What's not to love about a winter beer festival? A lot, if you were one of the hundreds of folks who attempted to purchase tickets for the upcoming annual Winter Beer Festival, as the beer faithful faced not only an event presale that crashed its servers yet again, then sold out within an hour once it started functioning.
But have no fear because, for the 6th year in a row, the
Great Brew Ha Ha is back -- and this time with a few really fun facts you need to know before you buy your advanced ticket at a greatly reduced price.
First, this beer festival offers more than 100 craft beers from over 40 breweries in Michigan, the U.S., and the world. Heck, Michigan has an entire room to itself! But don't forget that before there was a USA, this wonderful process of brewing owes much to those ancient locations overseas, so a huge selection of European beers will also be on hand to sample.
Secondly, the Brew Ha Ha has tweaked the programming slightly to include two unique programming features this year, making it worth considering a two-day pass.
For starters, on February 14, Valentine's Night, you can pay a bit extra and secure the VIP package that promises not just a great admission price, but also includes preferred seating for two at Bimini Bros concert, a Box of Desiderio Chocolates, and a rose for the low advance ticket price of $35 per person. Friday is all about the parody rock bands and the line up is stellar with The Diddle Styx, Sons of Beaches and Scott Pellogrom Trio.
Saturday night, you will be entertained with a night of comic fun as some of Grand Rapids' (as well as the nation's) funniest folks take to the stage for a wonderful night fueled by beer and burst-out-loud performances. The entire night's programming is hosted by my friend (and fellow acting alum) Stu McCallister as he welcomes to our city national comics Al Jackson & Pat McGann.
The last big addition is a nod to the Olympics, which we know you have DVR'd before leaving the house so that you and three of your mates can compete for prizes in the first-ever Brew Olympics Flippy Cup & Water Pong Tourney. The organizers shared that the cups are filled with water at the start, but I was reminded beers are always close by for those looking to keep it real.
"One of the biggest selling points for us is that we are proud to say that we can ensure that you will be enjoying your beer not in the middle of a parking lot during a polar vortex," says Clear Channel Media's Samantha Bennett, with a bit of laughter to her voice when asked how this is different from other events. "Other festivals might have us thinking long lines are part of the price you pay for an event like this but the Great Brew Ha Ha works very hard to makes sure this is not the case with our event."
So drink up the goodness at a fraction of the cost at a beloved beer tasting event that is long on taste and on the ability to produce shortness of breath from laughing so much.
Admission: $15 and up.