It’s that time of year again — the weather is getting crisp, the leaves are changing color and the brews taste just a little bit sweeter. Check out these upcoming events filled with food, music and plenty of delicious beer.
Oktoberfest at Horrocks
Horrocks Market
4455 Breton Rd., Kentwood
Oct. 5, 1-4 p.m.
horrocksmarket.com, (616) 455-7998
Enjoy the Oktoberfest experience at Horrocks Market. This free-to-enter event has it all, including Oktoberfest craft beer options, German bratwurst, sauerkraut, Bavarian soft pretzels with cheese, caramel apple bar, live entertainment, and more.
Stretch & Sip Yoga
Kent District Library
4950 Breton SE, Grand Rapids
Oct. 9, 6:30-8 p.m., $5
bit.ly/stretchsipyoga, (616) 656-5270
Sip a beer (or beverage of your choice) while you channel your inner yogi. This laid-back and fun class will have you stretching, bending, relaxing and cheers-ing the entire time.
Vander Fest
Vander Mill
14921 Cleveland Street, Spring Lake
Oct. 5, 4-10 p.m., $10-35
vandermill.com, (616) 842-4337
Presented by the Michigan Cider Association, Vander Fest offers delicious brews from local cideries and breweries. Pair your beverages with tasty food from local food trucks and enjoy doughnuts for dessert. DJ Nick Awesome and Social Bones will be providing live entertainment for the night.
Harvest Party: A Tribute to American Hops
Founders Brewing Company
235 Grandville Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Oct. 5, 11-2 a.m., $10
foundersbrewing.com, (616) 776-1195
The annual Founders Harvest Party is a bash that always promises a good time. An admission ticket gets you a commemorative glass and a class-one pour. Live music will play the majority of the night while you sip on stellar beer offerings like the Harvest Ale, Civilized Brut IPA, Mothership Series #9: Oktoberfest and many more. Pair your beer with seasonal fare, grilling on the patio and Robinette’s doughnuts.
Brews in the Grove
Riverside Park, Ball Diamond 4
2875-3061 Monroe Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
Oct. 19, 1-5 p.m., $5-45
eventbrite.com
Hosted by the brewers of Grand Rapids, Brews in the Grove is a unique beer experience for the beer connoisseur who has tried it all. Participating breweries will offer unique one-off beers or debut a new beer. The event also features Pro-Am beers, which are a collaboration between professional breweries and amateur homebrewers. A ticket will get you 10 tasting tokens good for three-ounce pours. Local food trucks and plenty of yard games will also be onsite.
Cooking with Craft Beer
Downtown Market
435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
Oct. 22, 6-8:30 p.m., $100
downtownmarketgr.com, (616) 805-5308
Learn how to cook with some of your favorite local beers. This beer-inspired menu will have you making a seasonal salad with a pale ale vinaigrette, cooking up a brown ale-braised chicken and baking chocolate stout cupcakes. There’s also nothing stopping you from topping your meal off with your favorite brew, available to purchase at the Downtown Market.
Detroit Beer Festival
Eastern Market
2934 Russell St., Detroit
Oct. 25-26, $45-55
mibeer.com
Take a road trip with a few friends to one of Michigan’s largest beer tasting events. With nearly 120 Michigan breweries featured and more than 800 craft beer options, you’re sure to find a brew to make you happy. Admission gets you 15 drink tokens redeemable for 3-ounce pours. Local restaurants will be dishing out food and local musicians will be cranking tunes.
Wine, Beer & Food Festival
DeVos Place
303 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids
Nov. 21-23, $15-40
devosplace.org, (616) 742-6500
The Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer & Food Festival, now entering its 12th year, is the three-day event that you don’t want to miss. Indulge and celebrate with more than 1,500 wines, beers, ciders and spirits from around the world. Along with the many libation options, enjoy plates from the finest restaurants in the area.
Winter Beer Festival
Fifth Third Ballpark
4500 W. River Dr. NE, Comstock Park
Feb. 21-22, Tickets on sale in early December
mibeer.com
The 15th annual Winter Beer Festival will bring together nearly 150 breweries and brewpubs with more than 1,100 beers to choose from. A ticket will get you 15 tasting tokens that are good for three-ounce samples. Along with the beer, eventgoers can enjoy local music, food, ice sculpture demonstrations and cozy fire pits.
