Event Preview: Detroit’s 17th Annual Autumn Beer Celebration at Eastern Market

Michigan Brewers Guild is taking its Detroit Seasonal Craft Beer Festival back to the city’s historic Eastern Market on Saturday, October 24. General admission is scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. with close to 90 breweries expected to showcase more than 450 beers representing over 80 styles from across Michigan. Only Guild member breweries participate, giving attendees a focused opportunity to explore the state’s craft beer scene, discover different brewing approaches, and find new favorites beyond their usual taproom choices.

Tickets and Entry

Advance tickets are $60 with additional fees, or $70 if purchased at the event. A VIP ticket costs $80 if purchased in advance, and $90 on the day and allows entry at noon, an hour before general admission. Guild Enthusiast members get in at noon on a general admission ticket by showing their membership card, and they can sample exclusive beers with timed releases in the Enthusiast Tent. General admission and VIP tickets include a sample cup, plus music and wrestling. All sales are final. A ticket can be given away or resold for face value plus the Eventbrite fee, or less, and each code scans only once at the gate.

All attendees must be 21 or older, including designated drivers, and must present a valid government ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. DD ticket (non-drinking is $25 at the gate. DD who is caught drinking is ejected; no refund. Sorry, no children or pets allowed. 

Music, Wrestling and Food

Theo Gridiron and Friends play the Main Stage from 1:30 to 3 p.m., and Audrey Ray follows from 4 to 5:30. In Shed 5, lounge singer Konrand Lee shares the bill with International Bigtime Wrestling, which stages four 30-minute exhibition matches at 1:15, 2:30, 3:45 and 5 p.m.

Detroit-area restaurants selling food on site include Yellow Dog Craft BBQ, Pietrzyk Pierogi, Señors, Guy’s Pizza and Fire and Rice. Guests can bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks, as long as nothing is in glass.

Sample tokens are no longer used under the new legislation, but the Guild reminds you that this does not imply unlimited pours. The beer list will be available online for attendees via a QR code, or at the entrance in print. Putting the options out there beforehand can help visitors prioritize the breweries, try new styles, and make the best of their time at the festival.

Getting There and What to Bring

It’s a cashless event, with tickets available at the gate and all sales inside accepting only debit or credit cards. Rain or shine, it runs. Backpacks, coolers, folding camp chairs, picnic blankets, and umbrellas are permitted and subject to search. No grills, portable heaters, bikes, strollers, outside alcohol, or glass containers. Fingers are imprinted for re-entry, and the bathrooms are outdoor porta potties. 

The festival is photographed and filmed, and attending means consenting to being recorded and to the Guild’s use of the footage. Parking lots and limited street parking are available around Eastern Market. Bus routes that stop nearby include FAST Gratiot and #31-Mack, and a four-hour pass costs $2.

About Michigan Brewers Guild

Michigan Brewers Guild was established in 1997, followed by the first festival in 1998, and has since grown to four festivals that are devoted entirely to Michigan beer from almost 300 member breweries. The nonprofit trade association is funded with ticket revenue, which is used to support some of the essential expenses of the festival, such as the cost of beer, tents, security, and insurance. These events also provide a great opportunity for local breweries to showcase their brew, meet people, and foster the independent brewing scene in Michigan.

About the Author

Vladyslav Lazurchenko covers Michigan’s entertainment and leisure scene, including local events, gaming, and emerging entertainment trends. He also writes for Jackpot Sounds.