Great Lakes Beer Festival: More Than Just Another Tasting Event
On August 17th, 2024, the 3rd Annual Great Lakes Beer Festival (GLBF) took over Midland, Michigan’s Dow Diamond Stadium. Although it rained early on, we didn’t care; it was dry under the concourse’s roof, and there were plenty of beverage choices. This year, there were over 80 craft beverage makers, including breweries, cideries, distilleries, and meaderies.
Party, Tasting Event, Festival?
While skimming the festival program and sipping on a Michigan Cherry cider–courtesy of a collaboration between Blackgrass Ciderworks and Griffin Claw Brewing Company (yeah, I didn’t know they were collaborating either!), a fellow festival-goer stopped at the high top. “Mind if I perch here?” he asked. “Go ahead,” I said, then returned to the program, but then the guy said something like, “This reminds me of the wine tastings in California.
Hello again; his statement had my attention. He might have been onto something, but honestly, the GLBF had something that felt way more like a party than a hoity-toity-tasting event. There was something about the energy jumping from person to person. It was infectious. Moving through the crowd, I caught snippets of conversations that reminded me of what you’d hear at a party–if it felt intimate, yet there were hundreds of people enjoying the event.
Old Nation’s Temptation: Shandy vs. Grapefruit B-43
I was deep in thought about the whole party vs. tasting debate when I found myself in front of Old Nation Brewing’s table. I was planning on grabbing a Shandy sample (a German Style Lager with Lemonade), but then, oh, hello, what’s this? The Grapefruit B-43 caught my eye. If you know their M-43, you know it’s a legend. But this B-43? It had the same deliciousness but was infused with citrus and fewer carbs, which was a good thing after my trip through the VIP buffet line.
The VIP Buffet: The Hunger Games
Speaking of the VIP buffet–genius idea, GLBF. From 1 to 4 pm, VIP ticket holders got access to the buffet spread on the suite level, catered by Dow Diamond Events. It did not disappoint this year. I don’t remember this from last year, but there was a sign that said, “Only one trip through the buffet line.” For reasons unknown, I treated my trip through the line like it was my last meal and felt morally obligated to clean my plate. As you might guess, I had to fight off a food coma.
Food Trucks: Because Variety is the Spice of Life
If I’d used some restraint in the buffet, I could have enjoyed the food trucks. The lineup on the concourse was solid. From the Frankenmuth’s Bavarian Inn’s Cluck Truck to the Fuego Mexican BBQ there was something for everyone. Who doesn’t love a good Cluck Truck? And let’s not forget Sawadee Food Truck, which serves Asian-inspired food. It was like a mini food festival within the beer festival.
The Best of the Best (In My Humble Opinion)
Flyers were scattered on the tables asking you to vote on the best brew, best cider, best cocktail or seltzer, and best new discovery. Challenge accepted. Here are my votes:
- The Best Cider: The Raspberry Tea from Blakes Hard Cider is the best of something; I’m putting it into the cider category. It is a fizzy mix of Raspberry and tea that had me going back for seconds. (and maybe thirds).
- The Best Cocktail: Grand Traverse Distillery’s magic had their table constantly swarmed for a reason.
- The Best Brew: I couldn’t decide, so I called it a three-way tie between Biere De Mac’s Second Beach French Grisette, Lansing Brewing’s Sitting Lakeside – Vienna Lager, and Saugatuck Brewing Company’s Rainbow Rodeo IPA. It was impossible to pick just one.
- Best New Discovery: The Music! A German Polka Band brought some serious energy, and another band blended live music with art. I know it sounds confusing, but it was like one of those “you had to be there” moments. Whoever suggested the VIP buffet must have booked the music, too. Hats off to you.
The Music
The German Polka Band, Fröhliche Musiker Blasorchester (FMB), got the party started. More than just another “Roll Out The Barrel” band, FMB brought the spirit of Oktoberfest to the Great Lakes Beer Festival. In addition to being outstanding musicians playing a wide assortment of traditional German music, they made this festival fun. Either with toasts between songs or encouraging folks to dance, they brought smiles to everyone they came in contact with. Sing-a-longs such as “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver and “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond were a big hit. They even roped in Sid the Seagull for a bit of German line dancing. If you ever get the chance to enjoy FMB live, do it!
Empty Canvas, a unique amalgamation of live art and music, closed the party. During their performance, the lead singer, Mike McMath, created a painting with the audience’s help. Empty Canvas jammed super covers, including a stellar rendition of “Show Me The Way” by Peter Frampton. The band drew the crowd in; before you knew it, they were handing off the paintbrush. Seeing the artwork unfold with the music driving its creation was quite impressive. If you are curious, the painting theme was the Great Lakes, with a portrait of Michigan and its lakes.
Fröhliche Musiker Blasorchester
Mike McMath, Empty Canvas
This Way to the Games
The rain eventually cleared out, and folks stretched their legs, either taking a lap around the field or playing yard games. When the Lion’s Game came on the scoreboard later in the afternoon, fans took seats to watch.
Mark Your Calendar
The 3rd Annual Great Lakes Beer Festival blended the best of Michigan’s craft beverage scene with a vibrant atmosphere that felt more like a celebration than just a tasting event. From the mix of brews and ciders to the mouthwatering food options and top-notch entertainment, GLBF 2024 had something for everyone. Mark your calendars for next year—Saturday, August 16th–this is one event you won’t want to miss!