So much time, so little beer! Wait. Strike that. Reverse it. The blazing heat of July must have addled my brains. Or maybe it’s all those ales and lagers. In any case, there’s never been a better time to enjoy craft beer. The buildup to the Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival continues to gain steam with some fun events and news in your Week in Beer, below.

Tonight Want to try Weihenstephan Hefe Weissbier? Schneider Aventinus? How about Hitachino Nest White Ale? You’re in luck: all of these great beers and two dozen more are pouring from 7-9 p.m. tonight at Arbor Brewing, 114 E. Washington St., during the Wits, Wheats, and Lambics Beer Tasting. $30 at the door (if available) or $25 in advance. Call the pub at 734-213-1393 for details.

Saturday Everyone knows about the Ann Arbor Art Fairs that turn Tree Town upside down every July, but what about the burgeoning art fair scene in Ypsilanti? Conceived in and hosted at (where else?) the Corner Brewery, 720 Norris St., the Shadow Art Fair now takes place twice a year (summer and winter). The summer edition boasts wares from 40 artists, tunes from a dozen bands, an increasing number of concurrent activities, a shuttle bus, and—of course—its own special beer, to be tapped at 6 p.m., the Penumbra Blackberry White Ale. What’s that, you ask? Apparently it’s a lively concoction of chamomile, lavender, strawberry rose petal white tea, French oak chips, tangerines, oranges, vanilla chai granola, lemons, blackberry jam, black raspberry jam, blueberries, black raspberries, date crunch granola, brown rice syrup, mojito mix, raspberry sorbet, coconut sap nectar, macadamia nuts, tapioca starch, strawberries, jasmine, pink rose buds, and tons of blackberries—all aged for a month in a bourbon oak barrel. Fair runs noon to midnight; admission is 2 cents. Children welcome with parents before 9 p.m. Visit www.shadowartfair.com for the full schedule.

Tuesday Head over to Ashley's, 338 S. State St., to find out who will win the Name-Arcadia's-New-ESB Contest! Final submissions are due Monday, and Arcadia reps will be on hand to pass out swag to the lucky winner. And, of course, there will be beer. Drop your submission off at the pub or send it via the Ashley's Facebook page.

Notes on the Napkin

• What can brown do for you? Quench your thirst! Now pouring at Arbor is a small-batch brew known as Tree Town Brown, an English style brown ale that’s received an American style hop smackdown from Cascade, Simcoe, and several other kinds of the bitter flower. The Corner Brewery equivalent has the more, erm, colorful name of Hell Comes to Hop Town Brown. Attempts to confirm whether the beer has received a celebrity endorsement from former wrestler/thespian Roddy Piper have been unsuccessful.
• Three Cs IPA, the winning Grizzly Peak Brew-Off beer brewed by Colin Loomis, dad Carl, and buddy Chris, is expected to be on tap at the pub this coming weekend, replacing the keg of Poolside Lager that's been going fast. The homebrewers worked with Grizzly beermeister Duncan Williams to scale up and produce a commercial batch on Grizzly's system. Make sure to drop by for a mug before it's gone and congratulate Colin and co. if you see them!

• Liberty Street Brewing, 149 W. Liberty St., Plymouth, has a brand-spanking-new website and a new (official) homebrewers club, the Sons of Liberty. On Saturday, the Sons will be out on the loading dock brewing up a batch of Original Red Ale, the first beer ever brewed at Liberty Street, beginning at 9 a.m. Swing by if you're curious about the brewing process, want to help, or just want to hang with some cool people—or all of the above!
• On Wednesday, Liberty is releasing its latest small-batch brew, Phat Tyre, an amber patterned after that popular and very similar sounding ale from out West, which is unfortunately not currently available in Michigan.

• It’s back! The Michigan Beer Cup Challenge has returned for its sophomore year, pitting the beer drinkers of Ann Arbor vs. those of Ypsilanti and, now, also quaffers in outlying Washtenaw communities. Sponsored by Ann Arbor-based beverage distributors Rave Associates, the challenge begins Monday and runs through midnight on July 23. How it works: The city or area whose participating watering holes (look for signage coming soon) sell the highest average number of pints of Michigan beer for the duration will be crowned the winner July 24, on the second day of the Michigan Summer Beer Festival. Ypsilanti took the trophy last year. Who will win this time? Gentlemen (and women), start your pint glasses!
• Speaking of the Summer Beer Festival, there’s something a little new this year to welcome to the scene those who may be overwhelmed or intimidated by the sheer number of craft beer choices and fervent drinkers and supporters that exist on these pleasant peninsulas. Enter the Beer Adventurer Guide program, spearheaded by Chuck Warpehoski, where knowledgeable beer-ficionados volunteer to shepherd newbies around the Michigan Summer Beer Festival on Saturday, focusing on specific breweries, beer styles, or whatever said newbies want to explore the most. Tickets for this service are $10 (on top of the festival tickets); full details and benefits can be found on this site. Or read Patti Smith's fine summation.
• Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales has announced the beers they will be serving at the festival! These include La Roja de Kriek, Weizen Bam Biere with Lemongrass, Calabaza Blanca with Hibiscus, Biere de Mars, and Bamagranate (Bam Noire brewed with pomegranate). I’m thirsty already.
• The Michigan Senate has officially concurred with the Michigan House that July is Michigan Craft Beer Month with its adoption of Senate Resolution 0164. When even the politicians are clamoring to join the bandwagon, you know something’s a success. Celebrate success with a sixpack of your favorite Michigan beer!

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