2010 Winter Beer Festival Draws Thousands

A crowd of 5,000 packed the Fifth Third Ball Park this afternoon for the 5th Annual Michigan Winter Beer Festival. The tents were at capacity as beer enthusiasts tasted three hundred different kinds of craft brews from more than thirty five different breweries.

"My favorite accessory, well, my wife of course, we see these around we made them up we threw some salami, cheese on there why not, made these up so i can go hands free if i want to," said Brian Alber of Hudsonville.

The $35 tickets sold out a week ago. Everyone came for the beer, but the music, giant turkey legs, pretzel necklaces, and outlandish outfits set the mood. The event lasted from noon til 5:00p.m. A ticket came with 15 tokens, each worth a 3 oz. taste of beer from breweries like New Holland, Schmohz, Bell's, and more.

The crowd would occassionally burst out in cheers, and start singing the Michigan Beer Fight Song: "Let's drink michigan beer from coast to coast from far and near, it's local and delicious any styles that you wishes, so raise your glass and toast your friends let's drink michigan beer."

Winter Beer Festival organizers say the crowd grew by 35 percent this year, and they're expecting it even bigger in 2011.

"We will increase again next year, we just can only do so much and feel comfortable about a safe and responsible event," said Scott Graham, Executive Director of Michigan Brewer's Guild.

Tickets for Winter Beer Festival 2011 will go on sale in December. For more information, go to: www.michiganbrewersguild.org