Did a thirst for beer spark civilization?

That’s the provocative title of a recent article in The Independent that profiles archaeologist Patrick McGovern’s theory that our ancient ancestors gave up their nomadic ways once they learned how to grow and ferment grain into alcohol. So the next time someone criticizes you for your loutish, drunken behavior, you just put that barbarian in his or her barbarous place.

Oh, and in the meantime, you can participate in several civilized activities going on in our area. Your Week in Civilization Beer follows.

Thursday, January 21 Have you been down to Original Gravity Brewing in Milan yet? Want to see a funny movie? If you answered no and yes—or yes and no or no and no or yes and yes—you should check out the most recent installment of the Beer and a Movie series at OG. The feature film is The Hangover, about some happenings in Vegas. And if you’re lucky, there will still be some 440 Pepper Smoker Amber Ale on tap. The movie’s free, but I suspect the proprietor would like to be paid for the beer.

Saturday, January 23 All right, maybe you prefer hockey with your beer. If so, you can drop in to The Arena, 203 E. Washington, for a viewing party of the Detroit Red Wings vs. the L.A. Kings. Red Wings swag will be available, as are free tacos with drink purchase. But you’re gonna purchase some beer, anyway, right? The Arena has some new bottles of Short’s Brewing in their repertoire, as well as Bell’s Hopslam and Howl, a winter ale from Magic Hat, on tap. Game time is 7pm.

Over in Plymouth, it's Ice Festival weekend. Liberty Street Brewing, 149 W. Liberty, will have live bands on Saturday and host a chili cook-off Sunday right after the festival. If you go, be sure to try their mild ale on tap. Mmm, mild. Call the brewery at 734-207-9600 for more details.

Tuesday, January 26 Calling all bastards! Oops, I forgot this is a family newspaper. But I can’t help it, you see. Tonight from 5-11pm is Who’s Your Bastard? at Ashley’s, 338 S. State. It’s a beer battle with, in one corner, Arrogant Bastard, Double Bastard, and Oaked Arrogant Bastard ales from California's Stone Brewing and, in the other corner, Dirty Bastard, Backwoods Bastard, and Flappy Sappy Bastard (I got nothin') ales from Michigan's Founders Brewery. In addition to all these bastards, Ashley’s also will have 7 other Stone and 8 other Founders beers on tap, including a firkin of Founders Red Rye. Vote for your favorite. Only a real bastard would miss this. Bastard.

Wednesday, January 27 Remember Michigan beer night at Bar Louie, 401 E. Liberty? Me, too. Bell's this week: $3 pints of selected brews from Michigan's largest brewery.

Notes on the Napkin

• Blue Tractor, 207 E. Washington, has a new beer on tap: Darkside Lager, a roasty, chocolatey brew that clocks in at 5.4% ABV.
• With the announcement of Wolverine Brewing soon opening up shop on W. Stadium, Concentrate Media declares that Ann Arbor is swimming in new microbreweries. The more, the merrier, say I.
• Another fine eBay item: Purchase your sign advertising fine "Ann Arbor, Michigan, Beer-Ale" here.

That's it for this week's beer calendar. Until next time, stay civilized: drink beer.

David Bardallis is a freelance writer and editor, blogger, bon vivant, and man about town. Visit his Web site, DavidBardallis.com, to engage his services or read his latest. Email your beer-related thoughts to annarborbeer@gmail.com, follow @dbardallis on Twitter, or join the "All the Brews Fit to Pint" Facebook page.