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Guardian Brewing Company In The News

2023

“Add A Hoppy Twist To Your Holiday Dinner,” Saugatuck/Douglas Area CVB, December 2023.

“Guardian Brewing Company leaving MI, property up for sale.” Madalyn Buursma, Wood TV 8, Grand Rapids. October 2023.

“Guardian Brewing Company closing Saugatuck brewery due to family members health.” Fox 2 Detroit, October 2023.

“Life & Work With Kim Collins.” Voyage Michigan, October 2023.

“Things to Do, Places to Go”- 103.7 COSY FM.” West Michigan Tourist Association, September 2023.

“These 11 Awesome Michigan Breweries & Distilleries Are Run by Women.” The Gander: Michigan’s Newsroom. Written by Lisa Green, August 31, 2023.

“Culinary Conversations: LGBTQ+ Voices in West Michigan Food & Beverage.” June 14, 2023.

“Things to Do, Places to Go – 103.7 COSY FM.” West Michigan Tourist Association, June 2023.

“Local DE&I Resources, Opportunities, and News.” Article by the Michigan Craft Beer Collective, April 2023.

“PorchDrinking’s Comprehensive 2023 Beer Release Calendar Roundup.” Article by Mathew Powers, Porch Drinking, March 2023.

“Guardian Brewing Company: everyone’s welcomed for craft beer, pub grub, and camaraderie .” Article by Elizabeth Granger, Urban Street Magazine, March 2023.

“Enjoy Michigan Craft Beers at LMCU Ballpark.” Article by Jessica Jurczak from Wood TV 8, February 2023.

“New Michigan Beer Labels (February 2023).” Article by Ed Norton from Better on Draft, January 2023.

“New Michigan Beer Labels (January 2023).” Article by Ed Norton from Better on Draft, January 2023.

“Meet the Michigan Brewers Guild 2023 Board of Directors,” by Chris Crowell, January 2023, from Craft Brewing Business.

2022

“#Drew’s Brews – Guardian Brewing Company in Saugatuck Michigan.” September 2022, by Drew Walker at US*99.

“The Next Generation of Michigan Beer Leaders.” August 2022, by John Liberty of West Michigan Beer Tours and Millcraft.

“A Deliciously Sour Michigan Summer Beer Festival.” July 2022, by Brenda Sodt Marshall from Life in Michigan.

“The List – 20 Beers You Need to Try at Michigan’s Summer Beer Fest (2022).” June 2022, by Ed Norton from Better On Draft.

“Daily Inspiration: Meet Kim Collins.” June 2022, by Jessica Ramirez from VoyageMichigan.

“Guardian Brewing Co. is Michigan’s first LGBTQ, women-owned brewery, but wishes it weren’t.” June 2022, by Brian Manzullo from Detroit Free Press.

“West Michigan breweries create beer to benefit Grand Rapids Pride Center.” June 2022, by Brian McVicar from MLive News Grand Rapids.

“47 Queer-Led and Queer-Supporting Breweries to Champion Right Now.” May 2022 from HopCulture.

“200+ Women/Non-Binary-Owned Breweries to Support Across the Country.” April 2022, from PorchDrinking.

“This small Midwest town should be your next weekend getaway.” March 2022, by Melissa Nicholson from Gaycities.com.

“Queer-Owned Breweries in the US.” March 2022, from Vacationer.

“The List – 20 Beers You Need to Try at the Winter Beer Festival (2022).” February 2022, by Ed Norton from Better On Draft.

“Love and a frosty mug: Meet more dynamic Michigan craft brewery couples.” February 2022, by Amy Sherman from Midland Daily News.

2021

“Sip & Savor Michigan’s Best at Holland Michigan.” November 2021, from Awesome Mitten Team.

“Hikers Flock to Saugatuck Souglas Laketown for Trail Scramble.” June 2021, from News Channel 3.

“Full of Hops and Dreams.” June 2021, from Saugatuck Douglas Area CVB.

“This Tiny Michigan Town Is One of America’s Best LGBTQ+ Destinations.” June 2021, from Thrilist Magazine.

“7 LGBTQ+-Owned Small Businesses to Support this Pride Month.” June 2021, from Money Under 30.

“Brewed With Pride.” A Courageous Leader Award and Interview from Gazelle Sports x HOKA. June 2021.

