#LONG ROAD DISTILLERS SERIES#

The 14th Annual Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival has announced its 2021 dates as Nov.

Now that many national sellers are pushing seltzers and canned cocktail drinks, it’s only practical that we give our local businesses a fair chance to get their products in front of consumers easily and quickly.” After a year off, GR International Wine, Beer & Food Festival set for November “Grand Rapids may be known as ‘Beer City,’ but we have many innovative craft distillers who contribute to our economy and culture in West Michigan. “This is commonsense legislation to allow our small businesses to distribute new products to people all over Michigan,” Sen. One of the bills was sponsored by state Sen. “We believe this is the beginning of continued and expanded support for future efforts related to enhancing opportunities for Michigan small distillers.” “We thank the governor and the bi-partisan efforts in both the House and Senate for recognizing the importance of the craft distilling industry in Michigan as well as the need to make these changes which create new opportunities to get products to market,” Jon O’Connor, co-founder of Long Road Distillers and president of the Michigan Craft Distillers Association (MCDA), said in supplied material. Winnie Brinks of Grand Rapids, and others at the singing of several state bills supporting the craft distilling industry. Jon O’Connor, owner of Long Road Distillers, (middle), and Gov. These bills will allow for private wholesalers - often distilleries based in Michigan, such as Long Trail - to distribute canned cocktails up to 13.5 percent alcohol-by-volume. Previously, canned cocktails were capped at 10 percent alcohol-by-volume.

#LONG ROAD DISTILLERS SERIES#

Gretchen Whitmer saddled up to the bar at Grand Rapids’ Long Road Distillers and … wait for it … signed a series of senate bills which “will make it easier for distillers and retailers to distribute and sell mixed spirit drinks, offering consumers more choices and growing our economy,” according to a statement from her office.Ĭanned cocktails represent a growing part of the spirits industry, and Senate Bills 141-144 will allow for an expanded array of canned cocktails to be sold in Michigan. Whitmer signs bills benefitting Michigan Craft Distillers This mural makes that statement loud and clear.”įor more information visit. “We are firmly committed to an environment that is rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion for our employees and our guests. “‘Open to All’ greets everyone who visits any of our buildings, whether that’s our pub, store, or our Comstock Brewery,” Carrie Yunker, Bell’s executive vice president, said in supplied material. The company’s commitment to being “Open to All” is also well-represented. Bell’s is proud to remain 100 percent family-owned and “fiercely independent.” It also features the Brewers Associations’ Independent Seal, which can only be used by breweries who fit the trade group’s definition of small, independent craft brewers.

The mural incorporates images and messaging that represent what Bell’s is passionate about, according to supplied material, including the highest quality ingredients (hops), innovation along with high quality and consistent craft beer no matter how much the brewery grows over time (silhouette of our original brewery). Work was scheduled to begin just before the COVID-19 Pandemic hit in March 2020. This mural project had been in the planning stages for a few years. The Kalamazoo-based Dream Scene Placemaking, and mural artists Anna Lee Roeder and Erik Vasilauskas, began working on the mural on April 19.Īnother wall of the Bell’s Eccentric Café mural by Dream Scene Placemaking.

(Fun fact: Did you know that Bell’s was the first Michigan brewery to sell beer by the glass, on site, since Prohibition?)Įven before the Eccentric Café opened in 1993, Bell’s Brewing has “been committed to its community and re-vitalizing its areas in downtown Kalamazoo,” according to supplied material, and the murals are another example of “that commitment to breathe new life into the community.” The murals are part of the the Café’s celebration of its 28 anniversary, officially set for on June 11. next time you are in Kalamazoo, looking for Bell’s Eccentric Café, and your Siri directions have your running in circles, just stop and look for the wall of hops - the big wall of big hops.Ī new outdoor mural at Bell’s Eccentric Café, created and installed by Dream Scene Placemaking, is now one of the largest murals in downtown Kalamazoo and the imagery reflects the brewing process - including a wall of hops - as well as Bell’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Long road distillers