Arbor to Celebrate 20th Anniversary with New Beer, Block Party

Rene and Matt Greff celebrate 20 years of Arbor Brewing in July.

It's deja vu all over again. Arbor Brewing, which opened in 1995 just one month before Grizzly Peak did, is also celebrating 20 years of beer by brewing up a commemorative batch of suds and closing Washington Street in front of the pub for a July 31 party. Here's the official press release:

When Arbor Brewing Company (ABC) opened our doors in July 1995, there were only seven breweries in Michigan. Twenty years later, as we put this finishing touches on our anniversary celebration, the number has swelled to nearly 200, and craft beer, once a niche product, has become an international sensation.

In typical ABC fashion, we are taking our celebration to the streets. ABC alumnus Matthew Altruda of Sonic Lunch and "Tree Town Sound" will emcee the festivities as we groove to the deep funk soul of local favorite Third Coast Kings and enjoy special opening performances by various bands featuring ABC staff and alumni.

Owner Matt Greff and head brewer Chris Davies have joined forces to create ABC’s 20th Anniversary Barley Wine, which will be tapped exclusively at the anniversary party along with a soured version we’ve been cellaring for months. These limited releases will also be available in 750 ml commemorative bottles solely at ABC on July 31. The party will feature two bars pouring pub classics like our award-winning Bavarian Bliss and new fan favorites like Strawberry Blonde Ale, Buzzsaw IPA and Ypsi Gypsi Pale Ale. We’ll also be serving up some great street food from our own kitchen plus an assortment of food carts.

The event will be on East Washington Street at Main Street in Downtown Ann Arbor on Friday, July 31, from 5pm to midnight.  As always, there is no cover and we are family-friendly as long as minors are with their parents. 

According to ABC co-owner Rene Greff, “We can’t wait to celebrate this occasion with so many people who have helped make Arbor Brewing Company the success that it is today and look forward to the next 20 years because the best is yet to come!”

Follow the latest ABC happenings on twitter and Facebook and use #ABC20years for up-to-date info or email beth@arborbrewing.com.

Of course, you can read more about the history of Arbor Brewing in my book, Ann Arbor Beer: A Hoppy History of Tree Town Brewing, which also includes a foreword from Rene and Matt Greff.