Does Michigan have beer?
Does the Pope wear a funny hat?
Does a bear sleep in the woods?
Does a fish have lips?
Actually, I am not sure about the last two. Anyhow, the first one is definitely TRUE! A week ago I attended one of many Michigan Brew Festivals - this one was in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It is truly something to see. I believe there were 4 Tents - with about 75 Brewers per tent - and at least 5 brews per Brewer. Quick, one of you genious friends of mine do the math on this -
4 Tents X 75 Brewers X 5 Brews = Boatload of Brew -and it was great.
Nancy and I got in early, and I was thankful for that cause there were a bunch of people there. (I thought it was great that Nancy went with me considering Nancy doesn't drink beer). In any case it was a beautiful day. The picture on the right gives you an idea of what the place looked like as it started to fill up. Lots of happy folks, including us.I am not going to lie and tell you that I tried every beer .....I tried about 30. This is because the Michigan Brewer's Guild sells you a ticket that allows you only about 20 tastes - so I drank my 20 and then I drank about half of Nancy's: I gave the rest to a very surprised person - who was just coming into the festival.
The Brewer's Festival was held right on the river that runs through the beautiful Michigan town of Ypsilanti. There was great music with live bands, great weather, and of course GREAT Brews. I somehow feel obligated to make note of my favorite brews and give credit where credit is due!
First beer I had, was a very memorable brown Ale called "Boffo Brown" and it came from the Darkhorse Brewery in Marshall, Michigan. They craft really great beers at the Darkhorse - and I was extremely pleased with this brown ale - which in my view absolutely smokes the more famous British Brew, "New Castle Brown". You can find more about the Darkhorse Brewery here...
http://www.darkhorsebrewery.com/content.asp?PageName=Index
Don't miss these guys, if you are close to Battle Creek and Marshall.
Now my all time favorite of all of the brews I had at the Michigan Brewer's Guild Festival was an Octoberfest brewed by the Redwood Lodge Brew Pub in Flint. Heaven help me.... I am a sucker for Octoberfest beers...but this one was really great.
By the way, did I mention, that the Redwood Brewery was rated as one of the top Brew Pubs in America. Believe me, I believe they may well be one of the best Brew Pubs Anywhere! And if you come visit us here in Michigan ....we're making the drive to Flint and Redwood Lodge- its probably an hour away - but I am sure it will be worth it. From what I have tasted, I know they make great BEER! Locals, we met at the festival, who had visited Redwood Lodge said it it was GREAT! Now there's a combo, great food and great brew.
Let me close with one more picture, here is a cute 20 something that jumped in front of my camera while I was trying to get a picture of the crowd and the beer tents -
I think she was something I read about in Beer Mythology "A Beer Sprite"; just flying by to make sure old men like me, are enjoying the beer and the day. You don't see these often.All in all, this was a further reminder of the wisdom of Benjamin Franklin who said, "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
I hope all of you are happy!!!! I am - and it ain't just the beer.
All the best,
Mike
