Behind the Mitten

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of "Behind the Mitten" had so much fun meeting Pete Kirkwood of The Workshop Brewing Co. in Traverse City that they decided to record a podcast to talk more about Beer of the Week ("Friday Shaker," a beer brewed with cherries and aged in oak barrels). This podcast was recorded Jan. 5, 2017.

More on The Workshop: https://www.facebook.com/traversecityworkshop/?fref=ts

More on BTM: https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

Embrace Winter! That's a common theme for Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten, a weekend show that airs on multiple radio stations across the state.

This weekend talk winter fun, and they also reveal their favorite Beer of the Year.

On this show (which aired Dec. 31, 2016/Jan. 1, 2017), Amy and John talk to:

Segment 1:
Mickey MacWilliams of the Michigan Snowsports Industries and Michelle Grinnell of Pure Michigan. They talk about a cool program called Discover Michigan Skiing, which offers affordable lessons at 20-plus resorts in Michigan. More info at http://www.goskimichigan.com/ Michelle talks about how you can make each day a Pure Michigan Snow Day. More info at http://www.michigan.org/

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:12):
Jeremy Witt of the West Michigan Tourist Association, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary on Jan. 7 at a special gala in Grand Rapids. More info at http://www.wmta.org/

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:05):
Todd Hubbard of Forbush Corner Cross-Country Skiing, as well as Susan Wilcox Olson of Traverse City Tourism and My Winter Trails. More info about the Centennial Farm at https://www.facebook.com/forbushcorner/ and My Winter Trails at http://mywintertrails.org/. They have several events planned for 2017.

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:09):
John and Amy say goodbye to 2016 and hello to 2017. Find out who loves New Year's Eve! (John gets a little "sappy," according to Amy.) On this segment they talk about upcoming events and Best Pizza, and they each pick a "Beer of the Year." John picks a beer from Stormcloud Brewery in Frankfort, and Amy picks a beer from Batch Brewery in Detroit. (Listen at 38:16.)
http://www.mlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2016/08/michigans_best_new_brewery_our_2.html#0
More on Stormcloud: https://www.facebook.com/StormcloudBrewing/?fref=ts
More on Batch: https://www.facebook.com/BatchBrewingCompany/?fref=ts

Behind the Mitten is a show about festivals, events, breweries and all the fun things you can experience in Michigan. Amy and John work for MLive.com and do this show as an off-shoot of their travels. https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/?fref=ts

On their last show of 2016, Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of MLive and Behind the Mitten pick their "Beers of the Year."

John picks a beer from Stormcloud Brewing Company in Frankfort, which was their pick for Michigan's Best New Brewery.
http://www.mlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2016/08/michigans_best_new_brewery_our_2.html#0

More on Stormcloud: https://www.facebook.com/StormcloudBrewing/?fref=ts

Amy picks a beer from Batch Brewing Company in Detroit. Batch was a Top 10 pick for Best New Brewery.

More on Batch: https://www.facebook.com/BatchBrewingCompany/?fref=ts

This segment aired Dec. 31, 2016/Jan. 1, 2017.

More on BTM: https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/?fref=ts

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive and Behind the Mitten celebrate the holidays with this special "Best Of" show. It features some of their favorite interviews in 2016.

Segment 1:
Air Date Feb. 13 (Episode 42): Interview with Rob Klatay of Table & Tap in Flint. Link to full episode. http://www.spreaker.com/user/michigangonzo/btm-flint-show-feb-14-2016

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:01):
Air Date April 23 (Episode 52): Interview with Lorri Hathaway of the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trails. This interview took place at the Governor's Pure Michigan Conference in Lansing. Link to full episode. http://www.spreaker.com/user/michigangonzo/btm-pure-michigan-tourism-conference-in-

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:06):
Air Date July 9 (Episode 63): Interview with John Beilfuss of Lula's Louisiana Cookhouse, our pick for Michigan's Best Fried Chicken. Link to full episode. http://www.spreaker.com/user/michigangonzo/btm-episode-63-lulas-louisiana-cookhouse

Segment 4 (Listen at 28:33):
Air Date Nov. 5 (Episode 80): John and Amy talk to Stephanie Kotschevar of Experience Grand Rapids, which is a great resource to all the things happening in the area. Link to full episode. http://www.spreaker.com/user/michigangonzo/btm-episode-80-gerald-r-ford-museum-and-

Also, John mentions Gianna and Lisa Licari of Licari's Sicilian Pizza Kitchen (Episode 79)-Michigan's Best Pizza. Link to full episode. http://www.spreaker.com/user/michigangonzo/btm-episode-79-licaris-pizza-treetops-wi

Learn more about Behind the Mitten at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/?fref=ts

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive and "Behind the Mitten" stop by "West Michigan Live" with Justin Barclay on WOOD Radio. They talk about The Accidentals, the Traverse City trio that was named to Huffington Post's Sweet 16 music acts for 2016. They also run down this weekend's BTM show, and things to do this weekend. (Oh, and they sample Founder's famed KBS!) This segment aired on Dec. 22, 2016.

