The Week in Beer: Ann Arbor Beer History in the Making

Brewbakers is just one of the bygone breweries you can learn about in the future New York Times bestseller, Ann Arbor Beer: A Hoppy History of Tree Town Brewing, releasing this week.

The big news out of All the Brews HQ may be that the long-awaited, much-anticipated book of the year, Ann Arbor Beer: A Hoppy History of Tree Town Brewing, is officially releasing and will soon be enlightening readers from one end of the county to the other. But that's far from the only excitement going on. Everything from beer releases to picnics to new-to-Michigan breweries to... well, why not just read on and see all that this Week in Beer has to offer?

Thursday, August 22

» Head to Ashley's, 338 S. State, for a little bit of Orange County in Ann Arbor. The Bruery, out of Placentia, California, is making its Michigan debut at 6 p.m. with four groovy draft offerings: Autumn Maple Ale, Mischief Belgian Strong Pale Ale, Oude Tart Flanders Red Ale, and Tart of Darkness Sour Wild Ale. Hmm, which to try first?

» Put on your druid costume and get over to World of Beer, 1300 South University, for “Stonehenge,” a tapping event featuring Stone Brewing. At 7 p.m. drink your fill of Arrogant Bastard, Cali-Belgique IPA, IPA, Levitation Ale, Pale Ale, Ruination IPA, Smoked Porter, and Sublimely Self-Righteous Ale. Plus Stone CEO Greg Koch will be virtually joining the festivities via video for a tapping of the exclusive Ruination IPA Grapefruit Slam. More information is here. Sounds almost as good as this Stonehenge.

» The Alley Bar, 112 W. Liberty, is the scene for The Produce Station’s latest tasting event. Beginning at 7:30 p.m. Brewery Vivant representative Kate Avery will lead a tasty tour through five Vivant brews including Big Red Coq Belgo-American Red Ale, Farmhand Farmhouse Ale, Trebuchet Double IPA, Triomphe Belgian IPA, and Zaison Saison Ale. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased online here.

Friday, August 23

» Whole Foods Cranbrook, 990 W. Eisenhower, welcomes Short’s to Michigan beer happy hour from 5-7 p.m. Six Short’s beers will be on tap, including Huma Lupa Licious IPA, Soft Parade Fruit Ale, Spruce Pilsner, Cerveza de Julie Lager, Peaches and Cream Golden Ale, and Mmmkay India Pale Lager.

Sunday, August 25

» Get ready for a Sunday full of good beer, slow-cooked comfort food, and relaxing tunes at the annual Halcyon Sundaze BBQ at the Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsilanti. The fun begins at 2 p.m. in the beer garden, with a special small-batch Halcyon brew pouring, DJs from the Wax Kings collective spinning the tunes, and some delicious chow coming off the grill. Cousins Vinyl will be there selling records for the low, low price of 50 centavos apiece, and local artists will also be plying their wares and demonstrating their skillz. A good time is sure to be had by all. No cover.

Tuesday, August 27

» Head back to the Corner Brewery for the Phat Abbot Dubbel release party. Enjoy the Belgian-inspired ale along with light snacks from 6-8 p.m. As always, admission is free for Mug Club members, and $10 for all the rest of y’all.

» Over at the Old Town Tavern, 122 W. Liberty, New Belgium is taking over the taps at 6 p.m. with seven of their brews, including, yes, Pumpkick, a pumpkin ale. Also on tap will be two from the Lips of Faith series as well as something from the new Hop Kitchen series. Plus, get a chance to win tickets to the New Belgium pre-game tailgate for the Michigan Wolverines’ August 31 home opener against Central Michigan.

Thursday, August 29

» Dan’s Downtown Tavern, 103 E. Michigan, Saline, is the next stop for the New Belgium beer tour. Beginning at 7 p.m., nine taps of New Belgium beers will flow, including Pumpkick and French Aramis IPA. And if you didn’t win those tailgate tickets at Old Town, now you have another chance.

Notes on the Napkin

• Two “new” beers are on tap at Liberty Street Brewing, 149 W. Liberty, Plymouth. The first is actually an old beer, but with a new twist: Starkweather Stout is pouring on a nitrogen tap for the first time, giving it a smooth, chocolatey taste. The other is Amber Waves Hefeweizen, kegs of which will soon be available in distribution as well. And coming soon: the ever-popular Punkin Pie Ale, far and away Liberty Street’s biggest seller.
• Fraser's Pub is holding a contest to create a new logo. Per their Facebook page: "We are looking for something simple that should have the Fraser's Pub name as a prominent part of the logo, and have the ability to be put on merchandise such as logo pints, t-shirts, and even our menu. You can submit logo designs to fraserspubaa@hotmail.com, and the winner that is chosen will win a $50 gift card."
• “Ann Arbor Beer: The Tour” officially kicks off Friday, August 30, at the Wolverine State Brewing taproom, 2019 W. Stadium, from 6-8 p.m. Come on out and be among the first to get a copy of the hottest book of 2013, complete with my illegible scrawl. If you can’t make it, keep your eye on the official Facebook page for other dates and times where I’ll be drinking beer and blathering about my book. In the meantime, read another excerpt here.