The 13th-annual Cincy Winter Beerfest returns to the Duke Energy Convention Center on March 6 and 7.
With presenters Fifty West and Sierra Nevada, Beerfest is one of the biggest beer extravaganzas of the year in Cincinnati, featuring more than 400 different craft beers from more than 130 breweries, including MadTree, Taft's, Braxton, Fretboard and more.
If you don't want to drink on an empty stomach — or need to lay down a base layer — look for concessions from local food trucks. Live music will set the mood both nights.
“For 12 years, Cincy has allowed us to throw the biggest party of winter — and one of the largest beer festivals in the country. We’re very thankful to the thousands that support us,” says event co-founder Matt King in a release. “Every year we work to top ourselves and this year is no different. From securing some unbelievable small-batch beers to entertainment and more, we’re stepping up every aspect of the event.”
Beerfest expects to pour more than 15,000 gallons of beer over the weekend; event tickets include unlimited beer samples and a souvenir mug.
Attendees can buy tickets to one of three sessions (or all three): 7:30-11 p.m. Friday, March 6 and noon-4:30 p.m. or 7:30-11 p.m. Saturday, March 7. Regular admission is on sale for $45 until Feb. 29, when the price will change to $50.
If you still haven’t gotten a ticket by the day of the event, tickets cost $55 day-of/at the door. Other ticket options include early admission (which gets you into the event an hour early and costs $10 more) or the Connoisseurs Reception ticket ($85-$95), which includes a reception area, private restrooms, a coat check, catered appetizers, premium and large-format beers and a special snifter to take home.
Not drinking but still want to join the festivities? Beerfest has designated driver tickets for $20 or $25 on the day of the event.
Proceeds from Beerfest will benefit the Big Joe Duskin Music Education Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to providing music education to underfunded elementary and junior high schools.
“Winter Beerfest will be a great party for 10,000-plus people, absolutely. But giving back to the community is a core value for us” says Beerfest co-founder Craig Johnson in the press release. “Music is central to the sense of fun and joy within our event, so it only makes sense to help spread that joy. At Winter Beerfest you can eat, drink and dance knowing that you’re also giving back."
Beerfest takes place March 6 and 7. Regular admission tickets start at $45. Duke Energy Convention Center, 525 Elm St., Downtown, cincybeerfest.com.
