The Week in Beer: Events to Nurse Your Post-Oktoberfest Hangover

The bar at Bill's Beer Garden, 210 S. Ashley, which will finally be pouring Michigan beers following official approval from state bureaucrats.

Now that the local versions of Oktoberfest 2012 are pretty much in the books, it's time to nurse that hangover as you head outside to rake leaves, clean out the gutters, and otherwise handle all those mundane fall duties as we get ready for the cold season. Go ahead and take care of business — the can't-miss beer events are at a minimum this week. But when you're done catching your breath, you'll want to check these out.

Saturday, October 6

» Head down to Milan for Hahas for Tatas, a fundraising event for breast cancer taking place from 5-11 p.m. at Original Gravity, 440 County St.Comedian Steve Wherry takes the stage at 8:30 p.m. to provide the yuks (note: don't bring the kids) and OG supplies a special small-batch brew to enjoy.  OG Brew Crew member Brandy is also seeking pledges for her 60-mile walk for breast cancer research; you can help here.

Monday, October 8

» Get thee to the Wurst Bar, 705 W. Cross, Ypsilanti, for a Michigan fall beer tap takeover, ready to go at 11 a.m. when the bar opens. Pouring forth in a blaze of autumnal flavor and color will be Arbor Hoptoberfest, Bell’s Octoberfest, Frankenmuth Oktoberfest, Greenbush Memento Mori, Mount Pleasant Oktoberfest, and Short’s Autumn Ale. Sounds like some good beers to pair with Wurst’s selection of specialty sausage.

Thursday, October 11

» Throwing everyone a curve, Whole Foods Cranbrook, 990 W. Eisenhower, is having Michigan beer happy hour on a Thursday! From 5-7 p.m., the beers of Arbor Brewing will be in the spotlight (figuratively, not literally, because harsh light can damage your beer). As of this writing, the exact beers are TBD as is the identity of the brewery representative who will be there. Is that enough mystery to pique your interest?

» Then you’ll have to hustle downtown as Arbor hosts its own beer tasting from 7-9 p.m. at 114 E. Washington. More than two dozen Marzen (Oktoberfest), Vienna, and other fall-themed beers will be available for sampling, along with the usual appetizer buffet and raffle of cool beer goodies. Tickets are $25 in advance; call 734-213-1393.

» Today is not all about Arbor, though, because over at the Wolverine State Brewing tap room, 2019 W. Stadium, it’s a Massacre! Aged in rye bourbon barrels for five months, The Massacre Imperial Dark Lager is finally ready to lay waste to the taste buds and brain cells of the unwary. If you want to take some home (it won’t be on tap, but try this year’s edition of Cucurbita Smiles Pumpkin Lager), my advice is to see if you can still snag a pre-sale ticket before release day for $20.99; otherwise, you’ll be fronting $24.99 for that four pack of that bewitching 10.5% ABV elixir. The tap room opens at 4 p.m.

Notes on the Napkin

• After months of bureaucratic delays (MLCC delenda est!) and now that it will soon be too cold to enjoy, Bill’s Beer Garden is ready to open in the parking lot of Downtown Home and Garden, 210 S. Ashley. Expect an official announcement soon – follow Bill’s on the Facebooks for updates and also some cool pictures of the Beer Garden from a recent private fundraising event. Dress warm and I’ll see you soon at the pic-a-nic tables!
  
  
• Two more Wolverine items: This Saturday, Sam Webb and Ira Weintraub of WTKA’s Michigan Insider, will host their Countdown to Kickoff show beginning at noon in the Wolverine taproom. The boys in blue are away at Purdue, so 2019 W. Stadium is a good place to catch the action if you’re not roadtripping. Second: Wolverine is now part of the Local Blues and Local Brews series (warning: blues music plays upon clicking), which takes place every Saturday night at Guy Hollerin’s, inside the Holiday Inn at 3600 Plymouth Rd. Stop by for some samples in between sets and $3 drafts of lager-y goodness (I’m ready to be a Yelp reviewer now).