Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/739845
DREAMSCAPES FALL/ WINTER 2016 28 AT THE KALAMAZOO BEER EXCHANGE, ONE OF THE CRAFT BEERS, AN IMPERIAL PORTER CALLED "PERRIN NO RULES," SELLS FOR US$15.50 A PINT. T he unique atmosphere in this highly popular restaurant and craft beer emporium resembles a stock exchange. A large illuminated board lists the 28 featured beers for the evening along with the current "market" price for each. Every few minutes, the prices are raised or low- ered to add some fun to savouring familiar craft beers and trying new ones. And then without warning, the market crashes. The board flashes warnings along with a count- down clock and prices are slashed by as much as 50 per cent for the next minute. And that's how we tasted Perrin No Rules for only US$7.50. Made with a touch of turbinado sugar, this superb craft beer has strong coconut and coffee undertones, but it's not overwhelming. The taste is more like a caress on the taste buds. When we expressed our love for the taste of the Porter, Eric Fulkerson, the beverage manager, smiled: "That's what makes the hair on my arms stand up—when people discover and appreciate the beers." And we, in turn, dis- covered Eric's comment was typical of the creativity, complexity and passion that define Michigan's craft beer industry. In Grand Rapids, voted Beer City USA for the past two years, visitors can collect stamps in a passport and become a "brewsader," sim- ilar to a "crusader," but denoting an enthusiastic imbiber of great beers—and one who is willing to travel for the experience. In Kalamazoo, we chatted with cicerones, also EDITORIAL & PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE GILLICK ABOVE: Ben Darcie, Sales Manager at Brewery Vivant. OPPOSITE TOP: A tasting flight of stouts and porters at Founders Brewery in Grand Rapids. OPPOSITE CENTRE: Andy Hollyday, the Executive Chef at Selden Standard in Detroit. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: The ultra-creamy grits at Townhouse. Craft Your Perfect MICHIGAN ESCAPE