Last spring, Brewery Vivant debuted their Zaison Imperial Saison Ale, and like many I made the very easy to make mistake of underestimating the strength based on the drinkability and having one or two too many. Fortunately this year I went in knowing, as my friends and I all believe this year’s release to be even a smoother more quenchable brew than the 2012 release. For those not familiar with Zaison, the beer is modeled after a seasonal Belgian style Saison with a Brewery Vivant twist. For a summer beer, be very careful, as the ABV comes in 9% and I wouldn’t recommend this as a lawn mower beer!

We're in the last two days of voting for Beer City this year, and there's no better time to cast your vote! Now is the time! Remember, you can vote once a day on each web-capable device you own.

There is no question 2012 was great year for Grand Rapids and beer. A record number of brewery openings included 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.

What happens when a proud West Michigan pub and a Grand Rapids brewery get together? They find a creative way to fight hunger in the local community.

On Thursday, April 18th, Reno's East will holding a Tap Takeover featuring the delectable Belgian style beers of Brewery Vivant from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Vivant has one of the most innovative and unique brewing operations in the whole state and their popularity over the last few years has soared along with their presence and availability in the marketplace.

The Michigan Cask Ale Festival returns Saturday, May 4, to Ashley’s Beer & Grill, 7525 Wayne Rd., with expanded hours and the largest lineup of cask-conditioned and served beers in the Festival’s six-year history – and the largest available at one time anywhere in the state.

Celebrate suds, snow and early spring fun with the 4^th Annual Brew-Ski Festival at Boyne Highlands Resort on Saturday, March 9. Brew-Ski Festival features craft beer sampling, live music, brats on the grill, and the enjoyment of early spring skiing and snowboarding.

Eastown Grand Rapids’ own Brewery Vivant is starting the year off right with a series of very exclusive releases leading up to this year’s Zaison seasonal release on April 16. Releases so far this year have included a very limited can release of “Tart Side of the Moon,” a dark Imperial farmhouse ale and tribute to the 40th anniversary of the Pink Floyd Album Dark Side of the moon; which was followed by Hubris Quadrupel currently also in very short supply, and Vivant Tripel on March 5th with 20% off cans and cases on release day only as has been past practice.

There are many different factors that influence this list, primarily of which is dependent on audience demand; who has the biggest lines and draws the biggest crowds. Another factor is beer offerings, what these breweries are bringing to the festival that create a huge demand among those attending.

February 2013 brought the 4th Annual Winter Microbrew & Music Festival to Traverse City, MI with plenty of food, music, and brews. Over 50 breweries from around the world featured over 200 different beers, ciders, and meads spread out among the festival’s several tents. Not just a beer festival, the focus also included dozens of bands including one tent featuring exclusively polka for the entire duration and also a multitude of food vendors offering everything from venison specialities to hot dogs, veggie chili, gyros, ribs and more.