Fresh Fest happening at MadTree Saturday

Meet local beer writers and bloggers (including this reporter), grab a pint and hear some music at the third annual Fresh Fest at MadTree Brewing Co.

It kicks off at 6 p.m. Saturday at the brewery, 5164 Kennedy Ave. in Columbia Township.

“The event was started as a thank you to those in the local beer blogging/media community who provide content to educate, promote and support craft beer," said Chris Stevens, founder and editor of local beer blog Queen City Fresh and the event organizer. "I’ve met so many talented, passionate and welcoming people within the industry, and to be able to help contribute in their success, even in a very small way, is still a very rewarding feeling."

On tap will be a half-dozen beers designed by writer/blogger teams and MadTree brewers. Teams chose ingredients to infuse into Lift, MadTree's Kölsch, in Hoff Stevens kegs.

They are:

S.S. Kölsch (Fruit cocktail-inspired: Kölsch with cherries, oranges, pineapple and lemon zest) by Queen City Fresh (Chris Stevens) and The Cincinnati Enquirer (Shauna Steigerwald)

Pineapple Upside Down Cake (Kölsch with pineapple, vanilla and cherries) by WCPO (Jesse Folk) and Mr. Friendly Beer (Frank Seta)

Mangalifto (Kölsch with mango and habanero) by Queen City Drinks (Tom Aguero) and BeerQuestABV (Ian Hoopes)

Twerk It Felicia (Kölsch with coffee) by BrewProf (Mike Stuart) and BeerMumbo (Danny Spears)

Lift or Treat (Kölsch with watermelon Sour Patch Kids) by CincyBrewcast (Mike and Tina Cisneros) and The Gnarly Gnome

MadTree has also created a special beer for the event, and the brewery's other beers, plus Catch-A-Fire pizza, will be available, too.

DJ Spam will spin '80s music from 7 to 11 p.m.

New to the event this year is a charitable component to benefit Pints for Prostates, which raises awareness about the importance of regular health screenings and early detection of prostate cancer. Beer-related items donated by local breweries will be raffled off to support the charity.

Event goers are encouraged to dress in their Halloween costumers or '80s wear.

For more information, visit the event's Facebook page.