The Week in Beer: So much to see, do, and drink

Today Tonight is the Micro Madness beer tasting from 7-9 p.m. at Arbor Brewing, 114 E. Washington, featuring two dozen microbrews, an appetizer buffet, door prizes, and lots of happy beer drinkers. Call 734-213-1393 for tickets, which are $30.

Friday Arbor is turning 15 years old and celebrating in a big way with a series of events. From 5-11 p.m. Friday, the ABC Anniversary Community Street Party will be out front with live music, grilled food, and four beers on tap, including a special Belgian Strong Golden Ale. From 5-6 p.m. is the “VIP Power Hour” for ABC staff, alumni, and investors, so if you’re any of those things, you won’t want to miss this chance to get free beer!

At Whole Foods Cranbrook, 990 Eisenhower, from 5-7 p.m. the Michigan Beer Tasting series is back in the house with Short’s Brewing from Bellaire. As usual, glasses of beer are $3, sample pours are $1, and bottles are of varying prices.

Saturday ABC’s 15th anniversary celebrations continue with throwback beer prices at the pub all day long — grab a pint for what it cost in 1995, when Arbor first opened its doors for business. From 5-7 p.m. is a VIP Open House in Tap Room from with complimentary beer and light snacks for investors, alumni, current staff, and Mug Club members. The room will also be festooned with pictures, scrapbooks, and a slideshow of memories from the past 15 years. RSVP to beth@arborbrewing.com.

At Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery, 311 S. Main, Let’s Go Brew: The Battle of Ann Arbor’s Finest Beers begins at 8 p.m. Come out to enjoy a cook-off and beer pairing prepared by chefs from the Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co., and Jolly Pumpkin, as well as an auction of sports memorabilia. Tickets are $50 (a portion of which is tax deductible) with the funds going to support University of Michigan School of Kinesiology’s Pat Maloy Scholarship Fund, which assists students touched by cancer. Attendees will have the chance to vote for their favorite beer and food pairing, and the winning restaurant will be awarded the Maize & Brew Cup. Space is limited; call 734-647-2689 to order your tickets.

Sunday Capping off ABC’s anniversary events is a Beer Brunch, taking place at 1 p.m. in the pub’s Tap Room. The five-course meal was created by chef Nicole Young and will be paired with six specialty beers picked by Matt and Rene Greff. Tickets are $40 and must be purchased in advance; call 734-213-1393 to reserve your spot or for more information.

Notes on the Napkin

• Sabor Latino, 211 N. Main, now has beer! It’s true; they have paid the right state bureaucrats for permission to offer brews, South of the Border style, including Corona, Tecate, Sol, Dos Equis Amber, Dos Equis Lager, Carta Blanca, and Bohemia. So now you can wash down your Taco Tuesdays with something a little more, ah, interesting.
• Added to the line of North Peak retro-style bottled brews available to the discerning beer drinker — Diabolical IPA, Siren Amber Ale, and Majestic Wheat Ale — is Vicious American Wheat IPA, Brewer Mike Hall refers to this beer as "hops unmuzzled," and indeed it is: Cascade, Perle, Willamette, and Amarillo hops all contribute bitterness and aroma to this Michigan-brewed concoction. The Cascade hops are even grown and processed in Michigan, at Two Peninsula Hops aka the Old Mission Hop Exchange. Check your favorite beer retailer's shelves for this brew soon.
• This Friday, Detroit graffiti artist Antonio "Shades" Agee will begin work on a 200-ft. mural on the exterior of Grizzly Peak, 120 W. Liberty. The work was commissioned by Northern United Brewing Co. and will incorporate logos from NUBC-affiliated brands such as North Peak. On Aug. 26, a "reveal" party is planned at 6 p.m. with an afterglow featuring beer, snacks, and a chance to meet the artist at the Ann Arbor Art Center, 117 W. Liberty, from 7-10 p.m. Tickets to the event are $45 or $35 if ordered before Sunday and proceeds will benefit the Art Center. Visit www.annarborartcenter,org or call 734-994-8004 x101 to order.