Beer drinkers across metro Detroit can mark their calendars for Saturday, October 24, when nearly 90 breweries from across Michigan descend on Eastern Market for the 17th Annual Detroit Fall Beer Festival. General admission runs from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., with more than 90 breweries pouring 480 beers across nearly 80 styles at the historic market's Shed 5.
The festival is put on by the Michigan Brewers Guild, according to easternmarket.org, and takes place at 2810 Russell St. Michigan Brewers Guild Enthusiast members and VIP ticket holders get a head start, with gates opening at noon — a full hour before the general public is let in. As reported by WXYZ 7 News Detroit, performers Theo Gridiron and Friends and Audrey Ray are set to take the stage during the event.
Every ticket comes with entry into the festival, live music, live wrestling shows, and a sample cup for tasting, per the Eastern Market listing. Standard general admission tickets run $60 per person in advance, plus service fees, climbing to $70 if purchased the day of the festival or at the gate. VIP tickets cost $80 in advance and $90 day-of. All sales are final and non-refundable for any reason, organizers note.
Tokens, Not Cash, at the Gate
Each ticket includes 15 tokens good for beer samples, with extra tokens available for purchase, according to Fox 2 Detroit. Anyone buying tickets at the door will need a credit or debit card, since cash won't be accepted on site, the station reports. Under Michigan law, beer dispensed to consumers for showcasing at a festival like this one is classified as a sample served by the holder of a special license, according to the Michigan Legislature's compiled statutes on the matter.
Beyond the beer list, attendees won't have to go hungry. Food from Detroit-area restaurants will be available for purchase throughout the festival, giving festivalgoers a chance to refuel between pours from the dozens of breweries lining Shed 5.
