The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Mentor on Tap and Uncorked intertwine
Wineries, breweries, food trucks, music intertwine as Mentor On-Tap and Uncorked
When The Brew Mentor proprietor Brian Seelinger approached Mentor officials about a beer-centric event, he hoped it would highlight unique businesses in area residents’ own back yards.
Three years later, it seems as though he and Lake County’s largest city have at the very least accomplished that goal.
Mentor On Tap & Uncorked, which was established in 2016 as Mentor On Tap, expanded the following year to include area wineries, Seelinger said, which fit the event’s overall theme of turning area residents on to all the local businesses they enjoy.
It was held 5-11 p.m. June 23 at Civic Center Park, 8500 Civic Center Blvd.
“It was my idea, three years ago, to bring attention to all the great breweries, craft-beer proprietors, wineries and food purveyors through one great event,” he said as the 2018 installment of Mentor On Tap & Uncorked was in its first two hours. “So, we brought it to the city and they thought it would be a good idea, too. We were
able to partner with them and create this great event.”
City spokesman Ante Logarusic agreed, saying it’s worked out to be a great event for both area brewers, craft-beer purveyors, wineries and food venues.
“Originally, we weren’t sure what this was going to
wind up being,” said Logarusic, Mentor’s Community Relations Administrator. “We weren’t sure whether it was something with which we would partner, or if it was something we’d let them do themselves.”
He said it has turned out to be a mutually beneficial
event, however, and the city is happy it partnered with Seelinger and the other businesses who have stepped on board since.
“It’s worked out well as a partnership,” he said at the event June 23, adding that the city is well-equipped to nurture such an attraction. “We’ve got the space. We’ve got the facilities and we’ve got the experience, with all the events we’ve put on here, especially in the last few years.”
Some of the visitors seemed to agree the partnership is a good one and the event, itself, proves it.
“It’s great!” said Mentor resident James Barbur, who was there with wife, Amanda, and friend, Wickliffe resident Sean Brown. “They always put on a great event.”
Amanda agreed, adding that it has improved with age.
“It gets better every year,” she said.
The trio said they like the fact that the event highlights small businesses from around Northeast Ohio that may be accessed, in person, with a half-hour or so drive.
“It’s a lot of businesses from Northeast Ohio. But it’s a nice diversity of places off the beaten path – places you wouldn’t normally see unless you were looking for them, specifically, which is pretty cool. So it gives you the opportunity to try things you might not otherwise try and have a great time doing it. It’s very relaxed and it’s casual and it’s easy to just sit back and have a good time here. We really like it.”
Brown agreed, adding that it’s a good opportunity for folks to get into something they’ve never tried before, without being intimidated.
“You get to meet the brewers and they’re willing to tell you all about the specific beers they’ve brought here,” Brown said. “They’re very willing to educate you.”
He said that can be a big deal for folks who haven’t delved much into the craftbeer realm.
“My buddy here and I have been tasting and trying different, new and crazy craft beers for, like, 12 years now,” he said. “But if you’re just getting into it, this is a really good place to start. The people who brew it are actually here. And they’re very good about telling you what you’re tasting, what goes into it, what the different styles are and about their different flavor profiles.”
Organizers agree they’d like to see the event grow and, depending on its success in the coming years, maybe see it expand around the corner at Civic Center Park to include the city’s new amphitheater.