A crowd of about 1,400 attended Saturday's 10th annual Winter Warmer Fest at Windows on the River in the Flats. The crush of beer lovers braved a steady snowfall in the cask-ale area near food trucks outside. Dozens of breweries from across the state attended, packing into multiple rooms in the venue. Breweries poured some crazy concoctions from a multitude of styles for craft-beer lovers. Here's a look at 18 intriguing beers at the fest, which raises money for the non-profit Ohio Craft Brewers Association. The fest is definitely a party made for those with adventurous palates.
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Winter Warmer Fest
The cask-ale area outside is always a hit at Winter Warmer Fest. The overall beer list was impressive.
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Barley's Brewing Co., Columbus
Bourbon Meyer Buckeye Stout: A bourbon barrel-aged Stout with peanut butter and chocolate. Notes of chocolate, toast, roasty flavors and peanut butter flavors all converge in one of the best-named ales at the fest.
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Cellar Rats Brewery, Madison
Joel Sandrey of Cellar Rats has been working on acquiring the rights to the old 'P.O.C.' label. For legal reasons, the brewery couldn’t use the words 'Cleveland, Ohio' or 'Pilsner Beer,' but they will have the crisp, 4.7 percent alcohol beer ready to go in April – 'May at the latest,' Sandrey said.
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Columbus Brewing Co., Columbus
Limited-edition cask ale pours of Breakfast Bodhi – brewed with Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee from Columbus - surprised with its light color yet rich coffee taste.
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Fat Head's Brewery, North Olmsted and Middleburg Heights
Everyone knows Hop Juju and Head Hunter. At the fest, one of the brewery’s offerings was a Pineapple IPA. The pineapple is there but not overwhelming. Refreshing, well-made.
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Great Lakes Brewing Co., Cleveland
Mint Chocolate Edmund Fitzgerald Porter – not sweet, not too minty – just a variation of the famed Porter. Another cask-ale area pour.
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Little Fish Brewing Co., Athens
Billed as a ‘Farmhouse winter warmer,’ Balaclava – a Saison - has cinnamon, ginger coriander and chilis in it. Ratebeer.com recently rated Little Fish best new brewery in Ohio. The chilis give the ale a great peppery finish. The brewery also makes a mulled version with spices called a ‘hot mullet.’
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
The Brew Kettle, Strongsville
An ale named Jack Hammer has to be a big one, right? This English-style barleywine weighs in at 11.5 percent alcohol. With a slight sweet tinge, it’s a gentle giant. Brewer Jack Kephart spent time in the cask-ale rea with fellow brewers Rick Seibt and Dave Sutula.
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Brick and Barrel, Cleveland
Karl Spiesman, right, blends his love of wine and beer in Noble Blonde. It’s made with Riesling wine must, crisp and smooth, and a moderate 6.5 percent alcohol. (Last year’s version was a bit more tart with Chenin Blanc.)
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Cornerstone Brewing Co., Berea and Madison
Rowan Scotch Ale, 8.5 percent. Always fun to see a brewer try this malty-leaning style, a contrast to the hopped up ales that are on the market.
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Buckeye Brewing Co., Cleveland
The Cleveland brewery brought its Nighty Night, a big Belgian ale, as well as Snow Belted, a 'super Saison' brewed with German Tettnanger, American-grown Saaz and East Kent Goldings hops. It’s 8.4 percent alcohol.
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Hairless Hare Brewing, Vandalia
How ’bout a Bourbon-Barrel Scotch Ale at 10 percent and 27 International Bitterness Units from this Dayton-area brewery?
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Kindred Artisan Ales, Columbus
This new brewery’s Belgian-style white ale hit the mark at 5.3 percent alcohol as a nice break from the big boys of the fest. A craft lawnmower beer to be sure. Jay Taylor – formerly of Elevator Brewing Co. – says the brewery’s tap room should be open by April 1.
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
The Phoenix Brewing Co., Mansfield
Mary Jane Chai Baltic Porter hit the mark at 9 percent alcohol and 45 International Bitterness Units. Like a good, traditional porter, it’s not heavy at all.
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Thirsty Dog Brewing Co., Akron
Thirsty Dog basically took an ale on steroids – Wulver – and aged it in Sherry barrels. The result is a wonderfully complex ale at 12 percent with vanilla and caramel and just a tinge of tartness to it.
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Weasel Boy Brewing, Zanesville
With a logo of a smiling, tongue-wagging weasel, this brewery served up Snow Ermine Holiday Ale, a Porter-based ale with raw honey, whole vanilla beans and organic cocoa nibs.
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Wolf's Ridge Brewing, Columbus
The brewery’s Dire Wolf – an Imperial Stout – was served from a cask and has cherries, chocolate and vanilla notes.
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Zaftig Brewing Co., Worthington
You have to love the name: I Believe in Santa Christmas Ale. At 10 percent alcohol, too many of these and you will be seeing Santa. It’s a Porter with orange zest, vanilla beans and ‘a hint of cinnamon.’
Marc Bona, cleveland.com
Mt. Carmel Brown Ale, Cincinnati
Wonderful carbonation in this coffee-flavored ale at a reasonable 6 percent alcohol.
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