Ever gone to your local beer store and wondered why some of your favorite Michigan breweries, like Frankenmuth Brewery, aren’t represented very well? Why so many big box beers and so little Mitten State love? This has to do with a complex three-tiered distribution system that renders breweries unable to sell their beer anywhere except at their brew facility. Confused? Let us shed some light on the brew subject.

In the time after prohibition, the State of Michigan set up strict laws that stated Michigan breweries were unable to sell their products to any bar, restaurant or store. Instead, breweries would have to sell their product to a wholesale distribution company, who in turn would take the beer and provide it to their clients. “The large beer manufacturers are 95% of the market and they are master puppeteers of their distribution channels,” explains Frankenmuth President Haithem K. Sarafa. Thus, distribution companies have controlled where Michigan brew products are bought and sold for nearly 80 years.

These rules didn’t always put breweries at a disadvantage, as Michigan distribution companies have also done good work to spread Michigan beer love. Through distributor’s leverage, larger breweries have been able to get their product into new places and introduce new beer lines with little-to-no trouble. These elements have been key in the growth of the Michigan microbrewery scene, but as the community has progressed it has hindered mid-to-small level breweries from pushing their products to store shelves. ”Although there are some distributors that work well with craft beer manufacturers, it is somewhat difficult to plan your business when you have no control over distribution and pricing, especially of a perishable product,” Sarafa states.

As previously mentioned on the Frankenmuth blogosphere, Governor Rick Snyder created a committee earlier this year that is looking at administrative rules like the ones that are holding back breweries from selling their own beer outside of their establishment. With a little time and work, some of these rules that have been around since the time of Prohibition could be off the books soon. This progressive look forward is a step in the right direction for Michigan breweries across this great state.

The weekend is upon us and the Frankenmuth Brewery staff is ready to kick back, drink some quality craft beers and listen to a soundtrack made up of the top beer songs ever. We know you are ready for it as well. We’ve assembled a list of our favorite beer songs and put them in a playlist that will specifically fit into your Friday, Saturday and Sunday schedule. Enjoy your days off, have some fun in the sun and rock out with tunes and brews from Frankenmuth Brewery. After all, you’ve earned it this week.




Friday:
John Lee Hooker – “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer”
Made famous by George Thorogood, “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer” was originally done by blues legend and one-time Detroiter, John Lee Hooker. This foot-stomper is the perfect way to get your Friday started off the right way, especially when you’ve been craving a Frankenmuth Hefeweizen all week. You “want a drink” and you “want it now!”

Tom T. Hall – “I Like Beer”
After you’ve had a few Frankenmuth Pilseners and have unwound from the work week, it’s always fun to get involved in an all-out beer-fueled singalong. Let the great Tom T. Hall lead with his classic beer drinking song, “I Like Beer” and its simple chorus that extolls the virtues of the sudsy stuff. His wife might give him grief about drinking beer in the song, and maybe you can relate, but we all know that enjoying a great brew is one of the best parts of life.

Saturday:
The Replacements – Beer For Breakfast
Paul Westerberg is to beer as Shakespeare is to love. With songs like “Treatment Bound” and “Here Comes a Regular,” the Minnesota-born songwriter has the vernacular down pat when it comes to writing tunes about drinking brews. When Saturday morning hits, “Beer For Breakfast” is the song to play and maybe consider pairing your Cookie Crisps with a Frankenmuth Dunkel.

ZZ Top – “Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers”
Saturday night means raisin’ a little bit of hell with some beers in hand, and the bearded bad boys of Texas are here to kickstart the night for you. ZZ Top, the quintessential seventies rock band, are what the weekend is all about. Whether catching a live band covering this song or sitting in your backyard with the boombox, it’s high time for brews, buds and some classic rock ‘n’ roll.

Sunday:
Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson – Sunday Morning Coming Down
The weekend is winding down and maybe, just maybe, you had a few too many top beer songs and Frankenmuth brews last night. Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson know the feeling. Their song, “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” captures the feeling of being a tad bit hungover and is the perfect mood-setter for a calm Sunday. Yet, in the end, Johnny still wants another brew as he sings the infamous line, “The beer I had for breakfast wasn’t bad, so I had one more for dessert.”

While the automotive industry has been the focus of the Michigan economic plan since the industrial revolution, the production of Michigan beer is quickly becoming a new resource for commerce in the Mitten State. After all, brewing has been a part of our state’s makeup since Frankenmuth Brewery first opened its doors in 1862. In the decades since, the brewing community has grown leaps and bounds to become one of the most profitable entities this side of the Big Three.

