Introducing: A Second Round by Jeremy Martin

From Kalamazoo to Niles and Benton Harbor, from Marshall to South Haven, Southwest Michigan offers a diversity and richness of life not often found in other parts of the country, let alone the state.

Since its inception two years ago, Southwest Michigan’s Second Wave has strived to keep you informed on what makes life in this area so full and exciting.

This is why, after hours of research at area drink (I mean "think") tanks we’ve decided to move into the wild world of craft beer.

No we won’t be doing any brewing, we’ll leave that to the experts (and the more daring amateurs) but we will be reporting on everything those fine men and women are concocting.

We’ve decided to call the blog "A Second Round," but we hope that it will soon become your first stop on the web for all things craft beer in Southwest Michigan.

My name is Jeremy Martin and I’d like you to consider me your tour guide through the fermented wonderland of Southwest Michigan craft beer.

Like Paul Revere riding through the night, alerting the residents of Boston that the newest batch of Sam Adams lager was ready (or something like that) I too shall work tirelessly to make certain that your thirst for information will be quenched.

Readers will be the first to know when a new brewery is opening and when a new line of small batch ale is being brewed. In the coming weeks and months, you’ll see articles about locally sourced brewing ingredients, release parties for seasonal beers, birthday parties for well known brewers and so much more.

Several years of experience covering the beer scene in Kalamazoo and beyond have given me a taste for this reporting. As a contributor to the popular Kalamabrew Blog, I wrote pieces ranging from the top spots to find craft beer deals to how to brew a perfect batch of root beer in your kitchen.

My work can also be found in the Battle Creek Enquirer, Lansing City Pulse, Between the Lines Magazine and in several other places around the state.

My first story for Southwest Michigan’s Second Wave brought you to Kalamazoo where Tim Surprise and Arcadia Brewing Company unveiled plans to build a 30,000-square-foot brewing facility and pub on the banks of the Kalamazoo River.

That’s kind of a big deal. But it’s also a big deal that the residents of Southwest Michigan have put their resources into making sure that all of the area’s brewers -- both large and small -- are given every opportunity to succeed here.

In 1978, when then President Jimmy Carter legalized home brewing, craft beer pioneers across the region got to work (all being law abiding citizens none were brewing before 1978, of course) slowly but surely perfecting their craft.

Thirty-four years later Southwest Michigan is recognized nationally as a craft beer destination, with more than 15 breweries to choose from, and more opening every year.

Second Wave Media is glad to not only be a part of what is becoming a craft beer revolution but we are excited to be located in the epicenter of what can arguably (we plan to make the argument) be called the beer capital of the country.

So with our ears to the ground and our bellies to the bar, we promise to keep you updated on the comings and goings of the Southwest Michigan beer scene. Feel free to pull up a chair, relax and enjoy A Second Round.

Jeremy Martin is a freelance writer. A graduate of Western Michigan University, he lives in Portage with his wife. He does not like to cook, but makes one heck of a sandwich. Follow him @secondwavebeer on Twitter.