“Behind the Mitten” is Michigan’s premiere travel radio show and Podcast, and since 2015 it has published more than 500 episodes. It is co-hosted by veteran journalist John Gonzalez and longtime chef & beer expert Amy Sherman. The show has been recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as Best in Category.

This week a few of our "beer friends" are joining us and sharing some of their favorite Spring releases and beer trends.

Season 5, Episode 12:

• Brian Manzullo of the Detroit Free Press joins us to talk about Oberon Day and the unofficial start of Spring in Michigan.
• Brian Confer, head brewer and co-owner of Stormcloud Brewery in Frankfort, talks about some new releases, including SUNRUNNR (Kveik Ale) and 31 Planes (Imperial IPA), both from the brewery's impressive line of Belgian-inspired ales.
• And their good friend/longtime member of the Michigan beer community, Ben Darcie, who now works for Short's Brewing Company in Bellaire/Elk Rapids, joins the show to talk about why he loves loves Spring. He talks about about a big day on March 31 to tap Psychedelic Cat Grass across the state. (Gonzo plans to ride along and meet up with Amy.) Gonzo and Ben also talk about a recent trip to Cincinnati with Cedar Springs Brewing.
• Thanks to Archival Brewing in Grand Rapids, which hosted the show. And The Vestal Inn, right across the street on West River Drive for serving us our first pint of Oberon for the season!

This show aired March 25-26, 2023.

BTM airs on radio stations across the state, and you can always find us as a podcast on your favorite streaming service.

Affiliates:

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WBRN - 1460 AM and 107.7 FM in Big Rapids

*8 a.m. Saturdays on Kalamazoo Talk Radio 1360 WKMI

*8 a.m. Saturdays on WILS-1320 AM in Lansing

*10 a.m. Saturdays 95.3 WBCK-FM in Battle Creek

*10 a.m. Saturdays on News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM in Benton Harbor

*4 p.m. Saturdays on WIOS "The Bay's Best!" - 1480 AM & 106.9 FM in Tawas / East Tawas

*7 a.m. Sundays on the following Black Diamond Broadcasting stations:

-WCFX - CFX Today's Hits (95.3) in Mt. Pleasant
-WGFN - Classic Rock The Bear (98.1 & 95.3) in Traverse City
-WMRX - Sunny 97.7 in Midland
-WUPS - The Classic Hits Station (98.5) in Houghton Lake
-WWMK - 1063 MAC FM in Cheboygan

*Noon Sundays on News, Talk and Sports - 1380-AM WPHM in Port Huron

*1 p.m. Sundays on WSGW-AM (790) and FM (100.5) in Saginaw

*6 p.m. Sundays on WOOD-AM (1300) and FM (106.9) in Grand Rapids

Follow John and Amy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/behindthemitten or
Twitter at @BehindTheMitten and Instagram at @BehindTheMitten_.