United Nations of Beer

Detroit beer trip

by Bill Cassidy
(Beer Delegate, MN, USA)

RANT: Detroit beer trip

In the real world, there were actual diplomats doing actual diplomatic work. Bill Richardson was in North Korea, Nancy Pelosi and company were in Damascus. The United States was approaching the World Trade Organization about copyright piracy in China.

Not being a real diplomat, I was on a Detroit beer trip.

Upon arrival I scoped out the beer selection at Discount Drinks. I picked up two selections that caught my eye.

Given my weakness for anything German, I chose Atwater Block's Hell beer and Arbor Brewing Company's Olde Number 22 Alt Bier. I sampled both while playing board games at home with Mom. Click for full reviews.

Later in the Detroit beer trip I popped into one of my favorite stops in the Detroit area, The Fort Street Brewery. It's a newer place, taking a bit of a risk with a none-too-glamorous area in Lincoln Park, but they are leading the way in revitalizing the area. I hope other businesses follow suit.

While there I tried the Black Ice Schwartzbier. While no Kostritzer, it was still delicious. Malty and sweet, yet remarkably smooth and dangerously drinkable. Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay long and I had to drive, thus I had to limit my sampling. If you ever find yourself in Downriver Detroit, cruise by the intersection of Southfield and Fort Street and enjoy some of their wares.

Though the weather was awful during my Detroit beer trip, something everyone blamed me for bringing from Minnesota, it was in theory Spring. And spring in Michigan means one thing for beer drinkers: Oberon!

Bell's brewery in Kalamazoo was not in the cards this time around, but this Detroit beer trip would not have been complete without a stop by Oak Café, right around the corner from Mom's place. Read about the formerly divine Bell's Oberon I tried here.

My Detroit beer trip was over. For now, it's back to Minneapolis. It was a great trip. Hopefully, someday soon the UNOB will find a Delegate for Michigan who can give some of these wonderful breweries the time and attention that they deserve. (We already did! Ed.) Meanwhile, I need to get back on the ball and start reviewing Minnesota beer.