Atwater Brewery will honor Mike Sadler, a passionate craft beer enthusiast, home-brewer and Michigan State University All American football player and four-time Academic All American, who lost his life in 2016, by making Hey Diddle Diddle, the craft beer inspired by Sadler, available for the first time in Michigan.
Hey Diddle Diddle had a wildly successful launch in Colorado by Jagged Mountain Brewery. The wheat ale is inspired by some of Sadler’s favorite creations and is brewed with oranges and apricots and finished with a touch of yeast and rose petals. It will initially be available on tap and in 12 ounce bottles.
The name Hey Diddle Diddle comes from a trick play/fake punt that Mike successfully converted against Iowa during Michigan State’s memorable 2013 Rose Bowl season (watch the play HERE). A portion of all Hey Diddle Diddle sales will benefit the Michael Sadler Foundation.
“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.”
Over the past 20 years, Atwater has steadily grown by offering premium craft beers and spirits from its hometown brewery in Detroit’s Historic Rivertown district. The brewer’s sales are led by its Dirty Blond and Vanilla Java Porter brands. Atwater distributes to 21 states and three international markets and expects to produce 50,000 barrels in 2018. Atwater has also opened three tap house and biergarden locations in Detroit, Grosse Pointe and Grand Rapids. Its Atwater in the Park in Grosse Pointe was named a ‘Top Ten New Beer Hall in the Nation’ and the number #1 ‘Most Traditional,’ by Jetsetter Magazine.
Atwater will host the 20-Anniversary edition of its Blocktober Fest on September 16 from noon until 11:30 P.M. at the Atwater Brewery (237 Joseph Campau, Detroit, MI 48207). The event features music from The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Orbitsuns, The Gasoline Gypsies, Steve Drzewicki Band and more! German food will be available for purchase as will Atwater brews including Hey Diddle Diddle. Admission is free.
Hey Diddle Diddle will begin distribution in this Saturday, September 9 in East Lansing at both the Fieldhouse and Kellogg Center followed by other area locations and retailers. Grand Rapids and Detroit follow later in September. Atwater’s recently announced distribution agreement with the M1 Network will help ensure that Hey Diddle Diddle reaches craft beer retailers across the state this fall.
The Michael Sadler Foundation was created by his mother Karen, “to develop programs and awards that emphasize the values that Mike embraced: academic excellence, athletic achievement, leadership and character strength.”
At MSU, Mike completed two degrees in five years earning both his bachelor in engineering and masters in public policy with a 3.97 GPA. On the field, he started every Michigan State game from 2010-2014 as punter and called the Spartans 2013 Rose Bowl win the highlight of his life.