4th annual Craft Beer Festival returns to Mount Pleasant on Saturday
The 4th annual Craft Beer Festival, hosted by the Mount Pleasant Jaycees, returns to Downtown Mount Pleasant's "Jockey Alley" between Main and Court Streets on Saturday.
Starting at 3 p.m. with a VIP hour and general admission starting at 4 p.m., Michigan craft beer enthusiasts can taste craft beer, cider and wine from 26 Michigan breweries. A limited edition ale crafted by the Jaycees and the Mount Pleasant Area Community Foundation will also be offered for participants to taste for the first time, festival committee member Amanda Schafer said.
Brewed by the Mountain Town Brewing Company, the "Cherrytable Ale" is a light ale made with Michigan cherries.
"The ale we crafted was made specifically for this festival," Schafer said. "Not only is the main ingredient grown right here in Michigan, but the name really captures the reason we do this every year. This is a great event to support local charities."
Since the event started in 2014, the Mount Pleasant Jaycees have been able to grant over $75,000 back to local community organizations, according to a press release.
General admission tickets are available for $20 before the event, or $25 at the door. VIP tickets are $35 and $40 at the door. VIP ticket holders will be granted early admission, first access to limited quantity beers, meet and greets with brewery representatives and chips and queso dip provided by Qdoba.
"We've improved our VIP perks significantly this year," Schafer said. "VIP's will receive 10 drink tickets instead of six. Our goal was to sell out, and we've come very close to meeting that goal. We've sold about 212 VIP tickets of the 250 available."
The Mount Pleasant Craft Beer Festival is sponsored by the Bird Bar and Grill, the Mount Pleasant Area Community Foundation, Blystone and Bailey and Rent Rite. A complete listing of all the breweries participating is available at mpbeerfest.com.
