From the Creek Archives - Cedar Springs Brewing Company

Küsterer Wheat Ales Claim a Pair of National Awards

Thanks to WXMI 17 for checking in with us as we’re proud of a couple of recent awards.

Full story: https://bit.ly/3o4Z1RM

2021 Mad Scramble

June 12, 2021/in Events, From the Creek /by CSBrew

Our golf outing is scheduled for Monday, July 26th at North Kent and will support the Algoma Little League for youth baseball and softball.

Details here: http://csbrew.com/mad-scramble-golf-outing/

2021 STARKBIERFEST!

March 22, 2021/in Events, From the Creek /by CSBrew

Saturday, April 17th, from 3-9 p.m.

After the unfortunate cancellation of last year’s event, Cedar Springs Brewing Company is proud to host the sixth annual STARKBIERFEST!**

Raise a toast in our heated tent with live music, limited beer release, and #SAUSAGEPARTY. Rain or shine, this strong beer adventure is sure to be your spring break highlight.

Besides the famous Oktoberfest, Starkbierfest (“Strong Beer Festival”) or Frühlingsfest are the second big German beer festival times during the year. Historically, monks brewed strong beer or Bockbier which was higher in calories and a bit stronger to substitute for food during Lenten fasting. This “Liquid Bread” and annual brewing specialties have survived the times and re-emerged at your friendly, neighborhood Brewing Company. So join us at this year’s “little Oktoberfest” on Saturday, April 17th in our HEATED parking lot tent** for amazing beverages, food and music.

Aged 21+ w/valid ID. $10 cover includes 2 hospitality tickets, valid for food or beverage. Stammtisch VIP early entry available.

(TICKETS available for purchase at the door on the day of the event.)

BEERS RELEASED!*
Küsterer Heller Weizenbock
Wilderness Trail Barrel Aged Dunkel Lager
8 other drafts in the tent!
* limited quantities of aged & casked beers. This is the ONLY time these beers will be available to the general public!

LIVE MUSIC! ♫
Rudi Tegethoff – Energetic German polka (appx. 2-4pm)
Tony Halchak Music – Craft Brewed Americana (appx. 4:15-6:15pm)
Hazy Past – Vintage Rock (appx. 6:30-9pm)

#SausageParty – We have some special wieners for you!

#STARKBIERFEST!
Saturday, April 17th
3pm-9pm
(Stammtisch VIP entry 2pm)

Cedar Springs Brewing Company
95 N Main
Cedar Springs, MI 49319
(616) 696-BEER

#CSBrew
#STARKBIERFEST
#BeerTent

* All activities and setup pending state and local permissions, capacity and mask restrictions. Safety protocols must be observed.

March 8th Update

March 7, 2021/in From Headquarters, From the Creek /by CSBrew

We thank everyone for their support over the past 12+ months!

This has been difficult and we’ll ask for your continued patience and understanding as 50% capacity still does not mean “open.” It means we still have half our normal seating and staff, who will continue to work hard to serve you safely and with a smile. We ask for your ongoing cooperation with our license requirements and we promise to work diligently to prioritize safety and continue our mission to make our community a better place.

***

“Reopen Guide” for March 8th, 2021

• We’ll be open 12-9pm Mo–Sa and 12-8pm on Sundays.
• We still need to gather phone numbers, as we did before, for contact tracing purposes of ALL guests.
• We will be Counter Service but plating and using glassware for dine-in meals with our new March menu. We welcome back favorites such as Biere de Brussels Sprouts, Spring Rolls, soups, salads, and the Monstrosity!
• Masks must be worn unless seated, actively eating and drinking.
• Six persons per table maximum and tables cannot be moved, combined or intermingled – for everyone’s safety. We greatly appreciate your understanding.
• We remain vigilant! We’re dedicated to making every reasonable precaution to keep you and our staff safe. Thank you all for being awesome and your ongoing support!
• Roll with us here. Obviously, we’re all still getting by, so we’re open to ideas, suggestions, etc.

Thank you!!

