American Craft Beer Week May 13-19

It’s early May once again, and that can only mean that American Craft Beer Week is just around the corner.  This year (the 8th year of ACBW), the celebration of American craft beer will run May 13th to the 19th.  The Brewer’s Association designates a week in May to be the nationwide culmination of many of the city based “Beer Week”s such as Philly Beer Week, San Francisco Beer Week, etc.  Which begs the question… how long until we get a Columbus Beer Week?  After all, there is a Cincinnati Beer Week and a Cleveland Beer Week, why hasn’t Columbus joined it’s fellow Ohio C-cities? With the recent boom in local breweries and good beer bars, it may just be a matter of time.

In celebration of ACBW, there are a few things going on in the capital city:

• The Pub at Polaris will be featuring a special four course meal paired with various Sam Adams beers, as well as other featured brews, on May 13.
• Bodega, one of THE places to go for good beer and good selection in Columbus, will once again be releasing a special and rare beer each day of ACBW.  Rumor has it that they’ve been sitting on a keg of KBS that may make an appearance, but they are still working on deciding their final lineup for the week. **Update: Kegs that Bodega will be tapping include, Founder’s KBS, Victory & Market Garden Brewing collaboration Kennet Ale, Three Floyd’s Rabbid Rabbit Saison, Sierra Nevada’s Hoptimum, Southern Tier’s Plum Noir, Fat Head’s #1 Saison, and Barley’s Chupacabra.  This list isn’t necessarily in chronological order, so you just might have to go multiple nights to catch as many as possible.
• Columbus Brewing Company has a few events planned throughout the week, including an event at 4th Street Bar and Patio and one at The Pint House
• Daily featured beers are basically the name of the game over at The Daily Growler, but they are planning on doing something for their patrons in addition to their regular daily specials.  Each day of the week will feature a different state, with $2 off growler fills, and $1 off pints (outside of happy hour) of beer from any brewery located in that state.  Monday- Colorado, Tuesday- New York, Wednesday- Illinois, Thursday-Michigan, Friday- California, Saturday- Ohio, Sunday-?.
• St. James Tavern will have a number of special beers on tap throughout the week, including North Coast/Rogue/Deschutes’ Class of 88 Barleywine, Revolution’s Rosa hibiscus Ale, Stone’s Enjoy By 05.17.13 (it’ll be gone well before Friday!), a Founder’s release of Double Trouble and the barrel aged version, Doom, on Thursday, along with Avery’s 20th Anniversary Ale, and a number of other releases from Ohio breweries.
• Buckeye Lake Brewing will be tapping a special release of double dry-hopped Black IPA on the 17th.
• Weasel Boy Brewing will be tapping their Koelsch and Mango Wheat this week, with Open Mic on Thursday and a blues show with Austin Cane on Saturday.  They are also scheduled to do a live internet radio interview with The Brewing Network on Sunday evening.

Once again, it is Elevator Brewing Company that most fully embraces American Craft Beer Week here in Columbus, with some sort of event Monday through Saturday:

• Monday, May 13 Monthly meeting for the SODZ homebrewing club at Elevator Brewing, with Rep. Dan Ramos as a special guest speaker to discuss his proposed change to Ohio law to increase our definition of beer from 12% to a 21% maximum ABV.
• Tuesday, May 14: “Ride the Elevator” fundraiser to benefit Franklinton Cycle Works. Register at yaybikes.com.
• Wednesday: Special showing of “Beerfest” at the Strand Theatre in Delaware, OH. 7 pm social hour, 8 pm showtime. $15 for advance tickets, $20 at the door.
• Thursday: Coast to Coast Toast to Craft Beer at 8pm sharp.
• Friday: “Bark and Brew” fundraiser to benefit the Downtown Dog Park.  $20 includes brewery tour, food, beer, souvenir pint glass.
• Saturday: Beer Dinner at Elevator Brewery, a five-course beer paired and inspired meal with Chef Nate Crockett, with guest speaker Steve Croyle, beer writer. (614) 499-7828 for reservations.

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Even if you aren’t able to make it to any official events next week, the Coast to Coast Toast is something you’d be able to do, regardless of where you are, just as long as you have a beer in hand.  The goal is for every craft beer drinker in America to raise a glass at the same moment in thanks and celebration of craft beer and those who brew it.  So at 8PM sharp on Thursday, May 16th, give thanks to good beer by raising a pint!

So, next week my challenge to you is to celebrate the love and quality that goes into craft beer, whether that be by going to a good craft beer bar or restaurant or picking up a beer from your local bottle shop you’ve been meaning to try. Just keep it American, and keep it craft!

If you know of any other ACBW events going on in Columbus, let us know!