Let it flow

Aug. 23, 2009

Let it Flow
TC’s new Microbrew & Music Festival

By Rick Coates 8/24/09

Okay, now that summer weather has finally arrived, it is time to crack a cold one. This weekend marks the first of what organizers hope will be an annual celebration of craftbrews and music. The Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival will take place Saturday on the front lawn of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons.
The evening will feature more than 30 craftbrewers; food from local farms, chefs and restaurants; and an eclectic line-up of music featuring Grammy winner Buckwheat Zydeco Band, Clumsy Lovers, Caravan of Thieves, Mike Moran & Levi Britton, Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys, Luke Winslow-King and GT Scottish Bagpipe and Drums.
“Our goal is to establish a long-standing tradition that celebrates great beer, music, culture, local food and sustainable practices with Northern Michigan patrons and vendors,” said festival creator and owner of Porterhouse Productions, Sam Porter. “The long-term vision is to create a nationally recognized craft beer festival as well as an anchor event with the Microbrew and Music Festival to support a community non-profit week-long annual Epicurean Harvest Festival celebrating food and craft beverage as well as arts and culture for all ages. We also aim to raise funds to support local youth empowerment programs through the Good Work Collective (GWC) and Little Artshram.”

8 BEER POURS
Porter has invited craftbrewers from all over the country, giving participants the opportunity to taste not only the best from area breweries but those around the country. Tickets are $25 in advance ($30 at the door) and include eight beer pours. For the true brew enthusiast there is a $50 Brewers’ Happy Hour ticket that enables participants to meet the brewers for a two-hour early entry, enjoy inclusive catered food-and-beer pairings and receive limited-edition festival merchandise.
“I really want to emphasize the importance of advance ticket sales. Not only does this save the consumer money it is our guidepost as to how much beer to order for the event,” said Porter. “I know people are used to going to festivals and paying at the door but, in this case, everyone is better served by advanced tickets.”
Ticket locations are set up all over town at Oryana, Right Brain Brewery, Old Town Coffee, North Peak or online at tcbeerfest.com and porterhouseproductions.com.
“We are also going to have a big pre-party on Friday night at North Peak with WKLT and Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys,” said Porter. “We will have the box office open and this will be the last opportunity to purchase advanced tickets.”
The Traverse City Microbrew & Music Festival will feature award-winning author Chris O’Brien as its master of ceremonies. O’Brien penned the bestselling book “Fermenting Revolution: How to “Drink Beer and Save the World.” Also taking place are demonstrations by “Lord of the Gourd” carver Pat Harrison, along with several workshops educating attendees about local hops, home brewing and mead making.

FOOD TOO
A dining tent will feature several local establishments including Stella, The Catch, EMS Catering, House of Doggs, Silver Tree Deli, Pleasanton Bakery, Underground Cheesecake Factory and others.
Porter is also pleased that the event will be “green.”
“Porterhouse Productions and 350.org, a Michigan Land Use program, will lead the way with several initiatives including compostable serving ware, eco merchandise, green printing and even a wind-powered stage, lights and sound,” said Porter. “I know people are going to be very impressed with the staging and layout of this event.”

The Traverse City Microbrew and Music Festival will take place Saturday August 29 at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons on 11th Street, a block west of Division Street just west of downtown Traverse City. The Brewers’ Happy Hour starts at 3 pm with regular festival admission starting at 5 pm and continuing till 10 pm. Advance tickets are suggested and tickets and additional information at tcbeerfest.com. A special pre-festival party kicks off at 8 pm at North Peak Brewery on Friday night.