“Craft beverage produces adapt marketing approaches, deal with supply chain headaches as pandemic drags on.” April 2021, from MiBiz.com.

“Boys Are From Märzen Podcast: Kim Collins Guardian Brewing.” April 2021, Porch Drinking.

“Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer COVID-19 Press Conference Transcript January 22.” January 2021, Rev.com Transcripts.

2020

“Michigan’s Great State Beer Podcast: S1E3 – Kim Collins Guardian Brewing Company.” June 2020, Michigan Brewer’s Guild.

“Brewery Vivant celebrates 10 years with new offerings.” March 2020, Grand Rapids Magazine.

2019

“Best of the West Winners,” July 2019, from Revue Magazine.

“Women in craft beer brew up change.” April 2019, Grand Rapids Business Journal.

“Guardian Brewing Company Review,” April 2019, from Southwest Michigan Dining.

“Wickwood Inn Welcomes Guardian Brewing”, March 2019, from WickwoodInn.com.

“Kim Collins: Brewing Up A Lasting Impact,” February 2019, from Revue Magazine (West Michigan’s Art and Entertainment Guide).

“Guardians Of Brewing: A Woman’s Perspective on Opening A Brewery,”  February 2019, by Tom Ayers at Sommbeer.com.

“Brewery in Saugatuck Opens Up In Historic Red Barn,” January 2019, from WZZM 13 On Your Side.

“Guardian Brewing Co. Opens In Old Red Barn Space,” January 2019, The Commercial Record.

2018

“Guardian Brewing Retains History While Renovating Saugatuck’s Famous Red Barn,” November 2018, from The Holland Sentinel.

“Guardian Brewing Company Construction Underway,” July 2018, from The Holland Sentinel.

“Brewery Breaks Ground at Historic Red Barn,” June 2018, from The Commercial Record.

2017

“Beer Is Not Just For Men – Just Ask Professional Brewer Kim Collins.” January 2017, from Grants For Women.

“Brews News.” October 2017, Revue Magazine.

“Guardian Brewing Plans Red Barn Home,” September 2017, from The Commercial Record.

“Brewery Looks To Take Over Saugatuck’s Red Barn Theater,” September 2017, from the Holland Sentinel.

“Brewery Planned for Saugatuck’s Red Barn Theater,” September 2017, from MLive.com.

2017 ICWBD Unite Brew Participants Map

2016

“Women Brewers Create “Makin Noise: A Pussy Riot Beer” for Trump Inauguration Day,” December 2016. shared in the Denver Westword, an original article about the first collaboration and project’s mission.

“Denver’s Pussy Riot Beer Series Set to Make Statement Inauguration Day 2017,” December 2016, shared on PorchDrinking.com, an article about all breweries participating in the collaboration, as well as thoughtful discussion about women in beer, naming beers, and activism through beer.

“Thanksgiving Beer Pairings,” printed in The Denver Post, November 2016.

2015

Article about “Weird Craft Beer”, printed in Fortune Magazine, April 2015.

Interview about Craft Beer Collaborations (spoke with Ska, TRVE, Call To Arms Brewing, New Belgium), printed in Saveur Magazine, March 2015.

Interview with Jeremy Fleming, Colorado Craft Brews Blog, March 2015.

2014

Interview with Darlene Smith, Great American Beer Festival  October 2014.

“Five on Five” Favorite IPA Interview, Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine, February 2014.

Brewing with Sage, An Ancient Tradition, printed in Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine, February 2014.

“Colorado Gains Another Female Head Brewer,”The Denver Post First Drafts Blog, April 2014.

“Barrels & Bottles Releases New Flagship Beers.” July 2014, by Lia Moran.

“What Kind of Beer Does Your Mom Drink?”Craft Beer and Brewing Magazine, May 2014.

Press Release: Guardian Brewing Company Moving in Spring 2024

After 5 years of business, Guardian Brewing Company will close the doors of its Saugatuck, Michigan location in the spring of 2024. Family medical priorities are the key reason for closing this location and moving the business out of state.

Guardian Brewing, owned and operated by Kim Collins and Kate Bishop, has been a successful 10-barrel microbrewery and restaurant employing 30 summer staff and 20 year-round staff. Many of our staff have been with the brewery since its inception in 2018.

The 12,000+ sq foot indoor and 3,500 sq ft outdoor patio space sits on 4 acres and will immediately be for sale. The brewery and taproom will operate “business as usual” until the final sale of the property or March 2024. For details on our site, or to contact our broker, click the link below.

