Michigan Beer Festival: Buying Tickets Guide

The Michigan Brewers Guild hosts several beer festivals throughout the year, including the Detroit Fall Beer Festival, the Winter Beer Festival, and the Summer Beer Festival. Tickets for these events can be purchased online through websites such as Eventbrite, Front Row Tickets, and Beerfests.com. The cost of tickets typically includes admission to the festival and tokens for beer samples, with designated driver tickets also available. It's important to note that these festivals have age restrictions, requiring all attendees to be 21 or older, and often take place outdoors, so attendees should dress appropriately for the weather.

Ticket prices and what they include

Ticket prices for the Michigan Brewers Guild Beer Festival vary depending on the type of ticket and the time of purchase. For example, tickets for the 25th Annual Summer Beer Festival are priced at $60, while Enthusiast Members can get early entry tickets for $45. The Detroit Fall Beer Festival also offers $60 tickets, with early entry tickets for Enthusiast Members priced at $45. The Winter Beer Festival has tickets priced at $60, with Enthusiast Members early entry tickets priced at $45.

Your ticket includes admission to the festival and tokens for beer samples. The number of tokens varies depending on the festival and the type of ticket purchased. For example, the $60 ticket for the Detroit Fall Beer Festival includes 15 tokens for beer samples, while the $45 early entry ticket for Enthusiast Members includes 12 tokens. The Winter Beer Festival offers the same number of tokens for the same ticket prices.

It is important to note that all festival attendees must be 21 or older to enter, even if they are designated drivers and are not drinking. A valid government ID is required for festival entry, with no exceptions. The festivals also have a strict no-refund policy, so it is essential to plan your attendance carefully.

In addition to beer samples, the festivals feature local food, music, and other attractions. For example, the Winter Beer Festival offers ice sculpture photo ops and fire pits to warm up by, while the Summer Beer Festival takes place in the lovely outdoor setting of Ypsilanti's Riverside Park in historic Depot Town.

Age and ID requirements

All attendees of the Michigan Brewers Guild Beer Festival must be aged 21 or older to enter the event, even if they are designated drivers or not drinking. A valid government ID is required for festival entry, with no exceptions. This includes children and infants. If you are bringing a designated driver, they must be aged 21 or older and have a valid ID. Designated Driver tickets are available at the gate or Will Call for $20-$25. Anyone caught drinking on a Designated Driver ticket will be ejected from the festival without a refund.

If you are an Enthusiast Member, you can gain entry to the festival one hour before general admission. To do this, you must bring your valid Enthusiast Membership ID card. If you would like early entry, you can sign up to become an Enthusiast Member before the festival date.

Ticket transferability

Tickets for the Michigan Brewers Guild Beer Festival are transferable. This means that if you are unable to attend the event for any reason, you can sell or give your ticket to someone else. This is outlined in the refund policy for the event, which states that there are no refunds, exchanges, credits, or order cancellations.

To transfer your ticket, you do not need to do anything special. The purchaser's name will not be checked against the ID-holder name at the gate. However, each ticket barcode will only scan once, so the person you transfer the ticket to will need to have it with them, either printed or electronically.

The festival organisers encourage you to only sell your ticket to someone who meets the entry requirements. All festival attendees must be 21 or older, even if they are not drinking, and a valid government ID is required for entry with no exceptions. It is also important to remember that designated driver tickets are non-drinking tickets, and anyone caught drinking on one will be ejected from the festival without a refund.

Designated driver tickets

It is important to note that designated drivers must be 21 years or older and present a valid ID to enter the festival, even if they are not consuming alcohol. This is a strict requirement, and there are no exceptions. Additionally, anyone found drinking on a designated driver ticket will be ejected from the festival without a refund. The Michigan Brewers Guild emphasizes that servers will not serve beer to designated drivers, so attendees should not attempt to purchase a lower-priced ticket if they plan on sampling beer.

For those who are interested in attending the festival as a designated driver, it is recommended to visit the official website, mibeer.com, for the most up-to-date information and to confirm the designated driver ticket pricing and availability.

What you can and can't bring

The Michigan Brewers Guild Beer Festival has a strict list of items that are allowed and prohibited on the festival grounds. Here is a detailed list of what you can and can't bring to the event:

What You Can Bring:

• Non-alcoholic beverages in non-glass containers, such as water bottles or other drinks.
• Food is allowed, and with local food available, you can make a picnic of it.
• Folding or camping chairs are permitted, so you can set up a comfortable spot to enjoy the festival.
• Small coolers are allowed, which is great for keeping your drinks and food fresh.

What You Can't Bring:

• No outside alcohol is permitted. With hundreds of fresh, local beers available from Michigan breweries, there is no need to bring your own.
• No glass containers are allowed, so please transfer any drinks into another type of container before arriving.
• Weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited.
• Marijuana is not allowed, despite Michigan's progressive stance on its legalization.
• Children, including infants, are not permitted to enter, even if they are accompanied by a designated driver and will not be consuming alcohol.
• Animals are not allowed, so please leave your furry friends at home.
• Strollers, bicycles, skateboards, roller skates/blades, wagons, and motorized vehicles are prohibited.

Please note that all items are subject to search by staff and security, and any prohibited items will be confiscated. It's important to follow these guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees at the Michigan Brewers Guild Beer Festival.

Frequently asked questions