Ashley's Teams Up with Bell's to Celebrate 35th Anniversary

Before craft beer was cool, before there was a multi-tap bar on every corner in every city, before many Millennial beer snobs were even born... there was Ashley's in Ann Arbor. For 35 years, this cozy little campus gem has been slinging suds from around the world, and now they're teaming up with Michigan's largest brewery, Bell's, to host a five-day anniversary celebration September 16-20.

The fun begins Sunday, September 16, with the 5 p.m. release of Ashley's 35th Anniversary Ale, an imperial oatmeal stout specially brewed by Bell's for the occasion. On Monday, September 17, Bell's will be on hand to help host Sporcle live trivia games at 7 and 8 p.m. and give cool brewery swag to all the big brained people. Tuesday, September 18, brings a ticketed event, Bell's Barrel Aged Flight, from 6-10 p.m. (For more info and to get tickets, which are $20, go here.) On Wednesday, September 19, dig a Bell's Brewery Happy Hour from 6-8 p.m. featuring, for $10, four beer samples paired with various appetizers. Finally, at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 20, there's a yet-to-be-named "mystery tapping," with clues to be provided as the appointed time approaches (follow Ashley's on Facebook).

As if all that weren't enough, 20 different Bell's drafts – including specialties like L'Appel Du Vide Blackberry Ale, Honey Hearted Ale, and Smoked Stout – will be rotating throughout the week. (See the full tap list here.)

Ann Arbor, Michigan: The Nucleation Point of Craft Beer

Source: Great Lakes Brewing News

(Note: I wrote a couple features on the Ann Arbor brewing scene for the current (October/November 2017) issue of Great Lakes Brewing News. The first, "Ann Arbor, Michigan: The Nucleation Point of Craft Beer," is about the big influence our little city has had on the larger craft beer world.)

What is the measure of a “good beer city”? Is it the number of breweries in and around town? The consistent high quality and drinkability of the beers made there? The general availability and choice of fine brews? Certainly all of these things are important yardsticks when determining whether a particular town is worthy of becoming a “beer-cation” destination. But there’s an additional, less tangible factor that is at least as important: a city’s overall beer culture. By that admittedly trickier-to-quantify standard, Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a beer city par excellence. A quick tour through this Midwestern college town’s quietly influential brewing past, present, and potential future provides ample evidence.

Read the rest here.

Schedule for 2017 Downtown Ann Arbor Oberon Pub Crawl Announced

One of these years I need to take a new picture.

Oberon Day is Monday, March 27, and once again Downtown Ann Arbor will be the biggest scene – outside of the Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo – for celebrating Bell's beloved spring seasonal, Oberon Ale. This should give you ample warning to plan your "sick day" from work so you can join the day-long revelry. Here is the schedule:

• Fraser’s Pub (11 a.m.)
• Buffalo Wild Wings (1 p.m.)
• Ashley’s (2 p.m.)
• Hopcat (3 p.m.)
• The Original Cottage Inn (4 p.m.)
• Bar Louie (5 p.m.)
• Conor O’Neill’s (6 p.m.)
• Old Town Tavern (7 p.m.)
• The Beer Grotto (8 p.m.)
• Bill’s Beer Garden (9 p.m.)

You don't have to dress in your finest Bell's or Oberon regalia, but if you do, someone from Bell's might buy you a glass or two. And if you just can't wait that long, there are Sunday midnight Oberon tapping events planned at Ashley's and Sidetrack in Ypsilanti.

Annual Downtown Ann Arbor Oberon Pub Crawl Returns March 21

Obligatory photo from seven years ago or so.

Nothing says spring in Michigan like the release of Oberon Ale, the iconic seasonal wheat beer from Bell's. Its return signals warm days and summer fun just ahead. This year's official release date is Monday, March 21.

In recent years, a new tradition has developed: the Downtown Ann Arbor Oberon Pub crawl. The event has increased in popularity each year and is now, with the possible exception of Kalamazoo, home of Bell's Eccentric Cafe, the largest Oberon release celebration in the state. Certainly, thanks to Ann Arbor's walkability, it's the largest such pub crawl.

