Michigan breweries join forces to raise funds for Ozone House

If you aren’t familiar with fowling, no worries. Fowling is a sport where you throw a football to knock down bowling pins — Football + Bowling equals Fowling. The goal in a game of fowling is to knock over all your pins before the other team. You win if you throw a strike (knocking over all ten pins with a single shot). If you miraculously knock out the five-pin and only the five-pin on the first throw, you win. The five-pin miracle shot is called a Bonk.

There are multiple locations to play fowling, including Hamtramck (the original), Grand Rapids, Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Atlanta, and Dallas. The Breweries vs. Frostbite tournament was held at the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor location, just off Golfside Rd at the corner of Washtenaw, just a few steps from the At Home store. The Fowling Warehouse in Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor is owned by Scott Brown and Scott Love, who were on hand for the tournament.

Fowling Warehouse Ypsi-Ann Arbor is a gigantic space with 20 fowling lanes. Your options include open play — like a pool hall, playing the winner in a lane — or reservation — where you reserve a lane for 2 hours for up to 10 players. The game is fun, but an added attraction for Michigan beer enthusiasts is the outstanding selection of beers available at Fowling Warehouse Ypsi-Ann Arbor.

While the majority of beers are in cans, there is a nice selection of drafts at two bars located at the front and back of the warehouse. You want to get at least one beer on draft to experience the magical beer-filling machine. You can also get soft drinks, mixed drinks, and wine. There is no food at Fowling Warehouse Ypsi-Ann Arbor, but you can order delivery or bring your own.

Everyone who came to the Fowling Warehouse Ypsi-Ann Arbor with a donation to Ozone House was eligible to enter the Breweries vs. Frostbite tournament. Scott Brown gathered up players and set up a bracket for the tournament. The teams ranged across the participating breweries, including North Peak Brewing Company, Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, Cheboygan Brewing Co., Bell’s Brewery, Griffin Claw Brewing Co., Short’s Brewing Co., Odd Side Ales, Old Nation Brewing Co., Arbor Brewing Co., Grand Armory Brewing Co., Grand River Brewery, Saugatuck Brewing Co., Perrin Brewing Co., Pigeon Hill Brewing Co., Mitten Brewing Co., and Blake’s Hard Cider Co. National brands Finnish Long Drink, 3 Floyds Brewing, and Cigar City Brewing were also on hand. Scott Brown and Scott Love (the owners of Fowling Warehouse Ypsi-Ann Arbor) also jumped into the melee.