Brew News: 2013 Arrives (January)

To start off this year of blogging, I want to thank everyone who visited A Beer in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush in 2012. We had a pretty sweet 18,000+ views of 46 unique posts. Not too shabby, methinks. Now we’ll kick it off as we always do at the beginning of the month with Brew News.

There are plenty of events happening this month, mostly outside the taproom, but you know we always welcome you to Greenbush with open arms, satisfying brews and tasty morsels. That said, here’s the rundown on what’s happening this month.

Saturday, January 12: South Bend Brewfest at the Century Center in South Bend, IN

This year’s Brewfest in downtown South Bend will run from 1-5 p.m. and for $35 you can get tastes of beer from breweries the world over (seriously)–including New Belgium, Abita and Flying Dog and of course, local favorites like Dark Horse, Bell’s, Four Horsemen and yours truly. Ticket price also includes a commemorative glass and food coupon–get ’em at morriscenter.org.

Saturday, January 12: KBW Event at Food Dance in Kalamazoo, MI

Billed as a “Greenbush Adjuncts Tasting,” our first event of Kalamazoo Beer Week at Food Dance will be a treat especially for home brewers out there. A couple Greenbush brewers will be on hand to chat and answer questions about brewing with adjuncts while tasting some of Greenbush’s beer featuring adjuncts like Mr. Hyde, brewed with Infusco Coffee‘s Sumatra blend, and Brother Benjamin, brewed with local honey, plus more. The event runs from 2-4 p.m. and tickets are $23, which includes tastings and small bites–call 269.382.1888 or go to fooddance.net/events-classes to reserve your spot.

Monday, January 14: KBW Event at Central City Tap House in Kalamazoo, MI

Join us the Monday night of Kalamazoo Beer Week for Flight Night at Central City Tap House. Sample a great lineup of Greenbush beers including a specialty, firkin style. No reservations or tickets required, but come hang out with us from 5-7 p.m. on the Kalamazoo Mall. We’re friendly, I promise.

Monday, January 14: Baconfest Satellite Dinner at Three Aces in Chicago, IL

This one is not for the faint of heart. Nor anything resembling a vegetarian. With dishes like bacon steak and vanilla-bacon-bourbon milkshakes on the menu for this pre-Baconfest dinner at Three Aces, plan on leaving extremely satisfied. We’re teaming up with Templeton Rye to provide the drinks for this bacon love-fest. Check out the menu here, then call the restaurant at 312.243.1577 to make a reservation–$75 per person.

Thursday, January 17: KBW Event at O’Duffy’s Pub in Kalamazoo, MI

Another chance to hang out with us and drink beer in Kalamazoo! This time at O’Duffy’s Pub, they’ll be pouring some of our winter seasonal beers from 7-9 p.m. Do you guys remember hanging out with Joe last year, watching him try to tap a firkin for the first time (quite successfully, might I add)? This year’s trip to O’Duffy’s will certainly be just as entertaining.

Wednesday, January 23: Beer Dinner at Local Kitchen and Bar in Ferndale, MI

Newcomer Local Kitchen and Bar in Ferndale was recently named one of the best new restaurants in metro Detroit by the Detroit Free Press. So, do you think we’re super stoked to be participating in a beer dinner there? In two words, heck yes! Join us on Wednesday, January 23 at 7 p.m. Ticket price is TBD, but it’ll be in the $50-$60 range. Seats are filling up quickly, so call 248.291.5650 for reservations. I don’t know about anyone else, but my fingers are crossed that there’s some of their glorious macaroni and cheese on the menu…

Tuesday, January 29: Tap Takeover at Ashley’s in Ann Arbor, MI

Time for another tap takeover at one of the best beer bars in the country. We’re heading to Ashley’s Ann Arbor on January 29 with a plethora of beer in tow. Details on what will be pouring and when are TBD, but stay tuned to our Facebook page and theirs for more information as we have it.

Wednesday, January 30: Brewery Throwdown vs. Great Lakes at Ashley’s in Westland, MI

At the end of the month it’s time for us to stand our ground and show off our stuff at the 2013 Ashley’s Invitational Brewery Throwdown at Ashley’s Westland. Our round has us pitted against Great Lakes Brewing Company out of Cleveland–a worthy foe for certain. Whichever brewery sells the most glasses of beer in each round wins, so Greenbush fans, make sure you get out to Ashley’s between 6 p.m. and midnight on January 30 to help us move on to the next round in the competition! You can also fill out a bracket by January 9 for a chance to win a gift card worth up to $250 to either Ashley’s location.

Just another normal month at Greenbush, right? We hope to see you out and about–considering we’re going to be all over our distribution territories, I don’t see how that could be an issue for anyone. Stay tuned for more fun on the blog this January as we go “Behind the Bush” with Joel Degner, work up some tasty recipes and whip up more cool things to talk about.