Hot temps, cold beer, and sweet tunes: The recipe for a great party at the Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Fest in Ypsilanti.

Michigan Summer Beer Fest 2025 – Feeling Nostalgic

Maybe it was hearing Ozzy Osbourne’s music blasting from a huge stage in the middle of Riverside Park, the same week news broke of his passing, that got me feeling nostalgic. Or maybe it was learning that Victor Lambert is passing the stickered megaphone to Anthony Amsden. That’s right, friends – Michigan Brewers Guild enthusiast #1 and steadfast volunteer at every single beer fest, Victor is retiring. Don’t worry, he promises he’ll be back. 

Or perhaps it was Facebook sharing a memory from the 2015 Summer Beer Festival. Here are a few of the pictures: 

I could go on and on. If you’re in the mood for a stroll down memory lane, here are a few links to blasts from the past:

• Michigan 2015 Summer Beer Festival
• Drink-e-Mon Go: Michigan Summer Beer Festival 
• The Summer Beer Festival was Picture Perfect – Life In Michigan  

Seeing our friend Jay Green holding Cowboy Doug’s bell added another layer of wistfulness and reminded me of all the friends we miss at these festivals.

Shaking It Up

This year, the Guild shook things up with a Saturday concert featuring Keller and The Keels. That meant attendees could not bring in tents or wagons, and there were paper drink tokens, which you could use to buy beer at the bar after 6 pm when the taps shut down. Yes, lots of changes. 

It was hot. And wet. Mostly from sweat, but also from an afternoon rain shower on Saturday that rolled in just as the gates opened for the die-hard Michigan beer fans.

The rain didn’t stick around long, and honestly, it was kind of a blessing. I overheard a few folks reminiscing about the Guild’s long streak of near-perfect weather over the years.

Here for the Beer

Some things, though, haven’t changed. Like nearly 100 breweries slinging wild, wonderful beers in every style that you “wishes.” Ellison Brewing brought a malt liquor Lime Margarita that I tried multiple times.

But when I realized the ABV, I had to slow my roll. Unexpected Craft had a pickle beer; I didn’t try it, but I heard it was surprisingly tasty.

The pickle beer was on my list, but I got waylaid with a few blueberry brews: Ogma’s Evergold and Barrel + Beam’s Beau Blue stood out.

If you’d told my younger self back in 2015 that I’d one day be a fan of sours, I’d have said you were nuts. But here we are. There is something deliciously refreshing about a sour that makes them perfect for a hot and steamy summer evening.

Chuck found a couple of hoppy, bright IPAs he loved, including Citra Sunrise from Kickstand Brewing and Resin Ritual from Batch Brewing.

Both beers shy away from the malt-forward IPA made famous by Two Hearted and instead embrace summer with sunshine crispness.

He also found some lovely pilsners and lagers, with standouts being the Cellar Me Timbers from Grand River Brewery, Gold from Mothfire, and the Rattlesnake Suitcase West Coast Pils from Ogma Brewing, which featured a tantalizing hoppy bite. 

Summertime Stouts

I’m not sure I’m on board with this, but Chuck is convinced that stouts are for drinking all year long. He has head over heels with the rich dark goodness of Hear.Say Brewing’s vanta.ray imperial stout.

The 2025 editions of No Rules from Perrin Brewing were also on deck, and Chuck seemed to glow after indulging in the bourbon-kissed sweet ecstasy of the Brewers Surprise imperial stout.

New Brews: Florian East Lagers & Ales and Oaktown Brewery

Like a butterfly landing on your shoulder, it was delightful to enjoy beers from a couple of new (to me) breweries. Florian East Lagers & Ales from Hamtramck offered some magnificent brews, including their Midwest Leisure Czech pils and Soft & Kind Golden ale.

In front of their spot in the beer tent, they offered a small cafe table to enjoy your beers. If you closed your eyes and tuned out the buzzing crowd, you might imagine sipping your beer on the streets of Prague.

Oakstown Brewing from Grandville is the second brewery started up by the owners of Harbor Light Brewing in South Haven. Chuck said their I Regret Nothing porter was a gem.

Firkin Madness

The tradition of singing the Michigan Brewers Guild fight song as well as pin popping (aka firkin tapping) took place on both days of the Summer Beer Fest with the honorary hammer master being the retiree, Victor. He skillfully drove the tapper home and avoiding smashing Chas’s hand. The beer for Friday was Cherry Orange Whip by Rochester Mills Distribution – a Milkshake IPA brewed with oranges, vanilla, and cherries. This beer packed a lot of zing. For Saturday, Dragonmead offered their Killer Bee – a Belgian Trippel brewed with honey. This one was super delicious.

In The Spotlight: Music

Hey gang, Chuck here on the music beat (pun intended 🙂). This year, the Michigan Brewers Guild went all out in putting the music center stage. Literally, they put a huge stage right in the middle of the festival. No matter if you were in the back forty, along the river’s edge, or enjoying some vittles, you could experience the tunes.

Friday Night: Act Casual with Jimmy Olson

Opening up the stage on Friday afternoon at Summer Beer Fest was Jimmy Olson from Traverse City. They laid down some funky grooves with high-flying vocals and a touch of laidback island vibes.

Bringing hot and funky jams perfectly tuned to the steamy evening heat is Act Casual. This band has been on my radar for a while, but I had yet to see them live. They did not disappoint. With driving bass and drums, plush keyboards and blazing guitars, the funky fried fusion of Act Casual burned with radiant energy. My advice is to see this band every chance you get, as they will scorch your brain (in a good way).

Saturday Night: Keller and The Keels with Supercrunch

The Saturday session of music at the Summer Beer Fest was more of a traditional concert than in previous years. The crowd migrated toward the stage as the Grateful Dead tribute band Supercrunch kicked off their set. They played a set full of classic Dead, which sounded spot on and fabulous. I’m sure Jerry and Phil would be proud.

The climax of the evening was the stellar bluegrass of Keller and The Keels. Featuring Keller Williams (guitar), Larry Keel (guitar), and Jenny Keel (bass), they lit up the evening with blissful bluegrass. The trio reimagines pop hits such as Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” while laying it down on originals like “Medulla Oblongatta.” There were many smiles on the stage and in the crowd as the sweet leaves of bluegrass blew us down. The sunshine vibes from the stage closed out a full weekend of fun with our beer family at another Summer Beer Fest.

Pictures

There are so many fabulous pictures, it was hard picking which one to include. Drop by our galleries for Friday and Saturday to find more pictures from this year’s Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Fest.