The Week in Beer: It's Oktoberfest time!

Thursday, Sept. 9
Kick off your Oktoberfest right with the September Beer Tasting at Arbor Brewing, 114 E. Washington, which features Oktoberfests and other fall favorites, including Vienna style lagers and pumpkin ales. From 7-9 p.m., experience a couple dozen of these great beers along with an appetizer buffet and the chance to score some sweet beer swag, including hats, T-shirts, and fine crystal. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 the day of. Call 734-213-1393 to order yours.

Friday, Sept. 10
Michigan Beer Tasting night at Whole Foods Cranbrook, 990 W. Eisenhower, from 5-7 p.m. features the delicious stylings of one Brad Sancho, owner/brewer of Original Gravity, 440 County Road, Milan. Enjoy $3 pints and $1 sample pours of delicious OG beers — including the newly released Old Skool Altbier, if you’re lucky.

The block of W. Washington between Ashley and Main will be fenced off from 4 p.m. to midnight for an Oktoberfest Block Party hosted by Grizzly Peak and Blue Tractor. Live music, German-inspired food, and, of course, beer (Oktoberfest Lager, Rotweizen, Verlorene Hosen Uber-Marzen and Draconus Belgian Strong) will be in plentiful supply. An optional $5 entrance fee will be donated to the University of Michigan’s Comprehensive Cancer Center.

On the other side of Main, Arbor Brewing Co. takes to the street for the same reason. From 5-11 p.m., the block will be wall to wall with live oompah music, beer and German-style chow including brats, potato salad and pretzels. Children are welcome, provided they are accompanied by parents, and there is no cover. Zicke, zacke, zicke zacke, hoi, hoi, hoi!

Saturday, Sept. 11
Oktoberfest continues on both sides of Main St., but slightly to the north and east in Kerrytown is the Third Annual Homegrown Festival, 6-11 p.m. at the Farmers Market. This celebration of all things local includes a crazy awesome lineup of beers from area brewers, including Arbor, Jolly Pumpkin, Original Gravity, Frog Island and Wolverine. Other beers and wines from around Michigan will also be featured, not to mention locally grown and prepared food and live music. Visit www.homegrownfestival.org for more details.

Tuesday, Sept. 14
At long last, it’s back! The Beer and Burger Tasting at Frenchie’s, 54 E. Cross, Ypsilanti, marks a triumphant return beginning at 7 p.m. with “Born in the U.S.A.,” a re-imagining of an American classic featuring an appetizer, three mini-burgers and a dessert, each lovingly — lovingly, I tell you! — paired with an appropriate craft beer. Live music and tasting notes provided by beer geeks round out this fun event. Tickets are $25 individually or $45 for couples. Call 734-483-5230 to order or visit www.sidetrackbarandgrill.com.

Notes on the Napkin

• Want to enjoy Oktoberfest but leery of crowds? Look on local store shelves for great fall beers delivered to you by Ann Arbor’s own Rave Associates, including Arbor’s Hoptoberfest, Flying Dog’s Dogtoberfest, and New Holland’s perennially awesome Ichabod Pumpkin Ale. Pick up some sixpacks and turn your couch into a veritable Munich beer tent!
• The Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, Ypsilanti, has some groovy new brews available, including Dirty Love, a version of the Espresso Love Breakfast Stout that’s been barrel aged with chipotle and vanilla. Get it while it lasts, because when it’s gone, it’s gone. Also in bottles, look for Demetrius Aged Pale Ale aka the Larry Hoppe Double IPA aged in oak for six months and bottle conditioned for two. Same caveat applies here — it won’t last long!
• Keep your Oktoberfest motor primed for other celebrations of German food and beer, including at the Corner Brewery Sept. 17 and Metzger’s, 305 N. Zeeb, Sept. 24.

David Bardallis is a freelance writer and editor, blogger, bon vivant and man about town. Visit his Web site, DavidBardallis.com, to engage his services or read his latest. E-mail your beer-related thoughts to annarborbeer@gmail.com, follow @dbardallis on Twitter, or join the "All the Brews Fit to Pint" Facebook page.