February 1st “Reopen at 25%”

January 29, 2021/in From Headquarters, From the Creek /by CSBrew

We thank everyone for their support over the past 11 months, for all local businesses. This has been incredibly difficult on our team and our guests. We’ll ask for your continued patience and understanding as 25% capacity does not mean “open.” It means we still have a fraction of our normal seating and staff, who will continue to work hard to serve you safely and with a smile. We ask for your ongoing cooperation with our license requirements and we promise to work diligently to prioritize safety and continue our mission to make our community a better place.

***

“Reopen Guide” for February 1st, 2021

• We’ll be open 12-8pm Mo – Sa and 12-4pm on Sundays offering ongoing counter service.

• We still need to gather phone numbers, as we did before, for contact tracing purposes of ALL guests.

• Our friend, Michael Powell, was selected in our drawing for stopping by in November and entering his phone number when the state required us to collect them for contact tracing. He’s received a cool gift pack! Thank you to all who continue to stop by or order takeout for their support and understanding. This sucks, but we’ll get through it!

• We will be serving in “to go” containers using the existing “Shutdown” menu for now. We’ll be using our glassware again inside!

• If we are at seating capacity inside or in the Wintergarten, guests must wait on the Bierdock – we suggest enjoying a beverage while waiting – or in their car in compliance with state regulations. We greatly appreciate your understanding.

• We remain vigilant! We’re dedicated to making every reasonable precaution to keep you and our staff safe. Thank you all for being awesome and your ongoing support!

• Roll with us here. Obviously, this is new to all of us, so we’re open to ideas, suggestions, etc. We’re gonna figure it out, but there will continue to be people scheduled “on call” in case we get slammed for at least a few

• Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine’s Day, and Easter Sunday are currently planned 12-4pm, per normal, pending any new restrictions or updates. We’ll have live music with Jim Spalink Valentine’s Day.

• STARKBIERFEST planned April 17th. CedarBlitz is planned for May 22nd. Mark your calendars now and we’ll hope we’re able to hold them as scheduled.

We were pleased to participate in the NSF & MIOSHA Ambassador program for COVID-19 readiness and preparations. We were pleased to score 100% on our safety inspection – one of the first to do so!

We cannot wait to serve you indoors again, but safety is always our top priority.

We are here for you!

Three Week Pause

November 17, 2020/in From Headquarters, From the Creek /by CSBrew

Friends:

Thank you for your patience.

Due to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services order, we will be open for TAKEOUT, CURBSIDE, and LOCAL DELIVERY of FOOD or BEER beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, November 18th.

For the next three weeks, hours will be Monday through Saturday (closed Sunday) from 12 noon to 8 p.m.

• We have spent the past two days doing cleaning and repairs as we prepare for another “new normal.” Our Wintergarten is going to be amazing this winter!

• Our new “Shutdown Menu” is available at www.CSBrew.com. Specials are posted DAILY on our Facebook page.

• We’ve had 2 total employees test positive since this began, each from separate exposure outside work. One last worked 10/30/20 and the other 11/7/20. Both are doing fine. We’ve tested numerous other staff members with contact among those staff members, all of whom are symptom free and/or have tested negative at this point. We remain in communication with the Kent County Health Department.

• We continue to clean and have had our entire premise chemically sanitized by a licensed professional service.

• Unfortunately, we are NOT able to offer dine-in services to eat or drink on our premises – either inside or outside – due to the MDHHS order during this mandated shutdown. Wintergarten Music Series and Monday Night Trivia are postponed until at least December 8th.

• “Krampus,” our annual visit with Santa and all ages music show, scheduled for December 6th, is canceled for 2020. We apologize – especially to our “Future Stammtisch Members.”

• Speaking of Stammtisch, 2020 Members will be extended through 2021. Memberships will be valid at

Küsterer Brauhaus

as well. We look forward to getting back to the table!

• All our LOCAL brewers and restaurants need YOUR support! We’re “mom & pops” and don’t have the credit lines and pockets some others do. Please support our local friends here in Cedar Springs and Beer City, USA. Order takeout. Order delivery. Get a gift card. Buy a growler. Get a T-Shirt. Then, do it again if you are able.

