“(They’re) fun, unique events to get people out and go to places they’ve never been before,” Starr said.

LBW kicked off with Old Town Lansing’s annual Festival of the Moon on Friday evening. Economics senior Michelle Orlando said Festival of the Moon was her first beer festival and appreciated the overall vibe of the event in addition to the favorable weather.

“It’s a nice way to kick off the summer,” Orlando said.

Orlando also said she planned on checking out the events offered during the rest of LBW.

Marc Wolbert, general manager at Midtown Beer Company, 402 Washington Square South, said Midtown Beer Company is hosting several LBW events. Tonight’s event, which will feature prominent women in the craft beer industry, is one that excites him and delves into a topic that is close to his heart, Wolbert said.

“I’ve always been a proponent of destroying the stereotype that beer is for dudes,” Wolbert said. “I (would) hazard a guess to say that there are quite a few women who drink beer more than (people) think.”

Wolbert also looks forward to a viewing party for the television show “Great American Brew Trail,” which profiles Michigan’s best breweries over the course of 13 episodes. On Wednesday, LBW participants have the opportunity to preview an episode featuring Schmohz Brewing Company and New Holland Brewing.

“There are a lot of people in the Lansing area who haven’t had the opportunity to try breweries like Schmohz,” Wolbert said. “To be able to feature that at Lansing Beer Week is really cool. It’s all about the little guys.”

Wolbert added the craft beer movement in Michigan has picked up speed within the last seven to 10 years. He said while there were roughly 60 breweries in Michigan five years ago, there currently are more than 120 in the state.

Wolbert said the Great Lakes State’s success in brewing can be attributed to its location.

“The major ingredient in beer is water,” Wolbert said. “And we have some of the best water (in) the nation. That makes it a very logical choice when you look at where to set up a brewery.”

Wolbert projected that Michigan could almost be the top state for breweries per capita in five years.

LBW will wrap up with the Lansing Beer Fest on June 29. Starr said the festival has been under work for the past five months and will showcase 12 Michigan breweries and more than 30 craft beers.

Sarah Burgess, a Lansing resident who has attended Festival of the Moon for the past four years, said she wishes Lansing had more beer festivals.

“It just brings everyone in Lansing together,” Burgess said. “It’s a cool thing other cities don’t have. This is the best state for beer, how can you not love it?”