Behind the Mitten

On this episode of "Behind the Mitten," John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman visit the newly opened Aberrant Ales in Howell, Michigan, for Beer of the Week. They talk to head brewer Adam Stout, who moved to the area from Colorado.

The brewery offers a full food menu, plenty of beers on tap, and a variety of styles.

Beer of the Week is the West Coast IPA (6.6% ABV/77 IBU), which almost drinks as a Double IPA, according to Amy Sherman. It has a very tropical, fruit presence, too.

The brewery is debuting a Corn Hole League from Jan. 23-March 20. Sign up before Jan. 21, 2018. More info at https://www.aberrantales.com/home

This showed aired on radio stations across Michigan, Jan. 13-14, 2018.

More info on Behind the Mitten at http://behindthemitten.com/

On their radio show "Behind the Mitten," John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman talk to Iron Fish Distillery co-owners Richard and Sarah Anderson about big plans this year to expand their kitchen and barrel room. Iron Fish is a farm distillery in Thompsonville, Michigan.

This episode aired on radio stations across Michigan on Jan. 13-14, 2018.

Learn more about Iron Fish at https://ironfishdistillery.com/

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at http://behindthemitten.com/

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman learn all about the famous Goulash that Fredi the Pizzaman is making in Melvindale, a suburb of Detroit. They also talk about their love for sports, as well as New York style pizza and those tasty fries.

Fredi the Pizzaman is located at 17900 Allen Rd., Melvindale, MI 48122. He is open from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 am-3 p.m Saturdays; and closed Sundays. More info at http://www.fredithepizzaman.com/home.html

This show aired Jan. 13-14, 2018 on radio stations across Michigan.

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at http://behindthemitten.com/

On this weekend's show, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman reveal their Beer of the Year for 2017! This episode aired Jan. 6 and 7, 2018 on radio stations across the state of Michigan.

Segment 1: Paul Starr of I'm a Beer Hound talks about his upcoming Art & Craft Beer Festival, which is Jan. 27, 2018 in REO Town in Lansing. More info at http://www.artandcraftbeerfest.com/

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:08): Traverse City author Doug Stanton talks about his book "Horse Soldiers," which will be released Jan, 19, 2018 as the Jerry Bruckheimer film "12 Strong." More on Doug at http://dougstanton.com/

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:32): John and Amy talk about things you can do on an "adult" Snow Day.

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:31): Beer of the Year! Find out what John and Amy select as as their top pick for 2017.

More on Behind the Mitten at http://behindthemitten.com/

On this show, John and Amy broadcast from Gaylord, Michigan where they talk about outdoor activities and renovations/things-to-do at Treetops Resort. This show aired on radio stations across the state Dec. 30-31, 2017.

Segment 1: John and Amy talk to Barry Owens, GM at Treetops Resort, a public ski & golf resort that has been open for 60 years. The vacation resort recently underwent $4 million in renovations. More info at http://treetops.com/

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:00): John and Amy talk to ther friend Paul Beachnau of the Gaylord Tourism Bureau, who talks about why his city is known as the Snowbelt Capital of Michigan. He loves snow, and you'll love how he describes it.

Segment 3 (Listen at 18:51): Barry Owens of Treetops returns to talk about several activities at the resort, such as Extreme tubing, Skiable Feast, Wilderness Sleigh Ride Dinner and more.

Segment 4 (Listen at 28:41): Paul Beachnau returns to talk about more activities in the Gaylord area, and Gabe Bober of Treetops Resort gives us Beer of the Week, "Juicy," a NE-style IPA from Petoskey Brewing Company.

On this Holiday show, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman broadcast from Founders Brewing Co. in Grand Rapids and talk about their Christmas memories as well as those of some of their featured guests. This show aired Dec. 23-24, 2017 on multiple radio stations across the state.

Segment 1: John and Amy talk about Founders, as well as some of their Michigan's Best searches for MLive.com. More info at http://www.mlive.com/michigansbest/ Follow Behind the Mitten on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:27): John and Amy talk Holiday memories with Brian Bailey of the Chippewa Hotel/Pink Pony, Jeff Lobdell of Restaurant Partners, Jessica Shepherd of MLive and Barry Owens of Treetops Resort.

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:47): John and Amy talk Holiday memories with Susan Wilcox Olson of Grand Bay Promotions, Sandy Mattingly of Pine-cone Vacations in Gaylord, Stephanie and Sarah of TV 9&10 and Gabe Bober of Treetops Resort.

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:47): John and Amy reveal some of their favorites memories. They also run down statewide events and Beer of the Week. Learn more about Founders at https://www.facebook.com/foundersbrewing/

On this Podcast, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of "Behind the Mitten" offer some winter fun in Gaylord, a chance to check out a great New Year's Eve Party in Grand Rapids, an interview with legendary band Tower of Power and a tasty Christmas ale for Beer of the Week. This episode aired on multiple radio stations across Michigan, Dec. 16-17, 2017.

