Suds: February 13

Last night, Wisconsin’s own, Bon Iver, pulled in two Grammy awards including one inexplicably for Best New Artist. Apparently the Grammys didn’t hear about For Emma, Forever Ago back in 2007! On a side note, Mumford and Sons are still being nominated for Grammys from their 2010 release Sigh No More.

Bon Iver’s second award was for Best Alternative Album, an award that wasn’t aired on the main broadcast. In typical Vernon fashion, his acceptance speech was humble and quintessentially Midwestern seeming painfully out of place among the glitz and glamour of the Billboard elite. Crack open a Wisconsin staple and MwBC favorite, Schlitz, and check it out yourself.

There's something different in these two photos. Can you spot it? I can't.

- Bell’s Hopslam arrives in Minnesota! Find out the location nearest you that received six-packs.

- Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Town Hall Brewery and fall in love with beer all over again.

- Indiana’s Sun King releases their Isis Imperial IPA in cans this month.

- Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids becomes first LEED Silver commercial brewery in Michigan, possibly U.S.

- Interesting debate on whether Fabiano Bros., a Michigan beer and wine distributor, is a monopoly in need of busting or not.

- Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival returns on March 10. Get your tickets before they sell out.

- Steven’s Point Brewery will release Point Three Kings Ale this spring.

- Indeed Brewing Company, Minneapolis’ newest brewery, is set to open this summer.

- Tickets for Firkin Fest at The Happy Gnome are on sale now. Get yours before they sell out.

- The Blind Pig Co. in Champaign, IL will be tapping a cask conditioned firkin of Two Brothers Northwind Imperial Stout this Friday.

What is your favorite Bon Iver song? Tweet @MidwestBeer #BonnyBearRocks with your answer. 

Suds: January 30

Once again, it’s the film awards season and you know what that means. No, not a group of self-congratulatory celebrities basking in the smugness of a George Clooney acceptance speech. Rather Ricky Gervais’ roast of every one he sees in the audience as he hosted the Golden Globes.

Beyond creating and producing hit series after hit series on TV, Gervais’ award show irreverence has solidified him as one of today’s best comedians. His style is as dry as a Surly Smoke and just as delectable. He has gotten a lot of heat for working over the Hollywood elite in the past two years, but has transformed the flak into a brilliant new show on BBC 2 called “Life’s Too Short.”

Now for Suds:

- Vine Park Brewing has a deal so good it will make your stomach Growl.

- Speaking of growlers, Barley John’s wants to fill you up, twice.

- Didn’t get tickets to Winterfest in St. Paul? You can win a pair by telling them why you craft beer.

- Beer Here! Experimental flavors, a bold product.

- A great recap of Brrr Fest in Iowa.

- Here’s a nice article on Decatur, Michigan’s Patchwork Brewing Co.

- Minneapolis is getting it’s first Taproom in 76 years. Thanks again Prohibition.

- Fingers crossed, Wisconsin homebrewers will be able to bring their brew out of their home.

- All of you Founder’s KBS fans, it’s coming soon!

Fact: George Washington had his own brewhouse on the grounds of Mount Vernon.