Dexter’s Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales is once again hosting their third annual Day of Zwanze on Sept. 29th to raise money for a great local cause.
The celebration surrounds the release of Brasserie Cantillon’s Zwanze beer from Belgium, the Holy Grail of beers. Only 60 locations across the globe are chosen each year to receive a keg of the amber elixir including Dexter’s Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales.
The “Day of Zwanze” celebration is the brainchild of brewmaster Jean Van Roy who owns and operates Brasserie Cantillon in Belgium. Van Roy is a world-renowned pioneer in the art of brewing sour beers and his creations, such as Zwanze, have become legendary.
Each year Van Roy blends a special batch of lambic brew and distributes it to select locations around the world. This is Jolly Pumpkin’s third year at being chosen. The tapping of the kegs is timed to occur simultaneously around the globe in an effort to unite people all over the world if even for just a moment, if even just over a beer.
This year’s Zwanze beer, Manneken Pise, is a blend of lambics aged for two years in Amarone, Chianti, and Sangiovese barrels. The barrels impart a woody, wine-like character, with flavors of mango and citrus. The beer is dedicated to the Italian friends of Cantillon who help them to protect the traditional lambic heritage.
The word “zwanze” itself is from the Brussels dialect and means a somewhat sarcastic style of humor, a little sour, like the brewing fermented beers. “zwanze” denotes fun and playfulness and that is what this celebration is about – a somewhat lighthearted and non-traditional approach to life in general, not taking yourself too seriously. Again, like a good lambic beer.
Every year, proceeds from the Day of Zwanze are donated to a local group. Last year it was the Dexter Historical Society for their work on Gordon Hall. This year the recipient of the celebrations ticket sales is Peace Neighborhood Center.
Peace Neighborhood Center provides programs for children, families, and individuals affected by social and economic problems. The organization enables people to discover options, enhance skills, and make choices that lead to self-sufficiency and positive community involvement. Since 1971, the group has have helped more than 16,000 people in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County through a wide range of comprehensive programs designed to promote education, health, well-being and fiscal independence.
The host of this year’s event, Dexter’s own Jolly Pumpkin, has received worldwide attention for their artisan sour beers and joined Michigan’s Northern United Brewing family of beers, wines, and spirits 11 years ago.
In addition to Jolly Pumpkin’s own selection of barrel-aged, award-winning beers, there will be more than a score of elite craft brewers from all across the country sharing their libations. Burgers, pizza, and other pub food will be available to round out the afternoon’s experience.
For more information and tickets go to https://www.universe.com/events/zwanze-day-at-jolly-pumpkin-2018-tickets-7WBXV8
Day of Zwanze details:
Where: Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales’ back lot – 2319 Bishop Cr E, Dexter, Michigan 48130
When: 2:12 PM – 7:00 PM with Zwanze Toast at 3 PM on September 29th, 2018
Tickets: $100 – non refundable – Includes commemorative sampling glass and 20 drink tokens. Tickets do not guarantee a pour of Cantillon Zwanze. Cantillon Zwanze will begin pouring at 2:45 pm and will be first come first serve for the Zwanze toast at 3 PM.
$10 – Designated driver tickets – strict no drinking policy. Limit 1 per purchase, non refundable. Includes 1 commemorative glass. Use code: JPDD
Breweries:
- 18th Street Brewery
- Allagash Brewing Co.
- Arbor Brewing Co.
- Bagby Beer Co.
- Beer Lab HI
- Big Island Brewhaus
- Birds Fly South Ale Project
- Brasserie Cantillon
- Brouwerij 3 Fontainen
- Burial Beer Co.
- Casey Brewing and Blending
- Cloudburst Brewing
- Creature Comforts Brewing Co.
- E9 Brewery
- El Segundo Brewing
- Fonta Flora Brewery
- Garden Path Fermentation
- Gigantic Brewing Co.
- Gueuzerie Tilquin
- Hill Farmstead Brewery
- Holy Mountain Brewing Co.
- HOMES Brewery
- Honolulu Beer Works
- Jackie O’s Brewery
- Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales
- Koholā Brewery
- Lanikai Brewing Co.
- Maui Brewing Co.
- Monkish Brewing Co.
- Noble Ale Works
- North Peak Brewing Co.
- Off Color Brewing
- Other Half Brewing Co.
- Revelry Brewing Co.
- Sante Adairius Rustic Ales
- Scratch Brewing Co.
- Stillwater Artisanal
- Speciation Artisan Ales
- The Lost Abbey
- The Rare Barrel
- Tired Hands Brewing Co.
- Transient Artisan Ales
- Waikiki Brewing Co.
- Yazoo Brewing Co.
Food/ Other Beverages: Will be available for purchase during the festival. Vegetarian and vegan options will be available.
- Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales + Kitchen
- Pilar’s Tamales
- Hotel Hickman’s Chuckwagon BBQ
- Sacred Springs Kombucha (FREE)
