Remember. Honor. Celebrate.
The tradition continues for Perrin Brewing Company as they craft a Veteran inspired beer to support the Grand Rapids home for the Veterans and the return of LZ Michigan 2017. The Veteran Strong Pale Ale is made once a year to honor the community’s veterans and their families. This year, Perrin support is focused around LZ Michigan 2017 and the mission of Remember, Honor and Celebrate through several community events starting in August thru September.
LZ Michigan 2017 will consist of several community events and activities including a kick-off party at Perrin Brewing on August 20 from 2-5pm. The outdoor event “We Gotta Get Out of This Place” will feature the authors of 2015 Rolling Stone Book of the Year paired with live music from the Vietnam era performed by Stewart Francke under Perrin beer tent. Perrin Veteran Strong Pale Ale will be released that week and featured at the event with $1 for every pint sold going towards veterans in need and the quality of life at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. VSPA will be available on draft and specialty 6-pack cans to go from Perrin Brewing only starting on Thursday, August 17th.
The West Michigan Freedom Cruise and partner charity, Finish the Mission Veteran Relief Fund have been strategic partners with Perrin Brewing Company since inception several years ago, each year crafting a specialty beer to raise funds and awareness for the Finish the Mission Veterans Relief Fund. The Finish the MissionVeteran Relief Fund is an organization with a single focus of making West Michigan the most Veteran friendly community in the nation by providing for the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.
According to Freedom Cruise Founder, Tom Antor, “Partnerships like this relationship with Perrin helps ensure that West Michigan Veterans in need have a safety net for financial hardships not currently covered under current VA benefits package. We are incredibly grateful for Perrin’s creative participation in this cause.” The 4th Annual Freedom Cruise will take place this year on Saturday, September 23rd as part of the LZ Michigan event at Fifth Third Ballpark. More details can be found at www.freedomcruisegr.com.
Every summer, the week-long Freedom Cruise, made up of car, motorcycle, music, and golf activities spread awareness, fun, and funding for Veteran needs across West Michigan. This year Freedom Cruise is partnering with WGVU Public Media in support of their event, LZ Michigan. LZ Michigan, a “Landing Zone to Remember, Honor, and Celebrate our community’s veterans and their families is the collective work of WGVU, Freedom Cruise, Perrin Brewing Company, and several community organizations. The kick off event at Perrin Brewing Company is the first of several events in support of The Vietnam War, an epic documentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick premiering on WGVU on September 17, 2017.
“When the opportunity arose for us to host the authors of “We’ve Gotta Get Out of This Place” to kick off LZ Michigan, we needed a venue that would be welcoming, as well as one that exuded a core value of patriotism,” said Michael Walenta, WGVU general manager. “We are honored to partner with Perrin Brewing Company to host the opening event for LZ Michigan. Their commitment to our community’s veterans is beyond reproach.”
Veteran Strong Pale Ale is a crisp, refreshing strong pale ale with big American hop aroma. All local Michigan hops were used (MI Heritage, MI Cascade, MI Copper) balanced with wheat for a smooth body and huge juicy hop aromas. For every pint sold of VPA at Perrin Pub, one dollar will be donated to the Finish the Mission VeteranRelief Fund to support and enhance the quality of life for local West Michigan veterans and their families.
Perrin Brewing is privileged to be a part of this city-wide event and support those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.