Drinkin' for a Cause

You say beer tasting and people come from far and near.

Adrienne Seeley, formerly of Wyandotte, came from Algonac to attend annual Spring Beer Tasting. She had attended wine tastings before, but had never been to a beer tasting. She said she likes Discount Drinks’ store and thought it would be cool to check out one of their events. She started her tasting with Lansdowne Butterscotch Cider from Crispin.

“I like it,” she said. “It’s got a sweet molasses taste to it.”

The Fort Street store has been hosting beer tastings for 10 years. This year's event drew nearly 200 people.

Among them was Nancy Johnson of Plymouth, who attended the tasting with friends. This was her third Discount Drinks beer tasting.

“It’s a good opportunity to try beers that you wouldn’t normally get at a bar,” she said. “It’s an affordable way to taste beer to find out what you like without buying a whole pack.”

Greg Tysowski came from White Lake with some friends and said the event was a great night out.

“If you’re from Downriver and you don’t like beer, there’s something wrong with you,” Tysowski said.

Ian Hector of Southgate started his tasting with a cider from Crispin called The Saint. He said he is not a big fan of ciders, but enjoyed The Saint because it was light.

“There’s a good turnout, which is good,” Hector said. “It’s nice to see a lot of people come out here.”

The tasting hosted six vendors who brought 175 varieties of beer to taste. The tasting had two bonus tables–a whiskey table and a vodka table. Formal Promotions provided promotional models to pour the spirits for customers.

Tasters received a list of all the beers so they could keep track of which beers they tasted along the way and make notes on which they liked best.

The event was catered by Jeanne’s Catering through the Downriver Italian American Hall. Pizza, pulled pork sliders, raw vegetables with dip, sausage and cheese pleased tasters’ palates.

Rick Meredith of Wyandotte attended with his friend Charles Dault of Brownstown Township.

“I love it!” Meredith said. “I won’t miss another one.”

Meredith cited Boddingtons’s Pub Ale as his favorite beer of the night. Dault said his favorite was Anchor Steam Bock. He also was enjoying the vodka and whiskey being offered and said the food was great.

This was the first beer tasting for Linda Kirejczyk of Allen Park, who said her favorite ale was the Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald Porter.

“This is the greatest day of my life,” said Kirejczyk. “I love all this beer.”

Proceeds from the night benefited St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Other charities, including the Guidance Center and the Penrickton Center for Blind Children, have benefited in years past.

Discount Drinks has a number of upcoming events, including a free in-store tasting of Smirnoff raspberry, vanilla, and citrus vodka from 5 to 8 p.m. today. Those who taste test receive an instant coupon good for $2 off any fifth of Smirnoff.

The store's annual Spring Wine Tasting is set for 6 to 9 p.m. April 9 at the . Tickets are $30 if purchased by April 5 or $35 at the door.