They're tinkerers by nature. Ever in search of the new, bold and exciting, they fidget and fuss to get there. You'll typically find Whirlpool Corporation's New Innovation Team knee deep in idea generation for the next great labor saving device for the kitchens and laundry rooms of the world. That clearly doesn't preclude them, however, from venturing far afield in search of other improvements in life across the board. That's why you'll find them on several upcoming occasions searching for the next great craft brew in the world.
Noel Dolan is Senior Marketing & Open Innovation Manager for Whirlpool, and she has asked me to alert you to a couple of cool events in the coming months when Whirlpool's New Innovation Team will host a Big Brew Day in early May and their 2016 Home Brew Contest a month later with both events slated to take place at The Livery Brewpub in the Benton Harbor Arts District.
The Big Brew Day is scheduled for Saturday, May 7th at The Livery and will take place rain or shine from 10am until 4pm that day. The day is set aside to learn all about home brewing, and interested home brewers are invited to connect with Tony Gates at Whirlpool by RSVP'ing to Tony_Gates@Whirlpool.com. Food and beer will be the prime focus of the learning session and cool times at The Livery with the New Innovation Team.
About a month later, the Whirlpool New Innovators will sponsor the 2016 Home Brewing Contest at The Livery, judged by the owner and brewmaster of the microbrewery and several other judges still to be announced. Home brewers will be asked to submit their best brews between June 1st and June 7th with the winning results due to be posted during the wrap-up event on Thursday, June 9th from 7pm until 8:30pm also at The Livery.
Contestants will be competing for best pumpkin beer this year, and all participants seeking the cash prize money will be required to submit a minimum of three 12-ounce bottles along with the brewer's name, and details regarding the manner in which the beer was made. As in the case of reservations for the Big Brew Day, contestants wishing to craft their best pumpkin beer must contact Tony Gates with their plans via the e-mail included in this story.
The first place winner in the Home Brew Contest will be awarded $150 in cash and get to brew a 10-barrel batch with Brewmaster Simon. Second place prize money is $100 cash and the 3rd place winner takes home $50-bucks.
The good news for these guys is that they shouldn't have much of a problem finding a fridge to keep their beer samples cold along the way — they do, after all, work for Whirlpool!
