Not big fans of each other, apparently

Well, it’s a good thing that rivalries aren’t dead. It started with some not-so-good-natured pushing and shoving, followed by a nice logo stomp at midfield … really not much more than some “mine is bigger than yours” testosterone-induced garbage. And then Michigan State decided that positive yardage was WAY overrated. Michigan only allowed 94 total yards on the day, and cruised to a relatively simple 21-7 win. Off to Ann Arbor we go!

Michigan has a stupid good beer scene. Seriously. Michigan currently boasts nearly 500 breweries across the mitten, good for 4th most in the nation. With unbelievable places like Bell’s and Founders, Michigan is absolutely a great place for planning your next beer-cation. With that many breweries, it’s no surprise that many of them are located in a city with a huge university. You can read a lot about the Ann Arbor beer scene in this post from The Full Pint. Here’s an excerpt …

“Ann Arbor’s downtown is about as charming as it gets. But perhaps the best thing about this little craft beer hub, is that just about everything is within walking distance. Stumble out of one brewery, and you’ll pretty much land at the doorstep of the next.”

Today, we’ll focus on a lesser-known stop on that stumble trip through downtown: Pileated Brewing Company. Pronounced EITHER Pie-lee-ate-ed or Pill-ee-ate-ed, the brewery just asks you to not say ‘pleated,’ noting that they “are not pants.” 👖

I will admit that I chose this brewery because of a striking similarity that I have with their leadership. Pileated, if you don’t already know, means red-capped. The About Us section of this website states that the two owners “are both former redheads. We say former because time and genetics have not been kind to our once pileated heads.” Ummmm, I won’t hashtag it, but I will say Me, too! This place was meant for me! But enough about that … on to the beer!

With almost any brewery these days, they offer some standard fare: NE IPAs, IPAs, pale, stout, saison, etc. But what I think sets them apart from so many places are the details that go into making these three:

  • Belgian Tripel – they import the Hallertau Mittelfruh hops directly from Germany; and the yeast strain is from the Achouffe region in Belgium. They’re using the legit ingredients to make this one the real deal.
  • Kettle-Soured Red Bearded Father (Belgian Single) – Again using the Achouffe region yeast, Pileated makes this oft-overlooked style (that really was the original Abbey-style beer.) Also known as an Enkel, or Patersbier, this style is known as the lawnmower beer of the monk world. Delicious and very light.
  • Octoberfest Steam Pilsner – the concept of a steam beer first gained popularity in the US in the mid-1800s. Without getting too technical, it’s basically a lager that is brewed like an ale. What results is a very light beer that is super fresh and effervescent. Pileated again brings in the German hops to give it a pilsner-y feel and taste.
This place looks and seems like a must on your next trip to the Mitten. For next week, we’re going to give the Dawgs another shot. The game formerly known as the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party takes place Saturday at 3:30. With all apologies to Kentucky, these two top 10 teams meet in what is essentially the SEC East Championship game. Gainesville or Athens … where will be next week? Comment below with your score prediction. Closest to the correct final score wins a prize of my choosing.
It’s Georgia vs. Florida week!!
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October 23, 2018
Mike Pennington

Author: Mike Pennington

Mike Pennington, normal, 40-ish, father of three, living the suburban dream north of Atlanta.  

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