The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Beer lovers taste local flavors at annual Brewfest
More than a thousand beer connoisseurs showed up on Chardon’s square Aug. 11 to taste what breweries from around Northeast Ohio and beyond have to offer.
Chardon Brewfest, which celebrated its seventh year in 2018, played host to easily more than 1,000 guests on Chardon’s picturesque square this year, organizers said.
“This is easily the most well-attended
(Chardon Brewfest),” said Chardon resident Kristen Signar, Chardon Tomorrow board member and Brewfest Committee member in charge of volunteers and admissions. “I think this may be the best one we’ve had (in terms of attendance).”
But Signar wasn’t the only one happy with the day Aug. 11 during Chardon Brewfest.
Visitors and vendors, alike, liked what was happening on Chardon’s square.
“It’s beautiful weather. There are a lot of different beers and breweries here a lot of variety,’ said Euclid resident Amy Sivyer, who attended Chardon Brewfest with fiance David Lindrose from Painesville Township.
Sivyer said she appreciated the overall atmosphere of the event, itself.
“It’s wonderful,” she said. “It’s mellow and everybody here is really friendly. Plus, it’s good to support your local breweries, your local businesses.” Lindrose agreed. “Most of these are Ohio breweries,” he said. “So it’s a good, local event at which you can experience much of Ohio (in terms of breweries) in one place.”
A representative from one such brewery - Royal
Docks Brewing Co. in Canton - agreed that Chardon’s Brewfest is a great promotional tool.
“It’s very far... about an hour-and 20-minute drive from our facility ,” said Brittany Pollock, a Royal Docks representative. “But this is a great venue - a great tool - to help us expand our reach.”
She said it’s a good way to let folks know they can purchase Royal Docks offerings at local grocery stores, too.
But the beer wasn’t he only attraction Aug. 11 on Chardon Square. A few food vendors also made the scene, including Spinners Good Time Diner, whose signature double-decker burger- the Spinner Burger - also made hundreds of
Brewfest patrons smile.
Michael Seredich, whose wife, Kim, owns Spinners, said the setup they had at Brewfest had gone through at least 250 Spinner Burgers by about 3:30 p.m. Aug. 11 and would likely sell out before the event was through.
He added that he likes Chardon Brewfest, as it not only helps his wife’s business get more attention. It’s also an enjoyable place to be.
“I like it,” he said. “I like Brewfest a lot. I wish I could get out there (away from the grill) and enjoy it a little bit more. But it’s been good for us. We get a little bit more exposure up here.”
Two Brewfest attendees who were exposed to Spinners’
signature burger one of whom is something like greater-Cleveland royalty, having been named Miss Dyngus 2018 - sang the praises of the doubledecker deliciousness.
Akron resident Marlene Thompson, who holds the Dyngus distinction, along with friend Alex Krupa, both sang the praises of both Chardon Brewfest and Spinners’ big burger.
“I think it’s great how everyone’s coming together in the name of good beer,” Thompson said. “And I’m actually surprised there are so many Akron/Canton area breweries here. I thought it was going to be more, like Cleveland and Ohio City breweries.”
Krupa agreed, adding how much they enjoyed the food, too.
“The food is great,” he said. “That (Spinner Burger) and the bratwurst - oh - it’s all so good - really good.”
As the event began winding down around 5 p.m. Aug. 11, Signar said Chardon Tomorrow was happy with the event’s turnout and is always hoping it will grow in coming years, as is has so far.
She added that the organization always welcomes new members in its committees, ranks of volunteer and on its board.