The Week in Beer: Joy, Fun, and Saison in the Sun

We have joy, we have fun, we have Saison in the sun. Isn't that how the old song goes? No? Oh well, we have it anyway, along with other delightful beers — "any style that you wishes," as another song goes — and some great outdoor venues in which to enjoy them. Another sunny Week in Beer beckons you to come out and play.

Friday, June 28

» Detroit comes to Ann Arbor, or at least beer brewed in the Motor City does. Check out Atwater Brewery at the latest Michigan beer happy hour at Whole Foods Cranbrook, 990 W. Eisenhower, from 5-7 p.m. Draft list TBD.

» Hit up Ashley’s, 338 S. State, at 6 p.m. for the Stone Brewing Most Bitter Bar Challenge. Stone IPA, Ruination IPA, and RuinTen IPA, brewed for Stone’s 10th anniversary, will be pouring for the delight of West Coast hophead types.

Saturday, June 29

» The first German Park picnic of the summer takes place 4-11 p.m. on the grounds at 5549 Pontiac Trail. Traditional German food, music, and, of course, bucketfuls of beer. The German Parkers had to switch beer distributors, so here's what you'll be filling those buckets with this year: Warsteiner, Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock, and Konig Ludwig Weissbier. For more information, check out this preview by Roger LeLievre.

Sunday, June 30

» Free beer! Well, there’s a catch, of course (isn’t there always?): You have to help count tokens for the upcoming Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival in Ypsilanti. Just drop by the Corner Brewery from 1-5 p.m., get busy counting, and the Guild will pick up your beer tab. If you miss out, there will be a second round of token counting July 14 at the Chelsea Alehouse.

» Over at the Wolverine State Brewing taproom, 2019 W. Stadium, check out the fundraiser for Ann Arbor Civic Theatre (A2CT) from 2-5 p.m. For $20 you get beer, pie, other treats, and the satisfaction of knowing you're supporting local theatre.Special kids' pie-only pricing is available as well.

Monday, July 1

» Get ready for the grand opening of the World of Beer, 1300 South University, beginning at 3 p.m. and lasting all day. Choose from 40 beers on draft and 500 in bottles, enter to win raffle prizes to benefit charity, and maybe even score some free swag. All the details are here.

Tuesday, July 2

» If it’s Tuesday, it must be time for beer tasting at Top of the Park. Visit the Beverage Garden, sponsored by O&W, from 5-8 p.m. to sample beers from guest brewery Saugatuck Brewing. There’s a $15 fee, but it’s beer and it’s good!

» Join head brewer Duncan Williams from 6-9 p.m. for another Grizzly Peak Brewer’s Night. Brewery tours, discounted samplers, and a cask of 2013 Brew-Off winner Jamie Kidwell and Andrew Brix’s Lime Wit Ale dry-hopped with Sorachi Ace await you. On a related note, the new Old German cellar bar is on schedule for a July 14 soft opening and July 15 ferreals opening. Prost!

» Ashley’s, 338 S. State, is still 30 years old and still celebrating! This time Arbor Brewing is joining in the fun with July’s exclusive anniversary beer, an as-yet-unnamed sour ale. Also on tap: Arbor Bourbon Barrel Aged Olde No. 22 Altbier, Buzzsaw IPA, Green Giant Imperial Pilsner, Mackinac Island Fudge Stout, Sodibo Sour Ale, and Strawberry Blonde Ale. Yum!

Thursday, July 4

» Happy Independence Day, yo! Celebrate your freedom to be assassinated by drones and spied on by the NSA with some summer special brew kits from Adventures in Homebrewing, 6071 Jackson, including American Light (with Liberty hops) and Summer Wheat for $20 each. Plus, get 60 free bottlecaps with purchase of American Light. USA! USA!

» Speaking of celebrating, Bill's Beer Garden's summer hours begin today: Through September 30, enjoy Michigan beers at 218 S. Ashley six days a week, Tuesday through Saturday 5-11 p.m. and Sunday 4-9 p.m.