2018 Ann Arbor Oberon Pub Crawl Is March 26

Mmm, Oberon.

Oberon Day will be here before you know it – Monday, March 26, to be exact – and with it, a beloved Ann Arbor tradition: the Downtown (mostly) Oberon Pub Crawl! Bell's and Rave Associates have released the schedule for this year, and it's a wee bit different from last year, so look close:

• Fraser's (11:00 a.m.)
• Good Time Charley's (noon)
• Buffalo Wild Wings (State St.) (1:15 p.m.)
• Ashley's (2:15 p.m.)
• HopCat (3:15 p.m.)
• The Original Cottage Inn (4:15 p.m.)
• Conor O'Neill's (5:30 p.m.)
• Old Town Tavern (6:30 p.m.)
• The Beer Grotto (7:30 p.m.)
• Bill's Beer Garden (8:30 p.m.)

Join the merry band of Oberonites as they make their way across Ann Arbor, dressed to the nines and ready to drain a few pints in their quest to welcome the return of spring in Michigan. Hey, it beats working.

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)

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: Chase Away the Fright with a Bewitching Brew

Calling all spooks, spectres, and spirits! Now is your time, as the sun sinks ever earlier and autumn’s chill winds whip the enflamed leaves into a frenzied danse macabre. This is the time when every attic, basement, or other dark, lonely space inspires a heightened nervousness. For we the living, the best we can do to stay fortified against the unknown forces of the night is to drink some good, seasonally appropriate beer. Here are the whens and the wheres as we head toward Halloween.

The Every Two Weeks in Beer: Raise Your Stein to Oktoberfest

Matt and Rene Greff celebrate one of their favorite holidays.

It’s here – that time of year when the temperature drops and people dress funny and dance to tubas. I’m talking, of course, about Oktoberfest, and it’s only the tip of the proverbial iceberg when we’re speaking of all the cool beer-type stuff going on in our little burg. Here are some of the highlights.

Thursday, October 2

» What goes great with beer? OK, I’ll accept the answer “everything,” but in this case I was going to say “art.” Get plenty of both – and some tasty food, too – at tonight’s A2 Art & Brew pub crawl fundraiser for the Ann Arbor Art Center, kicking off at 6 p.m.  Visit eight different bars and breweries and sample beers and enjoy sidewalk chalk art along the way. Participating establishments include Arbor Brewing; Kuhnhenn Brewing (featured at Conor O’Neill’s); Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery; Blue Tractor Brewing at Mash Bar; Grizzly Peak Brewing at Old German Bar & Bierkeller; Original Gravity partnering with Katherine’s Catering at Bill’s Beer Garden; and Wolverine State Brewing partnering with Laura’s Catering and Alaskan Brewing, a featured brewery of sponsors O&W, Inc., both at the Ann Arbor Art Center. Tickets are $60; purchase online at annarborartcenter.org or call 734-926-4122.

Friday, October 3, and Saturday, October 4

» Munich may have invented it, but Ann Arbor does a pretty mean Oktoberfest tent party, too. From 5 p.m. to midnight, Washington Street will be blocked off in front of both Arbor Brewing and Grizzly Peak for the annual street jam replete with German-style beer and food, as well as live music and dancing, which may or may not be German-style. But this isn’t Bavaria, so we can get away with that. There’s no cover for either party, but you must be 21+ to join the fun.

Tickets On Sale for Second Annual A2 Art & Brew

Mark your calendars for a fun and tasty event returning to downtown Ann Arbor this fall: A2 Art & Brew, a pub crawl-style fundraiser to benefit the Ann Arbor Art Center. The event takes place Thursday, October 2, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. and features beers from area breweries paired with savory (and sweet) snacks. Tickets are $50 if purchased before September 29 and $60 thereafter.

Here are more of the relevant details from the press release:

O&W Inc., a fourth-generation family-owned beer distributor based in Ypsilanti, has generously signed on as this year’s A2 Art & Brew title event sponsor. Again this year microbreweries and tasting locations will be paired with eight local artists, by joining two forms of art, the Art of Brewing and Visual Arts, together in a fun and relaxed atmosphere throughout downtown Ann Arbor in order to encourage new and continued support for the Art Center.

The evening will consist of patrons visiting partner microbreweries and tasting locations throughout downtown Ann Arbor in a “pub crawl” fashion. Participants will sample finely crafted artisan brews and tasty bites, while enjoying fun and original works of sidewalk chalk art along the pub crawl route, each specifically created for the evening’s event and inspired by the microbrewery and its showcased brew.

The evening events include a “text-to-vote” contest for Best Brew, Best Bite, and Best Original Sidewalk Chalk Art. There will be a $500 prize awarded to the artist with the largest number of votes received for “Best Original Sidewalk Chalk Art.”

