Ohio Brew Week crafts beer celebration, industry interest

To local Ohioans, Athens is well known for being the home of Ohio University and one of the most haunted places in the world. To the craft brewing industry, it’s the site of one of Ohio’s largest craft beer celebrations — Ohio Brew Week. In its eighth year, Ohio Brew Week offers a sampling of more than 200 different styles from more than 42 breweries.

Athens is a unique community, centered around Ohio University and its 20,000 students (including Ms. Ohio Brew Week Ambassador 2013 Holly Nesbitt), and it is home to more than 30 pubs, taverns and restaurants. During Brew Week, brewers commandeer the taps and put on Ohio craft beers. People come to Athens from as far away as California, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Maine to sample Ohio’s best. More than 76 different events of formal tastings, beer dinners, meet the brewers, cooking competitions, Brew BQ and Brews on the Block street party happen during the week.

For 2013, Bill Metzger, publisher of the Great Lakes Brewing News and craft brewer, is tapped to be the keynote speaker. Ohio Brew Week also will feature a Nano Brewing Seminar on June 26, and an update on the Ohio Agricultural Brewing Alliance (formed last year in Athens). Additionally, the event hosts the Ohio Craft Brewers Association (OCBA) annual meeting.

For all the dog lovers, Ohio Brew Week has partnered with the Athens County Humane Society on the Dog Days of Summer Dog Talent show that will be held during the Brew BQ, June 28. Starting at 6 p.m., dog owners can bring their favorite pet to the staging area and have their dog’s talent reviewed by a panel of judges. This event is co-sponsored by Thirsty Dog Brewing Co., of Akron, Ohio.

Oh, and the Athens hauntings? Brew Week is also having some ghoulish fun with the Haunted Hocking Tour event – where Brew Week attendees can learn about the haunted spots in and around Athens with ghost hunter Pat and Jeanette Quackenbush, authors of Haunted Hocking. Hosted by the Athens Homebrew Club, this an exclusive event offered only during Ohio Brew Week.

For more event details, including a list of breweries and events, be sure to check out the Ohio Brew Week website.