Planning on joining the Bells team for some, most, or all of the March 21 crawl? Here's the (always somewhat tentative, timewise) schedule:

• Fraser's Pub (noon)
• Buffalo Wild Wings (1pm)
• Ashley's (2pm)
• HopCat (3pm)
• Cottage Inn (4pm)
• Bar Louie (5pm)
• The Arena (6pm)
• Old Town Tavern (7pm)
• Beer Grotto (8pm)
• Bill's Beer Garden (9pm)

Bell, Book, and Badgerow: Telling the Story of Two Michigan Beer Pioneers

A younger Larry Bell toasts his future success. Photo courtesy Bell's Brewery.

On Saturday Michigan's oldest operating brewery, Bell's, will celebrate its 30th anniversary in Kalamazoo, hosting a festival featuring breweries from across the country, including a number not normally seen in our fair state. Sometime next month, the Ypsi Alehouse is expected to open its doors in Downtown Ypsilanti, becoming Michigan's newest brewery. What do these two places have in common?

Bottles from the short-lived Real Ale Company.

In 1982, Ypsi Alehouse partner Ted Badgerow founded Michigan's first brewery in decades when he opened the Real Ale Company in Chelsea. Though Badgerow's brewery was open barely more than a year, it was around long enough for then-Ann Arbor resident Larry Bell to pay a visit and, later, buy some equipment from Badgerow during the brewery's liquidation. By 1985, Michigan's microbrewing torch passed to the Kalamazoo Brewing Company, today known as Bell's Brewery to lovers of great beer across Michigan and 21 other states (and growing).

I interviewed both Badgerow and Bell for my book, Ann Arbor Beer, wherein I tell the story of how they kickstarted Michigan's modern brewing renaissance (read an excerpt here.) Congratulations to Larry on three decades of making fantastic beer and to Ted (who has remained an avid homebrewer all these years) on his return to commercial brewing!

And, to anyone heading to Kalamazoo this weekend, perhaps I'll see you there.

Bell's and Founders Beer Dinners Coming to Grange and Terry B's

Who doesn't love beer dinners?

Get your beer bibs out. In the coming week, two local restaurants are offering kickbutt-sounding five-course dinners paired with brews from Michigan's two most respected breweries.

On March 31, Ann Arbor's Grange Kitchen & Bar is cooking up some righteous victuals to go with Bell's beers. Here's the menu:

• Oarsman Ale with Salty Snacks
• Lager of the Lakes with Jagerwurst and Lamont Cheddar
• Oberon Ale with Goat Cheese Fritter and Hoop House Greens with Citrus Vinaigrette
• Two Hearted Ale with Grilled Rainbow Trout, Smoked Hush Puppies, and Pickled Jalapenos
• Expedition Stout with Country Ham Style Duck Breast, Red Eye Gravy, and House Hot Sauce
• Jupiter Imperial Brown Ale with Toasted Brioche Ice Cream Sundae

Tickets are $75 (including tax and tip) and can be purchased here. Event begins at 6:30 p.m.

The next night, on April 1, Terry B's in Dexter is hosting Founders for a beery delicious meal. The menu looks like this:

• All Day IPA with Braised Pork Belly, Yuzu Panna Cotta, and Meyer Lemon
• Centennial IPA with Pan Roasted Sturgeon, Thai Coconut Curry, and Pretzel
• Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale with Roasted Squab, Foie Gras Mousse, and Agnolotti
• Porter with Beef Shank and Bone Marrow Pasty and Mirepoix in Natural Reduction
• Blushing Monk Raspberry Belgian-Style Ale with Red Forest Cake, Cocoa, Raspberry, and Cream

Tickets are $55 (excluding tax and tip); make reservations at 734-426-3727. Service begins promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Downtown Ann Arbor Oberon Pub Crawl Is March 23

Throwing down some Oberons with the big guy himself.

