Michigan Summer Beer Festival weekend has to be one of my favorites of the summer. Gather a few thousand Michigan craft beer enthusiasts over a Friday night and Saturday afternoon, over 540 beers to sample, and mostly gorgeous weather in Riverside Park, Depot Town, Ypsilanti – what’s not to love about that! This year we attended the Friday night session, which sold out a few hours before the event began. I love going Friday night, as there are less crowds, smaller lines, and usually cooler temperatures than Saturday.
We started out the evening with a sample of the fantastically delicious, Bell’s Brewery Black Note. We were lucky to get a taste before the lines got crazy. Bell’s Founders and Short’s Brewery had by far the longest lines all night. Founders and Bell’s were doing timed releases of their most special brews which kept the lines at a constant.
Dark Horse Brewing had their own party tent, complete with guys walking around with backpack kegs offering samples to those that passed. They brought a huge variety of beers, and again were the talk of the festival.
For the most part the weather cooperated. I was anticipating a wet night, and even came with a new pair of wellies. However there was only one short down pour, and there was room for just about everyone under the beer tents. While trying to keep dry, I sampled the Peanut Butter Porter from Bad Bear Brewing and the barrel aged Malliot Jaune from The Livery – those had to be two of my favorites beers of the night.
I also was able to sample some interesting meads over at Kuhnhenn Brewing, and I got a taste of the Teuful Bock from Atwater Brewery – another favorite of the night.
All in all, it was another fantastic festival put on by the Michigan Brewers Guild. A giant thanks to everyone who came out to put together this great event, and all who support Michigan beer! Please share with us the awesome beers you tried this weekend and what you thought was the best!
