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Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of MLive host the weekly radio show "Behind the Mitten," a show about things to do in Michigan, events, festivals, breweries and more. This show aired Aug. 20-21, 2016. It's all about the U.P. of Michigan.

Segment 1:
John and Amy broadcast from Jean Kay's Pasties and Subs in Marquette.

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:09):
A recap of some of our visits in the UP.

Segment 3 (Listen at 18:40):
Amy and John talk to a couple park rangers at the Porcupine Mountains.

Segment 4 (Listen at 28:10):
John and Amy stop at Blackrocks Brewery in Marquette.

Our stories:
http://www.mlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2016/08/120_hours_is_not_enough_time_i.html#incart_2box_michigansbest

Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of MLive recently traveled to some of their favorite stops on the Michigan's Best trail, and they also discovered a new brewery and unique festival. This show aired Aug. 13-14, 2016.

Segment 1:
First stop at Latitudes & Steelheads Tavern, which serves up Michigan's Best Bloody Mary. Amy and John talk to Abbey Zamarripa. More on Latitudes: http://latitudes-steelheads.com/
Top 10 Bloody Marys: http://www.mlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2016/04/michigans_best_bloody_mary_top.html

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:01):
After stopping at Latitudes, John and Amy stopped in Trufant to get more details about the Trufant Jubilee (aka the Stump Fence Festival). It takes place over the Labor Day weekend.
More info: http://www.mfea.org/event/trufant-jubilee/

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:00):
The next stop is at the Clifford Lake Inn in Stanton, where Amy visits with one of her best friends, Chef Dana Lucas-Wilmer. Dana and Amy have worked together for years as caterers. Dana and her husband, head chef Bernard Lucas, are part of a group that owners the Inn. It has been in the Top 10 on two Michigan's Best searches -- Best Mac and Cheese and Best Dessert.
More info: http://www.cliffordlakeinn.net/

Segment 4 (Listen at 29:00):
Amy and John stop at the newly opened Creston Brewery in the Creston area of Grand Rapids (on the north side). They talk to co-owner and head brewer Scott Schultz and his wife, Molly Bouwsma Schultz. The brewery just opened in mid August. The couple are also in a popular Michigan band, Vox Vidorra.
More info on Creston: https://www.facebook.com/crestonbrewery/
More on Vox Vidorra: http://voxvidorra.com/

John Gonzalez of MLive interviewed Chris Shepler of Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry about the very popular Perseid Meteor Shower Cruise.

The first one is sold out, so Shepler's added a second to meet the demand. The cruise is Thursday, Aug. 11. It runs from 11 p.m.-1 a.m.

Chris said, if weather cooperates, the views are stunning like a a Fourth of July Fireworks display.

Cost is $26.00 per adult and $14.00 for children ages 5-12. Buy online or call our office at 1-800-828-6157 to reserve your tickets here:

http://sheplersferry.com/news/meteor-shower-cruise-tickets-still-available/

On this weekend's "Behind the Mitten" radio show, Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez talk to two brewery owners who made the Top 10 List for Michigan's Best New Brewery.

Amy and John traveled the state recently for MLive and visited 30 breweries and sampled 300-plus beers on the trip.

This show aired Aug. 6-7, 2016. Here is the Podcast:

Segment 1:
Amy and John talk about some of the highlight, and reveal the Top 5.
The Top 10 on MLive:
http://www.mlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2016/08/michigans_best_new_brewery_our_2.html#0

Segment 2 (Listen at 9:37):
Amy and John interview Dave Ringler of the Cedar Springs Brewing Co. He came in at No. 5. His German-style brewery pays homage to Bavarian Beer/German Food, as well as American. It opened Nov. 13, 2015.
MLive story: http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2015/11/cedar_springs_brewing_company_1.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CedarSpringsBrew/?fref=ts

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:00):
Amy and John talk to Stormcloud Brewing Co. co-owners Rick Schmitt and Brian Confer. The Frankfort brewery was No. 1 on the search. They talk about not only making great Belgian-style beers, but being a "gathering table" for the community. It opened in June of 2013.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StormcloudBrewing/?fref=ts

Segment 4 (Listen at 28:45):
Amy and John talk to Dave Ringler again from Cedar Springs Brewing Co., who runs down some big events, including HopStock, which takes place Aug. 13 in downtown Grand Rapids. Amy and John also go behind the scenes of other statewide events.
More on HopStock: https://www.facebook.com/events/625767797580735/
More "things to do" in Michigan: http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/08/31_things_to_do_in_august_even.html#0

Behind the Mitten on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/

Behind the Mitten on MLive:
http://topics.mlive.com/tag/behind-the-mitten/

On this weekend's Behind the Mitten, John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman of MLive interview Rick Schmitt and Brian Confer of Stormcloud Brewing Co. in Frankfort.

