By Erin Atkinson
For The State News
Puddles of beer dampened the pavement and the distinctive ale smell permeated the street at the Winter Beer Festival in Lansing's Old Town Saturday.
While most opted for traditional kegs and coolers, the Dark Horse Brewing Co. found a way to make its "Scotty Karate" flavor stand out.
The company distributed its beer from the shoulders of an armless mannequin.
Local beer aficionados stood sipping on hundreds of flavors including "Quit Jerkn' my Firken" and "Big Phat Abbey Ale," from 21 brewing companies across Michigan.
Hosted by the Michigan Brewers Guild, a block-long, heated white tent protected festival goers from a bitter temperature of 27 degrees, turning Turner Street into a drunken taste fest.
The Michigan Brewers Guild, a group of beer lovers or "beer nuts" as they coined themselves, unifies a number of Michigan brewers to increase brewed beer sales in the state.
Resembling wine connoisseurs, many drinkers Saturday held their beer up in the air to closer examine its color and consistency, some smelling it before tasting.
Brewers set up tables around the outer edges of the tent and samples of beer in clear plastic cups were passed out for one token. For $30, attendees received 20 beer tokens and admission for the entire day. Each of the breweries had two to six flavors, and bars and restaurants that brew beer — from Detroit to Holland — also attended.
Amber Picketts, an employee of Dark Horse Brewing Co., said the company has participated in both the winter and summer festivals for several years.
"We did not expect such a big turnout," she said. "It was packed, and the tent was too small for that many people."
Dark Horse came to the event with five kegs, but ran out before the end of the festival. The people were understanding about the situation, she said.
Those passing out the drinks were volunteers who said they simply love beer — not employees of the various brewing companies.
Some volunteers such as Liz Smith, a self-proclaimed "beer enthusiast," found the event online and wanted to be a part of it.
Smith had not attended the festival before but was trained by the events coordinators on how much beer to give each person, about two ounces, and how to tell when someone should be cut off.
She said she enjoyed working at the beer fest and even stayed longer than she had to because everyone was so nice — except for a few who objected to the portion sizes.
Lansing resident Charles Little said he couldn't find a sample of beer he didn't like. He said he came after he saw posters for the event.
Bodies were crammed into the tent, and moving from one end to the other required pushing and squeezing.
Those able to shove their way to the back of the tent found a stage where the Detroit band The Orbitsuns played.
The trendy folk group gave homage to beer in several of its songs, and indulged in a few glasses during their set.
Although patrons mostly filled their stomachs, they didn't have to leave empty-handed.
Near the stage at the back of the tent was a stand where beer fans could purchase a multitude of clever beer shirts, hats and even thong underwear, among various souvenirs.
The items sported sayings like, "I Drink Beer, Therefore I Am" and "Beeriodic Table Of The Elements."
