After a long weekend of family, turkey, parties and leftovers, the Beer City Hoops crew made our way north to Cedar Springs Brewing for Sunday brunch and beers.
In a new tradition created after the Sunday Morning Referee show came to an end earlier this year, we’ve headed out ‘On The Michigan Road’ in honor of the former WoodTV storyteller & my personal childhood hero, Dick Evans, to bring you the interesting people and places that West Michigan has to offer.
Today’s adventure took the crew north to the familiar streets of Cedar Springs, MI. Located a mere 17 miles north of Grand Rapids city center, the Red Flannel town has a brand new brewery to welcome the locals and visitors alike. While I had previously had an opportunity to sit at the bar and taste some of the brews, this would be my first time experiencing the food menu, or even seeing it for that matter.
Upon our arrival just after the clock struck noon, we were greeted promptly and seated within minutes. Although they have communal seating at the tables in the middle of the room, we were sat at a high top in the northeast corner with a great window view of Main Street’s happenings. It was quiet in the streets of my alma mater’s town but the buzz inside Cedar Springs Brewing was hopping with excitement.
Our first priority was to try the brew. We had the Cedar Cider and the Yinzer
Roundabout IPA. Our CFO gave the Cedar Cider a 4-star (out of 5) review. Sweet to taste, not bitter and an appealing bubbly flavor were the highlights. I had the Yinzers, hoping that I would find an IPA that could make me sneeze like Sierra Nevada’s Revenge Rye IPA. While the hops held their own, the bite didn’t make me sneeze. Without sneezing, it just not going to get that 4th star. 3-stars for the Yinzers!
On to the food menu we moved as I’ve been waiting for weeks to try the Mac and Cheese that John Gonzalez of mlive.com was so very eager to recommend upon the Brewery’s opening.  I also ordered the Wings appetizer with the bacon-ranch sauce and the CFO ordered the Grilled Cheese and Flannel Fries. The wait was minimal and our server’s attention was uber-focused on the section. #hugetip #noemptyglassÂ
The wings were hot and done to perfection, not too spicy. Sweat rating: Noticeable. (I love hot, spicy food but sweat like glass. It’s a conundrum.) Not enough napkins used wiping my forehead. 3-stars only.
The cheddar cheese melted out of and off the grilled sandwich onto the Flannel Fries and that made them both spectacular. 5-stars!
When it came time to dig into the Mac and Cheese, it was the dream that actually lived up to expectations. Creamy white-cheese and macaroni with bacon, onions and broccolini made this exquisite meal a privilege to partake i. I may just have saved a soup cup full to take home and enjoy early Monday morning. 5-stars!
