

The 2nd annual Columbus Craft Beer Week kicks off this Friday, and with more than 280 events taking place over nine days all across Columbus, you may be just a little overwhelmed with options. (My liver has been cowering in fright for days.)

To help ease the craft beer craziness, I’ve picked my top five events — that aren’t already sold out — for each day of Columbus Craft Beer Week. But don’t take my word for it – pick up a copy of the Columbus Craft Beer Week program at any official venue or peruse all the events online. Happy Beer Weeking!

br>

Friday, May 13

br>

Craft Beer Week Kickoff Party

Grandview Yard Market District, 5-10pm

A massive assortment of beers from across the street and across the country will be available to sample at the official kickoff party for Columbus Craft Beer Week, including the first chance to try the official CCBW collaboration beer, Saison 994, brewed in conjunction with 16 local breweries.

→ Facebook event

Columbus Ale Trail Volume 2 Launch Party

Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, 4-8pm

Hang out with the organizers of the Columbus Ale Trail (including yours truly), pick up your copy of the Volume 2 Columbus Ale Trail book, and get your first stamp toward victory from Wolf’s Ridge! You’ll get a sneak peek at the reward for completing Volume 2, a custom deck of playing cards featuring all participating local breweries.

→ Facebook event

Infusapalooza! (TM)

The Daily Growler Upper Arlington, 4-10pm

The Daily Growler is bringing together an astounding 24 limited edition infused beers, 22 of which are from Ohio breweries, and 11 of which are from Columbus. The Barrel & Boar Food Truck will also be on-site.

→ Facebook event

Founders Meet & Greet and KBS Blowout

Pies & Pints Short North

Founders co-founder Dave Engbers and brewmaster Jeremy Kosmicki will be hanging out and drinking beer at Pies & Pints while KBS, Blushing Monk, Project Pam and other Founders favorites are flowing from the taps.

→ Facebook event

Kitten Party/Tiger Party

Actual Brewing Company, 6pm-12am

Actual is bringing a bucket of adoptable kittens from Cozy Cat Cottage to their brewery for us all to snuggle. This “Kitten Party” will take place until 9pm when the “tiger party” takes over. I’m still not completely sure what “tiger party” means, but I think it has something to do with dancing.

→ Facebook event

br>

Saturday, May 14

br>

13th Annual Mini Real Ale Fest

Smokehouse Brewing Company, 12-3pm

Smokehouse’s annual Mini Real Ale Fest is one of my favorite beer events ever, and this year it happens to fall during Columbus Craft Beer Week. This event exclusively features specialty casks of real ale, all naturally conditioned in firkins, from a dozen different craft breweries across Ohio. This is your graduate course in beer.

→ Tickets

Canis Mexicanus Dire Wolf Bottle Release

Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, 10am-3pm

WRB will be releasing bombers of Canis Mexicanus Dire Wolf, a spiced Russian imperial stout. Bottles are limited, so prepare to arrive early, but even if you don’t wake up early enough to claim a bottle, Wolf’s Ridge always has an impressive draft list on their bottle release days.

→ Facebook event

Science on Tap

COSI, 5:30-10pm

Beer enthusiasts and science lovers come together for this special event at COSI. Craft breweries from all around Columbus and Ohio join forces with COSI to present Science On Tap. Sample various styles of beers and spirits, for science!

→ Tickets

Taproom Grand Re-Opening

Sideswipe Brewing. 5-10pm

Sideswipe has taken over the space next door to put in a new and improved taproom. The kickoff party for the new space will feature a selection of brand new Sideswipe brews and a food truck.

→ Facebook event

Blind Beer Tasting

Crafted Drafts, 2-4pm

How good is your palate? Sample nine beers in three different styles – Hoppy Wheats, IPAs, and Belgian Wheats – to see which beers you can identify. Hint: some of the beers to be poured are pretty (over?) hyped.

