The 15th Annual Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival is coming to Ypsilanti’s Riverside Park, July 27 from 5-9 p.m. and July 28 from 1-6 p.m., and will feature about 450 locally crafted beers from more than 60 Michigan breweries and live music from a variety of local bands.
The Summer Beer Festival is the oldest of the Michigan Brewers Guild’s four annual Michigan festivals, which includes the Upper Peninsula Fall Beer Festival in Marquette Sept. 8, 2012, the Detroit Fall Beer Festival Oct. 27, 2012 and the Winter Beer Festival Feb. 23, 2013 in Grand Rapids.
The Michigan Brewers Guild was founded in 1997 by local brewers to increase the sales of Michigan craft beers and to contribute culturally and economically throughout the state.
Michigan is ranked fifth in the nation in terms of its overall number of breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, which the guild’s website says supports Michigan’s reputation as “The Great Beer State.”
Michigan’s brewing industry contributes over $24 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $133 million, according to the website.
Discounted advance purchase tickets are available online at www.mibeer.com, with limited ticket availability. Tickets for Friday are $30 in advance and $35 at the gate, and Saturday tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the gate. The price of admission includes 15 drink tokens that are redeemable at the festival for a 3-ounce sample of beer, and additional tokens can be purchased at the event for 50 cents each.
Designated driver tickets are available in advance online for $5, but designated drivers are not allowed to drink beer at the event.
All festival attendees must be at least 21 years of age and have valid identification for entry. Children are not allowed in the festival excepting very small, immobile children who remain in a backpack or stroller.
Outside food and beverages are permitted, but bags and coolers will be inspected to assure that no outside alcohol or glass is brought into the festival.
Ypsilanti’s event ordinance Section 10-288c prohibits the following within the event area: dogs (except service dogs), horses, farm animals, uncaged domestic animals, snakes, exotic animals, bicycles, skateboards, roller-skates, rollerblades and glass containers.