It’s almost officially summer, which means big beer fests, brewery anniversaries and Father’s Day are on the horizon.
On May 31 and June 1, Cincinnatians will find out if garlic beer is any good when Arnold’s Bar & Grill hosts the Cincinnati Garlic Festival. Listermann, Fifty West and Rhinegeist have all brewed special garlic beers for the occasion. Besides garlic beers, expect garlic gelato, garlic pretzels, garlic soup, garlic breads, garlic sausages and garlic cocktails, plus live music and Garlic Fest-themed merch.
For something sweeter, National Donut Day is June 7 and Rivertown has collaborated with the Butler County Donut Trail on a special beer named SprinkAle, an imperial white ale. More details to come but expect to find it at Rivertown’s taproom.
Also on June 7, Municipal Brew Works in Hamilton turns three. They’ll release their Anniversary Series DIPA and have variant beer releases, free concerts, an open mic, food trucks and maybe some surprises.
Then on June 8, Pendleton’s 3 Points Urban Brewery celebrates one year in business. Dubbed Three Fest, the brewery plans to go all out with a community painted mural, a birthday double IPA version of their Origami brew, guest taps, limited-edition glassware, face painting and live art from local artists.
Just in time for Father’s Day weekend, Jungle Jim’s International Craft Beer Festival is back June 14 and 15 with more than 100 breweries showcasing more than 400 beers, including rare and unique imports, plus locals and hard cider.
On June 16, celebrate Dog Dad’s Day at Taft’s Brewpourium. Every dog dad will receive a wristband for $1 off pints and $2 off pizza, and dogs will get treats and be able to wade in a small pool.
For dads with human children, visit Swine City Brewing. Men — including fatherless and dog-less men — will receive $1 off pints, and there also will be a dad joke contest.
New Beers
• Last week, Taft’s released Cincy Cobra, a hazy Citra IPA named after local boxing legend Ezzard Charles. Cue the “it packs a powerful punch” joke. The beer is available on draft and in cans at their taproom.
• A couple of weeks ago, Fibonacci released Singleton English brown ale. In math, a singleton is “a set with exactly one element or member,” or a back-to-basics approach. It’s a traditional English brown ale without any variants. Try it on draft and in bottles at their taproom.
• On May 30, March First will tap a limited-edition Key Lime Blonde Ale. Stop by from 4-10 p.m. to try it on draft.
• For another taste of key lime, visit Braxton Brewing Co. to sample their latest collaboration with Graeter’s: a Key Lime Pie Ale inspired by key lime pie ice cream, available on draft in the taproom or in store in four-pack cans.
• On June 8, Swine City will distribute Nuxy 41, an Altbier brewed in collaboration with The Joe Nuxhall Miracle League Fields and The Joe Nuxhall Character Education Fund. A portion of sales will go toward the organizations. Nuxhall was a left-handed Reds player and radio broadcaster who was the youngest player to appear in a Major League game.
Events
• On May 30, Rhinegeist’s Brewcademy returns, this time offering a two-hour session on the lagers of summer. Tickets are $45 and include beer samples, a pencil, a pad to take notes, beer education and a small glass to take home.
• On June 1, the Woodburn Brewery will host a community movie night in the brewery’s parking lot. At 9 p.m. they’ll screen Turner & Hooch, but starting at 7 p.m. grab some Fireside Pizza, participate in doggie mug shots and a dog show.
• On June 3, Rhinegeist and OTR Candy Bar will host a beer and candy pairing as part of Rhinegeist’s sixth anniversary and their monthly series Nice Little Monday. They’ll pair things like Juicy Truth (infused with grapefruit and blood orange juice) with Sunshine orange caramels and Hang Six (a Brut IPA infused with watermelon tea) with champagne and watermelon Jelly Belly jelly beans. Tickets are $15.
• On June 8, Summit Park in Blue Ash will host SummitFest music and beer festival featuring live Country acts, a beer and whiskey garden, food trucks and more. Currently, musicians Lee Brice and Tyler Farr are set to perform.
• On June 13, Urban Artifact and Red Dog Pet Resort & Spa team up to benefit the SPCA Cincinnati. Listen to live music from four local bands; browse paintings, drawings and sculptures; bid on a silent auction; and meet adoptable doggies while drinking beers like Gyroscope, a Midwest Fruit Tart. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased at reddog2019.givesmart.com.
• On June 14, take the kids to Taft’s Brewpourium for a free screening of Frozen at 6:30 p.m. They’ll have Frozen-themed coloring pages and crayons (not just for kids), pizza and beer (probably just for adults).
• On June 13, Little Miami Brewing Co. will host Bees and Brews, an adult spelling bee. Sponsored by The Literacy Council of Brown and Clermont Counties, the bee will hopefully challenge adults to spell difficult words like “scherenschnitte.” Prizes include split the pot and a raffle.
• On June 22, Streetside Brewery will host That’s My Jam: A Fruited Beer Festival. Local and regional breweries like Pretentious Barrel House, Sonder, Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, Branch & Bone and Listermann will contribute their fruity and tasty brews. Ticket details and full lineup to come.