>> Thank you all for your support! We’re all in this together. <<

Tuesday, November 10th

November 10, 2020/in From Headquarters, From the Creek /by CSBrew

Friends,

To be honest and transparent – and to uphold our Michigan Restaurant Promise – we are informing you that we are voluntarily shutting down today out of an abundance of caution for both our staff and our guests to do a thorough additional cleaning of our facility.

We have had a staff member test positive according to results received this morning and are awaiting further consultation with the Kent County Health Department. While we are closed we have ordered chemical disinfecting of all contact surfaces by an outside licensed professional service. This process is taking place this morning, but we prefer to wait until tomorrow before we reopen.

To be transparent: Our positive staff member has NOT worked or been on our premises since Friday, October 30th and did not show symptoms until last week Wednesday and Thursday, November 4th and 5th, when they fell outside our daily health screening for all staff and quarantined while they awaited testing. They are currently doing well since that time as symptoms are improving. The individual has not had any contact with our staff since they last worked, so we don’t believe there is any contact concern among the rest of our staff or to the public from here, but we want to take every precaution to keep all of us safe.

We have and will continue our ongoing safety protocols, including our distancing procedures and counter service, daily health screening, enhanced cleaning and washing protocols, and masks as we strive to meet or exceed all MHSSA and CDC guidelines.

** We thank you for being patient with us. **

The health and safety of our guests and our staff is our number one priority and we take your trust and faith in us seriously.

If you are in town today, we encourage you to visit our friends at

The Red Bird Bistro & Grill

or

American Legion Glen Hill Post 287 Official

, both of whom carry our beer on tap.

We’re all in this together.

-The CSBrew Team.

November 1st COVID Policy Update

November 2, 2020/in From Headquarters, From the Creek /by CSBrew

Friends:

Suffice it to say, this has been a challenging year for all of us and this week’s new orders have created another pivot point for all of us in hospitality. Safety remains our highest priority and we’re committed to reducing risks wherever and whenever possible. Going forward, we are limited to no more than 6 guests per table and we MUST collect your full name and phone number to order for any on-site consumption, similar to ordering a pizza, making a table reservation, entering points at the grocery store, or reserving a hotel room. This information is time stamped, remains in-house, and ONLY used if necessary for contact tracing – and a little prize drawing mentioned below. ;-)

We know it’s an extra step – and we ask for your patience – but it will be worth it if it helps keep a loved one healthy in the unlikely event of a COVID incident within our establishment. Alternatively, we are also happy to make your order “to go” if you prefer. Just let your server know at the bar.

That said:

• We invite you enjoy our heated outdoor Wintergarten, with a LIVE MUSIC series starting this week on Sunday brunch, Sunday/Wednesday/Thursday nights and Live Trivia on Monday nights. (Capacity limits still apply)

• We’re also going to do a little “Showcase Winner” PRIZE PACKAGE for a lucky dine-in guest each month* with a fancy new CSBrew T-shirt and a Gift Card – a little THANK YOU for everyone helping our hard-working staff comply with the mandatory orders.

As always, we THANK YOU for your support, patience, and understanding and we wish you all the best of health!

– Dave

#csbrew #shutdown2020

*no purchase necessary. Guests may enter up to once daily at the counter with any CSBrew team member.

POLICIES:
Our highest priority remains the safety of our team and our guests, so it is mandatory for us to do this slowly, safely, and transparently. This process will take some time. Here is a quick overview of protocols:

Capacity must be limited to 50% of maximum. No more than 6 persons per table.
We MUST have your complete name & phone number recorded to enter your order for on-site consumption for contact tracing, if necessary.
If YOU are sick, symptomatic, or uncomfortable, do not enter.
Increased disinfecting protocols must be in place, per CDC guidelines.
Face masks are required for all employees and patrons; although patrons may temporarily remove their face masks to eat or drink while seated at a restaurant or bar.
An individual may be required to temporarily remove their face mask for identification purposes.
Social distancing of at least 6 feet between people/groups must be maintained to the maximum extent possible or using our table partitions allowing a second party at our larger tables.
Seating is available inside or outside in our heated Wintergarten.

