Craft beer festival headed to fairgrounds

Festival to feature many craft beer options, others on Sept. 18

WAPAKONETA — With the increasing popularity of local, homecrafted beer, it made sense for Ed Doenges, Auglaize County Fair manager, to bring samples to the county during the Craft Beer Festival at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds Saturday, Sept. 18. from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This will be the first Craft Beer Festival, and will be held in the commercial building. Vendors from around Ohio will bring four unique beers, three available to general admission visitors and a fourth, specialty beer for those with VIP admission.

He’s no stranger to craft beer and said he’s attended several other similar events.

“Craft beers have been growing quite rapidly over the last few years, and we just felt it was probably a good time to do this,” he said.

Doenges contacted Jackie Martell, director of the Wapakoneta Area Chamber of Commerce, and asked if they would be interested in getting involved.

“She’s been a great person to work with,” he said.

There will actually be several different ways to attend. For $75, a VIP ticket includes unlimited tasting from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., a complimentary tasting glass, access to VIP only specialty brews, appetizers and a Tshirt. A $50 general admission ticket will include unlimited beer tastings, a mug and appetizers from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

And a $20 Designated Driver Admission will include appetizers and water from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Appetizers are from 10 local vendors including J. Marie’s WoodFired Kitchen, Al’s Woody’s, the Side Rail, Moeller Brew Barn, Lucky Steer, Sweet Kicks Candies and Bakery and Buckland Acres Bistro Food Truck. There will also be specialty selections from State and Local, Tin Acre Gourmet Popcorn and Cassie’s Cupboard.

“For that $20 [designated drivers]… water will be available, but they’ll get access to all the food also,” he said. “They can just come in and taste the food, still enjoy the afternoon, not necessarily have to have a craft beer, and then they can be that family’s designated driver.”

He said at least 15 Ohio breweries from Columbus to Toledo to Mansfield were already signed up, each with different flavors and styles.

“With craft beer, breweries and stuff in Ohio, we’re just trying to put an event together that’s all Ohio craft beers,” he said.

Walking Boss will be there, and participants can enter to win prizes including a custom-built Harley.

All money raised will be split evenly between the chamber and the Auglaize County Fair. Both the Auglaize County Fair and chamber Facebook page have links on their Facebook pages.

The festival is sponsored by Autobahn and Raines Management Group.

Only 300 tickets are available, 150 VIP and another 150 general admission. There are an unlimited number of Designated Driver tickets.

Only people 21 and over are permitted, including designated drivers. All attendees will be required to show valid photo I.D.