Blog and Photography by Life in Michigan in 2025
In 2025, we made our way from Ann Arbor to the Kalamazoo Craft Beverage Week (February 1-8, 2025). More than just a celebration of craft beverages, it demonstrated the power of local businesses coming together to create an unforgettable experience. Though we only caught the tail end of the festivities, we made the most of it, indulging in a whirlwind of perfectly paired flavors and fun. With every stop, every sip, and every conversation, I couldn’t help but think—why doesn’t our town do more to foster this kind of community and collaboration?
Friday Night Pairings: Carb-Loading for the Snow Jog
We arrived on Friday just in time for the Beer & Sarkozy Soft Pretzel pairing at Brewery Outre and the Wine and Pizza Pairing at Sit and Stay Winery. It was the ideal carb-loading needed for Bell’s Snow Jog on Saturday. Our weekend was wrapped with a sweet and hoppy Donut & Beer pairing at Apoptosis before cheering on the spirited competitors at the Beer Olympics at Presidential Brewing.
Beer & Pretzels at Brewery Outré – A Perfectly Matched Pair
We arrived early, unsure what to expect, but Brewery Outré immediately set the tone for the weekend. Their space is bright, welcoming, and practically begs you to sit and have fun. As a bonus, since they brew their beer on-site behind a half wall of kegs, the air carries the warm, comforting aroma of freshly baked oatmeal cookies—like walking into your grandma’s kitchen. You just feel at home.
While waiting in line for our pretzels made at Sarkozy Bakery, I asked a couple what they thought. I caught them mid-chew, so they both shook their heads to indicate approval. The woman with dark hair highlighted perfectly with silver streaks said, “This is the best red rye I’ve ever had.” She was referring to the McKenzie Red IPA perfectly paired with a Sourdough Rye pretzel made with the same beer. I have to agree with her.
If the IPA wasn’t to your liking, the other options were sure to please. They had a cinnamon sugar pretzel served with ganache dip paired up with their Cerberus Coffee Porter. It was absolutely sinful. The sourdough pretzel served with Outre beer cheese and Unica Lager was the quintessential beer and pretzel pairing, and like the Red IPA, the Outre beer cheese was the best I’ve ever had.
While settling our bar tab, we learned they’d already sold out of the Sarkozy Pretzels. The bartender said he wasn’t surprised. Their regulars love Sarkozy pretzels.
Wine & Pizza at Sit and Stay Winery – A Bold Take on a Classic Pairing
Typically, a winery will offer a wine and cheese pairing to tempt your taste buds and accentuate the palate-pleasing powers of wine and cheese. However, a run-of-the-mill cheese and wine pairing wouldn’t cut it for Sit and Stay Winery during Kalamazoo Craft Beverage Week. They knew that folks wanted something bold, something fun, and something delicious. So they upped the ante with a wine and pizza pairing.
Three slices of pizza from Benny DiCarta’s were paired with Sit and Stay Wines. The pairings included the house Red with pepperoni pizza, Pinot Noir with cheese pizza, and the Pinot Grigio with a bruschetta pizza.
Each combination was exceptional, making picking a favorite tough. The house red popped when savored with the meaty pepperoni. Drizzled with balsamic, the bruschetta pizza added to the citrus notes on the Pinot Grigio. Where the Pinot Noir’s fruitiness shined with the delectable cheese pizza. Tough choices abounded, but we had to give the house red and pepperoni the nod. Although, honestly, the whole meal was fabulous.
Popcorn & Wine with Pop City Popcorn – A Surprising Culinary Adventure
We saved the best for last: the unexpectedly delightful wine and popcorn pairings at Sit and Stay Winery! Thanks to the local flavor wizards at Pop City Popcorn, we took our taste buds on a wild, buttery, cheesy, and sweet adventure.
Bacon Cheddar Popcorn cozying up with Pinot Noir—because nothing says “fancy meets fun” like wine with a side of smoky, cheesy goodness. Then came the fiery duo: Buffalo Wing Popcorn paired with a crisp Riesling, a combo so bold it should come with a warning label. (Spicy, sweet, and oh-so-addictive!)
