Now in its eighth year, the Brewed in Michigan beer tasting event in Milford Township has expanded yet again, working to accommodate repeat customers as well as the newcomers they bring along with them. The event has regularly sold out over the course of its eight years.
Tickets for Brewed in Michigan, which occurs Friday, Sept. 16 at Bakers of Milford in Milford Township, are available online and at the time of the event, until they sell out. Entry includes a souvenir tasting mug, 12 drink tickets, six food taste tickets, and one raffle ticket. The beer tent will feature live music from Power Play Detroit.
One way Brewed in Michigan has responded to the increasing popularity of the state's craft brewery scene is to focus on smaller, more local breweries and not the larger, popular ones like Bell's Brewery of Kalamazoo, Mich.
This year, Brewed in Michigan is hosting newcomers like breweries like the Drafting Table in Wixom, the Draft Horse in New Hudson, Kickstand in Commerce Township, and Third Monk in South Lyon. Some of the breweries being featured haven't even opened their doors yet.
For Brewed in Michigan co-chair Rick Kirchner, the event is a reflection of how people's drinking tastes have changed over the past decade and the ever-rising popularity of Michigan craft beer. It's fun, he says, to see the diversity of the crowd they attract, from 20-somethings to 60-somethings, white collar to blue collar, and "all makes and models."
"When we first started, you had to have more of the simple beers, more introductory and traditional flavors. But now people are more willing to try new things," says Kirchner. "I like to see people mixing it up with new types of beer."
Michigan-made wines and hard ciders will also be available.
There will be shuttles driving around downtown Milford to ease parking congestion. The LaFontaine car dealership will also be on hand, providing cars and drivers to take home any festival attendees who may have enjoyed a little too much of the Michigan beer.
The event is sponsored by LaFontaine Automotive Group and Bakers of Milford. It is organized by the Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Brewed in Michigan occurs Friday, Sept. 16 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Bakers of Milford, which is located at 2025 S. Milford Rd. in Milford Township. The beer tent will remain open until midnight with a cash bar provided by Bakers. Tickets are available
online.
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