CLICK HERE TO SEE GUARDIAN BREWING COMPANY’S LISTING

Guardian’s Fall Maker’s Market is Here!

On Saturday, September 17, we are hosting our well-loved Maker’s Market on the Guardian lawn (3657 63rd Street, Saugatuck). The market will be held from 12-6PM. This will be our largest market to date with over 28 vendors! We have so many amazing artists to share with you, so please check out our artists’ links, and support them in person and/or on-line. It makes our community so much stronger when we all do. Cheers! ~ Kim, Kate, and Team Guardian

Fall Vendor List 2022

Support Guardian’s First Virtual Winter Maker’s Market: December 12 & 13

Welcome to Guardian’s FIRST Virtual Maker’s Market!

A year ago, we planned an EXCELLENT Winter Maker’s Market to be held in the brewery, similar to the one we held in 2019. Then, the pandemic hit the world, things changed, and we were banned from gathering indoors this December. So, we thought, Michiganders are tough! We will hold the market outdoors. That plan worked really well until we found out the day of the market was supposed to be 28-35F, rainy, with 25 mph Easterly winds… right into our patio area. Time for Plan C.

On December 12 and 13, we are hosting a Virtual Maker’s Market here AND a Guardian Staff Pop-Up at the brewery (3657 63rd Street, Saugatuck). The Pop-Up will be held from 12-8PM. All you have to do is swing by the brewery table on your way to dine outside OR order your goods via our online system and either pick them up or have them delivered. We have so many amazing artists to share with you, so please scroll all the way to the bottom of the page, check out our artists, and shop locally this holiday season. It makes our community so much stronger when you do. Cheers! ~ Kim, Kate, and Team Guardian

Vendor: Annie Did It

Description: “Lampwork glass jewelry, beads and accessories”

Buy or preview their work here:

Vendor: Art as a Lifestyle

Description: “Art as a Lifestyle presents Maranda Shear’s Signature clothing designs. All items are up-cycled pieces boasting hand drawn designs by the artist herself! Designs include organic mandalas, cultural symbols, floral elements and animals! Pet portraits available to order. Dresses, skirts, tops, Men’s, Woman’s & Kids styles and sizes.  Pieces are all one of a kind, no duplicate styles/sizes. Find a piece as unique as you! “

Custom orders available for pickup only in Holland, MI to be done by Christmas.

Buy or preview their work here:

Vendor: BLU Papaya

Description: Unique handmade tumblers

Buy or preview their work here:

  • Facebook: BLU Papaya
  • Retail: Guardian Brewing Company taproom

Vendor: Edgar Ellis Wolf

Description: “Edgar Ellis Wolf signature fragrances and short stories will create the perfect gift bundle or buy each story, goats milk bar soap, satin & silk lotion and soy wax candle individually! Each fragrance is crafted to enhance the experience of each short story. The Black Bard stories by Edgar Ellis Wolf are very Dr. Who meets Grimm’s Fairytales in a first person narrative rife with poetic flourishes and vivid imagery. All products are hand crafted in partnership with Art as a Lifestyle in Holland, Artwork created by local artist Maranda Shear.”

Buy or preview their work here:

Vendor: Flying Trout Works Studio

Description: “Jewelry by Antoinette Houtman made from “stuff found at the beach” crinoids (lucky stones) beach glass and shell and a little sterling silver to finish it off. Each piece is special, hand crafted and unique. Toni offers a great selection with new pieces available as they are finished, everything from simple beach glass pendants to tiny bottles filled with little treasures that float around suspended in clear gel.”

Buy or preview their work here:

Vendor: Foster Hall Design

Description: “…it all begins with the leaf. Leaf sculpture and jewelry creates an avenue to show love for nature throughout the year. All projects take into account the vast variety of foliage textures, colors and shapes to create truly unique designs.”

Buy or preview their work here:

Vendor: Guardian Brewing Company Staff Creations – VISIT THE POP-UP!

Description: Various treats and gifts from some of the multi-talented staff members at Guardian Brewing Company. 

Find various flavors of Jamie’s “Jamn Good” jams as well as her whimsical terrariums decorated with hand-sculpted polymer clay figures and scenes. Purchase one of her ever-popular Maker’s Mark wax ornaments, too!

