Weekend Beer Events - September 1-4

Many of us think of Labor Day as the traditional end of summer, which means saying goodbye to long sunny days and getting back to school or work. But don't let that get you down. At least you can send summer off with one last weekend of great Michigan events. Seth and I will be spending Labor Day over in the thumb, so unfortunately we won't see any of you out at these events, but we hope you all have a safe and relaxing holiday weekend, filled with lots of great Michigan beer!


Thursday, September 1:

Brew For The River – Arbor Brewing

Time: 4:00 pm 

Cost: Proceeds will benefit the Huron River Watershed Council

Venue: Arbor Brewing Co.

Address: 114 E. Washington, Ann Arbor

Details: "The Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) and five of Michigan’s most famous microbreweries will celebrate the Huron River with special public events on Thursdays, August 11 through September 8, 2011. Wolverine (8/11), Jolly Pumpkin (8/18), Grizzly Peak (8/25), Arbor Brewing (9/1) and Blue Tractor (9/8) will participate. Each brewer has something special planned for their night and will donate a portion of their proceeds to HRWC. Attend all five events for a chance to win 10 months of beer or a priority spot for Jolly Pumpkin’s limited beer releases. Winners will be announced at Blue Tractor on September 8 and must be present to win. Visit http://www.hrwc.org/events/brew-for-the-river/, or contact Margaret Smith at HRWC, msmith@hrwc.org, (734) 769-5123 ext 605 to learn more, including how to get a Brews for the River passport to win prizes.

Beer is around 90 percent water, and it takes good quality water to brew good beer. Here in Ann Arbor brewers get their water from the Huron River, the cleanest in Southeast Michigan. HRWC works to protect our source of safe, clean water every day. Everyone is invited to raise their glass to support water quality, water conservation, and HRWC’s good work for the river since 1965.

http://www.arborbrewing.com/. From 4p.m. to 7 p.m.  ABC will celebrate the completion of their Green Brewery Project.  Matt and Rene of ABC will talk about the green impact of the project followed by a brief talk by Laura Rubin, ED of HRWC.  Enjoy the special Blackberry Blonde beer only at this event."

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

Friday, September 2:

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 2011 has begun! Every Friday we’ll be grillin’ on our back patio starting at 5pm. Each week we’ll have a different recipe using a New Holland beer. Grab your favorite NHB brew and rock out to the classics by your buds."

Saturday, September 3:

Taste of Michigan

Time: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with an after party 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Cost: $10 

Venue: Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa 

Address: 12500 Crystal Mountain Drive, Thompsonville, MI 

Details: “Michigan’s agricultural diversity, the second most diverse in the United States, offers a culinary experience that Crystal Mountain will once again celebrate  overLabor Day Weekend with the Taste of Michigan, September 3.

Now in its second year, Taste of Michigan is set at the base of the Crystal Mountain slopes from 4-8pm. The zero-waste event, using only washable or recyclable glasses, plates and utensils, offers authentic flavors from the region from tart cherries to crisp cucumbers, delicate white wines to hardy craft beers.

Admission to Taste of Michigan is $10 with food and beverage tokens $1 each which can also be purchased online. The Pure Michigan Labor Days package from $99 includes two nights’ lodging as well as admission and 10 tokens to Taste of Michigan. Book online atcrystalmountain.com or phone 800.968.7686, ext. 5100.

Following Taste of Michigan there will be an After Party with live entertainment (8-11pm) while others may choose to watch the Float-in Movie in the Park at Water’s Edge (9pm). A family golf scramble, ice cream social, chairlift rides and the Big Splash Pool Party headline Sunday’s festivities. The holiday weekend concludes with the Pure Michigan Labor Day 5K on Monday (8am) and 2-for-1 specials for paintball, alpine slide, mountain bike rental and the Vertical Edge Climbing Wall.”

Motor City Bike and Brew Tour

Time: 10:00 am

Cost: $24.99 

Venue: Tour starts in the parking lot of Traffic Jam and Snug Restaurant

Address: 511 W. Canfield St., Detroit, MI

Details: “Learn about Detroit’s brewing history from your own two wheels. Motor City Bike and Brew Tours presents a guided bike tour of Detroit breweries. Discover why the Motor City is a great bike and beer city!

Let our tour guides take you on a leisurely bike ride through Detroit’s brewing past and present. You will see former brewery sites in downtown Detroit and bike by the new generation of breweries to help you see that great beer is being produced today, right in the city. Come along and discover Detroit beer from the seat of your bike!

Ticket includes guided bike tour w/support staff, overview of past and present breweries, beer or soda at one brewery stop, lunch at a local pub and a drink voucher at a brewery after the tour.”

Sunday, August 28:

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. "

Open Jazz Jam Session at HopCat

Time:  7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Cost:  No cover

Venue:  HopCat

Address:  25 Ionia SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Details:  "Every Sunday night West Michigan's jazz artists and jazz fans will have a place to relax and hang and get together for an 'old skool' jam session at HopCat in downtown Grand Rapids. After the first set, competent musicians and serious jazz students will be invited to join the trio hosted by drummer Randy Marsh. There may be an occasional Organissimo sighting when Jim Alfredson is home off the road."

In true Jerry Springer style, I'm going to leave you with one "Final Thought": Even though I've lived in Michigan my entire life, sometimes I forget we have places like this:

Port Austin, MI

And this:

Point Aux Barques Lighthouse, Port Austin, MI

In Michigan. It really is a great place to live.

Have a safe and fun holiday weekend, everyone!  We'll see you after we get back from Port Austin!