→ Tickets

br>

Sunday, May 15

br>

Bottle Release and Cask Party

Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen, 11am-11pm

Hoof Hearted is releasing a brand new Imperial French Toast Stout called Miracle Toast at their downtown brewpub. Unlike their Marengo bottle/can releases, this is not a ticketed event, just first-come, first-served. There will also be a coffee-treated cask pouring at the bar during brunch service.

→ Facebook event

Beer and Bacon Brunch

The Commissary, 10am-1pm

Start your Sunday with beer and bacon. This four-course brunch will feature 1803 Bacon cured, seasoned and smoked four different ways then added to four different breakfast dishes. Each course will be paired with a Platform beer.

→ Tickets

10 Beers You’ve Never Had Before

Studio 35, 2-6:30pm

Studio 35 is pulling together ten ultra-rare, ultra-new, or otherwise elusive beers that you’ve probably never tried before. The tasting will be followed with a Captain America: Civil War at Studio 35. The tickets for the tasting and the movie screening are sold seperately, so even if you’ve already seen Captain America you can still enjoy this event.

→ Tickets

Beer 101 with Homestead Beer Co.

The Ohio Taproom, 1-5pm

Join the boys from Homestead Beer Co. to learn about the beer-making process. You’ll be able to see, taste and smell beers at different stages of the brew-cycle, sample raw ingredients like hops and grains, and of course enjoy the finished product. The first 24 Homestead Beer Co. pints purchased get to keep the pint glass.

→ Facebook event

One Line Coffee Collaboration

Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, 9:30am-12:30pm

WRB has crafted five variations of their Dire Wolf Russian imperial stout to pair with five types of One Line Coffee. Wolf’s Ridge’s head brewer Chris Davison and the One Line coffee team will give insight about each product and how they pair together. This is Wolf’s Ridge’s fourth collaboration event with One Line.

→ Tickets

br>

Monday, May 16

br>

Jackie O’s + Seventh Son + Veritas Tavern Collaboration Dinner

Seventh Son Brewing, 6-9pm

Jackie O’s and Veritas Tavern are traveling to Seventh Son Brewery for an epic collaboration dinner featuring five courses with beer pairings and a few other surprises. All proceeds will be donated to Mid-Ohio Foodbank’s BackPack Program, providing low-income youth with sacks full of nutritious food for the weekend, when children don’t have access to the school’s free meals.

→ Tickets

BEER SCHOOL: Craft Beer 101 Class

Lineage Brewing, 6:30-8:30pm

Ever wonder what makes beer “craft”? Curious to dig deep into the brewing process? Lineage will touch on these topics and more at Beer School. The session will finish with some beer and food pairings and a brewery tour. Lineage is also offering two other education classes during beer week, but the others are already sold out.

→ Tickets

Epic Big Bad Baptist Vertical Tasting and Q & A

Pies and Pints Easton, 6-10pm

Representatives from Epic Brewing will be hanging at the Easton Pies & Pints location to guide you through a Big Bad Baptist Vertical tasting and Q&A session. You can also pick up a signed bottle of Big Bad Baptist for your cellar.

→ Facebook event

Rando Pint Glass Giveaway

The Daily Growler Upper Arlington. 7-10pm

Need new glassware? The Daily Growler has accumulated quite the assortment of pint glasses from breweries near and far, and this night they are giving them away! Get a free glass for each pint purchased starting at 7pm. No limit! Plus you’ll get $2 off those precious pint pours.

→ Facebook event

Beer Cocktail Class

Zauber Brewing, 6-8pm

Zauber Brewing is teaming up with Karate Cowboy to lead a tasting of their respective beer and spirits, followed by a class on blending the two together to make beer cocktails.

→ Facebook event

br>

Tuesday, May 17

br>

Craft in Columbus: A conversation with local brewery pioneers

Smokehouse Brewing, 6-7:30pm

Drink Up Columbus has gathered Columbus craft beer pioneers Lenny Kolada, Angelo Signoriono, Victor Ecimovich and Scott Francis to share stories about how they got involved with craft beer, what it was like working in the industry before it was “cool”, and how it’s felt to watch a new generation of breweries emerge.

