The Week in Beer: Rain Makes the Beer Garden Grow

THURSDAY, THURSDAY, THURSDAY: Battle of the Kegs at Fraser's Pub, now featuring 20 taps.

Rain, rain, go away. You're making it hard for me to sit outside and drink beer. But hopefully we've seen the last of the wet stuff for a while. The wet stuff from the sky, I mean. Not the wet stuff in your glass. The stuff with all the foam. I want to see that. And drink it. Ah, I'm rambling here. Let's just get right to it, shall we?

Thursday, July 11

» Head over to Fraser’s Pub, 2045 Packard, at 6 p.m. for a Battle of the Kegs event. Flying Dog’s Raging Bitch Belgian-Style IPA takes on Founders Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale with prizes and gift cards at stake. Did you know Fraser’s now has 20 taps, too? Now you do. Get over there and check it out.

» Up in Whitmore Lake, enjoy six Bell’s beers on tap on the patio (if for once it doesn’t rain) at Captain Joe’s Grill, 9901 Main St. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Oberon, Two Hearted, Oarsman, Wedding Ale, Roundhouse Imperial Red Ale, and Quinannan Falls Special Lager will gush forth like, well, the delicious beers they are.

» Wheats, wits, and lambics — get some of all these summer beer styles at Arbor Brewing, 114 E. Washington, from 7-9 p.m. More than two dozen brews join an appetizer buffet and cool prize drawings to make an evening of awesome. Tickets are $30, if available. Call 734-213-1393.

Friday, July 12

» Bell’s is also taking over the eight taps at Whole Foods Cranbrook, 990 W. Eisenhower, from 5-7 p.m. Get happy at the Wine and Beer Bar happy hour. And you wish to bring a growler with you. According to the Whole Foods Cranbrook Beer Department Facebook page, they are again dispensing to-go beer.

» The Wine Seller, 2721 Plymouth, welcomes Beer Liberator Brian Talpos as he drops by from 5-8 p.m. to host a Short’s beer tasting in the store. Oh, here’s a key detail: you can sample for free. Boo-yah!

Saturday, July 13

» Downtown Ann Arbor is where all the cool kids are hanging out, at least from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Yours truly will shepherd beer tourists from Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery to Arbor Brewing to Grizzly Peak as we drink and eat our way through a Motor City Brew Tours walkabout. It’s the most fun you can possibly have for $35. Visit motorcitybrewtours.com or call 248-850-2563 for more info and to reserve your place.

Sunday, July 14

» Round two of token counting for the Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival is at the Chelsea Alehouse, 420 N. Main, from 1-5 p.m. Bring your arithmetic skillz and a thirst: The Guild will pick up your beer tab for the duration.

Monday, July 15

» It’s Art Fair Week, and kicking things off is the Townie Street Party, hosted by the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. From 5-9:30 p.m. at Ingalls Mall, rock out to live music, turn the kiddos loose in the Kids’ Art Fair and Activity Zone, and, most importantly, visit the beer tent for some Arbor Brewing beers. See all the details here.

» Beer Enthusiast Monday over at Red Rock Downtown Barbecue, 207 W. Michigan, features the beers of Right Brain Brewing. Beginning at 6 p.m., get you some CEO Stout, Naughty Girl Stout, Strawberry Fields Ale, and Northern Hawk Owl Amber Ale.

Wednesday, July 17

» The official grand opening of the new Old German bar beneath Grizzly Peak, 120 W. Washington, is tonight beginning at 7 p.m. It’s a fundraiser for the Vada Murray Fund for Cancer Research, with a suggested donation of $25 (the first 100 guests to donate receive a limited-edition Old German t-shirt). Cash bar but the appetizers are complimentary. Depending on whom you ask, the soft opening for the Old German is either Monday or Tuesday. As much of a big-time insider type that your correspondent is, as of this writing I still can’t say which date is correct. Suppose I’ll have to investigate…

» The 5ive Restaurant at the Inn at St. John’s, 44045 Five Mile, Plymouth, is hosting a beer dinner featuring the beers of Arbor Brewing, including their two collaboration brews with Belgium’s Troubadour brewery. The five-course feast begins at 6 p.m., and tickets are $45 excluding tax and tip. Go here for more information and to reserve.

Notes on the Napkin

• Fans of Sidetrack Bar & Grill, 56 E. Cross, Ypsilanti, now have one more reason to love the longtime Depot Town joint: It’s also offering growlers. Use one of theirs, or bring in one of yours (they’ll put a sticker on it to make it kosher). Prices vary depending on the beer.
• Wolverine State Brewing, 2019 W. Stadium,  will soon be canning their Premium Lager – perfect for the beach or tailgate season, yo.
• Witch's Hat Brewing, 22235 Pontiac Trail, South Lyon, now has its very own app, at least for the iPhone crowd. Go here and here to learn all about it.