[HOT LIST] Dream Cruise avoidance guide

Much like snow in the winter, every year at this exact same time the Dream Cruise happens and every year everyone who isn't an eager cruiser seems equally surprised and annoyed by its existence.

Look, if you live in downtown Royal Oak/Ferndale/Birmingham, it sucks. I get it. And if you live on one side of Woodward and need to get to the other, it sucks. I get it. But for everyone else, even those who live in the middle of it, there are ways for you to find relief. And that is by avoiding it. Entirely. Here's how: pick one side of Woodward and stay on it for the next three days. And here's where to go to do that.

#1 Visit the breweries of Warren
You know what isn't on Woodward? Warren. And for east- and west-siders alike, Warren is pretty easy to get to (696 runs right through it). Spend the weekend on a makeshift local brewery tour of Kuhnhenn Brewing Company, Dragonmead, and Falling Down Beer Company. Try the award-winning beers and meads at Kuhnhenn and Dragonmead (Falling Down is still too new to have those kinds of distinctions), and get some good eats from Detroit BBQ Co. at Kuhnhenn and at Falling Down, where there's a serious chef running the show in the kitchen. And Mo Pop is happening in Sterling Heights which isn't too far from there, and there will be food trucks. I know how much everyone loves food trucks.

The patio at Palate. Photo by Nicole Rupersburg.

#2 Go west - really far west
You know what else isn't on Woodward? Milford. Milford is very, very much not on Woodward. In fact, the whole western Oakland County lakes area is pretty far removed from Woodward. Been meaning to check out the Root in White Lake for dinner? This would be a great weekend to head out that way. Another cool spot to check out is Palate in downtown Milford, with a great beer list and fantastic patio. You can even make a whole day of it by starting with hiking, biking, fishing or kayaking at Kensington Metro Park - there's also a nature center and splash park for the kids.

#3 Really far west
And by that I mean Ann Arbor, which sometimes seems so far it might as well be Chicago. Really it's only 45 minutes and I just like to complain. There's plenty to do and see and eat and drink in the old Ace Deuce - there's the Hudson Mills Metropark and the Dexter-Huron Metropark, both of which offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation including hiking, biking, kayaking/canoeing, fishing, BBQing, and more. Right in downtown Ann Arbor there's the Nichols Arboretum, with more hiking and biking trails. There's the University of Michigan Museum of Art, which is a small but great museum on the U-M campus which is pretty much across the street from Ashley's, one of the top beer bars in the country and a place I recommend heartily for both beer and pizza. Plus the kids are not quite yet back in school which makes doing anything in downtown Ann Arbor during the summer about 100 times better. (Less people = better.) And also Jolly Pumpkin.

#4 Or go north
Take I-75 straight up to hit Clubhouse BFD in Rochester Hills, another one of the best beer bars in the country, Rochester Mills Brewery in downtown Rochester, and the recently-opened 51 North Brewery in Lake Orion. Basically what I'm saying through all of this is go drink beer somewhere not near Woodward.

Houndstooth Craft Hot Dog Co. at Downtown Detroit Days.

#5 Or south
Because the Dream Cruise does not actually happen in Detroit, the entire city of Detroit is safe. Mostly. The Tigers are home so there's that to contend with. And I won't have been the only person to make that realization that the Dream Cruise doesn't happen in Detroit. But Downtown Detroit Days is this weekend, a Dan Gilbert Joint with Tashmoo Biergarten and Alley Wine pop-ups because pop-ups, and also Guns + Butter is happening this weekend in Eastern Market because pop-ups.





Also there's the first-ever Zombie Con in Troy. 

[Model D] Hatch Detroit to announce 10 semifinalists for 2013 this Thursday

Detroit Institute of Bagels progress. Hatch will be developing their pocket park.

This Thursday Hatch Detroit will announce 10 semifinalists for 2013. Now in its third year, Hatch Detroit has grown from a $50,000 small business contest to a full-blown small business incubator.

Since it first launched in 2011, Hatch has completed two full rounds of contests in which the winner receives $50,000 cash as well as a host of free business services including legal, accounting, marketing and advertising, and IT support from Hatch and its partners.

Read more.

[NEWS BITES] O'Toole's gets in the craft beer game, plus new brunches and businesses

Since Facebook is now burying posts unless you pay for them, I want to make sure nothing important gets missed (or also gets buried in the Week We Ate). Here are some of the most important of the important things you need to know, tasty little news bites for your gray matter.

O'Toole's is getting into the craft beer game with the intention of being, and I quote from a third party, "the best craft beer bar in Royal Oak." The O'Toole's in Waterford always did well with their Michigan craft handles and O'Toole's founder Keith Wadle, who still owns the Royal Oak location but has since sold off his share of the Waterford restaurant and bar, has taken a serious interest in bringing that culture to his Royal Oak spot. They're redoing the bar with a new look and a brand-new start-of-the-art tap system. They just added 20 tap handles and will soon be adding 20 more, and if you think it's going to be all Sam Adams and Oberon, think again: they're getting brews like Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA and Odd Side Ales Citra Pale Ale (Imperial Beverage is treating them well and will continue to do so).

