It's truly amazing the way we Michiganders think.  Standing in a long line waiting in the balmy, damp cold to drink cold beer and eat brutish whole turkey legs off the bone cooked on a charcoal pit  

(yum! by the way)

People walking around with fur hats, friends and colleagues with their hair down and smiles on their faces, and the peaceful feeling of knowing everyone in the sold out crowd is there to do the same thing...have a good time and drink great beer.   

This is West Michigan Beer Fest and it is of the most awesome kind.  

 Why do we do this?  Well, first off, Michiganders are tough as nails.

There's no way freezing cold temperatures are going to stop us from a little camaraderie and good beer in our bellies.  Besides, there isn't anything a warm coat and a beard can't fix.  It's true friends, the beer was flowing, and the good times were contagious.   

I'm already looking forward to next year.   

Wait, wait!  

Did I mention that the real reason we go is to get the skinny on new beers in the market?  There is some awesome stuff heading our way this year and we are pretty thrilled.  I will say Jolly Pumpkin, The Livery (let's hope they start bottling  soon!), Short's, Odd Side Ales, Brewery Vivant (yeah neighborhood love!) and Frankenmuth Brewery really showed up with some outstanding offerings. 

Jolly Pumpkin has already taken over a few more well deserved spaces in the cooler.  Here are three new offerings you should try.