Hot on the heels of my comments towards the end of yesterday's blog, the following article appeared in the Detroit News today:

http://detnews.com/article/20090730/OPINION03/907300392/Beer-may-heal-racial-wounds

See what I mean?  Beer is the great uniter.

Dateline, Friday night July 24th 2009.  The weather?  Perfect.  The beer?  Outstanding, as always.  The crowd?  It's usual jovial, eclectic, laid-back self.  It was the Michigan Summer Beer Festival at its finest...once again.

My own MSBF history dates back to 2002, when Frog Island Park (on the other side of Ypsilanti's Depot Town) hosted the event.  I remember thinking i'd died and gone to heaven...a vast array of exquisite craft beers, delicious food, and hundreds of my fellow Michigan microbrew-loving bretheren.  What else could you ask for?

Even though the festival now stretches over two days, has more participating breweries, and is at a different venue, I still get that same heavenly feeling each and every year.  And I think we Michiganders should be proud that we host an event where no matter your gender/race/creed, no matter where you live, no matter whether you prefer light or dark beers, everyone can come together in harmony and celebration of some truly fantastic brews.

I repeat: What else could you ask for?

It took some digging, but if you browse the Detroit Free Press website long enough, you'll discover their news article about this weekend's Michigan Summer Beer Festival.  Nice to see comments from some of the heavy-hitters in the Michigan beer industry - nice job, Freep:

http://freep.com/article/20090723/ENT08/907230302/0/COL19/Ypsilanti-fest-shows-off-the-best-of-Michigan-s-beers

Traverse City's Right Brain Brewery has announced the beers (seven, to be exact) they plan on showcasing at the Michigan Summer Beer Festival this weekend...needless to say, I may need to set aside seven tokens for these gems.  See link below for details:

http://www.rightbrainbrewery.com/pages.php?tabid=9&pageid=148&title=Summer+Beer+Fest

Hard to believe it's time once again for the annual Ann Arbor Art Fair...for those who've never been, I highly suggest you take the opportunity to check it out this weekend - especially since this year is shaping up to be one of the rare times when you can enjoy it minus the sweltering heat.

And while you're down there, why not stop by the Arbor Brewing Company, Grizzly Peak, or the Blue Tractor for a delicious beer (you knew I had to sneak a Michigan beer plug into this entry SOMEWHERE didn't ya.)

http://detnews.com/article/20090715/ENT01/907150310/Ann-Arbor-Art-Fairs--50-years-of-arts-and-crafts-on-the-sidewalks

Michigan's own Kid Rock has launched his own brew in conjunction with Webberville's Michigan Brewing Company, called the "American Badass Beer".  Regardless of your opinion of his music, you have to admit that he is deserving of some serious kudos for once again staying true to his mitten-state roots and truly walking the talk. 

Hopefully this venture is a huge success not only for him, but for the entire Michigan brewing industry:

http://www.mlive.com/kalamabrew/index.ssf/2009/07/production_of_kid_rocks_americ.html

Just a friendly reminder that July is Michigan Craft Beer Month...get out there and enjoy some of the beery deliciousness available here in the Great Lakes State.

http://www.mlive.com/kalamabrew/index.ssf/2009/07/celebrate_michigan_craft_beer_1.html

On the front page of The Detroit News website was the following article announcing the re-opening of the Frankenmuth Brewery.  I was sad to see they closed a few years back because the beer was very tasty, the food was delicious and reasonably priced, and the atmosphere was really cool as well.  This is indeed good news...wonder if they'll still re-fill my old growler?

http://detnews.com/article/20090701/BIZ/907010349/Frankenmuth-Brewery-makes-a-comeback

Noticed today that Goose Island out of Chicago has turned 21...no surprise the company has lasted so long if you've ever sampled their beers.  Goose Island was one of the brands that initially turned me on to microbrews, and thus led me to discover all the wonderful beers Michigan has to offer. 

Congratulations, Goose.

Well come to find out, Bayside Alumnus Zach Morris is a fan of Grand Rapids' own Founders Brewing Company...much more impressive than when Mr. Belding professed his love for Stroh's:

http://blog.mlive.com/knapescorner/2009/06/markpaul_gosselaars_love_for_f.html