It's become something of an Ann Arbor tradition, and it's back on Monday, March 23. It's the annual Downtown Oberon Pub Crawl, a festive day-long celebration of the iconic Bell's summer seasonal and the coming warm days ahead. You still have a few days to come up with something to tell your boss for why you won't be coming in to work. In the meantime, here's the (always somewhat tentative, timewise) schedule:

• Fraser's Pub (11am)
• Buffalo Wild Wings (noon)
• Sava's (1pm)
• Ashley's (2pm)
• HopCat (3pm)
• Cottage Inn (4pm)
• Bar Louie (5pm)
• The Arena (6pm)
• Old Town Tavern (7pm) 
• Bill's Beer Garden (8pm)

For your added convenience and because I'm awesome, see below for all that information in visual form:



Bell's and/or Oberon attire is not required, but is certainly encouraged and also increases the likelihood someone from Bell's or Rave Associates buys you a glass or two.

Finally, if you feel like staying up late the night before, there are Sunday midnight Oberon tappings planned at Ashley's and Sidetrack in Ypsilanti.

The Every Two Weeks in Beer: Brews to Beat the Winter Blahs

I feel like Randall tonight.

As the joy of the holidays (and college football season) recedes ever further in our metaphorical rear view mirror, the harsh reality of many more weeks of miserable cold, leaden skies, and filthy slush sinks in and gnaws at the soul. What is one to do to survive another interminable Michigan winter? Three guesses what I’m going to say. Oh, you only needed one guess! Very good.

The Short Pour Gets Its October On

A few more events to make your October cooler...

• Today at Jet's Pizza, 506 N. Main St., Chelsea, Dogfish Head is taking over 10 taps. Starting at 11 a.m., look for 60 Minute IPA, 90 Minute IPA, Bitches Brew, Burton Baton, Festina Peche, Indian Brown Ale, Midas Touch, Namaste, Palo Santo Marron, and Punkin Ale. Life is short. Drink better beer!
• Looking for dem fresh hops? Then head over to the new NULL Taphouse, 2319 Bishop Circle East, Dexter, tomorrow (Friday), when North Peak Hoodoo Midwest Wet Hop IPA goes on tap at a 4 p.m. release party. Six-packs (limit one per person) will also be available, and brewers will on hand to answer questions until 7 p.m.
• Every football Saturday Sava's, 216 S. State St., is holding a beer battle between a Michigan brew and one from the home state of the opposing team. As this Saturday the football team is taking on Penn State, it will be Short's Huma Luma Licious IPA from Michigan taking on Victory Brewing Hop Devil IPA from Pennsylvania. Try 'em both and vote for your favorite.
• Speaking of Sava's, parent company Savco is hosting Oktoberfest, a fall-themed beer crawl, on October 15 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. with stops at Sava's, Babo, and Aventura. Look for different beverages and activities at each venue, including dinner at Babo and a charity raffle. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at any of the locations as well as online at store.baboannarbor.com.
• Tickets are now on sale for the October 29 Bell's beer dinner at Sidetrack Bar & Grill, 56 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti. The five-course feast features Sidetrack's top five dishes from the past five years, paired with Baroness Von Nordwestlich Altbier, Best Brown Ale, Black Note Stout, Oarsman Ale, and Two Hearted Ale. Call 734-483-5230 or buy online. (Bonus note: Go here to see what Sidetrack has on tap.)

Confessions of a Grizzled Summer Beer Festival Veteran

Sometimes it’s hard to write anything new about the Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival, our state’s oldest and largest annual gathering of hundreds of breweries and thousands who love them. But this year’s edition offered a few novel items to this jaded reporter.

The first was that – thanks to a summer cold that turned my voice into a barely understandable raspy croak – for a change I actually did more beer tasting than talking with friends old and new. The second was the debut in a big way of Fermenta, a group started by and for women in Michigan’s burgeoning craft beverage industry.

The Short Pour Seems a Little... Off

Or, why wouldn't you take beer advice from a woman wearing a fez?