The near downfall of these auto giants came as shock to many in Michigan’s workforce. Although they have been bailed out and are on the road back to success, many citizens have realized that their car-related jobs may not always be there for them. The Michigan beer community stands to offer a lifeline to the state’s job force. Michigan, currently ranked number five out of all fifty states in beer production, is being touted as one of the fastest growing microbrewery communities in the United States. Encompassing the number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, this new reputation has helped the state earn the
nickname “The Great Beer State.”

While being named “The Great Beer State” is an accomplishment in itself, the numbers related to career opportunities and monetary income are nothing less than outstanding. According to current in-state figures, Michigan’s brew community pays out 24 million dollars to its employees and pulls in over 133 million dollars in business. With upwards of 90 breweries now in operation in early 2012, the sky is the limit when it comes to the potential success of the Michigan microbrewery.

Frankenuth Brewery is proud to be a part of the tradition of Michigan beer history and, at the same time, is looking forward to the future of the industry. Take a tour of the brewery with the video below, see some of the faces you support every time you drink a Frankenmuth beer and enjoy a glimpse of what goes into making a Michigan beer.

With the last of the snow seemingly out of the way (don’t remind us of Mother Nature’s gaff earlier last week), the weather has broke and its time for some cold delights like an ice cream beer float recipe. That means beating the oncoming heat Frankenmuth Brewery style with a classic take on the float with a craft beer twist. By using Frankenmuth’s Munich Style Dunkel Lager, some ice cream and a few other simple staples, you will have a few yummy beer dishes that will rock your tastebuds little world.

While the directions for this recipe aren’t very complicated, the focus is that each individual ingredient will compliment the already great flavor of the Frankenmuth Dunkel Lager. The Dunkel, named after the German word for “dark,” is the most hearty of all of Frankenmuth’s beer. It’s smooth malty flavor shines through the distinct toasted bread flavor that has led Franknemuth Head Brewer Jeff Coon to dub this drink “a meal in a glass.” At the brewery, the Dunkel is often matched up with deep-fried Oreos, which is a little foreshadowing of what is to come.

Ingredients Needed for 2 Frankenmuth Ice Cream Beer Floats:
1 Bottle of Frankenmuth’s Munich Style Dunkel Lager
1 Pint of Chocolate Ice Cream
4 Oreos
1 canister of Whipped Cream
2 Cherries for Garnish
2 ice cream/beer dishes

Simply take two ice cream serving glasses and scoop two or three servings of chocolate ice cream into each glass. Place Oreos into a plastic bag, crush them into small pieces with a rolling pin, meat tenderizer or similar item and then add some of the tiny Oreo pieces to each dish. Split the bottle of Frankenmuth Dunkel Lager between the two glasses, or if you’re thirsty for more then feel free to use two beers and drink the rest when you’re done eating the finished float. Spray whipped cream in a fancy design on top of your creation and place a cherry at the peak of the lager ice cream float. Then, enjoy.

Perfect for watching the Red Wings go long into their summer playoff run, this Frankenmuth ice cream float beer dishes are a bit of winter delight that will make the rising temperatures not so bad. Enjoy this new take on a classic with a little bit of Frankenmuth beer magic mixed in for good nature.

It’s Friday and, as usual, we’ve found ourselves relaxing with a few Frankenmuth beers and checking out some amazing new beer inventions via one of our favorite Internet pastimes, YouTube.  From a new take on draft beer to robots that takes care of your every beer need, check out these exciting new ways of getting beer and get caught up in some of the, albeit zany, fun.

Whether you’re at the ballpark or a summer music fest, prepare to feast your eyes on the Bottoms Up. Developed by GrinOn Industries, the Bottoms Up uses a magnet system to allow beer to flow from the bottom of the cup as opposed to the traditional beer tap pour. While promises of cutting down on the foam in your beer and reducing waste are appealing, the system sure can’t beat the ol’ Frankenmuth taps. Yet, that doesn’t mean it sure isn’t fun to see 56 beers poured in one minute.

The Beer Cap Catcher, another hot beer invention, can easily be applied to any bottle of Frankenmuth brew. Simple in its design, the Beer Cap Catcher is capable of opening twist off or non twist caps and then capturing the bottle caps in its handy holder. If you’ve ever had roommates that are slobs, then you know that this is a real gift. Check it out.

File under both amazing and creepy, Honda has created a robot that will pour a beer for you. Why exactly did a car company take the time to create a beer serving robot? No one knows. Yet, if you can stand having this startling white droid in your house, then prepare to have your mind blown and your beer served cold anytime you want it. This may be the single greatest/scariest beer invention of all time.

You won’t need a DeLorean to revisit the glory days of the 1980s, since downtown Frankenmuth is getting draped in denim and neon for the Bringin’ Back the ’80s Fest. As a new annual tradition for those who loved poofy hair and John Hughes films, Frankenmuth Brewery will be getting in on the ’80s action on April 20 and 21 by providing the hot after party spot for all the Bon Jovi and Madonna look-alikes walking the streets.

