Even with football back on a lot of our favorite places in Ann Arbor are hurting. Hoping to soften the blow a bit, we're partnering this fall with Underground Printing to do a t-shirt a week for the places we love. All proceeds go to the restaurant/bar/whatever.

[JUMP so I don't push down the latest reason we all want to go clinking at Ashley's right now]

Limited time offer: We'll keep the order open for a week (because ordering bulk means more for the institution).

Previously: Good Time Charley's, the Brown Jug, the Blind Pig the State and Michigan Theaters, Mr. Spots, Literati, and Dominick's.

This week: Ashley's.

This morning Rishi from Underground Printing texted me:

"Ashley's today?"

I have received this text many times. My best friend and I had a History section together on Thursday afternoons that was our last class of the week, whence we'd double-time it to Ashley's to try to get one of the window tables. Around 4:55 pm we'd get a text from a representative of another chunk of our group whose class was done around five.

"Ashley's today?"

Occasionally there would be a day involving all you can eat shellfish and the other representative of Team B would send to the thread:

"Ashley's today!"

When my wife and I were first dating and it was time to give her the Seth's Magical Ann Arbor Experience date we went to Raja Rani's and then, of course, Ashley's. We got a window seat and mulled the idea that being with each other had a comfort level akin to people-watching at a grad school-ish bar with an incredible beer menu.

When I first interviewed for a job at MGoBlog Brian asked where and when I could meet. My reply:

"Ashley's. Today?"

Most of the sponsorships you've seen on the site hence began with a conversation that included "Ashleys, [day] somewhere in the thread. On December 28, 2014, when our long WOW EXPERIENCE nightmare was finally over, Brian sent a message to our company gchat group.

"ashleys tonight."

We clinked beers and said "Harbaugh!" too many times to count. In the basement a large chunk of our readership had gathered independently, the siren having gone out on the message board. The guy who sent the message arrived in a tall hat and started buying everybody drinks.

When I was told I had to go for a walk the afternoon of the day before the subsequent Utah game because I was too jittery to be around my family I texted Demorest, who replied.

Me too. Wanna meet for a beer? I'm buying.

…and Football Eve was born. I'm sure you can guess my response.

When we did a roundup on the site of favorite bars on this site, Adam Schnepp's answer pretty much nailed why I was underqualified to answer:

Adam: I don't know many other campus bars besides that one. I found Ashley's and felt no need to explore further.

Ashley's is undefeated for people of my generation because it was into craft beer long before it was cool enough that you could find it anywhere else. Even being cool before it was cool wasn't cool yet, so your table comes with a guide to the hundred beers on tap, and flights based on types so you can learn what you like. This menu also described Labatt's Blue as "bland perfumy sweetness." If you get hungry you order Stilton Fries.

I don't have to belabor this point because everyone who's lived in Ann Arbor long to enough to graduate from swill (IE turn 21) feels the same way. Yes, Ashley's eventually. For today, we have a t-shirt to keep them around.

Let's support Ashley's!