Let Rob help you decorate your tree with his wood slice ornaments! The perfect touch to your Christmas decor or the perfect gift to show someone you care. Grab your ornament while supplies last!

Kim has yet another fantastic creation for beer lovers– unique beer notebooks featuring covers from a wide variety of beers! Choose from a small, medium, or large notebook. 

Last, but certainly not least, let Chef Abby treat your tastebuds once again with some of her delicious treats, always made fresh in the Guardian kitchen! Purchase any of her freshly made pies, gingersnap cookies, baked bread, oreo truffles, or delicious biscotti. Take home your favorite Guardian wing sauce (Honey BBQ, Pineapple Jalapeño, or Red Hot) or salad dressing (housemade Ranch, Balsamic Vinaigrette, or Pumpkin Herb) to pump up the flavor of your culinary creations at home! Finally, bring home some of her homemade hot chocolate mix (mini bottle of Baileys Irish Cream included) to warm up on a cold December night. 

All of these products will be making a special appearance at the Guardian Brewing Company taproom on Saturday, December 12th & 13th! Guardian will keep many of these items for sale, past the 13th, while supplies last. 

Vendor: Lulu Lovelies

Description: “I will have fused glass sun catchers, holiday trees, holiday pins, and garden stakes. I love making bowls and boards from wine bottles and I will be having some fused glass nightlight.”

Find Linda’s work at small local shows!

Vendor: Marissa Marques

Description: Prints and illustrations

Buy or preview their work here:

  • Instagram: @printsbymariss

Vendor: My Lovely Muse

Description: “Live in harmony with our earth by exchanging disposable housewares and fast fashion for more sustainable alternatives. Through the conscious process of planning a design, selecting natural and organic materials, and careful construction, My Lovely Muse provides a line of eco-conscious housewares and custom, handcrafted apparel to help make the shift to a more sustainable lifestyle easier.”

Buy or preview their work here:

Vendor: River Bend Outpost

Description: “Hand crafted Soap and Apothecaries. Whether it’s soap, potpourri, or make up we have the items for you.”

Buy or preview their work here:

Vendor: SoS Headbands

Description: “At SoS Headbands we believe that all women are Beautiful, unique, enough and chosen. We are based off of Song of Solomon 4:7 ‘you are all together beautiful my darling. There is no flaw in you.’ We create handmade headbands and a variety of other hair accessories including scrunchies and hair clips.”

Buy or preview their work here:

Vendor: Zcashmere by Sue Fleming

Description: “100% re-fashioned cashmere accessories for men and women.”

Buy or preview their work here:

Vendor: Zoulek Handmade Crafts

Description: “I specialize in handmade crocheted items such as blankets, scrubbers, dish cloths, and pot holders. I also make tie-dye masks. My love for crocheting started when I was very young. My grandmother taught me and I just can’t stop!”

Buy or preview their work here:

Support Your Local Brewery During Small Brewery Sunday

Support Guardian Brewing Company and other local breweries on Nov. 29 in Observance of Small Brewery Sunday!

Saugatuck, Michigan • November 27, 2020 —Small Brewery Sunday, a holiday for beer lovers to celebrate local breweries on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, returns on Nov. 29. Guardian welcomes beer lovers to visit its brewpub in Saugatuck, Michigan to celebrate. Guardian offers curbside delivery, carry-out, free local delivery, and heated outdoor dining options this holiday season. Guardian is featuring gift card deals, a scratch-off advent calendar gift card, new merchandise, and beer to-go this weekend. 100% of the proceeds from our “Black Is Beautiful” Blueberry Milk Stout will go to Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance (LEDA), in Holland, MI.

“There’s never a better time to show local businesses that you love them than during the holiday season,” said Kim Collins, Owner and Head Brewer at Guardian Brewing Company.

During one of the busiest holiday shopping weekends of the year, celebrating the big impact small businesses have on local economies is critical. More than two-thirds of Americans live within 10 miles of a brewery, and in 2019, the craft brewing industry contributed $82.9 billion to the U.S. economy, employed more than 580,000 Americans, and provided charitable contributions worth more than $80 million. Amid the pandemic and economic crisis, however, many breweries have experienced declining sales—about 22% down in the third quarter of 2020, according to a recent Brewers Association survey. The survey also reported that approximately two-thirds of at-the-brewery sales during the third quarter of the year occurred outdoors, indicating winter will be the make it or break it season as colder temperatures arrive, outdoor service moves indoors, and many small brewers struggle to survive the lasting effects of the pandemic.  

