(BENTON HARBOR, Mich) – In celebration of its 5th Anniversary, The Livery in Benton Harbor is hosting a gathering August 20-21, focused on hand-forged microbrews, a summer-style picnic and plenty of musical pickin’s for all to enjoy.
The festivities kick off on Friday, August 20 at 8pm with Pinetop Perkins & Willie “Big Eyes” Smith playing throughout the night. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 the day of the show and may be purchased online at www.liverybrew.com, by calling 800-594-8499 or at the brewery itself (cash only).
The fun continues on Saturday, August 21 when a “no cover” gathering will be held from Noon to 6pm, with a summer-style picnic featuring local fruits & veggies, beer brats, burgers and more; “old school” vinyl music with DJ DannyBoy (the brewer at The Corner Brewery in Ypsilanti) and beer samplings include six barrel aged brews and the release of the “Anniversary Ale” – an Imperial Black IPA.
This “Anniversary Ale” will debut at the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison, Wisconsin on August 14 and will then be available at the anniversary party in Benton Harbor. It will be well worth the wait! In February, Brewmaster Steve Berthel and fellow brewers Jared Williamson from New Albanian Brewing Co. in New Albany, Indiana and Josh Davies from Arcadia Ales in Battle Creek, Michigan got together on Steve’s birthday weekend to brew a batch for the 5th anniversary celebration – an incredible Imperial Black IPA, with about 11.5% abv and well over 125 IBUs.
One hundred years ago, the building known as the Palace Livery at 190 5th Street in Benton Harbor provided a vital service making it a gathering place for residents and travelers to Southwest Michigan. Five years ago, the former horse stable and carriage shop was been brought back to life as “The Livery” – one of Michigan’s most exciting and unique microbreweries, featuring a diverse selection of beer styles, ciders and wines, an outdoor beer garden and a Cafe. All of the “Hand Forged Microbrews” are painstakingly created by brewmaster Steve Berthel on a 10 bbl. brewing system of his own design. Music and other live entertainment are regularly featured in The Upper Livery entertainment venue.
The Livery is one of some 70 licensed craft brewing operations in the state of Michigan – most of which are proud members of the Michigan Brewers Guild (www.MichiganBrewersGuild.org).
The Livery (Benton Harbor) celebrates 5th anniversary
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HOOK & LADDER BREWING CO. ROLLS INTO THE TWIN CITIES
The Twin Cities newest brew gives back to local communities with its “A Penny in Every Pint”® and “A Quarter in Every Case”® donation program for Minnesota firefighters and hospital burn centers.
St. Paul, MN. – Hook & Ladder Brewing Company, a Washington, D.C.-area venture started by a volunteer firefighter and his business-minded brother, is bucking negative economic trends and experiencing tremendous growth this year – despite the fact that the mission-based business donates a portion of all sales to charity and continues to face the industry challenges of escalating transportation and ingredient costs. The company’s recent expansion into Minnesota, a state with a rich craft beer culture, demonstrates the Hook & Ladder brand’s ability to distinguish itself within the expanding craft beer market. Hook & Ladder’s brews will be available in the Twin Cities February 1st, 2010.
Hook & Ladder was founded on the mission of building a business while giving back to each community in which its beers are sold. Hook & Ladder and local wholesale partner, Wirtz Beverage Minnesota will provide donations to Twin Cities area burn centers and firefighter burn organizations through the A Penny in Every Pint® and A Quarter in Every Case® programs.
A Quarter in Every Case® donates 25 cents from each case sold and A Penny in Every Pint® donates $4 from each barrel. Rich Fleischer, a 15-year volunteer firefighter and head brewer for Hook & Ladder states, “In addition to selling award-winning beers, we’re also giving beer enthusiasts in Minnesota a chance to give back to their local heroes in the fire and rescue service every time they pick up a Hook & Ladder brew. That’s what sets us apart from other beers in this extremely competitive industry.” These efforts have raised over $75,000 in the past 30 months alone.
Hook & Ladder’s steady growth is gaining attention in the brewing community. Initially distributed by just one wholesale partner in only the Washington, DC area, Hook & Ladder is now distributed by wholesale partners in 27 states around the country. According to industry statistics by the Brewers Association, Hook & Ladder experienced 688% growth in 2007, the biggest percentage increase among craft brewers providing beers solely through a distribution network.
Hook & Ladder brews two trademark beers. The Great American Beer Festival Gold Medalist Golden Ale® and Backdraft Brown®, which recently received a 95 point rating from Draft Magazine. In March, the company will be releasing their third style, Flashpoint Pale Ale. Currently Flashpoint Pale Ale is only available in their variety pack along with a limited edition Belgian Dubbel Anniversary Ale that was brewed to celebrate their five-year anniversary.
For more information please go to Hook & Ladder’s web site.
If you are interested in carrying Hook & Ladder’s products contact: Wirtz Beverage Minnesota, Beer Inc: www.wirtzbeveragegroup.com.
Hook and Ladder Brewing expands to Twin Cities, Flashpoint Ale to hit 6-packs
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