With the slow reopening process, we have updated our menu, closer to “normal” and we are plating for in-house guests. Please let your staff member know if you are “to-go” and we’ll keep making progress as we return to 100% (hopefully, without any setbacks).

With this situation, we are asking for your continued support, patience, and understanding. This is uncharted territory for all of us, so progress will be slow. We are not back to full strength yet and our duty is safety for all. There is no table service at the present time…guests can order from the bar as “self-service.” Staff will be there to assist, but not taking orders directly from tables. They will be wearing PPE, which is hot and awkward, but necessary, and they will be maintaining social distance.

How to Navigate CSBrew

October 24, 2020/in From Headquarters, From the Creek /by CSBrew

How to navigate CSBREW, COVID Edition

Re-Opening Process

June 5, 2020/in From Headquarters, From the Creek /by CSBrew

We are re-opening!

Friends:
As many of you have heard, we will be able to partially reopen on Monday, June 8th, under the latest Executive Order from our State. Starting Monday, our hours will update to 12 noon – 9pm daily (including Sunday) and we will maintain our takeout, curbside, and delivery services along with reopening counter service, meaning you may purchase drinks to enjoy inside or outside and enjoy your meal on site, including draft beer, Old Cedar Creek Sodas, cider, sangria and cocktails!

Our highest priority remains the safety of our team and our guests, so it is mandatory for us to do this slowly, safely, and transparently. This process will take some time. Here is a quick overview of protocols:

· Capacity must be limited to 50% of maximum.

· Increased disinfecting protocols must be in place, per CDC guidelines.

· Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn.

· Face masks are required for all employees and patrons; although patrons may temporarily remove their face masks to eat or drink while seated at a restaurant or bar.

· An individual may be required to temporarily remove their face mask for identification purposes.

· Social distancing of at least 6 feet between people/groups must be maintained to the maximum extent possible or using our table partitions allowing a second party at our larger tables.

With the slow reopening process, we will also be able to add to our Shutdown Menu options, including the return of Biere de Brussels Sprouts, Chicken and Apple Spring Rolls, salads and all other items other than the Monstrosity, soups, daily Schnitzel, and a couple of our house sauces…but we’ll keep adding things back as we return to 100% (hopefully, without any setbacks).

With this situation, we are asking for your continued support, patience, and understanding. This is uncharted territory for all of us, so progress will be slow. We are not back to full strength yet and our duty is safety for all. This means meals are still presented in sealed “to go” containers and there is no table service at the present time…guests can order from the bar as “self-service.” Staff will be there to assist, but not taking orders directly from tables. They will be wearing PPE, which is hot and awkward, but necessary, and they will be maintaining social distance.

Assuming all goes well, we’ll be adding staff and services over the next few weeks, including the return of Dream Ride Night with Kevin Irwin and VanderHyde Ford and Jeep Night with Kevin Irwin and Watson Jeep of Rockford. We’ll have live music on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings in the coming weeks and on Sunday for brunch. Our Farmer’s Market is tentatively scheduled to start June 25th.

We cannot wait to see you all again as we miss our friends!
“Schmeckt gut!”

Here’s a short list of some of the changes and updates we’ve undertaken over these past 2+ months:

Canned beer

Daily health screening including temp checks for all staff

Delivery service

Enhanced hand washing procedures

Enhanced single use gloves procedures

Expanded catering program

Expanded takeout & curbside program

Masks for all staff

No touch menu option

Reduced capacity

Regular sanitizing of doors and common surfaces such as bar top, sink handles, counter tops

Sanitizer throughout facility

Sanitizing pens, check presenters between use

School lunch donation program

Sealed to go containers

ServSafe Certified Food Handler training for all staff

ServSafe Delivery training for all FOH staff

ServSafe Takeout training for all employees

Sneeze guards

Social spacing

Switch to single-use paper menus

We do health screening EVERY day for EVERY employee reporting to work, according to MDARD guidelines. Our customer’s safety, as well as our employees’, is our top priority!