“This has been a devastating year for craft brewers. They’ve faced shutdowns, decreased sales, layoffs, an aluminum can shortage, and our most recent member survey revealed only 78% of small breweries are confident that they’ll still be open at this time next year,” said Bob Pease, president and CEO, Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small brewers and organizers of Small Brewery Sunday. “As shoppers support local independent businesses, what better place than your local craft brewery. Six packs, gift cards, or merchandise all make great gifts and every little bit helps. It’s crucial for beer lovers to support their local brewery, taproom, or brewpub throughout these next few critical months and beyond.”

“Nothing goes better with a holiday meal than independent craft beer,” said Ann Obenchain, marketing director, Brewers Association. “Whether you are able to safely visit a brewery, taproom, or brewpub, or opt for curbside pickup or at-home delivery, one of the best ways to support your local economy and brewery during the holiday rush is by giving the gift of craft beer and serving craft beer at the dinner table.” 

Beer lovers are encouraged to share their Small Brewery Sunday experiences on social media with the hashtags #SmallBrewerySunday and #SeekTheSeal and tagging @guardianbrewingco on Instagram and Facebook.

To learn more about Small Brewery Sunday, visit SmallBrewerySunday.com. To learn more about Guardian Brewing Company, visit http://www.guardianbrewingco.com

We’re Still Here!

Guardian is open for indoor and outdoor dining, as well as carry-out and curbside today ONLY, November 17.

AS OF WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, per MDHHS Emergency Order (lasting through December 8, 2020), we will close our indoor dining area. HOWEVER, we will still have outdoor dining and our fire-pit open. We have eight 6000 watt heaters mounted under our 800 sure foot awning. Dogs and humans can continue to dine outdoors socially distanced, but now all tables must be 6 people or less.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT MORE THAN EVER.

Thanks to our amazing customers locally and afar we made it through the spring quarantine and were able to bring back our entire team and hire new members to fill our summer needs. The current shut-down is a little different than spring in that we are not laying off any of our staff, as it is only supposed to last three weeks. We are absolutely sure that we can continue to wear masks and clean and sanitize all areas of Guardian to keep you, our customers, and our staff safe. Team Guardian has been 100% Covid-free to this point through our diligence at work and outside of work.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT US?

  1. Purchase food and drink. We will continue to offer our full menu of food, beer, wine, cider, and NA beverages throughout this shutdown. Orders can be placed in three ways:
    1. Order online at https://tinyurl.com/yak4wd4a
    2. Call us at 269-543-2238 and place your order over the phone
    3. Stop by and place your order in-person (Note: we WILL fill ANY Growler, Howler, and Prowler, as usual. We will sanitize them when you bring them in, so they are safe for our staff to handle.)
  2. Purchase merchandise online or in-person. In case you have not seen the new merchandise, we have one new sweatshirt, two new t-shirts, new tumblers, and more! (Order here: https://guardianbrewingco.com/shop/)
  3. Buy a gift card for a future visit. (They make excellent gifts!) Visit here to purchase one online: https://guardian-brewing-company.myshopify.com/products/25-guardian-gift-card
  4. Go online and tell others what you like about Guardian and encourage them to support us, too! (This can be done casually or in Facebook, Google, Yelp, or Trip Advisor. Anything is helpful.)

OUR DELIVERY SERVICE IS BACK ON WEDNESDAY!

We will also restart our delivery service during the shut-down, so stay tuned for delivery areas. Delivery is FREE to all orders of $10 or more. (Delivery drivers will be masked and can drop food and NA drinks at your location contact-free, unless you order alcohol. Then, we need a signature upon delivery…super easy!)

IT’S TIME TO GET OUR BREW ON.

In the meantime, Holly and I will resume brewing on Friday (my foot surgery healed well…what a long 5 weeks of not brewing!!) and will begin the series with Pegacorn Porter, Vanillacorn Porter, and Coconut Porter, so get ready! Some of your favorite beers will be back soon.

A thousand thanks for your continued support and friendship. We have the best beer community around!
See you soon.
~ Kim, Kate, and Team Guardian

Invite Guardian To Your Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is usually a time for us to gather with friends and family and celebrate… and this year is just different altogether. However, we believe that the spirit of Thanksgiving can exist any where, with anyone, any day.

