Michigan Brew Ha Ha: Event combines comedy, beer tasting

The Dow Event Center in Saginaw served an abundance of lager and laughter Saturday night with the Michigan Brew Ha-Ha.

Eighteen Michigan-based breweries served a variety of ales as comedians Kate Brindle, Gary Thison, Mike Green and David Dyer performed their stand-up comedy routines. Hundreds of Michiganders from across the state congregated to sample from more than 50 different Michigan brews from Atwater Brewing Co., Brewery Vivant, Cheboygan Brewing Co., Keweenaw Brewing Co., Midland Brewery, North Peak Brewing Co., New Holland Brewing Co., Shorts Brewing Co., Arcadian Brewing Co., Mount Pleasant Brewing Co., Schmohz Brewery, Saugatuck Brewing Co., Tri City Brewing Co., Arbor Brewing Co., Bell's Brewing Co., Detroit Brewing Co., Frankenmuth Brewery and Founders Brewing Co.

Comedian Kate Brindle hosted the event, making light of her personal life and providing sharp-witted commentary to topical news as well as introducing the four headlining comedians and the intermissions that followed each act, allowing patrons to sample more beverages.

Gary Thison, corporate and club comedian, has performed at comedy venues across the continent for audiences and corporations alike. Thison has written comedy for radio personalities and on-screen entertainers as well as hosting the cable comedy talk show Some Semblance of Sanity.

Trevor Smith, originating from Hell, Michigan, has been featured on SOAPnet.com and Comcast on-demand's "Who's Laughing Now." Smith was also a featured performer at the 2011 Detroit International Comedy Festival and a quarter-finalist in the 2012 Laughing Skull Comedy Festival in Atlanta, Ga.

Mike Green, winner of the 2007 New York Comedy Expo for Best Comedian, as well as the 2007 Las Vegas Comedy Festival for Best Male Comic, has used his background in improvisational comedy and his experience performing in 48 states to craft a well-rehearsed routine. Green has formerly worked with such comedic legends as Tim Allen, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Titus and Ellen DeGeneres.

David Dyer, winner of the Grand Rapids Comedy Joke Off, raised in Grand Rapids and a Michigan State University alumni, has been performing stand-up comedy for 13 years. Headlining comedy events for businesses and comedy clubs across the country, Dyer has worked with celebrity performers such as Drew Carey, Lewis Black and Kathleen Madigan. Dyer has also contributed material to ABC's Politically Incorrect and The Bob and Tom Show.

But much of the night was about the beer.

"The market is changing," said Keith Lawrence, co-owner of Midland Brewing Co. "Most people are starting to realize that of the big three breweries now (Budweiser, Samuel Adams, Miller), two are foreign-owned and Sam Adams is the only one that is American owned. A lot of people, especially in Saginaw, prefer U.S. made products -- they want beer made in Michigan, they want cars made in Michigan,"

The breweries lined the walls of the concession area outside of the theater, both upstairs and downstairs, as well as in the garden room. "This is the largest beer tasting in Saginaw. It's a good way to spread awareness of local breweries and a good chance for a lot of people to have fun," said Lawrence.

"(Brew Ha-Ha) was a great opportunity to sample local brews and have a great laugh," said Angelina Wismer, a Midland resident.

"It's good to see the little companies, and taste their products. It's different," added Adam Putnam, a Caro resident. "I go to Frankenmuth Brewery all the time, and I actually like it better than the big three brewing companies."