Participating microbreweries and tasting locations include: Arbor Brewing, Kuhnhenn Brewing featured at Conor O’Neill’s, Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery, Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery at Mash Bar, Grizzly Peak at Old German Bar & Bierkeller, Original Gravity partnering with Katherine’s Catering at Bill’s Beer Garden, Wolverine State Brewing partnering with Laura’s Catering at the Ann Arbor Art Center as well as Alaskan Brewing, a featured brewery of O&W, also at the Ann Arbor Art Center.

Participating artists include: Chris Monaghan, Nick Farrell, Brian Little, Jean Spindler, Bonnie Henley, Natalie Gregorarz, Dani Raymond, and Julia Pollington.

The Ann Arbor Art Center is a 100+ year old locally based non-profit organization, whose mission is to support and engage the local art community, while “bringing visual arts to life.” The Art Center operates an exhibition space, a retail gallery store, and delivers art education in a variety of mediums from its downtown Ann Arbor location.

Event: A2 Art & Brew
Date: Thursday, October 2, 2014, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Ticket Pricing: $50 before September 29, $60 after

Tickets can be purchased online at www.annarborartcenter.org; in person at the Ann Arbor Art Center, 117 W. Liberty, Ann Arbor 48104, or by calling the Art Center at (734) 926-4122.

The Every Two Weeks in Beer: Capping Off Ypsi-Arbor Beer Week

Hopman and sidekicks Beer Boy and Yeast Girl celebrate at the Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival July 26 in Riverside Park in Ypsilanti.

The sturm und drank of Ypsi-Arbor Beer Week continues, with more tappings and tastings than space and/or my short attention span allow me to list here. Readers are encouraged to check out the YABW schedule at visitypsinow.com/yabw, which also includes many in-store events at such notable places as The Wine Seller on Plymouth Rd. and the newly redesigned and reopened Blue Front on Packard St. In the meantime, here are some key highlights to help you cap off (see what I did there?) a great week for beer, local or otherwise.

The Every Two Weeks in Beer: To Summer Beer Festival and Beyond!

You never know what sort of weirdoes you'll meet at the Summer Beer Festival

It’s an especially good time to be a beer lover in Washtenaw County. Why? Because the state’s oldest and largest beer festival, the Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival, is this weekend, that’s why. And, after that, there’s this new thing called Ypsi-Arbor Beer Week from August 1-9, featuring a smorgasbord of brewy delights all throughout the area – so many, in fact, I can only cover some of them here. For the full and still-evolving schedule, check out visitypsinow.com/yabw.

Thursday, July 24

» Happy Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival Eve! Ashley’s is welcoming the signature event of the Great Beer State with a special tapping of 20 selected Michigan beers, beginning at 6 p.m. You won’t want to miss this eclectic lineup, which includes Arcadia Imperial Stout, Bell’s Hopsoulution Double IPA and Bourbon Barrel Kalamazoo Stout, Brewery Vivant Escoffier Brett Ale, Cheboygan Blood Orange Honey Ale, Dark Horse Reign in Blood Orange Ale, Founders KBS and Sweet Repute, Fenton Bloomin’ Berries, Kuhnhenn DRIPA, New Holland Bourbon Barrel Doppelbock (cask) and Incorrigible White Sour Ale, Original Gravity Rye-Headed Stepchild, Right Brain Spear Beer, Short’s Stache Bender Double IPA, and more. Ten will be tapped at a time and replaced as kegs kick.

The Every Two Weeks in Beer: Independence Day Calls for Independent Beers

Murka.

That uniquely American holiday known as Independence Day is coming up, and what could be more American than grilled food, fireworks, and, of course, beer — especially beer from independent breweries (see what I did there)? You’re on your own for the grilling and fireworks, but I can help you find where the good beer is leading up to your 4th of July vacation and beyond.

Thursday, June 26

» Get thee to Witch’s Hat, 22235 Pontiac Trail, South Lyon, by 2 p.m. for the release (bottle and draft) of Well Water, which is Holy Confusion Barleywine aged (and dry-hopped) in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels. However, if you’re not a Mug Club member, you’ll have to wait until Friday to get your bottles (you can get draft), if any’s left. If not, ask about the spiffy new $5 Well Water tulip glasses. You can buy one to remind of what might have been, unless you have a generous Mug Club friend willing to split his or her bottle with you. Read more about it here.

» World of Beer, 1300 South University Ave., is hosting a Lagunitas tap takeover to benefit Gilda's Club of Metro Detroit, which provides support for people stricken with cancer. Event begins at 7 p.m.

The Every Two Weeks in Beer: Welcome the Patio Season with Good Brews

Image source: Biercamp on Facebook.

The patio season is here, and as even a careless observer knows, Ann Arborites love to do a lot of dining and drinking outdoors when the weather cooperates. But whether inside or out, there are opportunities galore to find the perfect beer to suit the season and your mood. Here are some highlights.

The Every Two Weeks in Beer: An Unbelievable Bonanza of Beer

Nothing like an imperial stout poured through a Randall of espresso beans.

