Michigan Winterfest!

Another statement from MBG's Facebook:

"We have been in contact with our friends at Fifth Third Ballpark since the unfortunate fire which damaged a portion of the property and we are happy to report that all ballpark staff are safe and unharmed. We have also been assured that as they work through the rebuilding process they will be ready to host the Winter Beer Festival February 22, 2014 as planned. We wish them all the best." Scott Graham, Michigan Brewers Guild Executive Director

 

I jumped on here to see which one of you idiots would compare this story to a Three Floyds story.

Looks like you won.

 

I was planning picking up my ticket this week at the fifth third box office...

 

So I'm going with a bunch of newbies this year...Who don't really drink a TON of craft beer (they all enjoy it but more like 1-2 beers, 1-2 times a week). I've been working on conditioning them because...well...I can remember my first beer fest...kind of...at least until I made it to the taxi and then it was waking up on my friends arm chair at 11:30 at night wondering what had just happened.

 

Have fun babysitting

 

So is the MBG not selling DD tickets right now?? My lovely wife has agreed to be our DD but not if she can't get a ticket. I believe DD tickets were sold at the gates at previous fests but can't remember. Anyone there to answer this?

 

Can't speak to the sales at the gates but we got out driver a DD ticket on the day tickets went on sale and it was quite challenging to even get that haha

 

They offered them, but they sold out the day they went on sale.

 

You may email them and find out. We were able to get a DD ticket a couple of years ago and it was probably a week before the event.

 

I emailed the Guild and am waiting on a response.

 

I also need a DD ticket.

 

Does anyone else wish that Founders would bring no Backstage and just do one offs this year? Like Panther Cub or Devil's Cut? I would never turn down CBS but would really like the opportunity for some newer things.

 

Just go to the Black Party in April and all of your wishes shall be granted

 

Was there last year. Love Founders and definitely not knocking just wish they'd bring things which haven't been bottled and in distro. Maybe with their smaller pilot system in place they'll bring some more specialty beers.

 

Does anyone know when taplists start rolling out? It's just over a month away and thought we'd see at least 53 of the 546 beers Dark Horse is bringing by now.

 

Usually the week leading up to it is when everything is officially announced.

 

It's been announced as early as 2-3 weeks I think in 2012 and then just a week before last year. Usually lists on individual breweries pages will start popping up soon.

 

Also, does anyone get more excited about the tap takeovers over the actual beer festival? Not to be a buzzkill, hanging out in subfreezing temps eating turkeys legs is great and all but I seem to have a much easier time finding "more sought after" brews during the events the week prior. Had BA Batch 9000, BA Cherry Stout, and Black Note in ample supply last year at the Meanwhile for Bell's takeover.

 

The tap takeovers are awesome, but I feel like with bars that do that, you then suddenly have to try and navigate traffic to find a parking space downtown or wherever and fight through people in a crowded bar with no seating where you have to scream to be heard over the undoubtedly terrible music.

With the fest, you just have to navigate traffic to find a parking space in a giant, clusterfucked lot and fight through people in a crowded line or tent with no seating where you have to scream to be heard over the belligerent drunks.

BUT!!

The fest has the open air, pretzel necklaces, awesome hats/costumes, and non-overpriced pours, so fuck you bars.