Written by Marc Bona for The Plain Dealer
Note: expect a column on Hoppin Frog sometime this spring, early summer from PGA writer Ken Carman- PGA
Beer aficionados: If you’re suffering from cold-weather doldrums and want a break, there’s a fest for you Saturday.
Or if you just like beer.
The Ohio Craft Brewers Association’s fifth annual Winter Warmer Fest offers more than 50 beers served in two sessions — 1 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Sachsenheim Hall, 7001 Denison Ave., Cleveland. Admission is $30 per session.
Tickets are available at the hall and participating breweries, such as Great Lakes Brewing Co. in Cleveland, Hoppin’ Frog Brewery in Akron and Fat Head’s Brewery & Saloon in North Olmsted. Admission includes a glass, live music and 10 drink tickets. Extra drink tickets and German food will be available for purchase.
“I really enjoy it,” said Hoppin’ Frog’s Fred Karm, who said the event usually sells out. “It gives us a chance to talk with customers in an environment that isn’t so busy. . . . you get more elbow room, and the brewers know that.”
Karm has reason to enjoy it: His pumpkin ale and B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher oatmeal imperial stout won the people’s choice favorite-beer honors at the past two fests.