After a more than two-year delay, Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe in Midtown will open for business this Saturday with a wide selection of artisan items from local producers.

Tomorrow during the Villages Fall Festival, new permanent businesses will be announced that will be opening soon in the burgeoning neighborhood. Stay tuned.

Brunch! And stuff!
In the past two weeks there has been MUCH brunch activity. (It *is* the most important meal of the week.) To wit:

*Green Dot Stables is now open Sundays noon to 6 p.m. (or whenever whatever game is done but the kitchen is nixed at six) serving items like breakfast sliders and Vermont poutine. What is Vermont poutine, you ask? Hell if I know but I WANT IT.

*Pizzeria Biga in Royal Oak will soon be serving brunch both Saturdays and Sundays.

*Local Kitchen + Bar in Ferndale is now serving brunch both Saturdays and Sundays.

*The Sugar House in Corktown is now open at noon on Saturdays and Sundays and serving a special "Eye Opener" menu that includes bagels from Detroit Institute of Bagels.

*Crispelli's Pizzeria and Bakery in Berkley now serves a daily breakfast and will start serving weekend brunch this weekend (with breakfast pizzas!).

*Tashmoo Biergarten in West Village will host a post-Beer Fest Brewer's Brunch this Sunday featuring  biscuits and gravy from Corridor Sausage and many more brunch-tastic items that make me want to test my own limits and see just how many brunches I can consume this Sunday. This will also be their last day of the season.

*Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Co.'s Midtown coffeehouse and bar is now serving vegan breakfast sandwiches from vegan pop-up and catering company Chartreuse, and will host a full-blown brunch with them on November 10.

Plus in extra Great Lakes Coffee news, they are now open on Mondays until 11 p.m.

[HOT LIST] Detroit Beer Week 2012

The fourth annual Detroit Beer Week launches today and since I'm really anal about having events listings in one easy-to-find place as a quick and easy resource for anyone who is interested, here are all of the coordinating Beer Week events that have so far been announced.

Also, 313ale, the official beer of Detroit Beer Week, is back this year at several participating DBW venues. The first kegs will be tapped tonight at 5:01 p.m. (1701 military time, the year Detroit was founded). 313ale is a 100% Michigan session IPA (a collaboration brew between several local brewers and the DBW team using hops grown in St. Clair Shores).

Big Tent Revival at One-Eyed Betty's
Thursday 10/18, 9:30 p.m.
There will be live music with Jennifer Westwood and the Waycross Georgia Farmboys and local brews like Detroit Bohemian, Rochester Mills Mills Pils, and Arcadia Starboard Stout on tap.

Atwater Block Tap Takeover
Friday 10/19, 4 p.m.
Atwater is taking over the block! This Friday Atwater (Block) Brewery will be taking over the taps of two of their neighbors on Joseph Campau, first with a happy hour tap takeover at The Rattlesnake Club from 4 to 7 p.m., then Andrews on the Corner from 7 p.m. to close.

Tashmoo on the Road: Blocktoberfest at Atwater Brewery
Saturday 10/20, 12:00 p.m.
Saturday's 15th Anniversary Bloktoberfest party with Tashmoo Biergarten will feature food from Corridor Sausage Co., Porktown Sausage, Treat Dreams, Avalon International Breads, and Peoples Pierogi Collective. Atwater will also be releasing their Dunkel as a celebration of 15 years of making German-style beers (or, as the cool kids now say, biers).

New Belgium Tap Takeover at One-Eyed Betty's
Monday 10/22
The brewery with the best marketing strategy in possibly the country will officially start making kegs available in the Michigan market on Monday, and to celebrate Betty's is hosting a New Belgium tap takeover featuring popular New Belgium brews Fat Tire, Ranger, Triple, Shift, and the highly allocated Lips of Faith Series (a line of craft beers that celebrate experimental recipes and unique collaborations) including Biere de Mars, Peach Porch Lounger, Cocoa Mole and La Folie.

DBW Complement/Contrast Beer Dinner at Kuhnhenn Brewing Co.
Tuesday 10/23, 6:30 p.m.

Theme: The Egg

Chicken, duck, quail, ostrich, fish, pterodactyl; the common theme of this dinner is egg. Each dish will feature egg in its preparation, and then be served with two beers, showing the complementary and contrasting flavors between beer and food. Owner John Lowman and Chef Brian Pierce from the Wrought Iron Grill in Owosso are bringing their culinary show on the road. Taste their delicious creations alongside the award-winning beers of Bret and Eric Kuhnhenn of Kuhnhenn Brewery in Warren. Enjoy a Fluffer Session IPA as a reception beer, before heading down a road of gastronomic exploration.

Course 1 - Ceviche
w/ Tangerine Wit and Penetration Porter

Course 2 - Scotch Quail Egg
w/ 9 (Nine) and White Devil

Course 3 - Curried Deviled Egg
w/ DRIPA and Anneliese Amber

Course 4 - Smothered NY Strip
w/ Export Stout and Aldebaron

Course 5 - Creme Brulee Bread Pudding
w/ Creme Brulee Java Stout and Play in the Hay

Reception Begins at 6:30 pm
Tickets are $55 - pay in advance or on the day of the event.
Dinner seating is strictly limited to 70 guests - RSVP today at 586-979-8361.

