Lansing Beer Fest

Saturday, June 16

Posted

First introduced in 2013, has been brewing into something grand.

“The crowd has changed a lot over the past six years. Earlier it was mostly beer geeks, but now it is a cool event in the area that more people are interested in,” said organizer Paul Starr.

General admission earns an attendee 10 tasting tickets and a sampling glass decorated with the logo. Each of the 10 tickets is worth a 3-ounce sample pour from a selection of over 100 Michigan craft beers. If you aren’t particularly interested in the beer, which is highly unlikely, they also have a selection of ciders, spirits and wine The fest has seen a steady increase in attendance over the years, said Starr. “We saw the biggest crowd last year with 800-1000 people in attendance.”

Starr, who is also founder of the local beer appreciation website, www.imabeerhound.com, said he felt the need for a quality beer fest in the area.

“It all started because I felt at that time there weren’t any quality beer festivals in Lansing, so a bunch of us got together and started this.”

With over 20 breweries attending, including Arcadia Ales, Bell's Brewery, Brewery Vivant, Dark Horse Brewing Co., Eagle Monk Brewery & Pub, Ellison Brewery, Lansing Brewing Co., and Saugatuck Brewing Co. — Starr said that the number of participating breweries has also increased this year.

Food and music aren’t left behind.

Food vendors include Shove It, which will offer gourmet pizzas, Ms. K’s Kitchen, offering vegetarian options, and From Scratch Food Truck, offering Mediterranean cuisine. Other vendors in the festival include Lansing Clothing Company and Downtown Smoke Shop.

Live music will be performed by Heart of Jordan, Jonestown Crows and Handsome Pete.

Like the last six years, they also have a non-drinking “Designated Driver” ticket on sale for $10, which includes entry for people who do not wish to drink.

“I am just trying to put on a fun festival for REO Town, a small intimate one where people don’t have to wait in line to get their beer, ” Starr said.


Lansing Beer Fest

Saturday, June 16, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. REO Town, Lansing $10 DD, $32 GA, $42, VIP www.lansingbeerfest. com

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