Detroit Fall Beer Festival 2025: Rocking the D with outstanding Michigan craft beer in Eastern Market.
Detroit Fall Beer Festival 2025
Fall is for festivals, and one of the best is the Detroit Fall Beer Festival at Eastern Market. Celebrating 16 years of Michigan Beer in the Motor City, this event caps a year of festivals hosted by the Michigan Brewers Guild. With near-perfect conditions, beer enthusiasts poured in to try brews in every style imaginable. With close to 500 beers available, there was something for everyone.
New Kids On The Block
The Michigan craft beer industry, like all craft businesses, runs on a razor’s edge. While times have been tough in the Michigan craft beer industry, like a flower bursting through the pavement, new breweries have sprung to life. Focusing on quality, these tenacious new breweries showcased some seriously delicious beers.
Full Measure Brewing
Part of our Dangerous Day with Jay, Full Measure Brewing may have walked their delicious beers over, given their proximity (2700 Orleans, Detroit). Since I didn’t have it at the brewery, I went with the Atmospherium saison. What a great choice! Bright, dry, with a dash of fruitiness, this beer would be my go-to choice for a sunny fall day. One of the best beers I had at the festival.
Six Spoke Brewing
Another Dangerous Day with Jay stop, Six Spoke Brewing over in Corktown brews simply amazing beers. My other must-have beer from this year’s festival was the Packard Pils. You might be thinking, “Pils? WTF! Boring”. Wrong answer 🙂 In my book, a superb pilsner is hard to beat, and Six Spoke has this baby dialed in — perfect any day and all day.
Florian East Lagers & Ales
I really need to get over to Hamtramck to visit Florian East Lager & Ales. As they did at the summer beer fest, you could enjoy one of their delightful beers at a small table and chair artfully set up just outside their tent. Imagine a little cafe on the streets of Prague as Robert Langdon sprints in another Dan Brown adventure. Intrigued by the name, I went with All The Pudding, a Polish pilsner brewed with Polish grains and hops. It was an extremely easy-drinking pils with a touch of sweetness.
Manchester Brewing
When I stopped by Manchester Brewing, Jason Cooper (owner) and Bob Johnson (brewer) were all smiles. This was their first Brewers Guild festival, and they looked like they could burst with excitement. Jason was particularly jazzed after meeting Joe Short, the man who inspired him to get into beer. We talked a bit about the collegial nature of the Michigan brewing industry. There is no doubt that the Michigan beer family is supportive. I can say for a fact that we’ve gained a great family of creative friends through our love of Michigan beer. In the midst of the beer community love, I enjoyed a River Raisin Red. I’m typically not an amber fan, but this beer has just the right ratio of malt to suit my palate. Now I need to plan a trip back to Manchester Brewing to pair this brew with a taco or two.
Michigan Hops Rocks
The Hop Growers of Michigan were set up on prime real estate with a selection of beers brewed with Michigan hops, including Archival Brewing’s Two Cent Kentucky Common and Great Baraboo Brewing’s Cady Corner IPA. While the beers were excellent, the real surprise was the cherry chocolate hop water. Like a sweet chocolate treat, there was just a nip of hops to give it a little zip.
Old Dogs With New Tricks
Short’s Brewing
Not quite one of the OG’s of Michigan beer, Short’s has been going strong since 2004. They always go big at the beer fests, and Detroit Fall Beer Fest was no exception. Next to the roaring gas lanterns that scared the bejesus out of me more than I care to admit, I sample their Pure MI Cherry Kolsch. A touch of cherry that puts a fine spin on a classic beer.
Dark Horse Brewing
While times have changed since Dark Horse opened their doors back in 1997, they remains committed to brewing burly beers. Their classic Plead The 5th remains solid, but for a real kick in the pants, try the War of Britton. This 12% barleywine is a bold brew with a boozy, caramel finish. Glad I tried it early, as I needed some time to recover from this one.
Royal Oak Brewing
In August, Royal Oak Brewing celebrated its 30th anniversary. Clearly, they are doing it right to have weathered the storms that plague small businesses. One thing they have surely perfected is the craft of making exquisite beers. With my buddy Pauly from the greatest Celtic rock band in the land, Stone Clover, was on hand, I gave their collaboration beer a try. The Stone Clover stout is a barrel-aged beauty that is strong without being a sloppy drunkard. A full-bodied beer that perfectly reflects the strength and character of the band.
Tapping Tradition
Deb Crosier came all the way from Iowa to celebrate her birthday at the Detroit Fall Beer Festival. She expertly hammered home the tap as the festival’s honorary keg tapper. The beer for this festival was Uncle Dave’s Rye Peppercorn pale ale from Full Measure Brewing. A citrusy IPA with a tiny pop of black pepper to keep you on your toes.
Music
Kelsey
With pulsing rhythms and abundant melodies, Kelsey had the crowd in the palm of her hand. Punchy bass and drums accented with sunny guitar and keyboards punctuated a soundtrack rooted in 80s new wave with a modern vibe. Her music magically paired with Heights Brewing’s Unchained golden honey ale.
JonPaul Wallace
Pop music steeped in Detroit soul was a recipe for movement from hometown sensation JonPaul Wallace. Lush vocals combined with singing keyboards drew a crowd ready to have a good time and dance. These mesmerizing melodies tasted great with a Fly Life from Batch Brewing.
Beer Family Fotos
As you may have guessed, the Detroit Fall Beer Festival 2025 at Eastern Market was a hit. We’ve got plenty of photos in our gallery. But here are a few of our favorites.
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