The Week in Beer: November Spawns Some Monster Events

November 5 is Teach a Friend to Brew Day.

Hey, you. The one sitting on the couch still munching on that leftover Halloween candy. Yeah, that’s right, I’m talking to you. I know you’re probably still in a bit of a daze from October’s busy beer calendar, but that’s no reason to lie down on the job in November. What the upcoming Week in Beer lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for in quality — so put down those Kit Kat bars and check it out.

Friday, November 4

» Get ready for another Michigan beer tasting happy hour at Whole Foods Cranbrook, 990 W. Eisenhower, from 5-7 p.m. The North Peak beers will be flowing from the taps at the Wine and Beer Bar, for the very reasonable price of $3 a glass and $1 a sample pour. Bottles of Michigan beer are also available to try, without the usual corkage fees. Come try out the new (and timely) Hooligan Pumpkin Ale and other great North Peak beers while you (maybe) do some grocery shopping.

Saturday, November 5

» Are you a homebrewer who loves sharing your obsession with friends, or are you one of the friends who actually is interested in the obsession? In either case, November 5 was made for you: It's National Teach a Friend to Brew Day, and there are a couple cool options for taking advantage of this major holiday. The Sons of Liberty Homebrew Club kicks off its brewing demonstrations beginning at 9 a.m. at Liberty Street Brewing, 149 W. Liberty, Plymouth. Come by the loading dock area to grab hot dogs off the grill, watch an extract and all-grain brewing demo, ask questions, and generally hang out with cool people for a few hours. At Adventures in Homebrewing, 6071 Jackson, Scio Township, the fun begins at 10 a.m. with brewing demos and 200 reward points for anyone who persuades a pal to purchase a beginning brewer's equipment kit. Both events are free and open to the public.

Tuesday, November 8

» Enjoy the bounty of the harvest, but from inside the warm confines of a brewery, at the first Growing Hope Winter Farmers Market from 3-7 p.m. at the Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsilanti. Browse local produce and crafts while sipping on happy hour-priced glasses of beer. If you miss out, don’t worry — you have three more chances on November 22 and December 13 and 20.

» One reason you might miss out on the above is because you decided to attend the First Anniversary Party at the Wolverine State Brewing tap room, 2019 W. Stadium. Yep, it’s been a year since Ann Arbor’s west side got its own brewery, and now it’s time to celebrate with live music and appetizers from The Quarter Bistro. Plus, Mug Club members get extra-special pricing: $1 per beer from 4-6 p.m. and $2 per beer from 6-8 p.m. Not a Mug Club member? Just sign up anytime beforehand and you’re in like Flynn. Cost: $65 for a lifetime of beer discounts. Now that’s a deal I’ll drink to!

Thursday, November 10

» The granddaddy of all the Arbor Brewing monthly beer tastings runs tonight from 7-9 p.m.: the Belgian and Belgian-style ale tasting. Sample everything from beers brewed by Trappist monks to lambics to Flemish browns to dubbels and tripels. No idea what any of that means? That’s what the Internet’s for! Check out wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_in_Belgium for a succinct overview, then get ready for a night of exquisite brews, an appetizer buffet, and door prizes. Tickets are $30 in advance, and $35 the day of, though these typically sell out in advance. Call 734-213-1393 for yours.