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How About Some Ice Cold Beer for Dad?
by Lisa Diggs
Father's Day is right around the corner. Before picking up another tie or some golf balls, why not consider a tasty gift that is closer to home? Michigan is rapidly becoming known as The Great Beer State and with good reason. More than 70 craft breweries are producing hundreds of flavors to choose from, so there is something to satisfy the palate of every beer lover. You can buy dad a six-pack of his favorite or put together a variety of new choices for him to explore. There are also great brewpubs all over the state that offer signature brews and local fare.
Not only are there delightful tastes from which to choose, more and more breweries are creating cool experiences to share as well. Here are just a few fun options coming up throughout June and beyond.
If dad is already a fan of craft brews, you may want to consider a $25 Enthusiast membership with the Michigan Brewers Guild. This membership includes VIP “early admission” status at the Guild’s various festivals, discounts at participating membership brewpubs, special VIP brewery tours, and a free Michigan beer t-shirt. You can join online at www.michiganbrewersguild.org/beernut.asp.
For those who are, or opt for, the Enthusiast membership, Arcadia Ales in Battle Creek is hosting an Enthusiast Tour on Saturday, June 19th from 1-2PM. Brewmaster Josh Davies will take you on a guided tour of Arcadia’s production facility. The event also includes $1 off your first pint. To RSVP contact Josh Davies: jdavies@arcadiaales.com
For big fans of Kalamazoo’s own Bell’s Beer, you may want to celebrate dad alongside Larry Bell on Saturday, June 19th with a tasting at Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn, located in Curtis. Larry will be on hand featuring some of Bell's finest brews including: Lager of the Lakes, Oberon, Porter, Kalamazoo Stout, Two-Hearted Ale, Third Coast Old Ale, Wedding Ale, Le Pianste (one of Bell's French Jazz Series), Oracle and Oarsman. Tickets are $25 each. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 906-586-6000
Arguably the biggest beer-related event of Father’s Day weekend will be Founders Fest in Grand Rapids. Join an estimated 4,000 fans of the award-winning craft brewer, Founders Brewing Company, on Saturday, June 19 for this 3rd annual event. It's an outdoor beer and music festival in downtown Grand Rapids. From 3-11PM, the street (Grandville Avenue between Cherry and Bartlett) will be blocked for the festivities – including a variety of homegrown and national entertainment, food vendors, and a Local Artists Row.
If your dad is as much about the food as he is the beer it’s paired with, consider the Big Daddy of Michigan Beers at HopCat in Grand Rapids. It’s a four course extravaganza on Sunday, June 20th for only $35 per person. The menu includes a sausage/cheese plate (paired with The Livery’s Carvana cask conditioned ale); pistachio encrusted whitefish (paired with Short’s Pistachio Cream Ale); spiced lamb shanks & cous cous (paired with Dark Horse’s Double Crooked Tree); and double cream stout ice cream and coconut (paired with Bell’s Double cream Stout).
If you want to make sure his love of beer doesn’t turn into a beer belly, ask dad to join you at the Michigan Brewing Company Father’s Day Run in Webberville. Now in its fourth year, this 5k Beer Run at 6pm on Saturday, June 19th benefits men’s prostate health programs through Sparrow Hospital.
Father's Day weekend also coincides with the Summer Solstice event at Kuhnhenn Brewing Company in Warren. This summer kickoff features 12 unique and distinctive wheat beers on tap – including limited bottle releases of Barley Wine, Solar Eclipse, Imperial Crème-Brulee Java Stout, Mayhem, Winter Wonder Lager and Extraneous Ale.
Taking a class with dad at a community college may not have crossed your mind before, but Beers From Around the World with Arbor Brewing is no ordinary class. Offered through Washtenaw Community College’s Lifelong Learning program, this fun educational experience will take you on a three-hour whirlwind tour from 2-5PM on Sunday, June 20th, to discover the histories and types of beers brewed in Mexico, Germany, Ireland, Belgium, Russia, Poland and the United States with Rene Greff. It’s $49 per person, includes lunch and 10 beer samples. Registration is required.
If you or your dad aren’t available on Father’s Day weekend, why not make some plans in advance for the Michigan Summer Beer Festival, July 23rd-24th, at Riverside Park in downtown Ypsilanti’s Depot Town? Advanced tickets are $30 for Friday and $35 for Saturday. This event sells out each year, and often tickets are not available at the gate, so it’s wise to purchase them in advance. Tickets are available online or at participating retail outlets and breweries.
For a totally unique experience throughout the year, check out Saugatuck Brewing or Kuhnhenn Brewing, which both offer opportunities for the general public to come in and make their own on-premise brews.
Regardless of which you choose, there are tons of fun ways to toast dad this June and endorse a growing Michigan industry at the same time!
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