A competition to find the "Best IPA" among 10 Traverse City breweries will return to The Little Fleet on Thursday, November 5. TC Ale Trail and Create TC - in partnership with the Michigan Hop Alliance, MI Local Hops & Drink My Brewcast - will host the event, in which 200 attendees can conduct blind taste tests of local India Pale Ales (IPAs) and vote for their favorites. The winning brewery will take home a trophy and bragging rights of "Best IPA in Traverse City."

Participating breweries in this year's event include: The Filling Station Microbrewery, The Workshop Brewing Company, Brewery Ferment, North Peak Brewing Company, Old Mission Beer Co. (at Jolly Pumpkin), Brewery Terra Firma, Right Brain Brewery, Bravo Zulu Brewing, Beggars Brewery and Rare Bird Brewpub (which has a limiting license and will be collaborating with The Filling Station to brew an IPA just for the event.)

The IPA Challenge will start at 5:30pm, with the last ballots distributed at 8pm. The unveiling of breweries and awards will take place at 9pm. Tickets are $30 in advance and include a custom taster glass, 10 sample tickets (1 taste per beer), description and rating sheet, $5 food token for LTO food truck and one voting ballot. Additional tastes can be purchased for $1-$2; pints will also be for sale. VIP tickets are $50 and include reserved seating, table-side service, snacks and all general ticket amenities. Tickets are available at The Little Fleet (while supplies last) or online here.