More about the Great Brew Ha Ha:
2500 Turner Ave
Grand Rapids, MI 49544
Friday: 5-10 p.m.
Saturday: 1-10 p.m.
Limited list of feature breweries:
Featured performance acts:
/Courtesy of the Deltaplex Arena
On Friday and Saturday, the DeltaPlex hosts the sixth Great Brew Ha Ha. The event will feature Grand Rapids and Michigan breweries as well as internationally known brands. Between drinks, attendees can enjoy stand up comedian acts from national and local personalities as well as the Brew Olympics tournament.
"It's a really great event if you're just getting into beer or you like beer but you don't go out of your comfort zone," says Erin Welsh, event coordinator at the DeltaPlex. While the Brew Ha Ha will feature craft beer names, beer lovers of all tastes can identify and acquaint themselves with the event’s selection of brews.
Friday evening’s festival will showcase West Michigan bands The Diddlestyx, The Scott Pellegrom Trio and Two Dudes in Flip Flops. The night will be capped with the Bimini Brothers, a long-standing parody and satire comedy rock act.
The all-day festival on Saturday will begin with the Brew Olympics tournament sponsored by Grand Rapids Sport and Social Club.
The Brew Olympics consist of water pong and flip cup tournaments. Teams of four will compete in a round-robin tournament, guaranteeing each team two matches for each category.
Awards will be given to first and second place overall as well as “Dead Effin’ Last” and “Most Social/Best Dressed.”
After the competition, Grand Rapids local Stu McCallister will host local and national comedy showcases. Local talent will include Gerrit Elzinga, Allen Trieu, Jacob Kubon, and most recent recipient of Grand Rapids Magazine’s “Funniest Person” title, DK Hamilton.
National personalities featured will be Pat McGann, who was recently featured on The Late Show with David Letterman, and Al Jackson, best known for his Comedy Central Presents special.
Tickets for the festival begin at $10 for designated driver entry. General admission tickets sell for $15 and include a Brew Ha Ha glass and five sample drink tickets. Brewmaster tickets upgrade to collector’s glasses and 10 drink tickets for $35.
“Our Brewmaster tickets usually sell out and they get a limited edition collector’s glass,” says Welsh. “Most people are pretty stoked to add to their collection [each year].”
Because the festival falls on Valentine’s Day, a special “Brewquet” package can be added to any ticket. Guests get chocolates, a rose and preferred seating for two for the Bimini Brothers for an extra $25 on Friday night.
“It’s something unique so you’re not just going to another restaurant, something new to enjoy,” says Carlie Zervan, marketing manager at the DeltaPlex.
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