Saluting the “Declaration of Beer Independence”Prepare to raise your pint glass and toast the very brew contained within.
American Craft Beer Week is slated for May 16-22, 2011. The sixth annual event honors the independent spirit of America's craft breweries with a nationwide series of beer-infused dinners, brewery tours, special releases and other festivities. The inaugural American Craft Beer Week in 2006 featured special recognition by the U.S. Congress, which passed House Resolution 753 to commend and support national craft breweries.
Columbus' own Elevator Brewing Company is celebrating with a week-long blowout.
Monday, May 16: “Storm the Elevator” will benefit the Franklinton CycleWorks co-op. The challenge: to fit as many bicycles as possible into the Elevator Brewery, located at 165 N. 4th St. The event is scheduled from 7-8 p.m. Entry fee is $5. For more information about the organization, visit http://www.franklintoncycleworks.com/.
Tuesday, May 17: “Drink to Save Time” will raise funds for the Downtown Residents' Association of Columbus. From 7-9 p.m., a portion of beer sales at the Elevator Restaurant (161 N. High St.) will benefit the DRAC clock restoration project. For more information about the organization, visit http://www.dracolumbus.com/.
Wednesday, May 18: Members of Elevator's Masters of Beer Appreciation (MBA) and Professors of Hearty Drinking (PHD) programs will gather for a reunion cookout at the brewery, starting at 6 p.m. A $10 cover charge will include a tour.
Thursday, May 19: Homebrewers' Night at the brewery, featuring the Big Brew Day Reunion & Great Beer Tasting from 7-8 p.m. The star of the event will be the assortment of fine beers crafted by local homebrewers. Sampling will take place during a meeting of the Scioto, Olentangy & Darby Zymurgists (SODZ). For more information on the organization, visit http://www.sodz.org/.
Friday, May 20: The Bark & Brew II fundraiser from 6 to 7 p.m. will benefit the Columbus Downtown Dog Park Association. For $20, attendees will tour the brewery and receive a souvenir t-shirt. All proceeds benefit the Downtown Dog Park, located at Spring and 4th St. For more information on the organization, visit http://www.columbusddp.org/.
Saturday, May 21: Elevator Brewery will host its second annual five-course, beer-infused dinner at 6 p.m. Last year's event included spent barley bread, Bleeding Buckeye Red Ale tomato bisque soup, and Procrastinator Doppelbock bread pudding. Guest speaker Rick Armon, Akron Beacon Journal reporter, will discuss craft brewing in Ohio. Cost is $45 per person. Seating is extremely limited and reservations are required. Call 614-499-7828 for information.
In addition, the Elevator Restaurant will offer unique beer-inspired, off-the-menu meals Monday through Saturday during American Craft Beer Week. For more information, visit www.craftbeer.com or www.elevatorbrewing.com.
