The Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Backyard Beer Garden on Saturday, September 21st in the Palmer Commons. Terris Ahrens sent us an invite weeks ago so when Chuck asked on Saturday afternoon if there were any events, I was ready. “Yep, there is the Backyard Beer Garden in Chelsea.” He turned the truck in the direction of Chelsea as flares were sent to our friends to join us.

Backyard Beer Garden

I could have sworn Terris said the event was a Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce fundraiser and was replacing their Smoke and Ales event. I didn’t take any notes, if this statement is not correct, please let me know. 

Palmer Commons

“Where is the Backyard Beer Garden?” My friends kept asking and I kept saying the Palmer Commons but it just confused them. They all assumed it was behind the Chelsea Alehouse. I finally said, the old Palmer Ford Dealership car lot.

“Why didn’t you say that to begin with!” They texted back! The Palmer Ford Dealership shut down years ago and Chelsea transformed the former car lot into a wonderful space for the community to share. 

Craft Beer and Cocktail List

Hoping to encourage our friends to skip the end of the Michigan game, I sent them the beer and cocktail list: 

• Atwater Dirty Blonde
• Atwater Vanilla Java Porter
• Cheboygan Brewing Company Lighthouse Amber
• Griffin Claw Norm’s Raggedy Ass IPA
• Latitude 42 Party at the Moon Tower Double IPA
• Right Brain CEO Stout
• Stroh’s Bohemian Pilsner
• Atwater Hard Seltzers
• Virtue Hard Cider 
• Ugly Dog Distillery – Gin and Vodka cocktails 

We were happy to see that the beer list was entirely Michigan based. As you probably know, we are big fans of Michigan beer. Actually, all the adult beverages are Michigan based. Well done Mr. Ahrens! The Norm’s Raggedy Ass and Party at the Moon Tower were hits at our picnic table. We were also very happy to see Ugly Dog Distillery getting some love.

We’d eaten beforehand at the Chelsea Alehouse, so we didn’t sample the goodies from the food vendors:   

• Smokehouse 52 BBQ- Chelsea
• Thompson’s Pizza – Chelsea
• Rays Red Hots
• The Lakehouse Bakery

Well done! I’ve got to give a shout out to the event’s presenting sponsor Devil’s Haircut Salon and the food and beverage sponsor, Rick Taylor Real Estate for making a tasty Michigan spread possible.

Backyard Games! 

One of the main attractions was a cornhole tournament. 

If cornhole isn’t your game, you had others to pick from: 

• Giant Yahtzee
• Giant Flip Cup 
• Oversized  Darts
• Fowling
• Cornhole
• Ring Toss
• Spike Ball
• Giant Beer Pong 
• Snookball
• Giant Jenga
• Hacky Sack   

We opted for a Michigan favorite, euchre.

What makes this event stand out is the variety of games. You could experiment, meet fun folks, and enjoy the outdoors.

Great Party

Running into friends you’ve not seen in years is always a pleasant surprise. Jeff and Angie got to catch up with friends from their ADP days.

We even made a new friend!

Thank you Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce for the great party. It is a lot of work to throw one. Paying the small entrance fee to a well-organized event with excellent beverages, food, games, and music, is as they say PRICELESS! Looking forward to next year.