It's Harvest Time!

Doug gets things started:

Greetings and salutations!

It's harvest time! Did you know that Michigan ranks second in the nation in the number of agricultural commodities produced (California is number 1)?! We grow more soybeans, dry beans, blueberries, and tart cherries than any state in the country. And we rank in the top ten in more than a dozen other categories! We also rank #6 in the number of breweries and #8 in the volume of beer produced. I say that's worthy of a celebration!
This week we'll celebrate our 3rd annual Harvest Fest. Tuesday through Sunday we'll feature a wonderful special menu of Michigan grown foods and Michigan inspired recipes (more on the food later). Wednesday through Friday we'll release new beers each night (a total of five beers)!
On Wednesday we'll release "Buring Leaf Lager", which is a big batch of what I'll call an Oktoberfest-style lager. Now purists would say, "Doug, this isn't true to style!". My response would be, "Go ---- yourself while enjoying this malty lager with a nice touch of hop flavor and bitterness!" Also on Wednesday, we'll have the second half of "Cherries Gone Wild". This is an ale fermented with cherry juice and wild yeast that was first released at Brew-Ha-Ha! Because this is probably the biggest event of the year Downriver, the mayor of Lincoln Park will be on hand to kick off the festivities.
On Thursday, we'll have "Ale Nouveau", which is a small batch of a wet-hopped ale made with hops grown right here in Lincoln Park. Wet-hopping means the hops were picked right from the vine and used immediately. This results in less bitterness (although it still has plenty of that) and a wonderful and unique flavor. Also on Thursday, we have "Golden Delicious". This a small batch ale made with apples and brown sugar. If you like apple pie, beer, winning the lottery, or having your dog drive you to the beach while you stick your head out the window, you'll love this beer! If that's not enough excitement for ya, how about some live music from "McSpillin"? They play Irish and folk music with Peter, Paul, and Mary-like harmonies.
Finally, on Friday we'll release "Pompoenoogst". In case you forgot everthing Mrs. De Roover taughty ya, that's Flemish for "pumpkin harvest". If Flemish brewers brewed pumpkin beers, I feel this is how they would brew them. If you like pumpkin pie, beer, or a bag full of nothing but brand-name candy bars at Halloween, you'll love this beer! Of course, every night we'll have prizes, games, and the company of some of the finest people you'll ever meet!
Have you heard about this "Harvest Beer Festival" the Michigan Brewers Guild is putting on at Eastern Market on October 24th? We have, and we thought it was such a good idea that we decided to join the MBG again! In fact, we're so excited about it, we decided to charter a bus to take a group of serious beer lovers with us! For just $55 (more or less depending on the number of people), you can get lunch and beer before the bus departs, a ticket to the festival, and round-trip transportation. I have faith that the bus will fill up quickly, so don't delay!
Just a little FYI for those of you coming here from the west or via I-75 or I-94. Starting this week and lasting for the next 14 months, Southfield will be reduced to two lanes each direction through Allen Park. In less your coming at rush hour, it probably won't affect you much.
Our drink of the week this week is Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum. You can get a Jerry & Coke for just $2.25 all week long! You already know that we have $2 tostados, turkey legs, and $2 beers for Fan Club members every Tuesday. But did you know that if you go to any Mrs. Fields Cookie Store on October 1st, they'll give ya a free cookie! You don't even need to mention my name to get it!
This week on, "The Chef Who Bought The Farm"; you'll hear Francisco say, "I didn't know that's what a cow pie was!!" You'll also hear Adam say, "I don't see why they call it ranch dressing".
On your harvest plate this week, look for Navy Bean Dip (#1 bean state in the country), Harvest Salad (made with tart cherries, another #1 crop), BBQ Grape Chicken Wrap (we're #4 in grapes), Ham & Apple Stromboli (made with two more of our top ten ag items), Pasties (it's a Yooper thing), Cherry Pork Chops, Honey Fried Walleye, Apple Butter Salmon, Pumpkin Black Bean Bake (made with beef, beans, and pumpkin), Blueberry Pie, and Pumpkin Cheesecake. Side dishes include baked potatoes, asparagus caserole, red beans and rice, black bean corn salad, corn on the cob, and apple-cherry stuffing. We'll also have a new soup each day which will include cream of celery soup, sweet potato chowder, pea soup, corn chowder, and pumpkin soup.
To summarize: hard-workin' farmers in Michigan, busy cooks in our kitchen, lots of new beers (I'm always busy), drinkin' beer with the mayor, spillin' your beer with McSpillin, a bus-load of beer drinkers going to the big city, orange barrels sproutin' on Southfield, Sailor Jerry, free cookies, cow pies and cow tippin', lots of tasty food at much lower prices than you'd pay in the big city, and happy 2nd anniversary wishes to my beautiful wife!

See ya soon,

Doug
Fort Street Brewery
www.fortstreetbeer.com
www.facebook.com/fortstreetbrewery
www.twitter.com/fortstreetbeer
1660 Fort St.
Lincoln Park, MI
(313) 389-9620