On Aug. 4, 2016, John and Amy selected their brewery in the small harbor town in Northwestern Lower Michigan as Michigan's Best New Brewery.

This is Segment 3 of this weekend's show, which airs Aug. 6-7 on several radio stations throughout the state.

See the complete Top 10 List on MLive:
http://www.mlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2016/08/michigans_best_new_brewery_our_2.html#incart_2box_michigansbest

More on BTM:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/?fref=ts

1) News & Notes: Did you grab you new Nike Jumpman gear yet?

2) Gameday: Beat writer Nick Baumgardner from MLive is with me on our first season preview.

3) Quick Hits: Radio play by play voice Jim Brandstatter will be with me next week.

Website: www.maizenbrew.com Listener Line: 313 263-4842 Open 24/7 for your calls. Email: themichiganmanpodcast@yahoo.com

The next great interactive sports app is coming in September. Even if you're not a gamer I think you'll love it. For free information and a preview email playitfirst@yahoo.com and include your cell phone number.

Go Blue!

Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of MLive were on the road this week searching for Michigan's Best New Brewery. On this weekend's "Behind the Mitten" radio show, they broadcast from the road at different locations, including their car.

Segment 1:
At Tecumseh Brewing Co. in Tecumseh.
More info on Tecumseh: https://www.facebook.com/TecumsehBrewingCo/?fref=ts

Segment 2 (Listen at 10:06):
At Batch Brewing Co. Corktown in Detroit.
More info on Batch: https://www.facebook.com/BatchBrewingCompany/?fref=ts

Segment 3 (Listen at 19:08):
On the road, and in the car with Driver Joe.

Segment 4 (Listen at 27:45):
Last stop of the search from Redline Brewing Co. in Burton (near Flint).
More info on Redline: https://www.facebook.com/Redline-Brewing-Company-LLC-811555488915941/?fref=ts

More info on Behind the Mitten:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten/?fref=ts

On a recent episode of "Behind the Mitten," Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of MLive stopped by at Horrock's Farm Market in Lansing, where they met up with Linda Hundt, the owner and creator of the award-winning Sweetie-licious Bakery Cafe in DeWitt.

Linda is known for her incredible pies, which have won national awards and even featured on the Steve Harvey Show.

In 2014, MLive selected Sweetie-licious as Michigan's Best Pie.

Sweetie has additional stores in East Grand Rapids and the Downtown Market in GR.

More on Sweetie-licious:
https://www.facebook.com/Sweetie-licious-Bakery-Cafe-51099874610/?fref=ts

More on Behind the Mitten:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten?fref=ts

On a recent episode of "Behind the Mitten," Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of MLive stopped by Lula's Louisiana Cookhouse in Owosso (between Flint and Lansing off I-69), which they selected as Michigan's Best Fried Chicken.

John and Amy talk to owner John Beilfuss, who they surprised with the award July 6, 2016.

More on Lula's:
https://www.facebook.com/LulasCookhouse/?fref=nf

Best Fried Chicken Top 10:
http://www.mlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2016/07/michigans_best_fried_chicken_o_2.html#0

More on Behind the Mitten:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten?fref=ts

John Gonzalez of MLive and the Behind the Mitten interview country singer Kari Lynch, who performs tonight (7 p.m., June 2, 2016) at the Rockford Brewing Company. Kari is an up-and-coming singer/songwriter living in Nashville. She is originally from Clare, Michigan.

This interview aired on June 2, 2016. John and Amy filled in for Neal Dionne on West Michigan Live on WOOD Radio (1300-AM and 106.9-FM).

More on Kari Lynch:
http://karilynch.com/

More on Behind the Mitten:
https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten?fref=ts

Amy Sherman of MLive interviews Jamie Dionne, who performed the National Anthem at the 2016 Fifth Third River Bank Run in Grand Rapids. More info: http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2016/05/search_through_the_fifth_third.html#incart_river_index#incart_gallery

Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten get ready for a few big events, including the Fifth Third River Bank Run (May 14), as well as the upcoming Bill Engvall show (May 13) as part of Tulip Time (May 7-14).

Segment 1: John and Amy talk about their recent search for Michigan's Best Bloody Mary.

