The Michigan Brewers Guild Winter Beer Festival returned to Grand Rapids on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at the LMCU Ballpark.  It was the first Winter Beer Festival since 2020 after the 2021 festival was cancelled due to COVID-19.

The weather cooperated with cloudy skies and temperatures in the low 30s. Over 6,000 participants were dressed in layers and the beers were flowing to sample.

We provided a list of 20 beers to check out prior to the festival. We were happy to connect with the breweries we mentioned and plenty of others.

RELATED – 20 Beers You Need to Try at the Winter Beer Festival (2022)

As far as samples go, we are well aware that there is no way one can never try them all. We tried more than a handful, took notes, and are here to name the winners of the 2022 Winter Beer Festival. They are listed in alphabetical order by brewery name.

Cookies in the Alamo’s Basement

Copper Hop Brewing Co | St Clair Shores | Stout | 6.2%

Cookie beers are some of my favorites, especially at a winter beer festival. Something about enjoying sweets with beers makes for a good outing. Copper Hop Brewing Co‘s Cookies in the Alamo’s Basement was an easy drinking American Stout made with tons and tons of Oreos. It tasted like I was drinking liquefied Oreo cookies with booze. Delicious!

White Rhino

DeHop’s Brewing Company & Café | Standale | American IPA | 6.7%

Head brewer, Ben Isbell, told me that he took his Cicerone Certification Program study cards and tossed them in the air. He then selected two style at random? Whatever he drew up would be the next beer he brewed at DeHop’s Brewing Company and Café. White Rhino was the beer brewed and the two cards he picked were American IPA and Belgian Witbier. White Rhino was a unique yet very well crafted brew that stood out from the others at this festival.

Cap’n Piles Pilsner

North Channel Brewing Co | Manistee | Czech Pilsner | 5.25%

North Channel Brewing Co had this beer’s label go through the TTB last fall, so I was happy to enjoy Cap’n Piles Pilsner at the beer fest this winter. The Manistee brewery has been gaining traction for its amazing beers throughout the state after a collaboration with Loaded Dice Brewery in Troy and expanding its distribution footprint. I’m looking forward to the future of North Channel Brewing Co.!

RELATED – Better on Draft’s New Beer Labels Archive

Blow Your Face Out

ROAK Brewing Co | Marshall | Double IPA | 10.5%

When I tasted Blow Your Face Out at the festival, I was blown away! Pun intended! I found the hop presence more present and tropical and the mouthfeel completely different from the past. “That’s the Marshall water!” the ROAK Brewing Co representative told me. This Double IPA is a limited release and I would encourage you to grab it while you can!

Balaton Stout

Waypost Brewing Co | Fennville | Imperial Stout | 8.6%

“Cherry in every corner of your mouth.”

Chuck Steinhardt, co-owner of Waypost Brewing Co, pointed at and around his mouth when he told me that one would be able to taste cherries throughout the sip of the Balaton Stout. He was absolutely correct, as he should be. The cherry taste wasn’t overpowering either. It was a nice touch of cherry in every corner of my mouth.

What was your favorite brew or brews from the fest? Let us know in the comments!

Cheers!