After guiding your way through the festival’s many events, which include retro video game tents, a “Thriller” dance-a-along, ’80s themed cover bands and more, hustle over to Frankenmuth Brewery for what will most certainly be one hell of an after party. With an appearance by DJ Fuzzy from Cutting Edge DJs, the Frankenmuth party will carry on deep into the night with specials from our delicious menu that includes tasty Portabello Fries, Buffalo Chicken Rolls, the incredible Cowboy Burger and the amazing Four Cheese Pizza. And…
let’s not forget the beers!

When it comes to ’80s beers, there is none more famous than Easy Brown Ale. Well… in the 1780s that is. While it was modeled off Southern English brews of the 18th century, the brown ale has been a popular brew throughout the subsequent centuries with its light and nutty flavor. Frankenmuth Brewery’s take on the brown ale focuses on a sweet delivery, nostril-perking hazelnut scent and offers a smooth finish making it great session beer that will keep you “Dancing on the Ceiling”, “All Night Long”.

Welcome a spring forward with a trip backward to the ’80s festival Frankenmuth Brewery style, and enjoy the floor shaking after party at the home of Michigan craft beer. Whether you were the jock, the nerd, or the princess, all are welcome to enjoy a Frankenmuth brew house favorite.

The idea of an iPhone beer app is nothing new, but one that tracks your brew consumption and considers your beer ratings from Frankenmuth Brewery? What?! Welcome to the wild and crazy world of the latest and greatest app … BrewGene. Offering up a search function that locates the closest craft brewer to your house, stores that sell certain beers and suggestions for beers to taste based on your preferences, BrewGene can do just about everything except for a Frankenmuth Pilsener straight out of your cell phone and into your glass.

Developed in the summer of 2008 by a crew of hop heads from Boston, the BrewGene hit iPhones in 2011 and has been recently launched onto the Android platform. With over 600,000 beers from all over the United States in their database, the app has become an important way for beer drinkers to log their favorite beers, search for similar beers and state their opinion about beers they might not be so fond of. How does BrewGene work? The process
is extremely simple if you follow this easy step-by-step
guide.

1. Download the BrewGene App from your smart phone’s app store.

2. After opening the app and filling out a simple profile screen, you will be taken to the BrewGene home page. Select the magnifying glass button at the bottom of the screen to search for a brewery.

3. Type “Frankenmuth Brewery” into the search bar and watch as Frankenmuth beers appear in the menu below. Select the beer your about to drink. Try the Hefeweizen Ale for starters.

4. Once you have selected the Hefewezien, try your premium craft beer and tap a star rating one to five and consider adding a note about its taste. Not only will the app tell you some details about the beer, but it will also show you other beer drinkers ratings.

5. After rating several beers you will find that your reviews
are all stored in your “Beer Cellar”. Found on your homepage,
select the button labeled “Cellar” with stairs as the logo to find all your ratings and some suggested beers you might like. For more information on your drinking habits, select the “Profile” selection on the home page and you will be able to track how many beers you have rated, your favorite style of brew and your average rating.

By tracking your Frankenmuth Brewery beer consumption on Brew Gene, you will skip a few steps on your way to becoming a more knowledgeable beer connoisseur. Drink often, check-in at the brewery, rate some beers and help show the rest of the beer world just how great Frankenmuth Brewery beer really is.

No matter the predicament throughout the history of mankind, beer saved the world whenever it was asked to do so. Like a superhero watching over his fabled hometown, beer has become a fix all remedy since the dawn of the brewing process in the 6th millennium, BC. Beer has since been used for medicine, wage and even in place of water in some ancient baptismal tanks. Read on to find out some of the impressive ways beer has helped shape the world way we know it today.

The Egyptian culture was almost completely built around beer as they often thought of the sudsy stuff as the ultimate trading commodity. As the pyramids of Egypt were being built, workers almost exclusively earned beer as there wage. Despite the fact that for many years it was a popular notion that slaves built the pyramids, it turns out that the hard working construction team wasn’t much different from the modern day Mr. Fix-It who enjoys a Hefeweisen or American Blonde after a long day on the job. In addition to being used as wages, a little known fact is that most Egyptian babies were actually baptized in beer. What a way to be welcomed into the world!

In addition to the ancient Egyptians, Americans have also been known to do their fair share of beer brewing and drinking since the formation of the nation in 1776. Many of the American revolutionary leaders were beer brewing enthusiasts including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. In fact, the group of revolutionaries frequently met up at The Green Dragon Tavern in Boston, Massachusetts to discuss the revolution against England over rounds of brews.

