Wolverine State Brewing Company has been a popular addition to the Ann Arbor community since opening its doors five years ago. WSBC specializes in lagers, believing that Michigan was missing an easy-drinking, simple, approachable beer to consume on any occasion. Thus, founders Matt Roy and Trevor Thrall created the flagship Wolverine Premium Lager, and from there went on to create a huge variety of other lagers, including high-gravity ones (seems like an oxymoron, right?), lagers aged in bourbon barrels, and seasonal lagers featuring ingredients like pumpkin and coffee. WSBC also opened a full kitchen at their tap room last year, and they excel at both BBQ and Mexican dishes...sometimes managing to combine the two, as is the case with their (delicious!) smoked pulled pork burrito.

All in all, Wolverine has a lot to celebrate, and so they are! They’re throwing a party for their fifth anniversary, starting at 6 pm on Saturday, December 5. They’ve brewed a brand new beer for the occasion called Vers l’avant, a golden lager made with Bartlett pears from Michigan and aged in white wine barrels. Their special reserve beer, 2014 Massacre, will also be on tap at the event, along with other special brews. Brewery tours and giveaways will also be a part of the festivities on Saturday.

Local band Dragon Wagon will play at 9 pm, making them one of the first ever live bands to play at WSBC. The six-member band has been compared to The Avett Brothers and Old Crow Medicine Show, or, as they describe themselves, “bluegrass-folk rock with a shot of Irish Whiskey.” Dragon Wagon is comprised of not only the expected guitar, drums, and bass, but also mandolin, fiddle, and other instruments. Always a fun and lively performance, they’re sure to get the crowd at WSBC up and moving.

Elizabeth Pearce is a Library Technician at the Ann Arbor District Library.

Wolverine State Brewing Company is located at 2019 W. Stadium in Ann Arbor. The 5-Year Anniversary Celebration will take place from 6 pm until close on Saturday, December 5, with Dragon WAgon taking the stage at 9 pm.