Everyone has a friend named Randy. If you don’t have a friend named Randy then you have a friend who is similar to my friend, Randy.
Randy is a good guy; he means well. He is kind, passionate, and excited about everything. He is capable of talking to anyone or anything and can hold a conversation for a fair amount of time.
Randy has been telling me about the World Expo of Beer FOR YEARS. I was finally able to attend the 23rd running of the event this past weekend in Frankenmuth. Lesson learned – Listen to Randy more often because this event was everything he had talked about and more!
The World Expo of Beer (W.E.B.) is part beer competition, part beer festival. It boasts to be the state of Michigan’s largest beer sampling event and has breweries from all over the United States and world. The competition was already completed when the festival took place and everyone who won a medal was showing it off … even the participation medal wearing 1Beer1K participants.
Better on Draft was on site to record podcast episodes and check out the festival. We were able to record with multiple guests in the industry. Check out the episodes below:
- Episode 178 – World Expo of Beer Day 1 featuring Fillmore 13 Brewery, Witch’s Hat Brewing Company, Big Buck Brewery, Cheboygan Brewing Co., Grand Armory Brewing Company, and Emil Rummel Agency
- Episode 178.5 – World Expo of Beer Day 1 Part 2 featuring Loggers Brewing Company, Lumber Barons Brewery, Forgotten Ciders, and Oracle Brewing
- Episode 179 – World Expo of Beer Day 2 featuring B. Nektar, Saugatuck Brewing Company, and The Mitten Brewing Co.
- Episode 179.5 – World Expo of Beer Day 2 Part 2 featuring Ellison Brewery + Spirits, M4 CIC Distributing, Drafting Table Brewing Company, Brew Detroit, and Frankenmuth Brewery
Ken, Nick, Matt, and Ed were unable to check out all of the beers that were available, but we did try a fair amount. Here are our four winners from the World Expo of Beer in no particular order:
Peanuts and Crackerjack – The Mitten Brewing Co (Grand Rapids) ~ Ed
After having Wob and Phil from The Mitten Brewing Co. on the podcast, I rushed over to their booth to try Peanuts and Crackerjack. The beer is brewed with roasted peanuts AND peanut butter. After the strong taste of PB wore off the caramelly crackerjack smoothed the rest out.
Augustus Gloop – Fillmore 13 Brewing ~ Matt
People have been going crazy about Fillmore 13’s nod to one of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’s characters – Augustus Gloop. This milk stout is thick and delicious as it is brewed with lactose and cocoa nibs.
Old Town Alt – Fillmore 13 Brewing ~ Ken
Ken is always on the lookout for a solid alt beer, so I’m not surprised by his selection. The Old Town Alt has an equal malty taste as it does caramel taste, but obviously different than the Peanuts and Crackerjack selection from above. If you’re a fan of altbiers, don’t miss this one.
Your Life is Boring – Oracle Brewing ~ Nick
Oracle Brewing’s Your Life is Boring is an American wild ale that has a mind of its own. It gave Nick a wild, sour ride with tons of funky fruit flavor. When it came to the World Expo of Beer competition, the beer placed second to another one of Oracle’s beers, the Berliner Weiss Mit Schuss in the Fruit Beer category.
We had a blast at the World Expo of Beer and are looking forward to next year’s event already. See you there!
Cheers!
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