→ Tickets

Rhinegeist & Watershed Beer Cocktail Dinner

Milestone 229, 6:30-9:30pm

A six course dinner event featuring pairings of food, beer and unique beer cocktails crafted in collaboration with Rhinegeist Brewery and Watershed Distillery. Representatives from Rhinegeist and Watershed will be in attendance to speak and answer questions about the beers, cocktails and pairing selections. Call 614-427-0276 for reservations.

→ Facebook event

Beer and Cheese Pairing

Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, 4-6pm

Wolf’s Ridge is pairing three of their beers with three cheeses. Beer and cheese flights will be $15, and only about 80 will be available, so if you want one, get there early.

→ Facebook event

Old Man McNasty Bottle Release

Notth High Brewing, 4-11pm

Stop by the North High taproom to pick up a limited edition bottle of North High Brewing’s Old Man McNasty Russian Imperial Stout, while supplies last.

→ Facebook event

Beer Cocktail Mix-Up

Kraft House No. 5, 5-10pm

Kraft House is crafting cocktails using four Seventh Son Brewing beers with four different spirits (whiskey, vodka, gin, tequila). Try ’em all and vote for your favorite! The winning cocktail will go on the menu and one lucky voter will walk away with a Kraft House No. 5 gift card.

→ Facebook event

br>

Wednesday, May 18

br>

Sour Symposium

The Daily Growler Upper Arlington, 7-11pm

Tapping six rare and tasty sours including New Belgium Lips of Faith Transatlantique Kriek, Prairie Artisan Ales and Trve Collab Trve Edition Sour Flanders Red. There will also be Sauerkraut Balls from Smokehouse Brewing available for $2 each.

→ Facebook event

Between the Tanks Dinner

Elevator Brewing, 7-9pm

Enjoy a five-course beer dinner literally “Between the Tanks” at the Elevator Brewery production facility, with food prepared by the nearby Elevator restaurant. Call 614-228-0500 for reservations or e-mail info@elevatorbrewing.com

→ Facebook event

Bottle Release + Cask Party for “Wet When Slippery”

Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen, 3pm

500mL bottles of a fruit-treated DIPA “Wet When Slippery” will be on sale (limited availability, get there early). Hoof will also have treated casks for you to tug on at the bar.

→ Facebook event

IPA Homebrew Competition

Buckeye Lake Brewery, 4-10pm

Watch the judging, winner announcements and prize giveaways for Buckeye Lake’s homebrew competition. The 1st place winner will get to brew their recipe with Buckeye Lake’s head brewer. Interested homebrewers can still drop off three three unlabeled 12 oz. bottles or two 22 oz. bottles to enter this competition through 5/15.

→ Facebook event

Brewer’s Challenge: Belgian Beer

Pigskin Brewing, 3-7pm

Pigskin’s Brewer’s Challenge pits their brewers against one another in a particular beer style. For this challenge, Mike, Nick, Vic, and Lucas have created four different Belgian beers each using the same yeast. Vote for your favorite!

→ Facebook event

br>

Thursday, May 19

br>

Weird Beer Night

St. James Tavern, 4-9pm

St. James is tapping several special kegs made from interesting, odd or just funky ingredients. These are unique beers that you don’t see everyday and drink very rarely, from Urban Artifact, 5 Rabbit Cerveceria, Dogfish Head and more!

→ Facebook event

Whole Hogz/Rare Logz

The Crest, 5-11pm

Question. What’s the only thing better than a hog roast?

Answer: A hog roast with the craziest beers imaginable. The Crest will be bringing the heat on draft while the kitchen carves out a carnivorous treat.

→ Event website

Duvel-Moortgat Beer Dinner

Market District Grandview Yard, 6:30-9:30pm

Market District is pairing a five course meal with five beers from Brewery Ommegang, Duvel, Boulevard, Liefmans and Chouffe. Seats for this $35 dinner are limited so stop by the store early to reserve your spot!