Segment 1: John and Amy visit with friends from Treetops Resort in Gaylord where general manager Barry Owens is getting ready for a busy season and showing off some major renovations at the Main Lodge, as well as The Inn. They also talk about dinners, sleigh rides and other activities at Treetops. Also, making an appearance is Paul "King of All Things Snow" Beachnau of the Gaylord Tourism Bureau, who talks about why his community is the state's premiere wintertime location. You can even see the Elk.

Learn more about Treetops at https://www.facebook.com/TreetopsMich/?ref=br_rs

Learn more about Gaylord at https://www.facebook.com/GaylordMichigan/

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:32): John and Amy interview Emilio Castillo, founder and leader of the Tower of Power, the California rock band making music for nearly 50 years. The band performs Jan. 17, 2018 at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center in Grand Rapids. Tower’s sound can be hard to categorize, but Emilio says their sound as “Urban Soul Music.” Tower’s rhythm section lays down a groove like no other band. The band’s horn driven sound is unique, and the way they approach everything, from writing and arranging to mixing and performing, is totally their own.

Ticket information at http://www.fhfineartscenter.com/performances.html#

Learn more about the Tower of Power at https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTowerOfPowerBand/

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:22): John and Amy visit Rockwell Republic in Grand Rapids, which is getting ready for a BIG New Year's Eve Party, Dec 31, 2017. John and Amy interview Jeff Lobdell of Restaurant Partners, which owns Rockwell. He runs down all the festivities, including an indoor Big Top, specialty menu, drinks, dancing, midnight champagne toast -- all under the theme of "The Greatest Show on Earth." Tickets are $30. The party begins at 10 p.m.

More info on the Rockwell Republic Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/138436676934024/

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:40): John broadcasts from Snowbelt Brewing Co. in Gaylord, Michigan. With Amy trying out her new skis at Treetops Resort, Paul Beachnau of the Gaylord Tourism Bureau and Sandy Mattingly of Pine-cone Vacations take over co-host duties with John. They interview Jordan Awrey, marketing and social media director at Snowbelt. He talks about the overall mission of Snowbelt, which offers great beer, food and live music. The brewery was opened by Nate Muellenberg and his wife, Angielena, in August of 2016. Beer of the Week is Santa's Secret Weapon, a Scottish Christmas beer with spices, maple staves and cranberries (7.2% ABV, 18 IBUs).

Learn more about Snowbelt at https://www.facebook.com/snowbeltbrewingco/
*They just announced a new music series, which includes a return appearance of The Accidentals on Feb. 25, 2018. (Tickets on sale Jan. 1)

Learn more about Pine-cone Vacations at https://www.facebook.com/gaylordvacatio/

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

On this Podcast, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of "Behind the Mitten" broadcast from Snowbelt Brewing Co. in Gaylord, Michigan. With Amy trying out her new skis at Treetops Resort, Paul Beachnau of the Gaylord Tourism Bureau and Sandy Mattingly of Pine-cone Vacations take over co-host duties with John.

They interview Jordan Awrey, marketing and social media director at Snowbelt. He talks about the overall mission of Snowbelt, which offers great beer, food and live music. The brewery was opened by Nate Muellenberg and his wife, Angielena, in August of 2016.

Beer of the Week is Santa's Secret Weapon, a Scottish Christmas beer with spices, maple staves and cranberries (7.2% ABV, 18 IBUs).

Learn more about Snowbelt at https://www.facebook.com/snowbeltbrewingco/
*They just announced a new music series, which includes a return appearance of The Accidentals on Feb. 25, 2018. (Tickets on sale Jan. 1)

Learn more about Gaylord at https://www.facebook.com/GaylordMichigan/

Learn more about Pine-cone Vacations at https://www.facebook.com/gaylordvacatio/

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

This show aired on multiple radio stations across Michigan, Dec. 16-17, 2017.

On this Podcast, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman visit Rockwell Republic in Grand Rapids, which is getting ready for a BIG New Year's Eve Party, Dec 31, 2017. John and Amy interview Jeff Lobdell of Restaurant Partners, which owns Rockwell.

He runs down all the festivities, including an indoor Big Top, specialty menu, drinks, dancing, midnight champagne toast -- all under the theme of "The Greatest Show on Earth." Tickets are $30. The party begins at 10 p.m.

More info on the Rockwell Republic Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/138436676934024/

More info on Behind the Mitten at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

This show aired on multiple radio stations across Michigan, Dec. 16-17, 2017.

On this Podcast, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of "Behind the Mitten" interview Emilio Castillo, founder and leader of the Tower of Power, the California rock band making music for nearly 50 years. The band performs Jan. 17, 2018 at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center in Grand Rapids. Tower’s sound can be hard to categorize, but Emilio says their sound as “Urban Soul Music.” Tower’s rhythm section lays down a groove like no other band. The band’s horn driven sound is unique, and the way they approach everything, from writing and arranging to mixing and performing, is totally their own.

Ticket information at http://www.fhfineartscenter.com/performances.html#

More info on "Behind the Mitten" at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

This show aired on multiple radio stations across Michigan, Dec. 16-17, 2017.