Segment 2: John and Amy talk to Scott Stenstrom of the Fifth Third River Bank Run (Listen at 9:50)
More info: https://www.53riverbankrun.com/

Segment 3: Bridgett Beckwith of Short's Brewery in Bellaire talks about their recent Anni Party and huge expansion (Listen at 18:51)
More info: https://www.shortsbrewing.com/

Segment 4: John and Amy interview comedian Bill Engvall who performs May 13 at Tulip Time. He talks about his 4th place finish on Season 17 on "Dancing with the Stars." (Listen at 28:30)
More info: http://www.tuliptime.com/events/bill-engvall/

BEER OF THE WEEK: The Silk Road IPA from Cognition Brewery in Ishpeming.
More info: https://cognitionbrewingcompany.com/

On this weekend's show, Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten talked to Jenna Meyer of the Common Ground Music Festival in Lansing.

This segment aired April 2-3, 2016.

This year's festival is July 5-10, 2016.

For a complete list of concerts and other information about Common Ground Music Festival go to http://www.commongroundfest.com/

Headline concerts so far:
AWOLNATION, Alternative • Rock
Auto Value Main Stage • Tuesday, July 5

A$AP Rocky, Hip-Hop • Rap
Auto Value Main Stage • Friday, July 8

Dierks Bentley, Country
Auto Value Main Stage • Saturday, July 9

Jason Derulo, Hip-Hop • Pop • R&B
Auto Value Main Stage • Sunday, July 10

Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez deliver their Top 5 things to do every week on WOOD Radio in Grand Rapids.

March 31-April 3, 2016
1. Marvel Universe LIVE! at Van Andel Arena, March 31-April 3
2. Starkbierfest 2016 at Cedar Springs Brewing Company
3. Star 105.7 West Michigan Pet Expo! DeltaPlex Arena, April 2-3
4. Sfunday at the Downtown Market, April 3
5. The Mega 80s at The Intersection, April 2

More details on MLive:
http://blog.mlive.com/goinggonzo/2016/03/gonzos_top_5_things_to_do_in_g.html

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman visited Perrin Brewing on Tuesday, March 22, and talked to Connor Klopcic and Lindsey VanDenBoom about the release of their award winning Vietnamese Imperial Porter “NO RULES.”

The “NO RULES Boondoggle” release is Saturday, March 26 at the Perrin Pub.

“NO RULES” will be released in 22oz bottles and on draft. Both bottle and draft selections will be offered to the public at Perrin Brewing, Saturday, March 26th starting at 11am. The beer will be available on draft for 8oz pours throughout the day. Perrin Pub Club members will have the opportunity to purchase their bottles an hour early, starting at 10am Saturday morning.

“NO RULES” will be available for $16.99 per bottle. There is a limited number of bottles being sold, sales are on a first come first serve basis.

RateBeer.com named “NO RULES” The World’s Top New Beer Release of 2015, along with giving “NO RULES” a score of 100 for Style and 100 for the Overall categories, a perfect score.

Draft Magazine Ranked “NO RULES” their #1 beer for Winter sipping.

NO RULES the 15% Imperial Vietnamese Porter is brewed with coconut, cinnamon and turbinado sugar then laid down and aged in bourbon barrels. Distribution in stores for “NO RULES” is set for Monday, March 28th.

John Gonzalez of MLive stopped by the Lansing Brewing Company on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 to talk to head brewer Sawyer Stevens about what beers he is bringing to the Michigan Winter Beer Festival.

This is LBC's first major beer festival since opening in late fall of 2015. And it's the first time the beer has been off premise since LBC does not currently distribute.

Stevens said he is bringing 13 beers to the festival. Here he runs down each beer.

1. Das Helles Licht - lager
ABV 4.7
IBU 23

2. Union Golden Ale
ABV 4.8
IBU 13
Earthy, Piney, Simpsons Golden Promise malt

3. Amber Creme
ABV 5.2
IBU 20
One of the original beers brewed by the original LBC. Caramel notes.

4. Back Alley Brown
ABV 6.0
IBU 30
American Brown ale - malt character with a hop finish. Centennial hops (single hop)

5. Peddlers Porter
ABV 6.6
IBU 22
Roasted barley goes into stouts, which is the difference between stouts and porters.
Chocolate malts, not a huge body and not very bitter. Good entry to darker beers.

6. Low Rye'd Stout
ABV 5.7
IBU 22
Roasted notes, malty

7. Black Velvet Ale
ABV 8.2
IBU 25
Oats make it really smooth, lot of chocolate malt

8. Angry Mayor IPA
ABV 6.8
IBU 60
Hop: Classic IPA Profile: Glacier, Centennial, Cascade CTZ - citrus, pine, floral

9. Soul Slayer Imperial Stout
ABV 9
IBU 42
Huge amount of roasted barley, Licorice, Lots of chocolate

10. Ain't No Drama Imperial Red
ABV 8
IBU 75
Malt backbone, really fruity, very balanced

11. Ball Dropper Double IPA
ABV 9
IBU 100
Malt backbone, west coast style, very balanced.

12. 1898 Imperial Stout
ABV 9.5
IBU 63
*An original beer that was part of LBC's launch.