Team Guardian is so very grateful for all of your support this year, especially over the last eight months. We would not be here without your continued support. Because of our love for our customers, we wanted to thank you by helping out with Thanksgiving!

Chef Abby and our kitchen team will be offering family-sized appetizers, salads, sides, and desserts for pre-sale starting November 13 and running through November 22. We will share the details of our pre-sale (serving sizes available, pricing, and pick-up/curbside delivery) on November 13. Here’s a preview of the delicious Guardian favorites you can bring to Thanksgiving!

APPETIZERS

  • Cindy’s Spicy Pretzels with Whipped Goat Cheese
  • Red Salsa
  • Beer Cheese
  • Soft Pretzels
  • Spinach Artichoke Dip

SALADS

  • Caesar
  • Brussels and Quinoa

SIDES

  • Loaded Mashed Potatoes
  • Mac and Cheese
  • Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese
  • Virg’s Macaroni Salad
  • Freshly Baked Guardian Biscuits

DESSERTS

  • Pumpkin Pie (9″)
  • Pecan Pie (9″)

DRINKS

  • Check our website for updated options daily
  • WINE – tons of bottle options in a wide variety of grapes and regions
  • BEER – Guardian beer available in 16 oz, 32 oz, and 64 oz to-go sizes, and a bunch of single bottles and cans featured in Beer School
  • COCKTAILS – available in 16 oz Prowlers
  • CIDER – so many cans and Tandem on draft (32 oz and 64 oz)
  • SANGRIA – Caramel Apple Sangria to-go in 16 oz Prowlers (pint-sized bottles)
  • NA DRINKS – Athletic Brewing Company NA Beer, Craft Sodas (Mud Lake Chamomile and Sprecher’s Root Beer, Cream Soda, and Maple Root Beer), Growlers of Lemonade and/or Iced Tea, 2 Liter Bottles of Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite
  • CELLAR MENU – Seltzer, TONS of canned ciders, canned cocktails, NA beer, featured Beer School beer (wide variety of styles including lagers and sours), special deals on bottles of wine, bubbles, etc.

TO ORDER: Visit the link below (in orange) and scroll down to the bottom of the menu page. Then, choose your items and your pick-up/curbside delivery date, check out and we will have your order ready for carry-out/curbside delivery on November 24 (Tuesday) or 25 (Wednesday).

We will continue to be diligent in cleaning, sanitizing, masking, and distancing so you can have an excellent Guardian dining experience indoors, on our patio, or carrying-out.

We hope to see you soon. ❤️ Team Guardian

Guardian Brewing Company Joins “Black Is Beautiful” Beer Collaboration To Fight Racial Injustice

Guardian Brewing Company Joins “Black Is Beautiful” Beer Collaboration To Fight Racial Injustice

Located on the north side of San Antonio, Texas is Weathered Souls Brewing Company, a small locally-minded brewery with a big heart and a crew to match. Among that brewery crew is Founder and Head Brewer, Marcus B. He spearheaded an international call-out to actively support our local POC communities while doing the thing we do best…making beer. This collaboration is call “Black Is Beautiful” and Guardian Brewing Company exudes great gratitude to Marcus for starting a unique campaign and sharing it with the world. In their own words,

“‘Black Is Beautiful’ is a collaborative effort to raise awareness for the injustices people of color face daily and raise funds for police brutality reform and legal defenses for those who have been wronged. The Black is Beautiful initiative is a collaborative effort among the brewing community and its customers, in an attempt to bring awareness to the injustices that many people of color face daily. Our mission is to bridge the gap that’s been around for ages and provide a platform to show that the brewing community is an inclusive place for everyone of any color.”

Guardian Brewing Company heard the call and has joined hundreds of breweries in making a beer that will contribute to the cause. By participating in this project, Guardian is committing to:

  • Donate 100% of the beer’s proceeds to a local foundation/organization that raises awareness for the injustices people of color face daily and supports equality and inclusion
  • Commit to the long-term work of equality

Several partners joined Guardian Brewing to help fight against racial injustice by contributing their special ingredients in the creation of a beer like no other. Each were just as committed to the collaboration and eager to participate in something good for the community. We want to give special thanks to the following folks and their companies who donated ingredients so that we could make a beer worthy of this project:

Jared Marr, his family, and the crew at Bluestar Farms for donating 210 pounds of local blueberries for our beer (Fennville, MI)

Jeffrey Bloem, Founder & Maltster of Murphy & Rude Malting Co. (Charlottesville, VA) for donating all the gorgeous black, chocolate, and Caramel 120 malt for our recipe. (Side Note: Jeff went to Hope College. It is a beautifully small world.)