For the sweet tooth squad, Caramel Corn and Moscato made magic happen—like a dessert party in your mouth. And the grand finale? White Chocolate Strawberry Popcorn and Strawberry Blush, a pairing so dreamy it deserves its own rom-com. I know what you’re thinking… HOLY WAH!
Again, the pairings were perfect. Each wine and popcorn was delicious on its own, but when combined, they were out of this world. For those who love a savory taste, you couldn’t go wrong with the bacon cheddar popcorn and Pinot Noir. The tannins in the Pinot Noir boosted the bacon, adding a smoky richness. If you are after pure decadence, look no further than the Strawberry Blush and white chocolate strawberry popcorn with loads of sweet berry goodness.
Sit and Stay Winery is located at 260 E Michigan Ave in downtown Kalamazoo. The cozy space is decorated with fun art that will put a smile on your face. Deb and Bob Gilman,, the owners, make you feel at home and provide exceptional wines and fantastic service.
Bell's Snow Jog: The Ultimate Pub Crawl
We didn’t hit all eleven stops but tackled enough to get a taste of the Bell’s Snow Jog experience. We followed the runners who poured out of Bell’s Beer Garden, decked out in costumes and clutching their passports. They looked like a scene straight out of a superhero movie—capes, leg warmers, and all.
Superheroes, Stamps, and Sprints – Kicking Off the Snow Jog
Their mission? Complete five of the eleven Snow Jog challenges, collect their stamps, and make it back to Bell’s by 4 PM. Each stop along the way proudly poured Bell’s beer on tap, turning this pub crawl into a full-blown celebration of local businesses coming together for some frosty, festive fun.
Shakespeare’s Pub - Where the Challenge Was Real
Tucked toward the back of Shakespeare’s Pub, Snow Joggers were locked in battle with what might have been the trickiest challenge of the day: attempting (and mostly failing) to toss a football through a goalpost and land it into a ridiculously small bucket. Cheers, groans, and bursts of laughter filled the air as hopeful snow joggers gave it their best shot.
After a few moments of spectating, I made my way to the bar. Along the way, I passed a table of Minions grabbing a round with a bride and groom, and just as I found a barstool, a woman wearing a birthday sash dashed by—celebrating her 90th birthday with more energy than most of the 20-somethings in the room.
A pair of Snow Joggers dressed as a lemon and lime spotted me eyeing the menu and insisted the nachos were the move. I didn’t need much convincing—my Snow Jog had officially started, and I was more than ready for whatever wild surprises lay ahead.
Crafted Copper: Duckpin and Drinks
We ducked into Crafted Copper, excited to check the duckpin bowling lanes. (Did you see what I did there?) We made a mental note: Next time we’re in Kalamazoo, Crafter Copper is a must-stop for a few frames and a round of drinks. They have a cool, pour your own system as well as a full service bar.
Green Top Tavern: Finger Football and Bell’s
Green Top Tavern is the kind of classic dive bar where you just know the burgers are going to be top-tier—greasy, juicy, and exactly what you need mid-pub crawl. But today, the pool table wasn’t for eight-ball; instead, Bell’s staff had transformed it into a mini football field, complete with goalposts and stacks of paper for Snow Joggers to craft their best finger footballs.
Helping oversee the action was Mike McKillop, a Bell’s project manager, who multitasked between stamping passports, refereeing the finger football, and promoting Bell’s. After a quick introduction, it wasn’t long before Mike was extending an open invitation to Bell’s Oberon Day —a date now permanently marked on my calendar. He also encouraged me to book a tour of Bell’s downtown Kalamazoo facility or their larger brewing operation in Comstock.
HighDive Kitchen & Bar: Flipping Cups
High Dive Kitchen & Bar, Green Top Tavern, and Crafted Copper form a kind of “fun triad” on Michigan Ave – a perfect trio for a night of drinks, games, and good company. Our final stop on this stretch of the Snow Jog was High Dive, where Snow Joggers crowded around the bar, eagerly awaiting their turn for the cup flip challenge.