13. Bock in Business
ABV 6
IBU 22
A classic German bock beer.

Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez of Behind the Mitten recorded this weekend's show at Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids where festivities were under way for Beer Week Grand Rapids and Cool Brews. Hot Eats.

They also preview the upcoming Michigan Winter Beer Fest 2016 at Fifth Third Ballpark (Feb. 26 and 27).

Segment 1: John and Amy talk to Kate Avery of Brewery Vivant and Mark Curtis of Drink GR

Segment 2: Jak -- the Director of Logan's Alley -- talks about all the special events and tappings at his bar in Grand Rapids (9:13).

Segment 3: John and Amy talk to Brewery Vivant executive chef Christopher Weimer and pastry chef Katy Waltz (18:18)

Segment 4: John and Amy talk Belgian beers with Brewery Vivant head brewer Jacob Derylo, who picks Beer of the Week. John and Amy also run down some events taking place throughout the state. (28:09)

The weekly radio program Behind The Mitten with Amy Sherman & John Gonzalez about all things Michigan, debuted this weekend (Feb. 14, 2016) on SuperTalk 1570 (WWCK-AM) in Flint, Michigan. http://www.supertalk1570.com/

The program will regularly air from 3-4 p.m. Sundays.

Behind the Mitten with Amy Sherman and John Gonzalez is a show about beer, wine, food, and the people, places and events that make Michigan such an awesome place to live and explore.

This weekend's episode of Behind The Mitten was recorded on location at Table to Tap in downtown Flint, Michigan, and features local guests:

Robb Klaty, Owner of Table & Tap, Flint Crepe Company, Merge, & Flint's only brewery, Tenacity Brewing; Cathy Gentry, Marketing Director at Sloan Museum, Longway Planetarium & Buick Gallery; and Jake May, Multimedia Specialist with The Flint Journal.

The tough problems facing the citizens, city and businesses in Flint, who are dealing with the tragic increase of lead in the local water supply has made international headlines. What John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman experience first-hand, is that Flint is still very much open for business and the water, and beer, has been thoroughly tested and is safe for consumption. Explore some of the revitalized areas in Flint's comeback, and find out how you can support our tough and tenacious fellow Michiganders in Flint, in this week's episode of Behind The Mitten.

More on Behind the Mitten at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten?fref=ts

Dave Lorenz, the vice president of Travel Michigan, recently sat down with John Gonzalez of MLive and the "Behind the Mitten" radio show to talk about statewide tourism. They focused a lot of the discussion on Detroit, and why all residents of the state should be rooting for Detroit's comeback. The podcast was recorded Aug. 14, 2015.

In this special podcast of "Behind the Mitten," co-host John Gonzalez of MLive talks to actor Robert Newman, who stars in the current production of "Love Letters" at the Barn Theatre in Augusta (near Kalamazoo).

The Barn Theatre School is Michigan's oldest professional Equity summer stock theatre company.

Newman is known by admirers as Joshua in daytime TV's "Guiding Light," where he played opposite Michigan native Kim Zimmer. (The show was the longest-running drama in television history before going off the air in September of 2009.)

Getting his start as an apprentice in 1981 at the Barn, Newman has returned for 11 productions over the years. He said his humble beginnings as an apprentice gave him an appreciation for the teamwork it takes to put on a show.

"It can be a little maddening because you're doing so much work that's not on stage," he said in our interview.

"It's just such an amazing learning experience. It gives you a respect for how everything in the theater has to work together."

In "Love Letters," Newman stars with Penelope Alex as they tell the story of Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, and Melissa Gardner, two affluent East Coasters who meet in the second grade and communicate through letters and postcards over more than 50 years.

Newman said there is no set except for two desks; "no staging, no bells and whistles and no special effects."

"It's not going to be like anything you've ever seen before," he said.

Written by A.G. Gurney, it was nominated in 1990 for a Pulitzer Prize in Drama.

"Love Letters" continues through June 14.

More info at barntheatreschool.org. http://barntheatreschool.org/?page_id=5263

John Gonzalez and Amy Sherman are co-hosts of "Behind the Mitten," a show about Michigan beer, food, festivals and the people who make it happen!

"Behind the Mitten" airs at 6 p.m. Sundays on News Radio WOOD 1300 & 106.9 FM. http://www.iheart.com/live/wood-radio-1069-fm-1300am-1165/

Find the latest info and more details about "Behind the Mitten" at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten

Or go to out website http://behindthemitten.com/