Crosby Hops (Woodburn, OR) for donating all the Cascade hops needed for our 6-barrel recipe

Choosing an organization for donation was not an easy task because there are so many great options; however, the crew at Guardian Brewing decided to commit as locally as possible and chose the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance (LEDA) in Holland, MI. LEDA “works to dismantle barriers to ensure people of all ethnic backgrounds have equal access and opportunity to participate fully in the life of the community.” Their focus on racial diversity and inclusion education for POC is exactly the kind of programming we need in these uncertain times. Guardian Brewing is grateful for the work that LEDA does for West Michigan.

So what can you expect from Guardian’s version of Black Is Beautiful? This collaboration beer features lactose and 210 pounds of local, sweet blueberries from Blue Star Farms (just down the street from our brewery!). The beer has a roasted and sweet aroma from the multiple varieties of dark malt used and flavors of baker’s chocolate, coffee, and blueberry milkshakes. At 6% ABV, this beer is easy to enjoy on its own or with our blueberry ice cream.

We will tap Black Is Beautiful at noon on July 29!

Guardian Brewing Company is grateful to be able to take part in this cause and promises to continue to do its part to help the community. We hope you enjoy our version of Black Is Beautiful, and we thank you for taking part is something really meaningful.

To learn even more about the collaboration and the breweries involved, please visit the Black Is Beautiful page.

Guardian Changes Name of Golden Ale to “Rabbittown”

Guardian Changes Name of Golden Ale to “Rabbittown”

Guardian is committed to building a community and creating conversations around diversity and inclusion. We believe that our community is stronger when we listen and understand the stories of others. The diversity and inclusion found at Guardian makes our team more supportive, creative, and progressive.

Very recently, a regular customer sent Kim a message about Guardian’s “Gator Bait” Golden Ale name. Turns out, the name has a deep history in racism affecting people of color in the South.

“Gator Bait” Golden Ale was Guardian’s second recipe made in 2018. The name “Gator Bait” has a special meaning to Kim’s family, as it was the name of her grandma’s fishing boat. Marie would fish in her community’s pond in Florida, in a small metal boat, alongside an alligator that lived in the pond. Marie named her boat “Gator Bait,” as she knew the gator would try to steal any fish she caught OR with one swipe of a paw could knock her into the pond and she would be its bait.

We will not support breweries or beer names with Racist roots.

Even though “Gator Bait” Golden Ale was named innocently and sweetly after Kim’s grandma’s fishing boat, it does not mean that the name does not hurt a large population of people.

Guardian’s Golden Ale is brewed to be everyone’s beer. It’s light, easy-drinking at 4.5% ABV, not too hoppy, not too sweet…like a perfect lager, but made with English Ale yeast to add a slight fruity character to the aroma. This Golden Ale is also one we want to keep providing to our community under $5.00 a pint. This is important because oftentimes, certain segments of populations feel the high price of craft beer makes it hard to enjoy regularly.

The Future of Our Golden Ale

Guardian’s Golden Ale is our top seller year-round. We plan on providing the same recipe you love and availability. The only thing that is changing is the name.

Kim wanted to keep all of her good Collins’ family memories wrapped up in this beer, but do it in a different way, under a different name.

Marie’s last day fishing with her entire family in Hilton Head

The beer formerly known as “Gator Bait” Golden Ale will now be called “Rabbittown” Golden Ale. Rabbittown is another name for Danville, IL. Kim’s Dad was raised in Danville with his four siblings. Naming our ale Rabbittown allows us to honor the sweet memories that we had with grandparents Marie and Everett, but also extends the honor to the whole Collins family raised in Danville.

Thank you for understanding as we transition to Rabbittown’s new name. We know it will take a little time to get used to, but we know Rabbittown will fit the goal of this beer well going forward while staying true to our commitment to inclusion and anti-racism.

84 Days

84 Days

Below is a reflection of the last 84 days from one of our Taproom Managers, Liz Vandenbil. It’s such a poetic post; we had to share.

Guardian’s Covid-19 Procedures: The Cliff Note Version

Hours of Operation

SUN – WED: 12:00 – 9:00PM

THU – SAT: 12:00 – 10:00PM

What can you expect from US when you visit us?

