The Every Two Weeks in Beer: Happy New Beer

Block Brewing in Howell is just one place serving up some new beer in the New Year.

Soon 2014 will be in the history books, and 2015 will be here, promising another year of the things that make life worth living, like tasty beer. As we prepare to throw out the old and welcome in the new, let’s raise a glass of good cheer, filled to the brim with the world’s best beverage – and I don’t mean Champagne.

The Short Pour Loves Mollusks

Photo: Crystal Luxmore

A few other events to give you the holiday warm and fuzzies...

• Rebel, rebel. World of Beer, 1300 S. University Ave., is celebrating the repeal of Prohibition the evening of December 5 with a tapping of Samuel Adams Rebel IPA. Come in for a pint – and keep the glass. Look for other cool raffles and prizes as well.
• You say oyster, I say erster. However you pronounce it, Zingerman's Roadhouse, 2501 Jackson Ave., is pairing up several different varieties of the tasty mollusk with beers from New Holland on December 9. Fred "Beervangelist" Bueltmann of New Holland will be on hand to lead the proceedings and also sell copies of his book, Beervangelist's Guide to the Galaxy. Tickets are $40 for the reception at 6-7:30 p.m. and $90 for the dinner afterward. Menu and more details are here.
• How green was my bush? Meanwhile, just down the road at everyone's favorite grocery store with a bar – Whole Foods Cranbrook, 990 W. Eisenhower Pkwy., Greenbush Brewing of the sprawling West Michigan metropolis of Sawyer takes over the taps for a 5-7 p.m. happy hour. Draft list TBD
• You rogue, you. On December 11, the Jet's Pizza Sportsroom, 506 N. Main St., Chelsea, is celebrating the season with a 12-tap takeover from Rogue Ales, an ugly Christmas sweater party, and a special tapping of four exclusive beers from Saugatuck Brewing. Prizes will be awarded for the ugliest sweaters. Tap list TBD.

The Local's Guide to American Craft Beer Week

Did you know American Craft Beer Week starts tomorrow? Now you do! Here's a quick rundown of who's doing what and when.

Monday, May 12

» Arbor Brewing Brewpub, 114 E. Washington, will have a couple guest beers on tap all week, selected by head brewer Mike Moroney. Look for Mt. Pleasant Sacred Gruit Ale and Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. And, of course, today is happy hour all day.

» Arbor Brewing Microbrewery, 720 Norris, Ypsilanti, is releasing a different special beer each day of the week. Today: Remedy Ginger Pale Ale, a crisp 7.2% ABV ale with a nose full of ginger and subtle citrus hop notes.

» World of Beer, 1300 South University Ave., is having a Sam Adams tap takeover, featuring Boston Lager, Double Bock, Hazel Brown Ale, Honey Queen Braggot, Rebel IPA, and Summer Ale. Everyone who orders a Sam Adams beer gets a free Sam Adams glass (while supplies last) and a ticket for a raffle to win something cool. Boston Brewing rep Catherine will also be on hand to talk beer.