The block party will take place from 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday, Sept. 11 and resuming 3 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Sept. 12 on Washington Street in front of Grizzly Peak Brewing Co., between Ashley and Main streets. Live music and DJ Brian Alvarez will keep the beat and beer fest vibes alive in downtown Ann Arbor, while visitors capture the memories in a photo booth and join in on outdoor games like giant Jenga and cornhole. Visitors are invited to wander an array of dining stations highlighting everything from German-style beer and Oktoberfest fare to Grizzly Peak’s newest menu items:
- The Grilling Station will feature slider sized options of each of three new burgers: The Pork Belly Burger, complete with ale- braised pork belly, jalapeno goat cheese pesto and candied tomato jam; The 2 AM Burger, topped with cheese fondue sauce, fried pickles and crisp bacon; and the Teriyaki Burger, a sirloin burger with prosciutto, pepperjack cheese, pineapple salsa and house-made Teriyaki sauce.
- The Pasta and Sliders Station will feature a Truffled Mac n’ Cheese with three-cheese béchamel and breadcrumb crust as well as the Cuban-style Pulled Pork Sliders with pickled vegetable slaw, swiss cheese, cilantro lime mustard aioli and fresh cilantro.
- The German Station will feature Pretzels and Bacon Beer Bratwurst topped with sauerkraut, in honor of Oktoberfest.
- The Beer Station will quench any thirst with four Grizzly Peak beer options to choose from, including Grizzly Peak XX Pale Ale.
The celebration will include the official tapping of a collaborative anniversary beer, called Grizzly Peak XX Pale Ale. Created by Head Brewer Duncan Williams, the beer features a higher concentration of hops and malt compared to Grizzly Peak’s usual pale ale. Visitors can partake in Grizzly Peak XX Pale Ale at the block party and raise a stein to two successful decades of brewing. This limited-time 7-barrel batch of beer was a collaborative effort among Williams and past brewers who left their mark on the Grizzly Peak, such as Ron Jeffries, founder of Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales and president of Northern United Brewing Company, Stacy Roth, brewer at Griffin Claw Brewing Co., formerly Arbor Brewing Co. and Arcadia Brewing Co., Sean Brennan, brewer at Original Gravity Brewing Co., formerly Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales and Northern United Brewing Co. and Nathan Hukill, founder and brewer at Bitter Old Fecker Rustic Ales.
Attendance at the 20th anniversary Grizzly Peak Oktoberfest is free. Food, beverages and commemorative anniversary tee shirts, beer koozies and more vary in price per ticket. Tickets will cost $1 each and be available at the entrance.
Celebrating the past and moving forward, Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. will begin a new chapter inside the restaurant, as well. Regulars and newcomers to Grizzly Peak will notice updates to the overall look of the brewpub, with rustic black and copper pendant lighting brightening each table. The building’s signature exposed brick walls will be accompanied by stylishly rustic floor-to-ceiling wood walls. Fans of brewing will be pleased to see a new glass door inside the restaurant, opening up the view into the brewery so guests can view the brewing process and see the equipment where Grizzly Peak crafts its award-winning beers. The updated aesthetic inside the brewpub will extend to the restaurant’s new menu design, which promises to be both visually appealing and easy to read.
“We are all so excited for the updates, which will build on the legacy of Grizzly Peak,” said Baird. “The new look and menu are a sign of great things to come, for long-time Grizzly Peak fans as well as first-time visitors. We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone during Oktoberfest.
About Grizzly Peak
An Ann Arbor original, Grizzly Peak Brewing Company has earned its place as a local landmark, drawing crowds of students, friends and family since 1995. The one-of-a-kind brew pub has established a lasting legacy for respected craftsmanship and vision in brewing by offering award-winning craft beers. Chef Miguel de la Torre Ruella serves a lunch and dinner crowds from focused menus and fresh ingredients derived from his scratch kitchen. Grizzly Peak is located at 120 W. Washington St. Visit grizzlypeak.net/ or connect on Facebook or Twitter for more information.
