43
Beerfest will offer a taste of regional, national craft beers
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
Youngstown Beerfest will pour on the local flavor this year.
The celebration of beer, now in its second year, will have a strong Ohio presence when it returns to Covelli Centre this Saturday.
It has even been endorsed by the Ohio Craft Brewers Association, whose goal is to market Ohio beers throughout the state and beyond, and monitor and promote the industry here.
Beerfest operator Dominic Gatta III said the endorsement is an honor.
Cleveland’s Great Lakes Brewing Co. is the sponsor of Beerfest, and it will have a strong presence at the event. It will be just one of many Ohio brewers and hard-cider makers at the event.
Great Lakes will offer its Fitzmas, a seasonal brew that starts with its popular Edmund Fitzgerald porter, infuses it with Christmas ale flavorings, and produces it in a wooden cask.
“There will a lot of other barrel-aged products too,” said Gatta. “Those are some of my favorites.”
In all, there will be more than 300 beers and ciders on tap from more than 100 breweries, including many out-of-state craft brewers as well as national brewers.
Each Beerfest-goer will get a 4-ounce tasting glass to use at any of the multitude of beer stations.
Unique beverages that patrons will find include:
Sours: These beverages, which Gatta said tend to induce a “love it or hate it” response, will be available at “pucker up” stations.
Nitros: Like Guinness, these brews use nitrogen to facilitate pouring.
Casks: Topping the list of cask beers will be an offering by Heavy Seas Brewing of Maryland made especially for Beerfest. Gatta selected the hops and woods used in flavoring it.
Ciders: Ohio apples were used in some of these regionally made products, including Griffin, out of Westlake.
Other attractions will include:
Free pizza by Ianazone’s and bottled water.
The tie-dye ambulance of North Country Brewing of Slippery Rock, Pa.
Sweetwater Brewing: This Atlanta brewer will be bringing its products to Ohio for the first time.
Motorcycles: Johnny K’s Powersports will display Indian and Victory motorcycles.
Vendors: T-shirts and other gift merchandise will be sold. The Covelli concession stands also will be open.
Beard competition: The Rust Belt Whisker Society will be giving out prizes in four categories: Longest Beard, Best Ginger Beard, Best Handlebar Moustache and Longest Moustache. Points will be given for outfit and how stylishly one drinks a beer. Contestants can sign up at the event for $5.
Cigars: Those who want to sample cigars by Havana House can stop at the large tent that will be set up outside Covelli Centre. The band Guys Without Ties will perform at the tent.
Lower prices: Prices have been lowered this year. General admission is $35 and runs from 6 to 10 p.m. VIP tickets are $55 and include special tastings from 4 to 6 p.m. as well as the general- admission session.
After the event ends at 10 p.m., patrons will have the option of going to the many downtown nightspots that are within walking distance of Covelli Centre, said Gatta, making Beerfest part of a night out.