Perhaps the most interesting  fact to consider about beer throughout the history of America is the sheer number of breweries that have been established. In 1810, there were only 132 breweries in the entire country, and within in 60 years time that number had grown to 4,131 breweries. Then, consider that there are now only 2000 breweries in operation in 2012. The brewpub that brewed its own beer definitely was a phenomenon and way of life in the late 19th century.

In it’s own majestic way, beer saved the world more than a handful of times. In fact, it has done so much for the planet that the Discovery Channel has made a stunning documentary entitled How Beer Saved The World. Check out the preview below for a sneak peak at the film and read the infographic for more handy knowledge about how Frankenmuth Brewery and others like it have helped to keep the world spinning around.

The crack of a Detroit Tigers baseball bat signals that it’s time to break out the grill and prepare yourself for some tasty treats basted in Frankenmuth Brewery’s new beer BBQ sauce recipe. Incorporating the flavors of Frankenmuth’s Batch 69 American-Style India Pale Ale, this easy-to-make recipe will have your BBQ guests staring at your grill with mouths watering. Bursting with citrus flavor from the Frankenmuth I.P.A. and key ingredients like Sriracha and honey, you will swear this beer-infused BBQ nectar was handed down by the gods.

Batch 69 Honey Kickin’ BBQ Sauce Recipe

Ingredients
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Ground Pepper
1/2 Cup Frankenmuth Brewery Batch 69 American-Style India Pale Ale
1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup Honey
1/3 Cup Onion, Minced
1 Garlic Clove, Minced
3/4 Cup Ketchup
1 tbsp Yellow Mustard
2 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 tbsp Sriracha Hot Sauce

Directions
1. Heat olive oil in saucepan over medium heat. Add minced onion and garlic to pan and allow onion to become translucent.

2. Combine and mix the remaining ingredients, including Frankenmuth beer, mustard, ketchup, honey, Worcestershire, brown sugar, Sriracha, salt, pepper into the saucepan and bring to a boil.  Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the flame and simmer over medium heat for about 20 to 25 minutes.

3. With about ten minutes remaining in the grilling process, use a BBQ brush to apply the beer BBQ sauce recipe to the outside of the grilled product of your choice. The sauce will work perfect with chicken, steak and burgers.

With the superior citrus and tangy taste of Frankenmuth’s famed IPA at its base, this Frankenmuth Batch 69 Honey Kickin’ BBQ sauce will be sure to delight tastebuds all the way through summer. And remember, the beer that you didn’t use for the food can now be used to simmer your belly after this delicious BBQ!

Over the course of history, brew lovers have constantly evolved new ways to drink beer. While Frankenmuth Brewery loves pouring beer into our logo-bearing pint glasses, we know that there is obviously more than one way to skin a cat. Whether drinking from glasses designed to deliver premium taste, throwing a ball in a cup to designate which Solo to drink from or simply a decorative design to match a plate setting, beer lovers of all levels have numerous options to chose from when it comes to how to deliver their hop-filled beverage of choice. Sure, there is a reason most brewers choose the classic pint glass, but there is no reason why we can’t have a little fun with it.

While the absolute origin of the beer boot is unclear, many believe it came from a German general who promised to drink from his own boot if his soldiers won a battle. When his side had won, he had a glass blower create a glass boot in order to maintain the condition of his actual boots. Whatever the true story may be, the glass boot has become a cultural phenomenon since it’s annual appearance at Oktoberfest, drinking contests around the Bavarian world and in the film Beer Fest. Perfect for a large quantity of beer or just a pint, Das Boot can deliver Das Good Bier.

Currently being created by a Chicago glass blower, Windy City Glass, these unique recycled beer bottle glasses show off magnificent glass work while retaining the shape and label of  brew carriers around the world. While some newer beer companies are featured, there is a focus on mainstays, foreign brands like Victoria and even an interesting brown Corona bottle rarely seen in the U.S. Whether you have a preference for clear or brown, WCG is creating glasses in a plethora of colors, sizes and shapes to meet the needs of your home bar.

The Hopside Down Beer Glass was obviously created by someone who likes their brews extremely cold. Offering a new take on the pint glass, the handblown glass is built to ensure that the beer inside the glass remains cold even with your hot hand wrapped around the outside. Pop this bad boy inside your freezer, pour a Frankenmuth Brewery American Blonde Ale or Hefeweizen Ale inside and let the doublewall structure of the glass prevent your beer from ever getting warm on a hot summer day.

No matter how you prefer to drink a brew, whether it be via a boot, vintage recycled glass or in a mug as cold as the North Pole, a beer from Frankenmuth will find a good home no matter what kind of vessel it is traveling in. After all, a Frankenmuth beer will always deliver premium craft beer to your taste buds… you just have pick the best and most stylish way to get it there.

Photos: DrinkStuff, Windy City Glass and GearHungry