Top 10 beers (and a cider) to taste at this year’s World Expo of Beer® May 16th & May 17th

The World Expo of Beer®. The expo is a fund-raising event brought to you by the Frankenmuth Jaycees and is held every year in Frankenmuth, MI. This is Michigan’s largest beer sampling event, with nearly 300 different beers available from around the world.

This years Expo will take place May 16th from 5-10PM and Saturday May 17th from 3-10PM. $10 admission includes a free collector beer sampling mug – sample tickets sold seperately World Expo of Beer® is located in Frankenmuth’s Heritage Park. Ages 21+

MiCraftBeerCulture’s list: 

Top 10 beers (and a cider) to taste at this year’s Expo:

Brewery Vivant:

Big Red Coq | a hoppy Belgo-American Red Ale | 6% ABV

The deep red hue comes from the special malts and give the beer the backbone it needs to stand up to the excessive hop charges that the brewers throw in. Citra hops give this beer the mango, tropical fruit, citrusy goodness that we love.

Dark Horse Brewery:

Sapient Trip Ale | a Belgian Style Triple with a big heart | 8.5% ABV

A very traditional Trappist yeast strain provides incredibly complex flavors with notes of mild fruit and a bit of clove note. Although this beer is higher in alcohol it is very smooth and finishes dry on the palate.

Greenbush Brewing:

Anger | A haughty black India Pale Ale with a pent up bit of attitude for those “special” days | 7.6% ABV

A Black IPA using 7 different grains including Maris Otter and British Chocolate and dry-hopped for intense aroma.

 

Witch’s Hat Brewing:

Bourbon Barrel Night Fury | Imperial Stout Style Ale | 10.2 ABV

Night fury is a massive imperial stout brewed with Molasses. 85 IBU and dark as night! This is Night Fury, Bourbon barrel aged on Madagascar vanilla beans.

Short’s Brewing Company:

Prolonged Enjoyment | Session IPA | 3.5% ABV

Prolonged Enjoyment has a huge earthy hop fragrance of green grass, pine, and citrus fruit. The sweet, malty flavors are met quickly by zesty American hop characteristics. This India Pale Ale has a light body but is packed with extraordinary bitterness. Bitter qualities linger briefly, before the mildly dry finish takes over.

Saugatuck Brewing Company:

Bonfire Brown Ale | American Brown Ale | 5.5% ABV

A classic American Brown Ale with just a slight hint of smoke in the finish. This beer won the Gold in the American-Style Brown Ale category at the 2014 World Beer Cup.

New Holland Brewing Company:

El Mole Ocho | Mexican Spiced Ale | (around 8% ABV)

New Holland explores the flavors of Mole, the legendary sauce of central Mexico. Malty aroma and rich cocoa-laden body laced with invigorating tinge of dried chilies and coffee.

51 North Brewing Company:

Belgae | Belgian Blonde | 7% ABV

They aren’t talking about this but, Belgian Blondes are generally complex and interesting with a lot of aroma and sometimes some fruit or spiciness finishing dry. 51 North did just recently win Gold at the World Beer Cup for their Wind Walker Brown and won Gold and 2 Bronze medals at last year’s World Expo of Beer so I’d want to check out their offerings.

Redwood Brewing Company:

Grateful Dave’s Dark Star Lager | Dark Lager | 4.8% ABV

Don’t be afraid, even though it’s dark, it is a very light bodied beer. Well balanced, leaning slightly towards the malt side. German Perle & Hallertau Mittlefruh Hops.

Perrin Brewing:

Redwood | Imperial Red | 7.5% ABV

The third installment in the Cooper’s Series comes at you like a California gold rush. This majestic Imperial Red stands tall and hints at the re-emergence of spring with its rich, deep aroma and a fresh oakiness. Like a forest awakening from hibernation: the Centennial, Summit and Topaz hops come together with a variety of Crystal malts to create a sophisticated beer as grandiose as a Redwood. No Redwoods were harmed in the making of this beer.

Virtue Cider:

The Ledbury Cider | English-style Medium Cider | 6.0% ABV

The Ledbury Cider is an English-style medium cider crafted by Virtue with Tom Oliver. It’s not too dry, not too sweet. A blend of old world bittersweet apples and new world heirloom varieties are fermented with native yeast, adding a bit of farminess to the ripe apple nose.

Get Schooled at the W.E.B!

In 2014, the World Expo of Beer is offering two exciting and unique learning opportunities for newbies and beer connoisseurs alike!  Your chosen course price includes W.E.B. admission ($10), instruction, food, beer, and an exclusive 2014 “I Got Schooled” at the W.E.B. T-Shirt.  There is limited seating for both offerings and these events WILL SELL OUT – so register now!

Registration:  http://www.worldexpoofbeer.com/expo/index.php/beertickets

Fine Food and Craft Brew Pairing:
Friday, May 16th   6:00 PM
Cost: $60
Enjoy opening night of the World Expo of Beer with a meal presented by the pinnacle of Frankenmuth fine dining – The Bavarian Inn Lodge.  Each course of this fine meal will be created by executive chef, Jason Wellnitz, and paired with a delicious Michigan craft brew.  This unique dining opportunity will be held on-site as brewers lead diners through four courses explaining the nuances of each pairing.  Don’t miss this opportunity to experience Michigan’s finest craft brews served with mouth-watering fine foods!

Menu:  Cherry Pecan Salad – Baby Spinach mixed with swiss cheese, dried cherries, pecans, tossed in a sweet oil and vinegar dressing, with a cherry balsamic reduction.  Traditional Chili – Beef stew meat sautéed with onions and 8 different types of peppers, simmered for 4 hours in a broth of beef, tomato, and beer. Served with shredded cheese, green onion, and sour cream. Barbeque Brisket Sliders – Slow cooked beef brisket served on Cheddar Garlic Biscuits with a sweet and spicy Kentucky Barbeque sauce.  Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream for desert.  Beer selections are carefully being considered at this time and will be announced during your dining experience!

BEER 101:
Saturday, May 17th  4:00PM
Cost: $40

Join us for a laid back discussion with regional expert, Rex Halfpenny, on the basics of beer! During this course attendees will taste a fine selection of craft brews and learn about their properties.  Our knowledgeable instructor will guide the class in distinguishing between the different beer styles and explain how beers are recognized by color, body, and taste.  Participants will then be educated in the proper methods for storing, pouring, and serving different brews.  Lastly, Rex will open the floor for questions and conversation.  Traditional (and hearty) beer snacks will be served at this tasting and learning opportunity along with brews carefully selected from the following categories: Light, Dark, Hoppy, Malty, Low and High Alcohol.  Come hungry and thirsty friends!

Find out more about Rex!
Web: http://www.michiganbeerguide.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michigan-Beer-Guide/159350144089092?ref=br_tf

 

Jason Osburn is a Kimchi and craft beer fueled artist, graphic designer, chef, daddy, and writer. (not necessarily in that order)

Owner/Ringleader of MiCraftBeerCulture Magazine     Jason@MiCraftBeerCulture.com