Beer dinners, homebrewing, outdoor imbibing, firkins full of real ale. Man, there’s so much going on in the local beer scene the next two weeks you wouldn’t believe me if I told you. But I’m going to tell you anyway, because that’s how I do.

The Every Two Weeks in Beer: Bell’s Oberon a Harbinger of Spring

Monday is the annual Bell's Oberon Downtown Ann Arbor Pub Crawl.

Apart from the red, red robin coming bob, bob, bobbing along, one sure sign of spring in Michigan is the annual release of Bell’s Oberon Ale, by far the brewery’s most popular beer. And nobody celebrates the occasion quite like Ann Arbor. But Oberon Day is just one of many cool things going on as the weather warms up (fingers crossed). Let’s take a look ahead, shall we?

The Short Pour Is Still Not Green

I know, right?

A few more notes on St. Patrick's Day...

• That's half the cost of a beer. Going to Arbor Brewing in Ann Arbor or the Arbor Microbrewery in Ypsilanti for St. Patrick's Day breakfast? Arm yourself with this coupon for $2 off. That's, like, half the cost of a beer, so be sure to put it to good use. 
• Stouts. Lots of stouts. Witch's Hat, opening at 9 a.m., has 14 stouts pouring for St. Patrick's Day. Yes, 14. They are listed here. 
• Stout lager! Wolverine will debut its new cask beer program on St. Patrick's Day with Velleity Chocolate Milk Stout Cask Lager, a blend of The Volitionist Stout Lager, cacao nibs, and lactose. Get some starting at noon.
• Butt loads. The Wurst Bar is serving up butt-loads (the scientific term) of St. Patrick's Day drink specials, with drafts of Magners Cider, Odd Side Mint Stout, Great Lakes Conway's Irish Red Ale, Short's Uncle Steve's Irish Stout, Arbor Michael Faricy's Irish Stout, and Arcadia Brigid's Irish Red Ale. Plus a bunch of whiskey and stuff.
• Bill's Beer Garden is back. Yeah, I know I said that before. Here's some more stuff about it.

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.

The Every Two Weeks in Beer: Alternatives to Green Beer on St. Patrick’s Day

Just say no.

It may still be more than a week away, but it’s not too early to start planning your St. Patrick’s Day. Especially if you want to drink beer like a pro during a holiday often referred to – with good reason – as “amateur hour.” Of course, there are plenty of other activities and brews to keep you busy both before and after, so hold on to your leprechaun hat. And remember: Stout is not green.

The Every Two Weeks in Beer: Giving Thanks for a Bounty of Brew

Mmm, Thanksgiving dinner. Don't forget the beer.

Oh yeah, it’s that time of year. You know, the holiday season. Time to start planning visits and stocking up on victuals and looking for deals on all sorts on inane crap to give to other people in your best effort to say, “Look, I got you a present.” It’s enough to wear even the toughest among us out. Well, as we approach the great American holiday (shut up, Canadians) of Thanksgiving, many opportunities arise to chill out with an appropriate fall beverage. Who wouldn't be grateful?

The Every Two Weeks in Beer: Treat Yourself to a Good Brew

Bottles of Bitter Old Fecker Strutter IPA are fast disappearing from area store shelves. Better hurry to get yours! Photo courtesy of Bitter Old Fecker.

While all the little ghouls, ghosts, and goblins cast about the streets of Ann Arbor in search of agreeable morsels, there are more than a few adult-oriented treats to be had this Halloween and beyond as well. Why, how did you know I was talking about beer? It’s like maybe you’ve read this column before. Either that or you’re some kind of freaky psychic. If you are, there’s no need to read any further. Otherwise, let’s get to it.

The Every Two Weeks in Beer: Have a Hoppy Halloween

Grizzly Peak head brewer Duncan Williams adds candy corn to the upcoming batch of Biere d'Automne Ale.

Greetings, boys and ghouls! Welcome to the column formerly known as The Week in Beer, now appearing every two weeks but still packed with all that same sudsy goodness you’ve come to know and love over the past four and a half years. (Yes, your correspondent really has been doing this for that long.) This time around, we look at all the scary good beers and haunted happenings on tap around town this Halloween season. Have a safe and hoppy holiday, and beware of things that go burp in the night.

The Week in Beer: Turbo Deluxe Supercharged Plus-Sized Information Dump

The Corner Brewery crew collaborated with two Belgian brewers on February 7 to create Mundus Novus Rye Chocolate Dubbel Ale, releasing today at Arbor Brewing. Photo by Frederic Culpepper.

From Belgium to Hollywood, your globe-trotting Week in Beer has the goods. So much of the goods, in fact, that it's hard to keep up. But whenever I think of all my thirsty readers who might miss out on something awesome if I didn't tell them about it, well, I just can't slow down. Are you ready for another turbo deluxe supercharged plus-sized information dump? Let's do it.