• Put on your gardening gloves. It's known that Bill's Beer Garden will be open St. Patrick's Day, weather permitting. But Bill & Co. are also contemplating opening the preceding Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday, if Mother Nature cooperates. Keep an eye on the space at 218 S. Ashley or, probably easier, follow Bill's on Facebook.
• Beer. Books. Beer books. The Michigan Beer & Book Club has done yours truly the honor of selecting Ann Arbor Beer: A Hoppy History of Tree Town Brewing to discuss at their March meeting, which takes place Wednesday, March 19, at the Wolverine State Brewing taproom at 7:30 p.m. It's technically a "closed" group, but you can sign up and RSVP really easily here. I'll be in attendance to take all these critics' slings and arrows, as well. Should be fun!
• IPAs? Or stouts? Also on March 19, Jet's Pizza in Chelsea is putting 20 IPAs on tap at one time, while Ashley's in Westland is busting out eight Bell's stouts: Cherry Stout, Expedition Stout, Java Stout, Kalamazoo Stout, Oatmeal Stout, Rye Stout, Sweet Potato Stout, and Double Cream Stout (a firkin!). Tap list and time at Jet's are unknown; Ashley's is starting at 6 p.m. and will also have the Bell's crew on hand.
• A-tisket, a cask-et. Speaking of Ashley's in Westland, early bird tickets are now on sale for their May 3 Michigan Cask Ale Festival (yes, that's the same day as the National Homebrew Day Big Brew). Buy through March 19 and tickets are only $30. After that, they go up to $40. More info and ticket-buying widget are here.
• Deliberately drink bad beer. I guess we can't stop talking about Ashley's in Westland. That's where you'll want to be April 6 for the Cicerone Certification Program Off-Flavor Training Course. Ever wonder what the hell beer dorks are talking about when they say a beer tastes of diacetyl? Or that it's oxidized? Or been light struck? My Certified Sisterone-in-Law, the fez-wearin' Annette May, will take you through many of the "off" flavors you may encounter in your beer drinking journeys. Tickets are $39 and space is limited; you can buy online here.

Barrel Aged Madness at the Wurst Bar

I cannot tell a lie. Sometimes things just get by the Beer Guy. Take, for instance, what sounds like a pretty amazing tap takeover event coming up Monday, March 3, at the Wurst Bar in Ypsilanti. I missed writing about it in my last few posts as I heard about it only today.

Anyhoo, if bourbon barrel aged beers are your thing, you might want to check out what Wurst is putting on all at the same time. (Hint: KBS, Black Note, and Dragon's Milk are just the beginning.) Two new releases are also part of the deal: Arcadia's Deliverance, about which I know nothing, and Liberty Street's Majesty, which is a bourbon barrel aged version of  Emperor Norton Imperial Stout. Plus plenty of other stuff from all your favorite breweries. And if you miss out, Wurst is doing it all over again Friday, March 7, with the leftovers.

The Every Two Weeks in Beer: Keep Warm with Flavorful Brews

The first big beer release of 2014.

Back during the dark days of limited choices of mostly crappy tasting beer, bars and breweries often made a point of advertising how “cold” the brews they sold were. Then beer starting tasting good as the craft revolution took off, and people discovered that serving beer with ice crystals in it was pretty much just a way to mask lousy flavor. Today, during this latest winter cold snap, don’t be afraid to warm up with beers served at higher temperatures. It’s the only way to experience all those porters and stouts, barleywines, and other big, warming seasonal brews out there.

The Every Two Weeks in Beer: Happy Boxing Day

Image source: Teh Innernets.

It’s December 26, also known as Boxing Day, so put on your gloves and get ready to step into the ring! Just kidding. The traditional British post-Christmas holiday has nothing to do with pugilism. Or even boxes, really. But packaged beer usually comes in a box of some type, so there’s that. And plenty of it will be sold as we say goodbye to 2013 and welcome in the New Year. Below are some of your best bets for beer-related fun as we transition into 2014, boxes and all.

