9 YEARS!

On Friday, September 23rd we’ll be celebrating our 9th (NINTH!!) anniversary here at Green Bench with our second Annual Mic Drop: Craft Karaoke Clash. If you missed last year, I’d recommend canceling your plans…or just making these your new ones.

Last year Green Bench went head-to-head with Cigar City Brewing (CCB) and it was a doozy. Team GB showcased the star power of Michael Bostinto, Lauren Fraser, Tina Funai, Khris Johnson and Daniel Cline, and Em McManus. Team CCB included performances from Neil Callaghan, Devon the Bartender, and Jay the Welder. 

The standout of the evening was certainly Em McManus, Green Bench’s own Tasting Rooms General Manager, who stole the show and took the whole competition with a perfect score. But what would a Craft Karaoke Clash be without a little #drama? Em forwent his title in the name of a plot twist, demanding a sing-off between the two other karaoke kings of the evening - Michael Bostinto (Mikey to his friends) and Neil Callaghan. 

Mikey kicked off (literally) with I Believe in a Thing Called Love by The Darkness. It was an absolute smash. There was dancing! There was prancing! There was kicking and sliding and pandering to the judges. Neil took the stage with a Callaghan Karaoke Classic (iykyk) I’m The Only Hell (Mama Ever Raised) by Johnny Paycheck. Neil served honky AND tonk and everything in between. Em’s decision to put these two fellas against each other in a sudden death round was a wise one. The judges and the crowd alike were delighted. 

Mikey followed up his energetic glam rock tribute with a low and slow, sultry rendition of Nice and Slow by Usher. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention he literally had Lauren Fraser pour a bottle of water on him while he writhed. It was epic. 

Neil kicked it up a notch with Hot In Herre - a decision that would ultimately win him the title of Mic Drop Champion. 

While Neil won’t be around to defend his title, rumor is that CCB is sending in a healer. When I asked Mikey if he’d be there this year his response was, “Oh yeah, the Tone Zone is comin’!” But what could spice up the competition more than a few more breweries behind the mic? BarrieHaus, where you at? 7venth Sun? Brutalist? You can’t win if you don’t play. 

Beer folks interested in competing can fill out this link KARAOKE RSVP. But the whole thing is free & open to the public. And after the competition wraps up the mic will be open! So gather up your best buds and get ready to Mic Drop!