BrewFest ready for return

Event moves to Black River Landing for 2017

The best in craft beer will land on the bank of the Black River when BrewFest Waterfront District returns Aug. 12.

The fourth annual beer festival will shift east a block or two from Broadway to the Lorain Port Authority’s Black River Landing. Proceeds benefit the Lorain Growth Corp.

“The key for this year is, we’ve got you covered, rain or shine,” said Howard Ross, event planner and co-owner of craft beer maker Franklin Brewing Co.

In its first three years, the event was planned to take place whatever the weather.

The 2016 BrewFest had numerous brewers, live music, about 1,000 people attending — and rain.

“We had some inclement weather, so that put a damper on ticket sales,” Ross said.

This year, brewers will serve under the pavilions at Black River Landing. The event headquarters will be in the Transportation Center and the bands will perform in the newest pavilion on the site.

There are 46 craft beer makers from around the country to provide samples in Lorain. The

presence of Lorain County brewers will be “definitely stronger” in this year’s event.

“We’re pretty excited about that,” Ross said. “I think overall, it’s just going to continue with the uptick in Lorain County.”

First-time participants include Bascule Brewing of Lorain, Avon Brewing Co. of Avon and Railroad Brewing Co. of Avon.

Matus Winery of rural Wakeman will be there with regional neighbors Sibling Revelry Brewing Co. of Westlake and Redhead Ciderhouse of Berlin Heights.

Neighboring Cuyahoga County has a lot going on

and some established brewers, Ross said.

Ross, who grew up in North Ridgeville, and Franklin Brewing Co. cofounder Aaron Schickel, who is from Avon Lake, hope to spark the growth of local brewers in Lorain County.

“We look at it like, let’s pump Lorain County up,” Ross said.

The musical acts will include the band Playing to Vapors and singer-songwriters Gretchen Pleuss and Marina Strah, all firsttime players at BrewFest.

As a musician, Ross said he is “extremely picky” about the performers. The planners select performers who are appropriate for the event, who write good music and lyrics and can perform them live, he said.

Radio station WCPZ

102.7 in Sandusky is the stage sponsor for music, while Park Bar & Grille of Amherst will sponsor volunteer T-shirts.

As in years past, advance tickets for the event are $25, which is a bargain price for beer festivals, Ross said. Admission is $35 at the gate, if available.

Admission is free for designated drivers and nondrinkers. BrewFest is for ages 21 and older.

Volunteers still are needed to pour beer. Anyone interested must sign up in advance through the BrewFest website for planning purposes.

Weather was not the only reason for the changed location, Ross said.

BrewFest used tents for the event on Broadway, but moving cuts down that expense and the set-up time.

Black River Landing also has adequate electrical power for vendors and the bands.

This year, Lorain has implemented a new fee schedule to help pay for police needed for security at parades and community gatherings. Resurfacing also is scheduled for the section of Broadway from the Nardini Gateway underpass north to West Erie Avenue.

“When you look at an overall picture, it just made sense to move it to Black River Landing,” Ross said. “I’m stoked that it’s there. I think it’s a win-win situation from every aspect.”

Among the planners, there is no sense of competition between the two venues.

“It’s still Lorain, it’s still downtown Lorain, it’s still bringing people to downtown Lorain,” Ross said.