The third annual Brew Ha Ha combines beer tastings with stand-up comedy to provide lots of giggles Friday and Saturday nights at Sawyer Point along Cincinnati’s downtown riverfront. Three stages offer 50 comedians — including headliners Jimmie J.J. Walker (10 p.m. Friday, pictured) and Victoria Jackson (8:45 p.m. Saturday) — as well as local bands and interactive comedy games.
Walker is best known for the 1970s comedy series Good Times and his “Dyn-o-mite!” catchphrase. Time Magazine named him Comedian of the Decade. Walker currently tours the country 25-30 weeks a year doing stand-up and still performs on late night TV and game shows.
Jackson’s first big break was on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson doing what would become her signature bit: performing a handstand while reciting poetry. She joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1986 and stayed through 1992. She’s also appeared in a number of movies.
See the full entertainment lineup here.
More than 50 beers will be available for tasting over the two nights, including offerings from microbrewers Abita (Louisiana), Bear Republic (California), Bell’s (Michigan), Flying Dog (Maryland), Goose Island (Chicago) and Troegs (Pennsylvania). Cincinnati’s own Mt. Carmel Brewing Co. will be sampling its India Pale Ale and Nut Brown Ale. For more on Mt. Carmel’s beers, see Michael Schiaparelli’s recent Fermentations column in CityBeat.
See the list of beers to be sampled here, including links to each brewery.
Admission to Brew Ha Ha is free, but beer tastings require a $5 wristband. Tasting tickets are $1, with one ticket needed for a sample and four for a full serving.
See an overview of the event here, with hours and contact info.
This article appears in Aug 12-18, 2009.
