Restaurants & Food

Atwater Brewery Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Bloktoberfest Party and Special Beer Release to Mark the Occasion

September 7, 2017

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Atwater Brewery, a Rivertown staple, has announced plans to celebrate their 20th year in the craft beer industry with a special chartable beer release in addition to their annual celebration.

Over the past two decades, Atwater has expanded operations and now distributes beer and spirits to 21 states and three international markets, operates three taproom and biergarten locations, and is on pace to produce 50,000 barrels of beer in 2018.

The Inspiration and the Beer

Hey Diddle Diddle, a wheat ale with apricot, blood orange, and rose petal, is the result of a brewing collaboration with Jagged Mountain Brewery in Denver, which originally produced the beer to much acclaim.

The beer will initially be available on draft and in 12-ounce bottles, starting in Lansing on September 9 at the Fieldhouse and Kellogg Center. The Grand Rapids and Detroit markets follow before it becomes available state-wide.

The name Hey Diddle Diddle honors Michael Sadler and comes from a successful fake punt play by run by Michigan State against Iowa in MSU’s 2013 Rose Bowl season.

Sadler, an All-American football player, four-time Academic All-American, home brewer, and craft beer enthusiast, died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in 2016.

Sales of Hey Diddle Diddle will benefit the Michael Sadler Foundation, a philanthropic organization founded by Michael’s mother, Karen Sandler. The foundation is dedicated to supporting programs and awards that represent Michael’s key values: academic excellence, athletic achievement, character strength, and leadership.

“This beer and the foundation are meant to celebrate the commitment to excellence that Mike showed in every aspect of his life. Atwater and Jagged Mountain are the perfect partners to help continue on his legacy and help his foundation support others who share his commitment,” said Karen Sadler.

“To celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we wanted to do something to give back to our hometown market,” said Mark Rieth, Atwater owner. “The Hey Diddle Diddle beer was the perfect opportunity to produce a balanced, effervescent wheat ale while honoring Mike’s legacy. He was more than just a great Spartan both on and off the field; he was a great person who was loved by everyone who knew him. This beer and his foundation can help to honor his legacy.”