GRAND LEDGE — Featuring a trifecta of Michigan libations — beer, cider and mead — the first-ever Lansing Fall Fest brought an intimate crowd of enthusiasts together Saturday afternoon.
Some 300 people gathered for the event, the invention of Paul Starr from I’m a Beer Hound, a man who has a vision to increase Mitten craft drink awareness and appreciation in the Lansing area.
“I thought it would be cool to have a Lansing Fall Fest that featured beer, cider and mead,” Starr said. “A lot of festivals don’t feature mead and cider. This is an opportunity to appeal to a larger audience.”
In all, 16 companies were featured, as ticketholders enjoyed 10 samples of three-ounces each in their keepsake sampling glass for a reasonable $25 entry fee. Represented were Arcadia Ales, Atwater Brewery, B. Nektar Meadery, Bad Brewing, Brewery Vivant, Crankers Brewery, Eagle Monk Brewery, Jolly Pumpkin, Mount Pleasant, North Peak, Perrin Brewing, Saugatuck Brewery, Schmohz, Uncle John’s Cider, Vander Mill Cider and Virtue Cider.
One of Starr’s goals was to get a mix of well-known and lesser-known breweries/cideries featuring fall-centric drinks. Octoberfests, pumpkin, browns and stouts were in the limelight along with various ciders and a few sour brews.
Proceeds from the festival went to Lansing-based Child and Family Charities. According to Starr, Lansing Fall Fest wasn’t about the music, entertainment or any other element — the focal point was the beer.
“I’m doing events that are beer-centric,” Starr said. “You’re not coming for the music — you’re coming for the beer.”
Starr was pleased with the turnout for the first year of the festival, which was held indoors at Red Salamander Brewing Supply Store, just west of Lansing. His goal is to move the event into Lansing proper as it grows.
The long-term goal is to move Lansing Fall Fest to Cooley Law School Stadium, which could take on a crowd of 5,000-6,000 attendees.
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