As if Columbus needs yet another reason to drink a crap ton of beer over the course of a week, the 8th Ohio Brew Week Festival is fast approaching with plenty to offer. Festivities begin on Friday, 6/21, and run for a straight eight days, ending with Brews on the Block on Saturday 6/29, a block party featuring live music, food, arts & crafts, and of course copious amounts of beer. If the packed schedule of OBW isn’t enough, the event is held in Athens, home turf of Jackie O’s Pub and Brewery, an adventurous and robust brewery that has a global reputation for being really good–and really weird. This event is well worth the 90 minute drive and will feature many local brewers and plenty of activities to help you work off that hangover.
This year’s keynote is Bill Metzger, homebrewer and publisher of Brewing News, regional publications which cover 43 states and three provinces. An experienced traveller and seasoned brewer, Bill has sampled beers from all over the world while tailoring a niche for his journalistic endeavors. Bill will deliver the keynote address on Monday, 6/24 at 6pm during the Keg Tap Ceremony at Jackie O’s Pub on W. Union St.
Participating breweries in 2013 include Columbus’ own Barley’s, Buckeye Lake, CBC, Elevator, Four String, Gordon Biersch, and Rockmill, as well as Buckeye Beer Engine (Lakewood), Black Box Brewing Co.(Westlake), The Brew Kettle (Stongsville) , Buckeye Brewing Co. (Cleveland), Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. (Cincinnati), Cornerstone Brewing Co. (Berea), Fathead’s Brewery (North Olmsted), Fifty West Brewery (Cincinnati), Granite City Brewery (Toledo), Great Black Swamp Brewing Co. (Toledo), Great Lakes Brewing Co. (Cleveland), Indigo Imp Brewery (Cleveland), Jackie O’s (Athens), Lager Heads (Medina), Listermann / Triple Digit Brewing Co. (Cincinnati), Main Street Brewing (Garretsville), Marietta Brewing Co. (Marietta), Maumee Bay Brewing (Toledo), Mt. Carmel Brewing Co.(Cincinnati), Ohio Brewing Co. (Akron), The Rivertown Brewing Co. (Lockland), Rocky River Brewing Co.(Rocky River), Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.(Akron), Willoughby Brewing Co.(Willoughby), and Weasel Boy Brewing Co. (Zanesville).
Click here to find a full listing of available beers and where they will be located.
Below are some highlights from the jam packed schedule, for full details click through to Ohio Brew Week’s full listing of events.
Friday, June 21
5pm: Rock n’ Roast at the OU Inn, 331 Richland Ave.
Columbus’ own Elevator Brewing Co. will be featured once again at this kick off event. Live music, BBQ, and beer will round off this patio event at the Ohio University Inn. Live music begins at 6pm.
Saturday, June 22
6pm: My Sister’s Place BBQ and Barn Dance Fundraiser, 11309 Jackson Dr.
Featuring food from Kiser’s BBQ along with local craft brews, this fundraiser event will support My Sister’s Place in Athens, a non-profit organization that offers shelter, resources, and support to parents and children affected by domestic violence. The evening will feature dancing, live music, and a silent auction. Tickets are $45.00 and can be ordered from the MSP website.
Sunday, June 23
10am-3pm: Beer Brunch at Sol Restaurant, 33 North Court St.
Sol Restaurant will feature several beer themed items in addition to its normal brunch offerings. Enjoy a beer inspired drink or dessert while eating biscuits and beer gravy made with chorizo sausage or a steak and eggs breakfast.
Monday, June 24
5:30pm: Official Keg Tapping Ceremony, Jackie O’s Pub, 24 W. Union St.
Jackie O’s will tap Sparbock, brewed in honor of the intellectual progenitor of Ohio Brew Week, Jon Sparhawk. Bill Metzger, homebrewer and beer journalist, will deliver his keynote address at this event.
Tuesday, June 25
4:30pm: Meet the Brewer: Buckeye Brewing, Sol Restaurant, 33 N. Court St.
Buckeye Brewing representative Garin Wright and restaurant owner Todd Wilson will be onsite with samples of Buckeye’s beer including Paw Paw, Spicebush, and Hippie IPA. Samplers will cost $10.00 and a menu featuring Buckeye Brews as ingredients will be featured.
Wednesday, June 26
4pm: Historic Walking Tour of Taverns and Bars, Athens Co. Historical Society, 65 N. Court St.
Attend one of the walking tours to learn the history of Athens’ uptown. Tours will be held at 1 pm and 4 pm Mon., Wed., and Fri. during OBW. Click here for tickets.
Thursday, June 27
6:30pm: Haunted Hocking Tours, Oak Room, 14 Station St.
Ghost hunters Pat and Jeannette Quackenbush lead attendees on a tour of Athens’ most haunted places. This event is sponsored by the Athens Homebrewing Club. Tickets are $20.00 each.
Friday, June 28
3pm: Brew-B-Q, W. Union St.
Beer and barbecue are the primary focus of this event benefiting the Athens Co. Dog Shelter. In addition to food and drink, there will be a classic car show, arts, crafts, live music, and a dog talent show beginning at 6pm. The event is free.
Saturday, June 29
2pm: Brews on the Block, N. Court St. to W. State St.
This all day event closes the annual Ohio Brew Week festival each year with a beer garden, live music, and lots of food. This event is free.