93.9 The River Live Music Session and Beer Ranger at One-Eyed Betty's
Wednesday 10/24, 4 p.m.
Live music and New Belgium's beer rangers from 6 to 8 p.m. with tastings and swag.

Hit the Bricks! BRIK Red Red Brick Bike Ride (starting at Nancy Whiskey)
Wednesday 10/24, 5 p.m.
This event starts with a bike tour of the city's brick streets brought to you by BRIK RED beer, a fine product of MillKing It Productions. Meet at Nancy Whiskey at 5ish -- the ride departs at 5:30 p.m. sharp and will attempt to get 12 or so miles of bricks (and maybe a couple BRIKs) in before the sun sets at 6:30 p.m. No skinny tires, no skinny jeans, no skinny lattes, no cost to ride but you must be responsible for your own bike and well-being. Don't have a bike? Rent one from Wheelhouse Detroit.

Afterwards hang out at Nancy Whiskey for some beer can chicken and the Orbitsuns.

Bell's Takeover at Green Dot Stables
Wednesday 10/24, 5 p.m.
David Munro is busy this week. Bell's is hosting an event at Green Dot Stables, owned by one of the nicest guys in Detroit and located in one of the most stylish neighborhoods IN THE WORLD. On draft: This One Goes to 11, Hopsoulution,  Cherry Stout,  Golden Rye Pale Ale.  In bottles: Two Hearted, Double Cream Stout.

Motor City Bike and Brew Tour with Motor City Brew Tours
Wednesday 10/24, 5:30 p.m.
Learn about Detroit's brewing past and present with Motor City Brew Tours. You will see former brewery sites in downtown Detroit and bike by the new generation of breweries. This is a 9-mile tour route for all biking abilities. Ticket includes guided bike tour with support staff, historical overview at each brewery site, two Atwater beers and pizza. Please note - "BYOB" - Bring Your Own Bike. Tickets $29.99 each; space is limited.

Bell's Tap Takeover at Foran's Grand Trunk Pub
Friday 10/26, 3 p.m.
Featuring:
Black Note Stout 11.5% ABV
This One Goes to 11 Ale 11% ABV
Sparkling Ale 9.0% ABV
Golden Rye Ale 6% ABV
Deb's Red Ale 5.8% ABV
Hell Hath No Fury Ale 7.7% ABV
Cherry Stout 7.0% ABV
Special Double Cream Stout 6.1% ABV
Hopsoulution Ale 8% ABV
Oatmeal Stout 7% ABV
Best Brown Ale 5.8% ABV
Oberon Ale 5.8% ABV
Pale Ale 5.2% ABV
Two Hearted Ale 7% ABV

4th Annual Michigan Brewers Guild Detroit Fall Beer Festival
Friday and Saturday 10/26-10/27
You don't actually need me to explain this, do you? Saturday is sold out but as of THIS SECOND there are still tickets left for Friday. And here is the beer list.

The Week We Ate (The EID Week in Review)

Jacques Driscoll of Green Dot Stables is named a 40 Under 40; also unofficially one of Detroit's best humans. [Crain's]

I think people maybe missed the point of what was meant by the term "food desert." But sure, yes, let's show everyone how wrong they are about Detroit. [Deadline]

Speaking of deserts, Detroit's bagel desert days are almost done! [The South End]

Speaking of deserts again, Michigan practically was one this summer but at least it was good for grapes. [Crain's]

Convicted felon LaVan Hawkins's new place totally sounds legit. [Crain's]

It was a big week for beer gardens. Bill's Beer Garden in Ann Arbor finally got approved for their liquor license (just in time for no one to want to sit outside and drink anymore!) and Tashmoo Biergarten in the totes up-and-coming (because we say so!) Villages is back for season 2. [AnnArbor.com / Thrillist]

Saltwater is dun-zo. [EID FB]

Michigan Radio highlights local food producers (like Corridor Sausage Co. and Slow Jams Jam) and programs like the Michigan State University Product Center for the recent explosion in locally-made artisan food products. [Michigan Radio]

Eastern Market goes art deco with new facade for upcoming restaurant/pastry shop/B+B on Gratiot over by the meat mall. [Curbed Detroit]

Love + Buttercream is now open in Royal Oak in the former cup.cake location. The words "scrumptious treats" are used. Personally I prefer "sugar bombs to cram into your cake-hole." [Royal Oak Patch]

Hip(pie) Ypsi. I'm telling you. Let's Get Sconed is now open. [AnnArbor.com]

I found a new favorite place in the world. [EID FB]

Showgirls and coney dogs is how they do it in the D. The D Las Vegas, that is. [Las Vegas Sun]

I totally did not hate this. [MLive]

Hey, do me a solid and buy one of these. THX. [DP2A]

Pumpkins. Zombies. Haunted houses. Halloween. That is all. [EID FB et.al.]