224. Summer WGRD Craft Beer Festival

Are you a fan of micro beers or craft beer? 97.9 GRD and D&W Fresh Market present the 2011 Summer WGRD Craft Beer Festival, Saturday, August 20, from 1pm-9pm, at John Ball Park in Grand Rapids! Sample a variety of unique brews all in one place. Enjoy food from area restaurants. Expand your beer knowledge with brewing seminars throughout the day. Some of the beers on hand include those from:

Dragonsmead, Mt. Pleasant, Leinenkugel, Thirsty Dog, Liljas, Brau Bros, Michigan Beer Cellar, Shorts Brewing Company, Left Hand Brewing Company, Lagunitas Brewing Company, B. Nektar Meadery, Breckenridge Brewing Company, Great Lakes Brewing Company, McSorley’s Old Ale House, Hornsby’s Crisp and Draft Cider, Tri-City Brewing Company, Victory Brewing Company, O’Fallon brewery, Michigan Brewing Company, & Kid Rock’s Badass American Lager

Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of, and includes a commemorative beer glass and 4 drink tickets. Drink tickets will be sold at 4 for $5, 8 for $10 and 16 for $20. Buy admission tickets online HERE, D&W Fresh Market Locations in West Michigan or at the gate day of the event. No refunds. Rain or shine. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend. See the full seminar schedule below.

Introduction to Homebrewing – 3:00pm Doug Dorda, Siciliano’s Market

Dark Beers and Hot Weather? Pairing “Winter” Beers with “Summer” Foods – 4:40pm Andrew Van Til, Master Cicerone®, Imperial Beverage

Mead: What the heck is it? – 3:50pm & 5:30pm Ian Radogost-Givens, B. Nektar Meadery Imperial Beverage

Wheat Beers: Classic Styles and New Twists – 6:20pm Andrew Van Til, Master Cicerone®, Imperial Beverage

Spartan Stores: Cooking with Beer – 7:10p Amy Sherman :  The beauty of reduction, Beware of hops!, Use your homebrew, Don’t forget dessert, What I’ve learned from brew pub chefs while taping my show “The Great American Brew Trail“