Ohio Brew Week is hosting 45 breweries in Athens through July 18.
What started off as a fun idea to recognize craft beer 10 years ago has turned into a full-blown production to cater this year’s 5,000 expected attendees for the annual Ohio Brew Week.
Forty-five Ohio breweries are visiting Athens Friday through July 18. Bars and restaurants Uptown will feature more than 250 different beers.
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By 2013, Brew Week expanded to more than 76 events for beer lovers to enjoy and has grown to more than 100 this year.
One of the more anticipated is the last event on Saturday, July 18 when Brew Week hosts the Last Chance Street Festival.
Director Weston Lombard said they hope to have at least 3,000 people for the street festival alone.
Texas Roadhouse presents: Folk and Brews: Live music and beer tasting across from the Farmers Market Lake Cruise & Brews Lunch Tour at Burr Oak
When: 11 a.m., Saturday.
Where: Texas Roadhouse, 996 E State St.
Admission: Free
“We’re having live music and beer tasting. So people can check out the farmers market and have some cold beers,” Lombard said.
Little Fish grand opening party with live string band music and Phresh Panini food truck
When: 1 p.m., Saturday
Where: Little Fish, 8675 Armitage Road
Admission: Free
Ohio Brew Week keg-tapping ceremony at Jackie O's
When: 5 p.m., Monday
Where: Jackie O’s Public House, 24 W. Union St.
Admission: Free
“We’ve got Pat Conway, the founder of Great Lakes Brewing Co,” Lombard said. “He’ll give a talk at the ceremony.”
Great Stories, Great Lakes: Extended keynote speech and beer tasting with Pat Conway
When: 7 p.m., Monday
Where: Grover Center, E 303 Dean’s Conference Room
Admission: Free
After the keg tapping ceremony, the event will move to Grover Center where Conway will give an extended talk and beer tasting.
Athens Beer Trail Brewery Tour: Jackie O's, Little Fish and Devil’s Kettle
When: Tuesday, 1 p.m. at Jackie O’s (25 Campbell St.), 2:30 p.m. at Little Fish (8675 Armitage Road) and 4 p.m. at Devil’s Kettle (97 Columbus Road)
Admission: Free
“We’re trying to highlight the three local breweries in town: Little Fish, Devil’s Kettle and Jackie O’s,” Lombard said. “We set up tours throughout the day.”
Lombard said it’s also 30 Mile Meal Week in Athens, which comes with an opportunity to explore and try local food along with craft beer.
New brewers symposium at Devil's Kettle
When: 3 p.m., Wednesday
Where: 97 Columbus Road
Admission: Free
“We do a symposium every year — like an educational forum,” Lombard said. “This one’s for the new breweries around Ohio that are sending representatives to come talk about starting a new brewery.”
Cider and mead makers forum at the West End Cider House
When: 7 p.m., Thursday
Where: West End Cider House, 234 W. Washington St.
Admission: Free
This event is similar to the new brewers symposium, but with cider and mead.
Six course beer pairing dinner at Restaurant Salaam
When: 7 p.m., Thursday
Where: Salaam, 21 W. Washington St.
Admission: $65
Ohio Brew Week Brew BQ brought to you by The Athens Real Estate Company
When: 4 p.m., Friday, July 17
Where: The Athens Train Depot (at West Union and Depot Street, across the street from W.G. Grinders, The Cat’s Den and The Smiling Skull Saloon)
Admission: Free
“We’ve got the Wild Honey Bees playing and there’s six craft beer vendors in our beer garden,” Lombard said. “And we’ve got the 30 Mile Meal food carts. That should be a pretty cool event.”
Last Call Street Festival brought to you by The Athens News and The Athens Messenger
When: 2 p.m., Saturday, July 18
Where: Court Street
“We close down two blocks of Court Street and have live music all day and 35 breweries,” Lombard said. “I think this is like the best (brew) week in Athens for the last 10 years to go Uptown and have a beer.”