As we soaked in the lively energy, we struck up conversations with a few Snow Joggers decked out in their best Oberon-themed costumes—because nothing says dedication like dressing as your favorite beer. Our last two stops were calling…
Louie’s Trophy House: Bowling with Fred
Are you looking for the relaxing charm of a rustic tavern in the U.P., but you aren’t up for the six-hour drive? Have no fear; head over to Louie’s Trophy house. Located at 629 Walbridge St, just a few blocks from Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, this stop on the Snow Jog is a favorite just before the 4 pm “race” finish.
Walking into Kalamazoo’s oldest bar is a walk back in time. You are greeted at the door by “Fred,” the brown bear, and a large horseshoe bar. The walls are lined with trophies of just about every game animal imaginable. The old-school bar offers comfortable seating and attentive staff. While we didn’t participate in the food, it looked amazing. The folks in unicorn costumes next to us ordered the smoked lamb gyros, which were huge and apparently delicious, as both cleaned their plates.
In the backroom, Bell's team hosted a bowling contest where teams hoped to roll a strike using a plastic bowling set. There was a steady chorus of cheers and high-fives as teams completed their mission before settling in for a beer (or three).
HUB Tavern + Grill: A Race Against the Timer
Snow Joggers stopping at the HUB Tavern + Grill (359 S Kalamazoo Mall) were forced to be perfect. Perfect at playing Perfection, that is. The Bell’s team set up a table near the front door where joggers played the shape-matching timer game. Eyes squinted, brows furrowed as teams sought to put every shape in its place before the timer went off.
The rest of the tavern was stress-free and peaceful as folks enjoyed wood-fired pizzas in this spacious pub. A few Snow Jog teams explored the front bar area, which features large street-facing windows for people watching as you enjoy a beer or a whiskey from their extensive selection.
Sweet & Savory Stops Along the Way
After a bit of spirited dancing with the jubilant Snow Joggers at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, we found ourselves craving something sweet—Peace, Love & Little Donuts to the rescue! As luck (or fate) would have it, Apoptosis Brewing Company was hosting a donut & beer pairing with them, and we couldn’t resist.
Donut & Beer Pairing at Apoptosis – A Sugar-Coated Sip of Heaven
Curious about how this delicious collaboration came to be, we asked around. Turns out, it’s a simple story of neighbors supporting neighbors—which, honestly, makes every bite and sip taste even better. I should have jotted down which donuts were paired with which beers, but in my sugar-fueled excitement, I completely forgot. (Oops. Priorities.)
Jerky & Beer Pairing with Chester’s Wild Meat – A Flavorful Surprise
While chatting with the crew behind the bar, we uncovered another brilliant team-up—this time with Chester’s Wild Meat, who had paired their handcrafted jerky with beer just the night before. One taste of the samples they still had on hand, and before I knew it, Chuck was already online checking prices.
Wrapping Up with the Beer Olympics at Presidential Brewing
With cardboard cutouts of current and past presidents looking on, we wrapped up a full day of fun at Kalamazoo Craft Beverage Week with Presidential Brewing and their Beer Olympics. Eight teams of highly trained athletes skilled in the demanding task of drinking beer engaged in skills games as the crowd cheered them on.
The pub space at Presidential is wide open, with communal tables throughout and a spacious bar to the side. All the beers at Presidential are phenomenal, but if we had to pick just one, it would be the “Pale To The Chief” pale ale with its dandy hop finish. In addition to superbly crafted beers, their kitchen is top-notch, serving pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and their secret weapon - loaded tater tots.
Competitive Drinking at its Finest
After the opening ceremonial music and plastic torch arrival, it was time for the Beer Olympics to begin. The order of the teams is determined through a grueling game of rock, paper, scissors. There were five games of skill that involved drinking a beer. The first and most memorable was a combination of dice rolling and beer pong. There were plenty of laughs to be had at these games, which made for a fine end to our Kalamazoo Craft Beverage Week adventure.
Cheers to Community, Craft, and Collaboration – Until Next Year!
Kalamazoo Craft Beverage Week 2025 was more than just a celebration of great drinks—it showcased community, collaboration, and creativity. From perfectly paired bites to spirited pub crawl challenges, every stop brought something unique to the table, reminding us why craft culture thrives in Kalamazoo. As we left town, one thought lingered—this is exactly the kind of energy we long for in our community. Until next year, Kalamazoo—cheers to craft beverages, great people, and unforgettable memories!
