location when I was headed to the west side of the state. The tasting room staff were incredibly nice and eager to share their knowledge of all things St. Julian. It was that staff that let me know that St. Julian actually makes some pretty freaking fantastic wine! Up to that point I had known them only for the non-alcoholic sparkling wine I used to drink around the holidays before I was of age. I’m so glad that I by chance stopped in that first time.

I fell in love with the Braganini Series (small lot production of dry, single varietal wines) while in the tasting room, and always came home with a case full of whatever was released that season. My favorite has always been the Chancellor Noir. St. Julian now has over 15 Braganini Reserve wines, and a long list of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic libations.

If you’re around any of the 5 tasting rooms in Paw Paw, Frankenmuth, Union Pier, Dundee or South Haven, I highly recommend a quick stop in. If the staff at those locations are anything like the ones that worked at the one I visited before, then you’ll be in for a real treat! I believe you can find some of the Braganini bottles at area grocery stores and bottle shops as well. If you’ve had St. Julian wine before, what’s your favorite?

The post 30 Days of Michigan Wine – St. Julian Winery appeared first on Drink Michigan.

The CDL wine collection has something for everyone. My current favorites are:

Bianca
A soft white with hints of pear and grapefruit, perfect for the summer

Hawkins Red
Dryer style, light bodied red with a strawberry nose and a hint of pepper at the end

Solem Farm Red
This is a great gateway wine for someone who is not a big fan of dry, bold reds. It has just the slightest sweetness to it, yet still great flavor

Peach Fizz
Peaches and bubbles, need I say more?!

All the CDL wines and ciders are pretty fantastic! Matt actually grew up on Leelanau Peninsula, and his family has farmed the land, mostly apple and cherry orchards for generations. He convinced them that they should try their hand at wine making, and has used their vast experience to produce award winning wine and ciders. The CDL vineyards are actually set away from the tasting room farther north on the peninsula. Last time I was up that way, I was able to tour the vineyards, and they are absolutely stunning! Rolling hills with views of the water on both sides. We had the most amazing picnic lunch with sandwiches from my new favorite, the Fishtown Village Cheese Shanty, and CDL Hard Apple Cider. Let’s just say that was one of my most favorite days ever. Good friends, good wine, good food, and amazing views! If a tasting room were ever built there, I don’t think I would ever leave!

Next time you start your drive up M-22, make absolutely sure you stop at Chateau de Leelanau! And if you’re down in the southern part of the state, you can taste and purchase their wine at the Michigan By The Bottle tasting room in Shelby Township.

The post 30 Days of Michigan Wine – Chateau De Leelanau appeared first on Drink Michigan.

Black Star is a must-stop on every wine-tasting trip I take up north. They have tasting rooms on both the Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas, as well as in Traverse City. They make a delicious variety of reds, whites, sparkling, and dessert wines – but there’s more to my loyalty than just the wine. It’s the feeling of family that’s evoked when you enter their tasting room.

Led by their tasting room manager, Chris, the Black Star Farms staff is what all great wineries should be – inclusive. There’s no wine-snobbery going on here – they will take you through the gamut of their wines, explaining each one in terms everyone can understand. There’s no judgment if you don’t like something, or taste a certain flavor note – they go out of their way to make sure you enjoy the experience.

And the wine – oh, the wine. Lee Lutes is a genius winemaker. He pulls extraordinary flavor out of his grapes. Some of my favorites are:

• Leorie Vineyard Merlot Cabernet Franc
• Vintners Select (Red Blend)
• Arcturos Barrel-Aged Chardonnay
• Arcturos Dry Riesling
• BeDazzledwine club

It doesn’t stop there – Black Star also produces a whole line of spirits, including Pear and Its Spirit, which has a pear inside the bottle, and Spirit of Apricot, a rich and flavorful apricot brandy.

Did we mention they also have a creamery on site? Because they do – and the cheese is delicious!

But wait – there’s more! Black Star has a charming inn that you can stay in for your vacation. It’s located on their Suttons Bay property, and has breathtaking views of the vineyard. It’s just a few steps (or a short stumble, depending on how much wine you drink) from the tasting room.

Be sure to stop in and visit the Black Star Farms team the next time you’re in the area – I promise you won’t be disappointed.

And if you can’t wait, then you can order their wines online, or sign up for their wine club . My favorite day each quarter is the day my BSF wine club shipment shows up at my door – what’s better than having great Michigan wine magically appear on your doorstep?

The post 30 Days of Michigan Wine – Black Star Farms appeared first on Drink Michigan.

In honor of Michigan Wine Month, we are sharing our experiences at some of our favorite Michigan Wineries. One of the first Michigan Wineries I ever stepped foot in was the 2 Lads Winery, located on the Old Mission Peninsula of Traverse City. I was there years ago for a bachelorette party, and was privileged enough to enjoy a private wine tasting and tour from one of the 2 Lads, Cornel Oliver. His knowledge, passion, and history with wine was very impressive. I think I remember him mentioning that he attended a school not to be mentioned in Ohio, but after many more years of study and travel, he came to Michigan because of his interest in ice wines.

Cornel and Chris (the other lad), partnered up to form what is now 2 Lads Winery, complete with 22 acres of sustainable vineyards, and a 10,500 sf bottling and tasting facility. The 2 Lads Winery has got to be one of the most beautiful wineries in all of Michigan, and maybe even beyond. It has stunning views of Lake Michigan, rolling hills, and a modern styled tasting room with floor to ceiling windows. When I take friends up to visit Michigan wine country, 2 Lads is always on my tour.

The building and views are not the only things that are impressive about 2 Lads, their wine is some of the best I’ve had from Michigan. Chris and Cornel have mastered a style of wine that is both dry and sweet at the same time. Pleasing the palette’s of both old and new wine drinkers. I often get asked for recommendations for Michigan wine, and I can always feel good about anything from 2 Lads, as I honestly don’t think I’ve ever tried anything I don’t like from them. My only gripe about their wine is that I wish I could find more of it without driving all the way to Traverse City! The Produce Station in Ann Arbor has been known to carry it from time to time.

With amazing wine, a beautiful tasting room, and stunning views, 2 Lads Winery is not to be missed! Make sure you stop in if you haven’t before, and give a shout out to Chris and Cornel from Drink Michigan!

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