The Week in Beer: Capturing Fall Colors in a Pint Glass

TRICK OR TREAT: Biere d'Automne, brewed with candy corn, is now pouring in the Grizzly Peak Den.

Red, gold, amber… don’t you just love glorious fall colors? I’m talking about the beers in my glass, but the leaves on the trees can also look pretty magnificent this time of year, too. Getting thirsty? Why not take a break from all that raking and let the Week in Beer give you some direction about where to go to see (and taste) some of the season’s best hues.

Thursday, October 20
» Have you read Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut? What did you think? Talk about it from 7-10 p.m. over a couple pints at Liberty Street Brewing, 149 W. Liberty, Plymouth, during “Books on Tap,” a bimonthly book-and-beer-nerd event hosted in conjunction with the Plymouth District Library. Didn’t read the book and can’t, you know, finish it in a couple hours because I only just told you about this event? Call the library at 734-453-0750 for info on the next scheduled book and meeting.

Friday, October 21
» Grab your eco-friendly, reusable, sustainable, recycled-from-plastic-bottles shopping bag and head to Whole Foods Cranbrook, 990 W. Eisenhower, for some groceries and, just coincidentally, while you’re there, some Arcadia Ales brew on tap at the Wine and Beer Bar. Beer master Jimmy and crew will be pouring $3 drafts, $1 sample pours, and tending to your bottled Michigan beer needs, as necessary, from 5-7 p.m. And don’t forget you’re supposed to pick up some artichokes!

Saturday, October 22
» As of this writing, the weather forecast looks good for the Third Annual Michigan Brewers Guild Detroit Fall Beer Festival, taking place from 1-6 p.m. at Detroit’s historic Eastern Market. There will be more than 300 beers pouring from 50-ish Michigan breweries, including all the ones regularly covered in this space (see the full list here). If you’ve waited to get your tickets, you're unfortunately out of luck: It's sold out. If you did get your tickets, well... maybe I'll see you there!

Sunday, October 23
» Join director Chris Farah, producer Michael Farah, and actor Chris Parnell for an afterparty at Ashley's, 338 S. State, following the 7 p.m. screening of "Answer This!" (filmed in part at Ashley's and the University of Michigan) at the Michigan Theatre. Bring your ticket and receive half-off appetizers all night. Post a pic of yourself with one of the luminaries on the Ashley's Facebook page and get a free t-shirt (limit first 10). And spot Ashley's owner Jeff More in the movie and he'll buy you a beer (first 20 only — people, not beers.). Go here to buy movie tickets online.

Tuesday, October 25
» How are your pumpkin carving skills? Put them to the test at the pumpkin carving party at Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsilanti, from 6-9 p.m. Bring your pumpkin, carving tools, and any other necessary accountrements and meet in the lounge, where happy hour has been extended to 9 p.m. to aid in your creativity. Children are welcome with their parents (there’s free apple cider for little ones) and prizes will be awarded for the best jack-o-lantern!

Wednesday, October 26
» Arbor Brewing's Matt and Rene Greff will be leaving for India in December to oversee the final phases of their joint venture brewpub in Bangalore, expected to open March 2012. Not sure you'll make the grand opening? Come out to Ashley's beginning at 6 p.m. for a preview of three of the beers ABC India is going to serve: Curry Spiced Belgian-Style Pale Ale (brewed with cinnamon), Garam Masala Pale Ale (brewed with ginger and garam masala spices), and Mango Blonde Ale (three guesses what it's brewed with). There will also be other limited and unusual Arbor beers on tap, including Sodibo Barrel Aged Sour Blonde Ale, Bourbon Jack (Jackhammer Old Ale aged in bourbon barrels), and the new Sea Leggs Rye Porter. Check out my previous article for the full list. Oh, and Matt and Rene will be on hand to help drink all that beer!

Notes on the Napkin

• The Grizzly Peak Den is pouring both Klevenkop Pumpkin Ale and Biere d'Automne, brewed with candy corn, and both are mighty tasty, especially for those who don't like their pumpkin ales nuked with too much cinnamon, nutmeg, or other spices.
  
  
• Blue Tractor has Gourd to Death, brewer Tim Schmidt's version of a pumpkin ale, which is also quite tasty for appreciators of the style.
  
  
• Wolverine releases Cucurbita Smiles Spiced Pumpkin Lager on Friday, October 28, and it sounds intriguing: brown sugar and rum-soaked vanilla beans are just two of the ingredients. If you make it to the Detroit Fall Beer Festival, you may be able to get a sneak peek. Er, sneak drink.