Happy Birthday, Michigan, and many happy returns

Exactly one year ago today The Buzz went live. We're marking the occasion by republishing the inaugural post. Fitting it should commemorate an anniversary infinitely more important than our own.

Siciliano's MI beer cooler, circa Jan. 2011

By Chris Siciliano

On January 26th, 1837, our still-young nation welcomed the newest and most appendage-like state into the Union. Who would have guessed that 174 175 years later the 26th state in order of admittance would be among the best in terms of beery goodness. In honor of our great state's 174th 175th birthday, the staff at Siciliano's has put together a special mix-pack of mitten-centric brews. Not only do these six beers hail from 'America's High Five', all share names with Michigan (ghost) towns, landmarks, or geological features. What better way to mark the occasion than by imbibing the very essence of our 'pleasant peninsula'.

And just to make it fun, we've created a beer quiz to mark the occasion. Match the beer with it's namesake; win the admiration of all your friends. Good luck!

1. Bell's Two Hearted Ale

2. Bell's Kalamazoo Stout

3. Saugatuck Brewing Co. Singapore IPA

4. Shorts Brewing Co. Bellaire Brown

5. Bell's Third Coast Beer

6. Michigan Brewing Co. Mackinac Pale Ale

A. a term "generally used to refer to the Great lakes region," specifically Michigan.

B. a college town in southwest Michigan; yes it really does exist!

C. a bridge or island; in either case, a popular MI tourist destination.

D. a small, yet beer-rich town near Traverse City, MI.

E. a trout river in the UP made famous by Papa Hemingway and Nick Adams.

F. a ghost town on Lake Michigan, near Saugutuck.

Thanks to all our readers

for making The Buzz' first year a success!