Kalamazoo-area breweries take part in the seventh annual Michigan Winter Beer Festival (photos) on Astini News
Along with brewer and co-owner Ryan Sylvester, the duo build their own portable booth, which could be broken up into six pieces, to promote their beer to the more than 6,000 people who attend the event at the Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, near Grand Rapids. A lot of people at the chilly celebration of craft beer, had no idea Paw Paw existed.
"We get a lot of people asking and they don't believe, 'Wait, Paw Paw is a city?'" Fleckenstein said.
Paw Paw Brewery made a nice visual splash with its stickers, which were placed on glasses, hats, mittens and jackets of those who visited the booth, located near the entrance. One of the brewery's regulars surprised them with 10 rolls of stickers and told them to hand them out at the festival, which featured more than 450 beer from more than 60 breweries, including those in the Kalamazoo area, such as Bell's Brewery Inc., Olde Peninsula Brewpub, Arcadia Brewing Co., Dark Horse Brewing Co. and more.
"We feel like the reception has been overwhelming, especially amongst so many fantastic beers. It's just exciting to be here," Fleckenstein said.
Take a look at the photo gallery (below) of other Kalamazoo-area breweries at the event, put on by the Michigan Brewers Guild.
Check out MLive.com's coverage of the event:
Todd Chance broke down the crazy names and wild outfits
John Gonzalez took a look at the early preparations
I put together a list of the 11 most buzzed about beer leading up to the festival
Plus check out these photos of the event from Maria Amante
