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Ypsi-Arbor Beer Week is slated for Aug. 1-9.

(Patrick Record | The Ann Arbor News)

Beer lovers rejoice: A weeklong series of events centered on all things craft beer is coming to Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti this summer.

The first-ever Ypsi-Arbor Beer Week is slated for Aug. 1-9, featuring craft beer events in area restaurants, bars and retail establishments.

The event will overlap with the Manchester United vs. Real Madrid soccer game at Michigan Stadium on Aug. 2, which is expected bring thousands of visitors to the Ann Arbor area.

Ypsi-Arbor Beer Week — initiated by Imperial Beverage in partnership with Visit Ypsi and Rave Associates — is modeled after Imperial Beverage’s Kalamazoo Beer Week. Imperial Beverage also organizes a beer week in Traverse City.

Kalamazoo's fourth annual Beer Week occurred in January and featured more than 140 events dedicated to celebrating craft beer, including a breakfast paired with Founders Brewing Co. beers and complimentary tastings at retail stores.

According to a news release, Ypsi-Arbor Beer Week will feature hard-to-find beers, tap take-overs, brewer presentations, beer dinners and more. Brewers and brewery representatives will be at various events throughout he week.

“There is no limit to how fun—and sometimes quirky—these events will be. We encourage host locations to plan events that are centered around craft beer and fun. We invite speakers to present that will appeal to those that might identify as “beer geeks.” In some cases, we’ve had movie, bowling, or bingo nights with our brewers,” said Imperial Beverage’s Anne Drummond in a statement.

The weeklong event is meant to drive consumers to places where craft beer is already shared and sold. Leading up to Ypsi-Arbor Beer Week, event organizers plan to recruit area restaurants and retailers to participate.

Drummond said she hopes Ypsi-Arbor Beer Week will feature about 50 events this year.

Short’s, Epic Brewing, Vander Mill, Atwater, Lagunitas, Southern Tier, Liberty Street, Left Hand Brewing Company and Anderson Valley Brewing Company have already signed on to participate.

Featured breweries and events will be posted at www.visitypsinow.com/yabw.

Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Reach her at 734-623-2584, email her lizzyalfs@mlive.com or follow her on Twitter.