The Great American Pastime is officially in full swing (that would be baseball for my non-sports-oriented readers), and it's a proven scientific fact that nothing goes better with a ballgame than a nice glass of beer or two. OK, maybe you could argue a hot dog of some kind goes better. But even so, you need to wash that dog down with something (wink, wink).

I'm not sure which style of craft beer would best pair with hot dogs, but if you're taking in a game at any of our excellent local brewing establishments, you can probably get something a little higher end than a hot dog. And with that, I present to you your mid-to-late-April Week in Beer, below.

Friday, April 16
Whole Foods Cranbrook, 990 W. Eisenhower, hosts its biweekly Michigan Beer Tasting, this time with beers from Marshall’s Dark Horse Brewing Co. From 5-7 p.m., enjoy $3 draft pints, $1 sample pours, and varied pricing on bottled beers.

Tuesday, April 20
What makes for a better food pairing partner, beer or wine? The Melting Pot, 309 S. Main, will attempt to answer that question with its Beer vs. Wine Dinner, beginning at 8 p.m. An ambassador from New Holland Brewing Co. and the Melting Pot’s wine steward will face off over three courses of fondue to find out which beverage works better in the fine dining arena. Tickets are $39 per person and include three rounds of beer and wine trivia (with prizes). Call 734-622-0055 to reserve your spot.

Thursday, April 22
In honor of Earth Day, the Corner Brewery, 720 Norris, is releasing Green Giant Imperial Pilsner, a 7.6 percent ABV brew made with 100 percent organic ingredients. Come out for beer and snacks (free for Mug Club members and $10 for others) and also the opportunity to join the new Green Brewery Club, which will raise money to develop a comprehensive “green” plan for the Corner. $50 membership includes free admission to beer release parties and a book of hundreds of dollars’ worth of coupons redeemable at Arbor Brewing and the Corner.

Notes on the Napkin

• I bet you’re wondering what’s new on tap at Grizzly Peak, 120 W. Washington. I’m glad you asked! Right now you can enjoy Imperial Goldings Ale, an 8.5 percent ABV beer brewed with pale and light crystal malt, wheat, and over 25 pounds of U.S. and U.K. (East Kent) Goldings hops. Dry-hopping adds a bitter finish to the spicy, woody and fruity character of the beer. Also now on tap: La Fille du Fermier (aka Farmer’s Daughter), a 6.2 percent ABV Belgian/French farmhouse ale. And coming soon: Hellion Double IPA, a 9.6 percent ABV hop monster, and Little Giant Lager, a flavorful 4.5 percent ABV session beer.
• And over at Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery, 207 E. Washington, two rotating taps pouring now are Funkel Dunkel, a 4.7 percent ABV lager brewed with all German ingredients, including Munich malt, Perle hops, and Weihenstephaner yeast, yielding a slightly sweet, toasty, and nutty taste, and Porridge Porter, 6 percent ABV and brewed with oatmeal, brown sugar and Liberty hops for a dry and roasty but moderately bitter concoction.

• Today (April 15) is the last day to purchase discounted tickets ($25 vs. $35) for the May 8 Michigan Cask Ale Festival at Ashley’s Westland, 9525 Wayne, featuring more than 20 casks of craft beer from around Michigan and the rest of the country. Go to ashleys.com to order yours or call 734-525-1667.
• Beginning with the next (June/July) issue, your humble correspondent will be, along with ex-Ann Arborite Bil Lusa, co-Beer Governator of Michigan for Great Lakes Brewing News, meaning I will be writing about the Southeastern Michigan beer scene for this august publication. Pick up a free copy at your favorite local craft beer watering hole!

That's all the brews fit to pint this week; until next time, go get 'em, Tigers! Rowr.

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.