Congratulations to Matt Cole of Rocky River Brewing Company for winning two medals at the recent Great American Beer Festival in Denver! The Smokestack Porter (described in last issue) won a silver medal in the smoked beer category. Also described in last issue, Neptune’s Nemesis, the Baltic porter won yet another medal; the bronze in the Baltic porter category. Note that was a new category this year. Last year it won the silver in the specialty beer category. 

Also leashing another medal at the GABF, was the Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. for their Siberian Night, a Russian imperial stout, adding a bronze to a list that includes a gold in 2005 and a bronze in 2003. The Siberian Night will be the beer of the month at the Winking Lizard Taverns in January so head out and warm up with a Siberian Night and take home a cool glass! The Independence, Ohio based Thirsty Dog continues to expand distribution that will now include Illinois and New York. For other areas of distribution check out www.thirstydog.com. Thirsty Dog will also be hosting the 3^rd annual Blues & Brews Festival next summer at Stan Hywet along with the Winking Lizard Tavern. A date will be announced in January.

Buckeye Brewing Co. is once again off to The Great International Beer Competition in Providence, RI, in its quest for medals. Garin Wright, head brewer, has attended the festival for four of the last five years, and each year has walked away with at least one medal. Last year Buckeye took second place with both the Sasquatch Pale Ale and the Czech Pilsner. He is taking six entries this year. Note that this will be the last competition beer ever brewed from the original location on Miles Road. It will also be the last ever batch of Ho Ho Ho Magic Dubbel brewed at Miles Road. As usual, Wright brewed it with a different yeast strain. This years’ batch was fermented with Wyeast #3763 Roeselare, so expect some sourness. Now, for the news you’ve been waiting for: Buckeye will start brewing at their Cleveland brewery in early December!  Garin Wright says to “expect big things from Buckeye in 2007, including a pub to be announced soon.” To receive email updates contact garin@buckeyebrewing.com.

The BREW Kettle in Strongsville is getting ready to tap their coveted Winter Warmer ale in December. It's a delicious spiced ale with hints of cinnamon, orange peel, fresh ginger and honey. Enjoy it on tap or take a bottle home to enjoy in front of the fireplace! They will also be introducing Ringneck Im"Perle"ial Porter, a hearty roasted porter with hints of black malt, molasses and espresso, and balanced with Perle hops. That would go nicely with one their new menu items such as the smoked meatloaf or Cajun cornmeal crusted catfish.  Mark your calendars now for the OgreFest! OgreFest is coming to the BREW Kettle February 12 thru 17, showcasing barleywines and big beers. Check their website for more info at www.thebrewkettle.com about the event and a list of what brews you can look forward to.

As reported in the last issue, the Hoppin’ Frog Brewery in Akron has started marketing its beers. The four beers now available are the Gulden Fraug, a Belgian-style golden ale, Hoppin’ To Heaven IPA., B.O.R.I.S. the Crusher, which stands for Bodacious Oatmeal Russian Imperial Stout, and the Bodacious Black & Tan. Hoppin’ Frog beer is available at Shisler’s Cheese House on Cleveland-Massillon Road in Copley or at the brewery. To buy beer from the brewery, it is highly recommended to call them at (330) 352-4578 to find out the availability of the staff, as well as the beer styles they have at that time. Hoppin’ Frog is located at 1680 East Waterloo Road/Route 224, Suite F (for Frog) in Akron. Tours of the brewery can be scheduled for small groups. Visit their website for more information and updates at www.HoppinFrog.com.

The Brew Keeper, in Bedford Heights will be moving to North Ridgeville at 34445 Center Ridge Road sometime in February. By the time you read this, the Holiday Ale, Bourbon Stout, and Scotch Ale should all be on tap at the Miles Road location. The last kettle for the brew-on-premise will be late December or early January. Come join them for the Brew Keeper Christmas Party on December 9, starting at 6 p.m. Project Mojo will be playing at 7 p.m.  

At Maumee Bay Brewing Co. in Toledo, watch for their Blitzen Holiday Ale to be on tap, followed by a Hazel Nut Porter and a Russian imperial stout aged in port wine barrels. Brewer Phil Pollick reports that he also has an oak-aged Belgian Tripel that has been aging since July, but he’s not sure when he might tap it.   

Lastly, Garrett’s Mill and Tavern in Garrettsville seems to have closed. They opened in April, tapped their first beer in June, and now are closed.  I haven’t been able to reach anyone for comment, but thought I ought to report that their phone, mail, and website are not working anymore.

As always, if you have any news, comments, or questions, email me at brewmuse@ohiobeerguide.com … and thanks to those of you who DO keep me posted. It is appreciated!