The Brewers Guild Festival

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My friend Jennifer and I are given our rationed twelve tokens and head off to the three beer tents. There are thirty-five breweries here serving 250 different beers, so it’s pretty overwhelming.

Each brewery has its area set up with signs and kegs and staffed by servers and owners. The beer is doled out in little three-ounce cups. We get our first sample of beer from a Traverse City brewery and head to an outdoor table.

While we drink the beer, my friend Lucas joins us. He and Jennifer try schooling me, using words like “hoppy” and “wheaty”—and “porter,” which also happens to be Lucas’s dog’s name. I try to understand, really; but even though I’m forty-three years old, the only way my brain can describe beer is “gross” or “yummy.” It’s an impairment I’m prepared to live with.

The next glass comes from a brewpub I pick because no one’s waiting in line. Two young servers from Woodward Avenue Brewers are listening to an old freedom rock song from the 70s and wearing giant Elton John–style sunglasses. Their Raspberry Blonde is perfect.