Michigan doesn't always serve up perfect beach weather in late September (Gordon Lightfoot knows). But it's amazing how many people will brave the conditions and hit the shoreline if someone pitches a couple of tents, hires a band and invites 11 Michigan craft brewers to give out samples of their wares.
Just ask the folks behind the third annual
Weko Beach Brewers Festival in Bridgman. Colleen Ryan and Tom Neubauer are part of the team that's created an event that promotes some of Michigan's finest beers in a setting that sometimes produces some of Michigan's harshest weather.
"We've been cursed with bad weather every year so far, yet we've had fantastic turnouts every year," says Neubaur, the festival's producer.
Taking place 1-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at Weko Beach in Bridgman, the festival brings together beer, food, music and the unpredictability of early autumn in the Mitten State. Tickets to the Weko Beach Brewers Festival are $20 in advance or $25 at the gate and can be purchased
here. That covers 10 tasting tickets included and mug.
More than 800 people attended the inaugural event in 2010 despite freezing rain and temps that dipped into the low 30s. Last year's turnout grew to nearly 1,500 guests without the weather improving much.
This year, however, organizers are expecting sunny skies and record crowds as Weko Beach plays host to area breweries such as Bell's, Round Barn, The Livery and Arcadia Ales. Newcomers to the festival such as the Mt. Pleasant Brewing Company and Schmohz from Grand Rapids also will be welcomed this year.
"Every year we've tried to make things fresh and change up some of the breweries," says Neubauer.
This year's event will also feature live all day music by Mr. Blotto, Rebecca Ann Band and The Mangos. Edibles from Classic Catering and the Bridgeman Premier Meat Market also will be offered.
The festival coincides with the
Apple Cider Century, a bike race taking place Sunday in Three Oaks. Neubaur says he hopes that the two events will bring people to the area and help to usher in the fall season.
"I'm sure we'll have some crossover between the two events. This is definitely a tourism destination spot in Southwest Michigan. People come in for the beer fest but they'll also go do fall harvest kinds of things; they'll go pick apples and visit some of the wineries and the breweries in the area," Neubauer says.
But first and foremost it's about the beer. Attendees, some coming from as far as Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula will sip on local favorites such as Arcadia's Sky High Rye and Bell's Two Hearted Ale. They will also try out specialty and seasonal beers like Saugatuck's Serrano pepper ale, a spicy amber that is, according the brewery, "not for the unadventurous."
Those willing to hit the beach during the final week of September probably have a wild streak buried somewhere inside, but the payoff is well worth the price regardless of the weather, says Ryan, head of public relations and marketing for Weko Beach Brewers Festival.
"We've got live music and beer tasting," Ryan says. "We've got great food and a great sunset. You just can't beat the venue; it's breathtaking."
Writer: Jeremy Martin, Second Wave Media
Sources: Tom Neubauer, Colleen Ryan, Weko Beach Brewers Festival
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