→ Event website

Outer Space Jam

The Daily Growler Upper Arlington

Featuring out of this world inspired brews and 90’s R&B… you will believe you can fly! Cosmic brews like North High Stardust to Stardust DIPA, Revolution Galaxy Hero and Green Flash Cosmic Ristretto Espresso Porter will be flowing from the taps.

→ Facebook event

CBC Beer Feature

Bob’s Bar, 6-10pm

Several special CBC beers will be on tap at Bob’s Bar including a special beer brewed FOR Bob’s, What About Bob’s IPA. CBC will also have their BA Belgian Dark Strong, IPA, Simon Stout and Summer Teeth. Bob’s will feature a different brewery each day of Columbus Craft Beer Week.

→ Facebook event

br>

Friday, May 20

br>

Six One Pour: The Ohio Craft Beer Fest

Huntington Park, 7-11pm

More than fifty Ohio craft breweries will be on hand sampling local beer at the second annual Six One Pour: The Ohio Craft Beer Fest, this year held at Huntington Park. The special CCBW collaboration Saison 994 will be flowing at Six One Pour, along with live music and a special menu created by Chipotle.

→ Tickets

Barrel Aged Beer Mini Fest

Winking Lizard Westerville, 4-7pm

Enjoy barrel-aged brews like Jolly Pumpkin Rojzilla, Thirsty Dog Knob Creek Barrel Siberian Night with cherries, Bell’s Bourbon Barrel Consecrator with coffee and more!

→ Facebook event

Jackie O’s Collaboration Dinner

Gallerie Bar & Bistro, 7:30-10pm

Chef Bill Glover is crafting a custom six-course tasting menu featuring ingredients from local Ohio farms, paired with incredible Jackie O’s craft brews. Reservations are required and can be made via OpenTable or by calling (614) 484-5287

→ Facebook event

Touch My Tiki: Beer + Cocktails

Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen, 3-11pm

Hoof Hearted is mixing up some special beer cocktails. We hear tell of tiny umbrellas.

→ Event page

Ohio IPA Night

The Daily Growler Powell, 5:30-11pm

The Daily Growler will be featuring IPA’s from 12 breweries across Ohio, with pint specials, flight specials, and the Kenny’s Meat Wagon food truck slinging meat.

→ Facebook event

br>

Saturday, May 21

br>

Bike the Breweries

North High Brewing, 8am-12p

Bike to the Columbus breweries to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation! Get your legs and liver ready for an epic day of drinking and exercise. Spots on this cycle tour are almost gone so visit the North High taproom ASAP to claim yours.

→ Facebook event

The History of Beer with the Ohio Historical Center and Dogfish Head

Studio 35, 2-6:30pm

Studio 35 and the Ohio Historical Center have collaborated to bring a one of a kind tasting experience. Using several extremely limited brews from Dogfish Head, attendees will take a journey through the history of brewing. The theater will be screening Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid after the tasting.

→ Tickets

Six Variant tapping

Kindred Artisan Ales, 4-11pm

Each day of craft beer week that they are open, Kindred is featuring a different variant of one of their beers, and for the last day of craft beer week the Kindred bar will not only tap Variant #6, but also the five variants released earlier in the week.

→ Facebook event

Tapper Takeover

16-Bit Bar+Arcade, 4-8pm

Compete against representatives from half a dozen local breweries while enjoying special beers from each on tap. Beat the brewery representative to win their unique prize! The highest score of the night wins an ultimate 16-Bit prize pack.

→ Facebook event

Sierra Nevada Beer Camp Across America 2016

Winking Lizard Grandview, 5-8pm

Sierra Nevada’s Beer Camp Across America project features six beers brewed in collaboration with 31 different breweries from across the country. All six collaborations will be on-tap for this event, and Winking Lizard is also pulling a keg of 2007 Sierra Nevada Bigfoot out of the Lizard cellar for the occasion.

→ Facebook event

Share this: Facebook

Twitter

More

Email

Reddit





br> br>full disclosure: Columbus Craft Beer Week, Smokehouse Brewing, Zauber Brewing and Crafted Drafts are clients , and I am an organizer for the Columbus Ale Trail and the “Craft Beer Pioneers” event.