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From Spooky Tooth to Hippy Sippy, beers reign supreme at downtown Youngstown fest
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
Most people have yet to prepare their homes for Halloween, but some got a jump-start on the holiday by preparing their palates.
“These are popular beers because they’re from Ohio. Everybody likes the Ohio beers,” said Lynne Beauchamp of Boardman, who was referring to Spooky Tooth, a rich amber drink with a pumpkin aroma and a hint of spice and malt.
The specialized brew also was one of numerous flavors that made up Saturday’s second annual Beerfest at the Covelli Centre downtown.
The four-hour indoor and outdoor gathering featured at least 300 beers and ciders from more than 100 local, state and national breweries, noted Dominic Gatta III, event coordinator and organizer.
Sponsoring the event was Cleveland-based Great Lakes Brewing Co. Also, the Ohio Craft Brewers Association has endorsed the fest, Gatta said.
Beauchamp volunteered for Cavalier Distributing, which distributed on behalf of many breweries at the fest, including Fat Heads Brewery, which makes Spooky Tooth.
She said that other popular Fat Head beers were Hippy Sippy, a black, chocolate-flavored type with hints of coffee and fruit; Head Hunter, a dry-hopped beer with aromas of pine, grapefruit, citrus and pineapple; and Bumble Berry, a honey-and-blueberry drink with a light-ale taste and blueberry aroma.
A sample of breweries that filled the arena included Woodchuck hard cider of Middlebury, Vt., 21st Amendment of San Francisco, Rogue of Newport, Ore., Brooklyn Brewery of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Delaware-based Dogfish Head Brewery.
Those closer to home were Youngstown-based Rust Belt Brewing Co., as well as Lagerheads of Medina, Thirsty Dog of Akron, Elevator Brewing Co. of Columbus and Cellar Rats Brewery of Madison. Also, many people gravitated toward Spindoktor, a Hudson company that offered a root-beer-flavored variety.
“Bright, light and crisp is what a pilsner is supposed to taste like,” said Joel Sandrey, Cellar Rats Brewery’s owner, sales and marketing director.
Two of his popular offerings were Pride of Cleveland Pilsner and The Piper’s IPA, which starts with a bitter taste before turning a bit sweeter, then bitter again.
“It gives your palate a little break in the middle,” explained Sandrey, who added that his business brews about 18 beers per year.
Some people who opted not to give their facial hair a break took part in a beard contest, courtesy of the 1-year-old Rust Belt Whisker Society, whose members enjoy showcasing their beards and mustaches.
“Whoever drinks beer the best gets the most points,” said Don Harshbarger, a club member.
Competition participants in four categories were judged on length, color, density, shape and drinking style, he noted. The categories were longest whiskers, best handlebar mustache, best ginger beard and longest mustache.
Prizes included a bucket with five bottles of beer, draft packs, pilsner glasses, T-shirts and oil, balm and wax for beard care, Harshbarger continued, adding that the Rust Belt Whisker Society raised $250 at a recent Relay for Life event in New Middletown.
The Beerfest also featured free pizza, merchandise for sale such as T-shirts, books and magazines on home brewing, motorcycles on display and cigar sampling. The band Guys Without Ties provided entertainment.