December 1st is right around the corner and for some it is truly time to begin celebrating the holiday season.
Yes, I know, some people have been well into the swing of holiday cheer since November 1st, but that’s a little much for me.
One of the ways people celebrate is with a special calendar known as an Advent calendar which is used to count down the days until Christmas and build up excitement.
As a kid, my family would have various Advent calendars to create a wintry scene with Santa or build a jigsaw puzzle Christmas tree. As an adult, I have been looking for a more grown-up way to count down the days, and I’ve found one!
Craft Beer Cellar Grand Rapids (MI) builds up hype for Christmas with their Beer Advent Box. I caught up with Brian Beaucher, one of the owners for Craft Beer Cellar and Beer Dungeon Master, recently to get the low down on the box and seek his advice on tackling my own.
Brian Beaucher and Jessica Beeby, co-owners of Craft Beer Cellar Grand Rapids, who also happen to be husband and wife
Ed Norton (Better on Draft): How many years has Craft Beer Cellar been doing the boxes?
Brian Beaucher (Craft Beer Cellar Grand Rapids): I believe Craft Beer Cellar Belmont, the first store, has been doing it since they opened about 7-8 years ago.
Ed: How many boxes were sold last year? This year?
Brian: We sold 48 last year. This year we made 144 and have about 20 left to sell. We’ve only been in business for a year and a half.
Image from Craft Beer Cellar’s website showcasing the box. As of November 29, there are 16 for sale.
Ed: Who creates the boxes – corporate Craft Beer Cellar or each franchise? Why?
Brian: We build the boxes on our own. Each store has the choice of making boxes by hand, by hand wrapping empty beer cases, or by using pre-made empty boxes from Craft Advent Box. We use Craft Advent Box. Each store chooses the beers in the box, and how much to sell the box for. Beer selection varies greatly by region. We go light on national brands, and heavy on regional breweries, especially here in Michigan as we have so many amazing local choices.
Ed: I’m very excited to open my box. Do you have any tips or advice on tackling it?
Brian: One way I like to tackle the box is to remove the lid (don’t worry, all the beers are wrapped inside) and then slide out today’s beer and put it in the fridge. Then when I get home from work, unwrap it and enjoy immediately. If you’re not worried about that, just punch the hole open and pull the beer out. This will usually rip the individual wrapping, but who cares! See what you got!
Ed: Will Craft Beer Cellar Grand Rapids be showcasing the bottles contents this December?
Brian: We will be posting on social media recaps of the beers in the boxes. For example, on Day 7 we’ll post what beers were on Days 1-6. We’ll ask people for photos of them with their boxes, and, of course, for feedback.
Cheers!
Craft Beer Cellar Grand Rapids social media
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
If you’re ever in the Grand Rapids area, check them out!
Did you or are you going to be snagging one of these boxes for December? What beer traditions do you have during the holiday season? If you’re into beer exchanges or trades, check out my recent post about etiquette.
I’ll be posting my take on Craft Beer Cellar’s Beer Advent Box throughout the month of December on Instagram.
Cheers!
Disclaimer: Ed purchased the Beer Advent Box from Craft Beer Cellar Grand Rapids.
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