Area brewers will show off their creative skills during Traverse City Beer Week, which starts next Friday (Nov. 7). More than two dozen breweries and taprooms offer tastings of hundreds of craft beverages, and opportunities for prizes and discounts. Traverse City Beer Week runs through the following Saturday, November 15th.
 
The event uses a mobile passport to give a self-guided tour of breweries, taprooms, and cideries. The passport includes discounts and incentives. Those who check into five participating locations can earn a Beer Week mesh back cap that is redeemed at the Traverse City Visitor Center.
 
Each day of Beer Week will include a theme.
Friday, Nov. 7 – Pilsner Party
Saturday, Nov. 8 – Lager Love
Sunday, Nov. 9 – Blonde Moments
Monday, Nov. 10 – Brown Sugar
Tuesday, Nov. 11 – The Red Zone
Wednesday, Nov. 12 – Twist of Flavor
Thursday, Nov 13 – Hop Harvest
Friday, Nov 14 – Porterhouse Party
Saturday, Nov. 15 – Stout Showdown
 
Special events include the Flapjack & Flannel Festival at Timber Ridge RV and Recreation Resort, Beer Week Bingo and brewery tours at Short’s Pull Barn in Elk Rapids, the Boozy Bee spelling bee at Right Brain Brewery, Mystery Beer Flight Challenge at K&A Hop Dogs, and the IPA Challenge at the Little Fleet.
 
Those staying at Traverse City Tourism lodging partners can enter to win one of two beer-themed prize packages. Each package includes an $850 gift certificate for lodging around the Traverse City region. One prize will also include a tour for two with Kayak, Bike & Brew. The other prize includes a cruise for two aboard the Nauti-Cat.
 
Four breweries have created five special releases that will be tapped for the first time during the week. Those special brews will be opened at Shorts Brewing, Farm Club, Right Brain Brewery, and Workshop Brewing.
 
Brews will include traditional styles, Belgian-inspired, pale ale, amber, IPA, stout, meads, non-alcoholic, and ciders. Participating locations are in Traverse City, Frankfort, Beulah, Lake Ann, Elk Rapids, Bellaire, Northport, Kingsley, and Williamsburg.
 
Beer Week participants are encouraged to slow down at each location and savor the flavors of quality brews and ciders. Drink responsibly and take full advantage of designated drivers, taxis, public transportation, bike trails, and ride services.
 
The mobile passport with a list of participating breweries, taprooms, and check-in locations is available at https://www.traversecity.com/tcbw/