Michigan Beer Summer

Michigan has an inordinate number of craft breweries, and many of them produce truly excellent beer. As the weather gets warmer, and the days get longer, there’s no better time to enjoy these offerings, and we’ve got some ideas on how you can get ready to embark on a truly gratifying Michigan Beer Summer ™. Craft beer is a big deal in Michigan - we have over 400 breweries (the 6th highest number in the nation!), and (legal) Michiganders drink an average of 3.5 gallons per year. Michigan craft beers take home awards every year - in 2022, six Michigan breweries took home awards from the World Beer Cup (aka The Beer Olympics)!

One of the best ways to sample many of these delightful beers (along with ciders, hard seltzers, and kombucha beers) is to check out the Michigan Summer Beer Festival, in its 24th year on Friday 7/21 and Saturday 7/22 right here in beautiful Ypsilanti! Over 100 Michigan brewers will be pouring samples of new beers alongside tried-and-true favorites. It’s an incredible event, and a fun way to try some beers that can be hard to find! There is also live music and beer-friendly food. There is a list of the beers that will be offered (it’s not published yet for 2023, but here is the list from 2022), so festival-goers can strategize on what they might want to try, and in what order (beer drinkers do not joke around about this kind of thing)! Tickets always sell out, so get yours ahead of time when they go on sale on May 4. That’s this coming Thursday, people! Mark your calendars! The Newton of Ypsilanti is within easy walking distance to the festival, so book a room for your stay and we’ll prepare some delicious food to fuel you for the festival!

Come join us on Thursday, May 25, as long-time beer enthusiast and writer Patti Smith takes us on a journey to explore the history and current success of the Michigan beer brewing industry. Patti’s book, Michigan Beer: A Heady History, was published in January of 2022 and has received glowing praise and tells the stories of “great invention, great failure, and boozy success” that characterize the history of Michigan beer brewing. You’ll get to taste eight local craft brews, and Innkeeper and Chef Allison Anastasio is planning some tasty snacks for pairing! Get your tickets here, and check out some of our other upcoming events while you’re at it!

Find more information on Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor area breweries here!