Winter Warmer Fest

Northeast Ohioans are counting down the days until spring after a brutally rough season. However, winter will rare its head one last time in the form of one of the most anticipated beer festivals of the year – Winter Warmer Fest.

On Saturday, March 7 from 2 to 6 p.m., Winter Warmer Fest will return to Windows on the River to celebrate its 9th year as arguably the best showcase of what Ohio has to offer the craft beer world. Windows on the River is located at 2000 Sycamore St, Cleveland, Ohio. This year will see more than 40 all-Ohio breweries sampling their best batches of seasonals, limited brews, as well as staples from their impressive repertoires.

Regulars of the local beer scene like Hoppin’ Frog Brewery, Thirsty Dog Brewing Company, Fat Head’s Brewery, Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery and the Willoughby Brewing Company will be on hand along with an arsenal of first-timer attendees from around the state. First-timers include JAFB Wooster Brewery (Wooster), Butcher and the Brewer (Cleveland), Warped Wing (Dayton), Canton Brewing Company (Canton), The Phoenix Brewing Company (Mansfield) and Sideswipe Brewing (Columbus).

Willoughby Brewing Company’s Rick Seibt will man the cask section for the third year with what will surely be a crowd-pleasing array of experimental “real ales.” Cask-conditioned ale is unfiltered, unpasteurised beer which is conditioned and served from a cask without the addition of nitrogen or carbon dioxide.

Blues artist Austin Walkin’ Cane will be on hand to entertain the guests with his live music, while beer drinkers can get their grub on thanks to a handful of food trucks including Fired Up Taco Truck, Zydeco Bistro and Sweet! Mobile Cupcakery.

General admission tickets are $45 and include a souvenir glass and 20 tasting tickets. If you want to be a bit more adventurous, VIP tickets are $75 and offer early admission at 1 p.m., as well as an enthusiast membership to the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. This includes your very own Drink Beer Made Here t-shirt. Those looking to play it safe by bringing along a sober friend or significant other can purchase designated driver tickets for $12 each, complete with a non-alcoholic beverage.

/ Writer Aaron Fowler is a sales representative at Cavalier Distributing.