Chamber sponsors microbrew festival

By Linda Peppler
Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce
Imagine the aroma of barbeque tickling our senses. Imagine this on a clear fall day in Glen Arbor. Imagine no more. The Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce will sponsor its inaugural BBQ and Brew Festival on Saturday, September 13 from noon until 4 p.m. under a tent on the corner of Lake Street and Western Avenue.

The event marks an extension of the Chili Cook-off held in February on the deck at Boone Docks, which is also sponsored by the Glen Lake Chamber. Chili Cook-off participants and Chamber members both thought the idea of a BBQ and Brew Festival in September was fantastic. The brew fest will entice visitors to Glen Arbor after the summer season. Proceeds will support the hopeful return of the town’s Fourth of July fireworks, as well as bathrooms and other local projects.

Microbrews will headline the event, with a lineup of Michigan breweries including Kalamazoo-based Bells (www.bellsbeer.com), Bellaire-based Short’s (www.shortsbrewing.com) and Traverse City-based Right Brain Brewery (www.rightbrainbrewery.com) bringing the suds.

Although the “microbrewery” revolution began on the West Coast in the 1970s, the fad has since reached the Midwest. In fact, Bell’s Brewery is the oldest craft-brewer east of Boulder, Colorado. After struggling for several years to produce and sell robust, full-bodied ales against a tide of a mass-marketed (and unoriginal) domestic beer, Bell’s began to witness the demand for craft beer grow dramatically. Bell’s currently sells its beer across an area that spans 15 states and is best known, perhaps, for its Oberon summer brew.
Short’s Brewing Company, located in downtown Bellaire, northeast of Traverse City, is a fine craft brewery that serves innovative brews and delicious deli food. Short’s is available on tap at restaurants throughout the region. Meanwhile, Right Brain Brewery is Traverse City’s only microbrewery, serving its own northern Michigan beers. Right Brain usually offers 12 beers on tap, but it depends on the day and the thirst of the customers.

Northwoods Soda of Williamsburg, near Traverse City (www.northwoodssoda.com), will provide soda for non-alcohol drinkers and children. Bill Fosdick moved his family to the Grand Traverse area in 1988 with the purpose of starting his own soft drink company and with the idea of enhancing the quality of life to raise his four children. His wife and children are active in the business, and their favorite job is taste testing. Northwoods Soda features many varieties of root beer, soft drinks and juices.

The BBQ and Brew festival will include a chicken barbeque cook-off featuring regional chefs competing for bragging rights on their special barbecue sauce or rub. Chicken barbeque was selected so that all chefs would share a level playing field and compete on the basis of their special sauce and presentation.

Applications to participate are available on the chamber website at www.visitglenarbor.com.
Reginald Harris and the White Side Wall Review featuring the Fantastic Curb Feelers will play original rock and roll and Elvis music.

Admission to the event is $10 for adults, $5 for non-alcohol drinkers and children over 12, and free for children under 12. Refills of beer and soda are available for $1.