Brewery Vivant is celebrating its 10th year in business by collaborating with many local and regional breweries throughout the year.
The first collaboration is with Saugatuck-based Guardian Brewing and is a celebration of the growing presence of women in the craft beer industry. The breweries teamed up to produce Kween, dubbed a “femmehouse” ale, that will launch at both breweries on International Women’s Day, March 8.
A majority of the ingredients for the beer were sourced from other women-owned businesses in Michigan, Empire Malting and Pure Mitten hopyard. The Jovaru yeast in the beer is a strain that was procured from the famed “Queen of Lithuanian farmhouse beer,” Aldona Udriene, by Omega Yeast in Chicago. The yeast provides a bit of complexity to the beer, which complements notes of orange and a slight tartness, coming in at an ABV of 6.2%.
“The idea for a women-sourced and brewed beer came to me a few years ago, and once I met Kim (Collins) from Guardian, I knew I had a great values-aligned partner with which to make that dream a reality,” Vivant President and Co-owner Kris Spaulding said.
“I have looked up to the team at Brewery Vivant as leaders in our industry since I began brewing in 2012,” said Kim Collins, owner and head brewer of Guardian Brewing Company. “When I received the invitation from Kris to brew a beer for International Women’s Day 2020, I knew we had to make something exciting, unique and approachable.”
A portion of proceeds from all sales of Kween at both locations will benefit local nonprofits that focus on empowering women. Vivant is partnering with Women’s Resource Center, a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit that works to eliminate barriers often experienced by women to employment and financial independence.
Guardian has partnered with the Women in Nature program at the Holland-based Outdoor Discovery Center, which is designed to motivate women to be healthier, active and passionate about the natural world.
Brewery Vivant will host a Kween launch party from 3-5 p.m. March 8, where the women leaders from both breweries and nonprofit partners will lead a discussion about women empowerment.
Tickets include one Kween and light appetizers and can be purchased at the Brewery Vivant pub or by calling (616) 719-1604.
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