The Michigan Brewers Guild did it again! They pulled off their 12th Annual Winter Beer Festival 2017 with no less than 130 breweries and 960 beers.
Winter Beer Festival 2017
The Line at Pigeon Hill
Every year there is that one brewery with the “line.” This year it was Pigeon Hill Brewing‘s turn. They were serving “Your Grandma On French Toast” and “Your Mom on French Toast”, while raising money for the Alzheimer’s Foundation.
Dewey Lake Monster
Meanwhile, under tent 2, Sister Lakes Brewing Co. was serving the “Dewey Lake Monster Double IPA”, and telling stories of the Sister Lakes Sasquatch.
Just to be sure it wasn’t fake, we confirmed their story on Wikipedia.
The beast had already been known to locals in the area for several years prior to the June 1964 events and was rumored to dwell primarily along a 15-mile stretch of swamp-land extending from Dowagiac/Sister Lakes toward Decatur, Michigan (along Dewey Lake Street); however, in 1964 it gained national attention in the United States after several notable attacks and sightings prompted investigation by authorities, which in turn resulted in coverage by national newspapers and caused a flood of curious thrill-seekers and monster-hunters to besiege the local community in the summer of ’64.[3]
Though the monster was never captured nor the mystery resolved, footprints were photographed and plaster casts taken as well as sketches rendered.[4]
Former Cass County Sheriff, Paul Parrish, was quoted as saying “it was one of the strangest times” in his “33 years of southwestern Michigan law enforcement.” He added: “We investigated it long and hard, but were never able to come up with whatever it was. But some good, honest, legitimate people” reported it.[5]
The mystery remains to this day, as do the sightings. Perhaps the most curious aspect of the case is that the people who witnessed the “beast” are still reluctant to discuss what they saw; they only want to forget it and are not interested in having their names associated with the “thing” they encountered.[6]
I may have experienced a sighting of the Dewey Lake Monster during the beer festival.
If you are monster hunting in Dowagiac, Michigan stop by the Sister Lakes Brewing Co. Besides that, Dowagiac is really fun to say! (/dəˈwɑːdʒæk/ də-wah-jak)
Porta John Horror Stories
It doesn’t matter if there are 100 or 500 porta johns, there is always a line at some point. It’s just what happens when there are 6 or 7 thousand people drinking gallons of beer. And once there is a little libation, the stories overheard in the Porta John line are rather amusing. Take this one, for instance.
I had to grab the little fella by the scruff of the neck and drag him out! He did not want to come out. He was tucked up in there all nice and warm. (Slurping noise and a whooping sound) The little fella is like, “I’m in here. I’m good. I’m trying to stay warm.” Plus there were multiple layers to contend with: pants, two pair of long johns. He got caught on one layer when I was dragging him out. And by then I could only hope I don’t piss on myself. I managed to tuck everything back into place, thank God. But the process is going to start all over in a half hour, cause you know once you crack the seal.
My Eye, My Eye
It’s all fun and games until someone gets smoke in their eye!
Best Festival Attire
When you find the perfect accessory to go with snowmobiling boots.
Snowbelt Brewing
The unsung beer award goes to “My Chest Hurts” from Snowbelt Brewing Gaylord, Michigan. I loved finding this beer.
Fight Song!
A Michigan Brewer’s Guild festival tradition is singing along to the Michigan Beer fight song! This is followed by more beer.
Chili Cone
I know. What a great idea.
Fauxgrass
Fauxgrass are a talented bunch of pickers from Grand Rapids who play some outstanding bluegrass music. As Chuck likes to say, “Bluegrass is the heavy metal of country music”. Ok, heavy metal may be pushing it a bit, but this band sounded great and played up a storm.
Worth a Thousand Words
Photos
We’ve got almost 500 photos of the Winter Beer Festival 2017 in our gallery. We’d love it if you’d share the pictures, but please give us photo credit.
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