If you participated in Dryuary (aka an alcohol-free January) and/or have already broken your New Year’s resolution to drink less, then February is lining up to be a good drinking month for you.
First up, Cincy Winter Beerfest returns to the Duke Energy Convention Center Feb. 1 and 2; sample more than 400 beers from local, regional and national breweries. Tickets range from $50-$95, and include 25 beer samples (not 400 samples).
February also means Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day and anti-V-Day bashes. On Valentine’s Day, March First will host a four-course beer and food pairing dinner. The menu includes Reuben-style pork belly sliders, whoopie pies and arancini. The cost is $30 per person.
Braxton has two V-Day events coming up. On Feb. 10, they’ll host a Galentine’s Day brunch in their loft. If you’re not in the know, Galentine’s Day originated on the show Parks and Recreation and celebrates female friendship, hence the “gal” part of the word. The brunch will feature mimosas (duh), a Taste of Belgium-catered waffle and crepe bar and Braxton beers. The brunch costs $45.
If brunching with the ladies isn’t your thing, then come to Braxton on Feb. 13 for a Beer Lovers Dinner, featuring food from neighboring Peppe Cucina Italian deli. The menu includes a pour of Braxton’s new Tropic Flare, a triple dry-hopped New England-style IPA, and a Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip beer float with pie crust topper for dessert. The dinner costs $50.
On V-Day, Streetside and Street Chef Brigade will team up for a special dinner. For $28 per person, you get four sliders and two pints of beers. Look, it’s better than dining at White Castle (which is also hosting its annual Valentine’s Day dinner, with tableside service).
Don’t have someone special? Then check out Swine City’s Valenswine’s Day singles night on Feb. 14. Singles get $1 off pints and the opportunity to either try to hook up with someone or cry into their beer.
New Beers
• Rhinegeist released Squid Pro Quo, a hazy imperial IPA that “offers a punch of peach, orange and passion fruit with a smooth, pillowy mouthfeel.” Limit two four-packs per person; distribution kicked off Jan. 11.
• Arnold’s Bar & Grill’s chef Kayla Robison collaborated with Listermann on a beer called Old Fashioned Brut IPA. It’s available in cans and on draft at Listermann and Arnold’s. The flavors of blood orange and orange peel give a similar taste to Arnold’s Diebold’s Old Fashioned cocktail.
• Last week, Urban Artifact launched Woodbreaker, a black cherry lemonade Midwest Fruit Tart. They’re selling four variants in cans, such as lemon cherry cobbler and lemon cherry milkshake.
• A couple of weeks ago, Grainworks Brewing Company released a punny schwarzbier named Luke I Am Your Lager. The brewery describes it as having “hints of chocolate, molasses and coffee, but finishes light, creamy and smooth on your palate.” Just like The Force, it has moments of darkness and light. Try it on draft at the taproom.
• Braxton and Graeter’s announced they’re re-releasing their super popular Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip Milk Stout in the taproom starting Feb. 1 and in cans in Kroger stores starting Feb. 4. Graeter’s is also making a special black raspberry chocolate chip donut to complement the brew.
Events
• Grainworks knows resolutions don’t last more than a month, so on Jan. 31 they’re throwing a resolution-ending party “to celebrate our complete lack of fortitude and total inability to follow through.” They’ll tap a special beer and will have cupcakes, Delicious Designs Cookies and Holtman’s Donuts — all of the stuff that’s not green juice.
• Do you like bad romcoms? Then head to Taft’s Brewporium every Wednesday night in February to watch a different film. The brewery will provide treats, popcorn, and, of course, apizza. First up is Crazy Stupid Love followed by Forgetting Sarah Marshall, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
• It’s official: the Rams will face off against the Patriots on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 3). 13 Below Brewery invites fans to watch the game in their taproom. West Side Brewing will also host a Super Bowl event. They’ll offer $4 pints and have games and contests.
• OTR’s Northern Row Brewery and Distillery taproom is not quite open to the public, but on Feb. 6 stop by MOTR Pub for a tap takeover of their beers.
• Besides V-Day, Presidents Day, and Black History Month, February is also the Chinese New Year. Considering it’s the Year of the Pig, it makes sense that Swine City Brewing would celebrate. On Feb. 8, they’ll release a new beer and have a happy hour and food truck on site.
• Save the date: On Feb. 16, MadTree will host their annual Winter Bonanza at the brewery. Besides rare beers and live music, food trucks like The Beerded Pig will be on hand.
• On Feb. 16, swing by Municipal Brew Works to help Hamilton nonprofit Animal Adoption Foundation. Portions of beer sales will benefit furry friends, so drink up.
• On Feb. 16, Fretboard hosts the Cincinnati Winter Blues Experience, featuring several Blues acts from the region. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
• Have you ever wanted to do yoga with dwarf goats? Well, on Feb. 24, Rivertown will host two morning sessions of Yogoat. For $30, you get goats (not to take home), yoga, two beers or a flight, an empty growler and a pen.
Contact Garin Pirnia: letters@citybeat.com
This article appears in Jan 23-30, 2019.
