The third annual Cleveland Beer Week kicked off last Friday and will run until Saturday, October 22. The eight-day festival celebrates the making, marketing and consuming of craft brews and features hundreds of craft beer tastings, dinners, demonstrations, leisure activities, educational programs, and specials at bars, restaurants and grocers throughout Cuyahoga County.
This year, Cleveland Beer Week will culminate with “BREWzilla: A Monster of a Beer Tasting,” to be held on Saturday, October 22 at the Galleria at Erieview in downtown Cleveland, starting at 6pm. Beer Week director Christine Montague describes the finale as one of six “flagship events.”
BREWzilla will feature more than 70 breweries, a special “Ohio Brewery” area with many different beers from local breweries, and appetizers that go well with craft brews. Brewer’s Circle tickets are $65 in advance and include expedited VIP entrance, tastes of rare and exclusive brews and Heinens food pairings in the “Brewer’s Circle Lounge” open all evening, a signed copy of the newly released “Ohio Breweries” by local author Rick Armon, a commemorative Cleveland Beer Week t-shirt, 25 tasting tickets, 3 oz tasting glass, and access to all general admission perks. General Admission tickets are $40 in advance and include 25 tasting tickets, a 3 oz tasting glass, and complimentary appetizers courtesy of Winking Lizard. All proceeds will go to the Malone Scholarship Fund.
John Najeway, president of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association and co-owner of Thirsty Dog Brewing Company, said, “With the number of stellar breweries in our region, as well as the enormous popularity of craft brews both here and across the nation, it seems only fitting that our brewers, retailers, specialty stores, and distributors join together for Cleveland Beer Week as a week-long educational celebration.”