  • Indoor dining at 50% capacity
  • Six feet of separation between parties or groups at different tables or bar tops
  • No bar stools at the bar until we are able to serve at 100% capacity
  • Lots of new signs informing you of changes to restaurant or bar practices and to explaining the precautions that are being taken to prevent infection
  • Post sign(s) at store entrance(s) informing customers not to enter if they are or have recently been sick.
  • Post sign(s) instructing customers to wear face coverings until they get to their table.
  • Hosts and Servers are required to wear face coverings in the dining and patio areas
  • Kitchen staff are required to wear gloves in the when handling food, consistent with guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).
  • We will limit shared items for customers (e.g., condiments, menus) and clean high-contact areas after each customer (e.g., tables, chairs, menus, payment tools, condiments).
  • We will train employees on:
    • Appropriate use of personal protective equipment in conjunction with food safety guidelines.
    • Food safety health protocols (e.g., cleaning between customers, especially shared items).
    • How to manage symptomatic customers upon entry or in the restaurant.
    • Appropriate hand washing techniques (when, how, for how long, how often)
  • Notify employees if the employer learns that an individual (including an employee, customer, or supplier) with a confirmed case of COVID-19 has visited the store.
  • Close restaurant immediately if an employee shows multiple symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, atypical shortness of breath, atypical cough) and perform a deep clean, consistent with guidance from the FDA and the CDC. Such cleaning may occur overnight.
  • To the maximum extent possible, we limit the number of employees in shared spaces, including kitchens, break rooms, and offices, to maintain at least a six-foot distance between employees.

What do we expect from YOU when you visit us?

The following are guidelines for customers visiting taproom and/or patio:

  • Upon entering the establishment, customers are asked to read signage at the door which will display updated information of guidelines and regulations set forth by the state and county.
  • Guests must wear a mask in any enclosed public space, unless the individual is unable medically to tolerate a face covering. (This means that if you’re sitting on the patio, you do not need a mask unless you are using the restroom, walking through our building to the parking lot, or standing less than six feet from others. (EO 2020-110)
  • An individual may be required to temporarily remove a face covering upon entering an enclosed public space for identification purposes.
  • Customers can remove masks at their seating area.
  • Hand-sanitizer is available at each entry point.
  • Tissues and a hands-free receptacle are available both in the taproom and patio when necessary.
  • Customers are asked to use the lighting system to request service.
  • Customers are asked to wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds after using the restroom.
  • Guests are required to sanitize their hands prior to or immediately upon entering the facility.
  • Hand-sanitizer dispensers (that use sanitizers of greater than 60% alcohol) are at entrances and locations in the workplace so they can be used for hand hygiene in place of soap and water, as long as hands are not visibly soiled.
  • Attempt to keep 6 feet of distance between themselves and guests from other groups.
  • Well-behaved and leashed dogs are allowed on our patio. Please walk around the east (right) side of the building to enter the patio. Only Service Animals are allowed in the taproom/restaurant.
  • Stay in your seating area. Group seating (10 people or less) has been distanced 6 feet apart; therefore, when a guest leaves their seating area, they must wear a face covering (e.g., walking to use the restroom, entering or leaving the establishment).
  • Where appropriate and necessary, markings on floor will assist guests on where to stand when waiting (e.g., waiting for a table, waiting for take-out or beer refills, waiting to use the restroom).
  • When at capacity, wait in car for a call when your table is ready.

The following are guidelines for customers receiving curbside or picking-up beer/cider refills from the bar:

  • Customers arriving for “To-Go” orders can pull into a designated curbside parking spot and wait for the Guardian servers to bring their orders to their vehicles.
  • Customers desiring beer and cider refills from the bar can bring their Howlers/Growlers to the bar and then wait in the designated waiting area in the taproom for the order to be fulfilled (e.g., High—top standing table or on benches on the patio).

To read Guardian’s entire Covid-19 Preparedness Plan, click here.

Thank you for your support during the quarantine. We were able to stay open 7 days a week and still pay our staff and bills. We feel deeply grateful for your support. If you have questions about our policies, please email Kim or Kate or ask a manager on site.

Thank you, in advance for adhering to our policies, respecting our staff and other customers, so everyone can dine safely and stop the spread of Covid-19.

~ Kim and Kate

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