One Bourbon, One Scotch, 250 Beers

Columbus Winter Beerfest offers more space and more brews than ever before

By Tyler Davis

It’s the biggest Beerfest yet.

The second annual Columbus Winter Beerfest, presented by CD102.5, is slated for Jan. 14 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Past Columbus Beerfests – thus far, one in the winter and two in the spring – have been two-night affairs. But with triple the space this time around – enough for 7,500 beer enthusiasts – this one will pack all the excitement into a single evening.

More than 250 American craft beers will be on tap, as will at least one general premium international beer “to cleanse the palate between tastings,” says event organizer Bill Hulsizer of the Big Joe Duskin Music Education Foundation.

Getting everything organized is no simple task, Hulsizer says – there are prospective beers to taste, bands and radio personalities to book, and sampling cups to order. But this year’s

Columbus Winter Beerfest has achieved an impressive feat: Every brewery in Ohio is represented, including central Ohio favorites including Barley’s, Gordon Biersch, Columbus Brewing Company, Elevator and Neil House.

The beer list had not been finalized as of early December, but it is expected to be similar to the list from the most recent Columbus Beerfest in May, which went all the way from Avery Collaboration Not Litigation, a Belgian strong ale, to Wyder’s

Pear Cider. One confirmed newcomer, though, is Yuengling, the popular Pennsylvania ale that became available in Ohio in October.

Even better news: The intimidating presence of Yuengling will likely spur other breweries to up their game, Hulsizer says, making the opportunities even better for Beerfest patrons.

Another new addition: QR codes have been added to every brewery table. Patrons armed with smartphones can use them to track and receive special offers from the breweries whose brews they enjoy.

Surprising as it may seem, there’s more to Beerfest than just beer. The event benefits the Big Joe Duskin Music Education Foundation, based in Cincinnati, which hooks local musicians up with schools and pays them to go and help educate students on the art of making music..

“It’s a way of doing great things for the community – the proceeds help to send musicians to school, a great cause,” Hulsizer says.

Beyond the Beerfest events in Columbus and Cincinnati, the foundation also sets up small concerts and other fundraisers. Its organizers are on the hunt for additional cities to which it can expand Beerfest.

“The great part about our fundraisers is that the funds stay in the cities that they’re (generated) in,” says Hulsizer.

Information and tickets can be found online at www.columbusbeerweek.org. cs