The Week in Beer: Ann Arbor for BeerCity USA 2013

L to R: Larry Bell toasts 30 years of Ashley's and Bell's with help from Jeff More, Laura Bell, and Roy More. Photo: Erik Smith.

"I've always thought Ann Arbor had a great beer scene."

So one-time Ann Arbor resident Larry Bell (that guy who founded a little brewery in West Michigan) told me in a recent interview for my forthcoming book. "It's been our No. 1 market; we sold more beer in Ann Arbor and Detroit than we were selling in Kalamazoo," he said of the early days.

Why do I bring this up? Because Michigan has three cities in the 2013 BeerCity USA poll — last year's co-winner Grand Rapids plus Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor — and some people seem to think Tree Town is not a worthy contender compared to its western brethren. Maricat Eggenberger helps dispel that notion in a Pure Michigan blog post today (with an assist from yours truly), plus if time and space allowed, I would add another couple dozen reasons why Ann Arbor is a great place for beer, and has been for a long time!

So vote Ann Arbor for BeerCity USA 2013, and then check out just why you made the right choice in your latest Week in Beer.

The Week in Beer: Drink Spring

Sample beers from Whole Foods Cranbrook's spiffy new draft system. Photo: Whole Foods Cranbrook Facebook page

Raise your hand if you're ready for spring. Well, too bad, because it seems Mother Nature isn't quite done with winter yet. But beer seasons wait for no man (or mother), so raise your pint glasses to the new beers of spring, snow or not, because they're here! And as usual, I'm prepared to tell you where to get them. Bundle up and read on for your latest informational Week in Beer.

The Week in Beer: The Belgians Are Coming

Brouwerij De Musketiers owner/brewers Stefaan Soetemans and Kristof Deroo of Ghent, Belgium, are in town for the Ashley's Belgian Beer Festival in Westland and to collaborate on a beer with Corner Brewery. Photo courtesy Ashley's and Brouwerij de Musketiers.

Belgium comes to our "Corner" of the world with a visit from two award-winning Old World brewers collaborating on a beer with Ypsilanti's Corner Brewery. But that's only the beginning of another amazing Week in Beer here in Washtenaw County, Michigan, crossroads of the world!

The Week in Beer: Ashley's Turns 30, Bell's Helps Celebrate

Bell's is bringing a special 30th Anniversary Ale and a ton of other beer to town to help Ashley's Pub celebrate three decades in the bar business. Photo courtesy Erik Smith and Ashley's.

Your correspondent has lived in Ann Arbor for not quite nine years, but my relationship with the city goes back two decades, when I discovered two things that would change my life: Michigan football and Ashley's Pub. While the former has experienced some rough times recently, Ashley's is still going strong, celebrating three decades as a familiar Ann Arbor landmark. Read all about that and plenty more Brews You Can Use™ in the latest Week in Beer.

The Week in Beer: Have a Safe and Happy Brew Year

Forget the Champagne. Cheers to beer and a new year!

Not gonna lie. Your correspondent is not really a big fan of New Year's Eve or the whole end-of-year nonsense in general. As holidays go, NYE is pretty lame, bringing out all the amateurs as every Tom, Dick, and Harry establishment tries to woo them with drink specials and various other enticements. There are, of course, some worthwhile events this week, including several on New Year's Eve, but whatever you choose to do, be safe, be happy, and be-er. OK, that was lame. Let's get down to business.

The Week in Beer: Events to Nurse Your Post-Oktoberfest Hangover

The bar at Bill's Beer Garden, 210 S. Ashley, which will finally be pouring Michigan beers following official approval from state bureaucrats.

Now that the local versions of Oktoberfest 2012 are pretty much in the books, it's time to nurse that hangover as you head outside to rake leaves, clean out the gutters, and otherwise handle all those mundane fall duties as we get ready for the cold season. Go ahead and take care of business — the can't-miss beer events are at a minimum this week. But when you're done catching your breath, you'll want to check these out.