The Columbus Summer Beerfest is back this weekend and bigger than ever, boasting over 325 craft beers. Matthew Utter, events manager for the Columbus Beefest series, has been working to land some hard to find beers as well as a number of ciders and meads for this years summer festival.
“10% of the beerlist is ciders and means, which I think is pretty awesome,” said Utter. Ciders and Meads have been in high demand this season but the price point on many of these products can make it difficult to fit into a tight budget, he explained. Utter made it a priority to find room in the budget and hopes to expand the selection further in years to come. This years mead and cider list includes Legend Valley Ciders, McKenzie’s Cider, Mad Moon, Red Stone Meadery and more.
And the other 90%?
The complete beer list is available on the Columbus Summer Beerfest website and includes a number of beers not often found at beer festivals such as Madtree Brewing Citra High, Devil Dancer from Founders Brewing Co., two IPAs from Brew Dog and a number of special releases from Zauber Brewing. There will be a Ballast Point Sculpin bar that features the original, grapefruit and habanero Sculpin. Highland Brewing Company will also be making its Columbus beer festival debut and bringing four beers for the occasion including the Clawhammer Oktoberfest.
Utter said he was able to secure a such wide variety of new and popular beers by using 1/6 barrels instead for this festival. Asking for smaller quantities allowed breweries to open up additional options and offer more expensive or rare brews, he said. This also means that some of it is limited. The festival will do their best to secure at least some of everything for Saturday but those looking to get their hands on the goods might want to get to the festival Friday evening, Utter said.
The festival takes place this weekend, August 14-15 at the LC Pavillion. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 starting Friday.