Weekend Beer Events - June 23-26, 2011

It's Wednesday.  For the observant ones out there, you may have noticed a pattern over the last three weeks.  So without further ado, here are the fun Michigan beer-related events going on throughout the state this weekend! 

Thursday, June 23rd:
Cask conditioned ale tapping at Fort Street Brewery
Time:  8:00 pm to 2:00 am
Cost:  Varies depending on the beer
Venue:  Fort Street Brewery
Address:  1660 Fort St., Lincoln Park, MI
Details:  A new cask is tapped every Thursday.  For more information, call 313-389-9620


Short's Beer Dinner at the Boathouse Restaurant
Time:  6:30 pm
Cost:  $49 per person
Venue:  The Boathouse
Address:  14039 Peninsula Drive, Traverse City, MI 49686
Details:  "Hey Traverse City Short's fans! Come join us for a night of craft beer and exquisite food as Short's teams up with the Boathouse to create a dining experience that will truly be one to remember. This Thursday night (June 23rd) at 6:30 p.m., join us for 5 courses of culinary delight. Spaces are limited to 50 people, so act fast. To make your reservation today, please call the boathouse at (231) 223-4030."

Atwater Beer Dinner with Dylan's Raw Bar
Time:  7:00 pm
Cost:  $32 per person
Venue:  Dylan’s Raw Bar & Grille
Address:  15402 Mack AvenueGrosse,  Pointe Park, MI 48230
Details:  Five courses paired with 5 Atwater beers.  To view the menu, click the link above.  For reservations, please contact Dylan’s Raw Bar & Grille at 313-884-6030 ext. 3



Friday, June 24th:

New Holland Brewing Co. Backyard Beer-B-Q
Time:  5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Cost:  No cover charge
Venue:  New Holland Brewing Co.
Address:  66 East 8th St., Holland, MI
Details:  "Our Backyard Beer-B-Q Series is in full swing at New Holland Brewing Co. Restaurant & Pub! Join us this and every Friday out back on the patio!   This Friday, June 24, we will be featuring live music from 5:00 – 8:00 pm with Bryan Hammond and food hot off the grill to tantalize your taste buds. Grab your favorite New Holland brew and join us every Friday through the summer out back on the patio!"


Festival of the Moon
Time:  6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Cost:  $10 in advance/$15 at the gate/$25 weekend pass
Venue:  Festival of the Sun and Festival of the Moon are located at Turner St. and Grand River Ave. in Lansing’s Old Town.
Details:  "Make the most of one of the shortest nights of the summer at the 7th annual Festival of the Moon! Enjoy delicious food, great music from national bands and the best handcrafted beers supplied by Bell’s Brewery!"


Saturday, June 25th:


Festival of the Sun
Time:  2:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Cost:  $17 in advance/$20 at the gate/$25 weekend pass
Venue:  Festival of the Sun and Festival of the Moon are located at Turner St. and Grand River Ave. in Lansing’s Old Town.
Details:  "The 12th annual Festival of Sun brings fine wines paired with tasty tapas, cold brews and Lansing’s best local entertainment. Enjoy wine tasting, local food sampling and live music from Hot Club of Lansing, Summer of Sol, Tree Hut Kings, and more!"


Brewery Vivant Tours
Time:  12:00 pm and 2:00 pm
Cost:  $5 and includes beer samples
Venue:  Brewery Vivant
Address:  925 Cherry Street Southest, Grand Rapids, MI
Details:  "Want to learn about what makes Brewery Vivant beer so special? There is no better way than to learn from the very people whose passion put that beer in your glass. Tours are also a lot of fun. Impress your out-of-town guests by bringing them down to see how your local beer is made.

Official Brewery tours are given every Saturday at noon and 2:00. No reservations needed, just show up. Must be 21 years or older to take the tour.  Cost of the tour is $5 and includes beer samples.  All tour attendees get 10% off coupon from the company store.  Use it for shirts, hats, beer glasses, or take a 4 pk or case of beer home with you."

Sunday, June 26th:

The Great Northern Beer Tour
Time:  12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Cost:  $65 per person
Venue:  Various breweries, including Short's, Jolly Pumpkin, and Right Brain
Details:  "Join us on the first ever tour of its kind in Northern Michigan – one designed specifically for the craft beer lover. With a heavy focus on tasting, the Great Northern Beer Tour will sample beer in the breweries, taprooms and even a hops field of some of the country’s most accomplished and dedicated brewers. Set amongst the stunning backdrop of Northern Michigan and the Old Mission Peninsula, the Great Northern Beer Tour aims to inspire Michigan’s craft beer lovers. With tastings conducted by the experts from four distinct and well-loved breweries, we will learn more than just the basics of making and enjoying craft beer.

We will start the tour by visiting the Short’s brewing facility in Elk Rapids for a tasting and lesson in brewing from one of Northern Michigan’s most innovative brewers. Then we will head over to the Old Mission Peninsula where we will walk in a hops field and learn about the beautiful little clusters that have been flavoring beers for well over a millennia. Next, we will head to the Jolly Pumpkin restaurant to taste both Jolly Pumpkin and North Peak seasonal and annuals in a historic setting in the stunning Bowers Harbor on the West Bay. And we will top things off by visiting the eclectic Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City’s Warehouse District. For a day filled with lagers, stouts, pilsners, IPA’s, porters and a cask ale or two, call By The Bay Tours at 231.932.1065 to purchase tickets.

Included in the tour cost are tastings at every stop, transportation including Traverse City hotel pick-up/drop-off, all tours and tasting information with goodies along the way. Additional tastings along with beer to go and merchandise will be available to purchase along the way.

For any questions, please email tour designer Bob Lovik at rlovik@hotmail.com. Cheers!"


Microbrew Tastings with The Traverse City Tall Ship Co.
Time:  All day
Cost:  $50 per person
Venue:  Traverse City Tall Ship Co.
Address:  13390 S.W. Bay Shore Dr., Traverse City, MI 49684
Details:  "Join us on Sunday evenings aboard the tall ship Manitou (mid-June through Labor Day) for a sampling of superb local beer from Short’s Brewing Company , paired with Traverse City’s own Crusted Creations pizza.  For more information please call 231-941-2000 or 800-678-0383. "


Real Time Farms Fundraiser at Jolly Pumpkin
Time:  5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Cost:  General Admission $45 per person, VIP $150 per person
Venue:  Jolly Pumpkin Cafe & Brewery
Address:  311 S. Main St., Ann Arbor, MI
Details:  "Get tickets now! We're rockin' it out - join us this Sunday, June 26th at 5:30 for a fundraiser dinner, live auction and live music by Appleseed Collective to support our brave Food Warriors of the local, Real Time Farms, as they document farms and food artisans across the country - we all deserve to know where our food comes from!"


New Holland Beer Dinner at Shanty Creek
Time:  6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Cost:  $50, all inclusive
Venue:  Lakeview Restaurant at Shanty Creek Resort
Address:  5820 Shanty Creek Rd., Bellaire, MI
Details:  "First in a series of Beer Dinners at Northern Michigan's beautiful, Shanty Creek Resort. New Holland's Beervangelist will present beer pairings and talk beer with guests.

$50 All Inclusive
For Reservations, call 800.678.4111, extension 7100". To view the menu, click the link above."