Celebrate the fall season at the Michigan Brewers Guild’s 14th Annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival on Saturday, October 28 (1-6pm) at historic Eastern Market in downtown Detroit. This year’s event featured 114 breweries and nearly 600 unique beers (in 87 different styles). The list of breweries and beers can be found here: Beer/Brewery List.
Tickets are $55 in advance (and $65 at the gate, if any remain available) and admission includes 15 tasting tokens, each good for a three-ounce sample. Additional tokens are available for 50-cents each in the Merchandise Tent. Designated Drivers tickets are available for $10 each at the gate only (cash or credit). Designated Drivers must also be 21 with a valid photo ID and are not permitted to drink any beer during the event.
Musical entertainment this year includes Joel Rydecki performing from 1:30-3pm and The Vendors, from 4-5:30pm. The official Tapping of the Festival Keg and singing of the Michigan Beer Fight Song will take place at the stage between 3 and 3:30pm.
The Motor City has a long-standing brewing history and in recent years it has been revitalized thanks to a growing interest in the craft beer movement. Established in 1891, the current Eastern Market is one of the nation’s oldest farm markets and the area is rife with brewing history. In its heyday, there were more than 40 breweries in the Detroit area and malt silos still stand as a testament to the rich brewing history – making it the perfect backdrop for the Detroit Fall Beer Festival.
The Michigan Brewers Guild held its first festival in July 1998 and today it hosts five annual festivals dedicated exclusively to Michigan beer produced by its approximately 300 member breweries.
The festival is held, rain or shine. Festival attendees must be 21 years of age or older and have valid photo ID to enter. Active Enthusiast Members ($35 annual fee) are admitted 1 hour prior to the general admission.
The Guild is the network of innovative and passionate brewers that serves as the recognized advocate for the Michigan craft beer industry. The mission of the Guild is to promote and protect the Michigan craft beer industry with an overarching goal to help craft beer acquire 20% of the market by 2025.
Michigan’s thriving brewing industry conservatively contributes more than $144 million in wages with a total economic contribution of more than $600 million. In terms of overall number breweries, microbreweries and brewpubs, Michigan ranks #6 in the nation – thus supporting its claim as “The Great Beer State.”