More on Behind the Mitten, which airs on 9 stations each weekend in Michigan.

More on The Accidendtals from HuffPo:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-bialas/musics-sweet-16-of-2016-i_b_13758600.html

More on The Accidentals on MLive: http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/04/the_accidentals_new_song_shoul.html

Michigan and Again Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB_lytx-i3I

More n BTM: https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive and "Behind the Mitten" visit Territorial Brewing Co. in Springfield, Michigan (near Battle Creek). Territorial was one of their picks for Michigan's Best New Brewery. This episode includes interviews with reps from the Air Zoo in Portage, and Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek.

Segment 1:
John and Amy talk to co-owners Charles Grantier and Tim Davis, who is the head brewer. They learn more about the brewery, which is German-inspired in beer and food. More info on Territorial at http://territorialbrewing.com/

Segment 2 (Listen at 9:30):
John and Amy have a lot of fun talking to Troy Thrash, President & CEO who oversees all operations of the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo. The Air Zoo will feature a lot of special events for the holidays. Learn more about the Air Zoo at http://www.airzoo.org/.

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:06):
John and Amy talk to Brett Linsley (manager of wildlife and conservation) Amy Riegel (President & CEO) of the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek. They have a lot of activities for the holidays, and they're also introducing some new animals. More info at http://www.binderparkzoo.org/.

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:00):
Charles Grantier and Tim Davis of Territorial return to talk more about their brewery, as well as BEER OF THE WEEK. This week it's With Love from Denmark, a beer brewed with a dark roast coffee from Kalamazoo Coffee Company. It's base is a Danish Pilsner, which gives it a light-color. John and Amy also run down some events -- thanks to the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center. More events at http://behindthemitten.com/.

MLive's Top 10: Best New Brewery: http://www.mlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2016/08/michigans_best_new_brewery_our_2.html#0

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

Closing Music: Kari Lynch Band https://www.facebook.com/KariLynchMusic/?fref=ts

John Gonzalez of MLive and Behind the Mitten interviews Kristen Hahn, who plays Phoebe in the Broadway tour of "A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder." The show stops for 8 shows Dec. 13-18, 2016, at the Wharton Center in East Lansing.

More info at https://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/gentlemans-guide

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive and "Behind the Mitten" visit on of their favorite places in Michigan -- Mackinac Island.

This time they record from Original Murdick's Fudge, which is open during the holidays and shipping fudge all over the country .... just in time for the holidays.

Segment 1:
John and Amy talk to owner Bobby Benser Jr. about the special packages of fudge available for the holiday season.

Segment 2 (Listen at 9:06):
John and Amy talk to Andrew Doud of Doud's Market on Mackinac Island, which is considered the oldest grocery store in America.

Segment 3 (Listen at 18:03):
Bobby Benser returns to the show with his master fudge maker Carnel Samuels, who is originally from Montego Bay, and is a longtime employee at Original Murdick's Fudge. It his 13th season on Mackinac Island.

Segment 4 (Listen at 27:09):
Andrew Doud and Bobby Benser return to talk about memories of growing up on Mackinac Island and upcoming events.

Order Original Murdick's Fudge at http://www.originalmurdicksfudge.com/

More info about Mackinac Island at https://www.mackinacisland.org/

More info about Doud's Market at https://www.facebook.com/DoudsMarket/?fref=ts

More info on Behind the Mitten https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/?fref=ts

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive and "Behind the Mitten: preview this weekend's show, which airs on several radio stations throughout Michigan.

On this segment they talk to Justin Barclay of West Michigan Live on WOOD Radio. (This aired Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016)

They talk about this weekend's show from Mackinac Island and Original Murdick's Fudge, as well as some events taking place this weekend in West Michigan.

The Moscow Mule turns 75, and the Cottage Bar in Grand Rapids has a event from 1-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10.

For more information on BTM, as well as radio affiliates, go to https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/?fref=ts

For more information on Original Murdick's Fudge go to https://www.facebook.com/originalmurdicksfudge/?fref=ts

For more information on the Cottage Bar go to https://www.facebook.com/events/361093280908731/

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive and "Behind the Mitten" talks to Higher Grounds coffee owner Chris Treter, who operates his Fair Trade Company in Traverse City.

They work with specialty growers in Mexico and the Chiapan Highlands of Mexico.

Chris talks about his original vision for the company, which is about "1,000 times the original vision," he said. They are now available in a variety of stores, including Meijer.

He has several coffee gift packages just in time for the holidays. You can check them out online. A portion of the sales goes to the non-profit On the Ground, which empowers coffee farming communities through gender and social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic security.

High Grounds also is a finalist for the Good Food Awards, a national award in the coffee category. Only 5 companies in Michigan were named finalists in all the categories.

More info at https://www.highergroundstrading.com/

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