Ohio Brew Week facts for kids
Ohio Brew Week is a fun festival held every year in Athens, Ohio. This 9-day event celebrates special drinks made in Ohio. It brings together people who make these drinks and those who enjoy trying them. They come from all over the country to celebrate the art of "craft brewing."
It's a week full of excitement, showing off "craft drinks and Ohio pride." More than 26 different businesses from around Ohio share their unique drinks. You can find them at restaurants, bars, and special making places in uptown Athens.
Some of these businesses include Great Lakes Brewing Co. from Cleveland and Rhinegeist Brewing Co. from Cincinnati. A local favorite is Jackie O's Brewery in Athens. The week is packed with events, music shows, and friendly competitions. There are also barbecue cookouts, happy hours, special dinners, and chances to "meet the maker." You can also find pool tournaments, tasting events, golf outings, karaoke, corn hole games, trivia, and even a haunted tour!
Where the Fun Happens
More than 35 local businesses always support and serve the special drinks of the week. Many other local bars and restaurants also join in the fun. Some of the places that often take part are:
- Athens Country Club
- Broney’s Alumni Grill
- Casa Nueva
- The CI
- Jackie O’s Brew Pub
- Lucky’s Sports Tavern
- The Oak Room
- The Ohio University Inn & Conference Center
- Pawpurr’s
- The Pigskin Sports Bar and Grill
- The Union
- Zoe
How Ohio Brew Week Started
Ohio Brew Week began because businesses in Athens needed more customers in the summer. Many students left town when school was out. So, local businesses needed a way to bring people back to Athens and nearby cities.
Two people who lived in Athens started Ohio Brew Week in 2005. That first week, over 70 different craft drinks were sold. About 26 businesses, mostly in uptown Athens, took part.
In 2015, the festival celebrated its 10th anniversary. It had record numbers of visitors and sales. It's clear that people in Athens really love Ohio Brew Week and all the fun things it offers!
The Ohio Brew Week grew as craft drinks became more popular. Now, you can even find them in grocery stores. In 2016, more than 45 Ohio businesses participated in Ohio Brew Week. The festival in 2017 featured over 200 types of drinks!
In 2020, the festival went online for the first time. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were no big crowds that year, but the celebration continued virtually.
Exciting Events and Activities
Ohio Brew Week gets attention from all over the country each year. Every festival brings different speakers to talk about the various businesses or drinks offered. Some famous speakers have included:
- Alan Eames, known as the “Indiana Jones of Beer”
- Steve Hindy, president of Brooklyn Brewery
- Joe Tucker, executive director of RateBeer.com
- Pat Conway, co-founder of Great Lakes Brewing Company
A big tradition at Ohio Brew Week is the Homebrew Competition. People who make their own drinks at home can enter them. Judges then pick the best drinks in several different groups.
Another fun event is the Athens Cuisine Showcase. Drink makers come together to try each other's creations. The food entries must be made with or served alongside one of the week's craft drinks.
There's also the Brew Barbecue Cook-Off. Here, contestants compete to win barbecue and craft drink awards. Their entries can be meals served with a special drink or made using one.
Boogie on the Bricks, a community music and arts street fair, often ends Brew Week. This festival is held right on the brick streets of Athens. The week closes with a street dance featuring many different musicians.
