Michigan Microbrewery March Madness

What a game yesterday. Bell's and New Holland were neck and neck most of the day. With 4 hours left to vote, it's still too early to call this one. Today we are bringing things a little closer to home with our first match in the Ann Arbor division: Arbor Brewing Company (and Corner Brewery) versus Wolverine State Brewing Company. ABC opened its doors in 1995 and since that time has become a favorite among Ann Arborites. Wolverine State Brewing Company is a newer entry onto the brewpub scene, opening up just last fall in Ann Arbor. Nevertheless, they are bringing a solid line of wonderfully named beers, a laid-back atmosphere, and what has been described as "the best foosball table around." Let the voting begin.



Tomorrow we are heading back to the Motor City Division where Woodward Avenue Brewers takes on Detroit Beer Company. Stay tuned.

Book club

Look what Penguin sent us to review. Full report on The Art of Forgetting by Camille Noe Pagán forthcoming.

Supermoon!

Re-emergence of Michigan Basketball

Photo from the Detroit News

No one was talking about Michigan making the tournament this year. Even in mid-January, as Michigan stumbled to a 1-6 record in the big ten, they weren't on anyone's radar. Following their first win at Michigan State since 1997, Michigan proceeded to win 8 of their last 11 to get into the tournament. Even as Michigan drew an 8 seed to their first opponent's 9, most expected Tennessee to dispose of the Wolverines and give top seeded Duke a run for their money in the west bracket.

This Michigan team has exceeded expectations anyone had for them this year, and yesterday was no different as they beat Tennessee 75-45, the largest margin of victory in the 8 vs 9 seed game in tournament history. Now Michigan will take on top seeded Duke on sunday. And since the release of the 'Fab Five,' documentary looking back at the glory days of Michigan Basketball in the early 90s, there has been a renewed interest in the Michigan/Duke rivalry in the national media. It should be an exciting game tomorrow. Duke is a heavy favorite, but the wolverines have been playing well. Anything can happen, IT'S MARCH MADNESS!!

Go Blue

I want to win this

The Current is having its annual "Best of Ann Arbor" competition. I would really like Damn Arbor to win best blog. If you would too, you can vote online here. Thank you, and god bless America.

Michigan Microbrewery March Madness: Game 3

Yesterday's game is finishing up and barring something unforeseen it looks like Short's brewery will maintain its commanding lead over North Peak. Truly amazing. Today we head south to the Kalamazoo River Division where powerhouse Bell's Brewing is taking on New Holland. 5 Years ago, I wouldn't have thought New Holland had a chance, given Bell's extensive market penetration. However, New Holland has built a solid line of beers and with that comes a dedicated following. This truly is anybody's game.



Stay tuned tomorrow where we have Ann Arbor's Arbor Brewing Company taking on newcomer Wolverine State Brewing Co. This promises to be a match to remember.

More

But do they have have psychic crafts

That's what I want to know.

What's the idea behind this curb?

I assume it's "traffic calming." This has to be one of the least bike friendly features in the city. It makes bikers swerve uncomfortably close to cars. You can see that they actually ripped up part of one of the new "sharrows" to put the curb extension in. Lame.

New slang

I've always wanted to create slang. Unfortunately, my previous attempts ("No Hobo") have fallen short of widespread acceptance. Nevertheless, I remain undeterred. The following are words or phrases I am nominating for universal adoption:

The Com - Short for AnnArbor.com. People don't burden themselves saying The New York Times, do they? No, people just say "The Times," or "The Post," or "The Mooney Paper" and everyone knows what they mean. Why should we have to wast all those syllables saying AnnArbor.com. The first usage of the Com, of which I am aware, dates back to Jim Rees' comment on The Ann Arbor Chronicle on March 13th of this year.

Michigoner - Someone who goes to college in Michigan but leaves afterword. I first saw michigoner used in Ed Vielmetti's article Five notable Ann Arbor area weblogs for 2010.

N.a.G.L. - Pronounced naggle. Acronym for "not a good look." i.e. Jorts and Uggs = N.a.G.L. Colleen Hill gets credit for coining this term.

The Hype - A shortcut or path of least resistance. Derived from hypotenuse. i.e. E. Jost heard this one from an undergrad I'm told.

Michigan Microbrewery March Madness: Game 2

Yesterday's match saw Atwater Block Brewery defeat Motor City Brewing Works by a margin of 28%. Today's game comes from the frosty Northern Division where North Peak is taking on Short's Brewing Company. North Peak hales from the Cherry Capital. Their beers come in very throwable stout bottles. Short's is a newer entry into the Northern Division, opening its doors in 2004. Their botanically named "Huma-Lupa-Licious" is abundantly hopped. Their motto: "Life is Short’s, drink it while you’re here." Let the voting begin!



Tomorrow sees what promises to be a fierce battle in the Kalamazoo River Division. Bells, The Duke of Michigan Microbrewery March Madness, takes on New Holland. Could this be the upset that Chris Primeau has predicted? Stay tuned.