Every year, it gets bigger. Every year, it gets better. Every year, new people go and experience the life that is lived by the drinker of Michigan craft beer.

This event is the Michigan Brewers’ Guild Summer Beer Festival, held annually in Ypsilanti's Riverside Park. For 19 years, this festival has welcomed beer drinkers for a day of music, food, and some of the best craft beer that Michigan has to offer. This past weekend over 12,000 people were expected to spend a day in the park sampling beer—were you one of them?

If you were, then you hopefully stayed hydrated and coated in sunscreen as you enjoyed both familiar and new beers. If you weren’t, then you should think about going next year!

If you are new to craft beer or not sure you would find anything you like, then I offer the following examples of excellent beers that were at the festival. They are all from breweries within an hour of Ann Arbor. While this specific beer might not be available at the brewery, the list will hopefully provide ideas of types of beer to try between now and next summer! It is my hope that someone will try something new and be enthused enough to attend the festival next year. Here we go!

Salt Spring Brewery’s Kick Axe Kolsch - This light and refreshing beer is a great introduction to craft beer. For anyone who says that they don’t like beer or just taste “cold” when drinking a macrobrew, I would recommend a trip to Saline to try this lovely brew. There is a hint of hops and a touch of honey, but otherwise just smooth and creamy beer. While you’re there, try their Sister Ester’s Saison for an excellent introduction to what a farm ale should be.

Chelsea Alehouse’s Ginger Pale Ale - If you like ginger ale, then this would be a great beer to start with. It was light and bubbly, and not overwhelmed by the ginger. Do not go into this expecting Vernor’s, though! While you are there, try their Firefly Wheat beer.

Original Gravity’s Saison 979 - A saison is a fruity, zesty pale ale that would appeal to someone looking for a little bit of spice in her beer. This beer was perfect for the 105-degree heat index—refreshing, tangy, nicely carbonated. While you’re there, try their Primordial Porter. This is a perfect porter, and great for someone new to this roasty, toasty style of beer.

Liberty Street’s Clementine Lemon Thyme - This wonderful beer manages to provide drinkers with the taste of homemade lemonade without tasting like Lemon Pledge. The thyme is not overwhelming and provides a nice bit of balance. Great first beer for someone who enjoys summer ade drinks. While you’re there, try their Steamy Windows for a crisp, lightly fruity beer.

Sherwood Brewing Company’s Lawnmower IPA - Many articles have been written about India Pale Ales and their enduring popularity. Some people love these beers and some hate them, but everyone should at least try one. This beer serves as a great introduction to this style of beer. The hop profile is definitely present, but not overwhelming, in this low alcohol rye beer. While you’re there, try their Disco Lemonade and get the great taste of summer in a glass.

Block Brewery’s Wired (coffee porter) - The thought of coffee in beer might not sound appealing, but trust me—it is an excellent combination! If you like coffee, then consider this tasty porter. The overwhelming flavor is that of freshly roasted beans with some earthy undertones. While you’re there, try their Love Me IPA for another great introduction to the IPA style, with less alcohol.

Arbor Brewing Company’s Mauj (gose brewed with cucumber and lime) - A gose beer is generally known for its tartness and saltiness. This beer has those things, but so much more. This was my absolute favorite beer of the festival, and perfect for a hot day. It is what every mojito wants to be, what every summer drink wishes it could be. If you like summer cocktails, this one is for you! While you’re there, try their Bliss Wheat for another perfect summer beer.

The festival has something for everyone, and every year it gets bigger and better. Is next year your year?

Patti Smith is a special education teacher who lives in Ann Arbor with her husband and cats. She is the author of two books about Ann Arbor, the most recent of which is a history of the People’s Food Co-op. Visit her website or find @TeacherPatti on Twitter.