The GREAT American Beer Festival did not disappoint! Over 400 breweries and over 1800 beers to sample…in four 4½ -hour sessions. That’s over 100 beers per hour. I tried to focus on those I hadn’t tried before, but even that was a daunting task! I had a front row seat when Charlie Papazian presented Great Lakes Brewing Company with yet another medal (the silver) for their Edmund Fitzgerald Porter. The Edmund Fitzgerald beat out 61 other breweries for honors in the Robust Porter category, and has won three Gold Medals and one Bronze Medal at the GABF in past years. It currently ranks as the most decorated porter in the country.

 The Elevator Brewing Company in Columbus won their first GABF medal, a bronze for their Elevator Dark Horse in the American Dark Lager category. Of the 2793 beers entered this year, only 8% won a medal. Congratulations to our two Ohio winners!

Congratulations also to Cavalier Distributing of Ohio for winning the Craft Beer Distributor Recognition Award, which recognizes distributors in America who do the most to market, sell and promote craft beer in their market. This was the first year these distributor awards were presented.

 A recent visit to Willoughby, Ohio found some new surprises. The 1899 Pub, a good beer bar has recently changed ownership. New owner, Sean Heineman also owns the Ballantine Restaurant next door. Both feature an extensive beer selection. The 1899 Pub has 18 drafts and 99 bottles, and the Ballantine has 28 beer taps and about 60 bottled beers. Manny Nieves manages both sites and tries not to duplicate tap selections at the two locations. Both have special happy hour prices and Ballantine offers $3 drafts every Monday. In addition to their impressive selection of beer, you will find everything from pizza and sandwiches to steak, scallop, or duck dinners…and the apparent favorite: Lobster Mac and Cheese!

 A short walk across the street brings you to Willoughby Brewing Company. The big news here is they have a new brewer, Larry Hazen. Hazen trained here a decade or so ago and has since brewed for Crooked River (formerly in Cleveland) and Stone Brewing (San Diego). Always the assistant brewer, brewing others’ recipes, Hazen is anxious to try his own. The first batch of his own creation, a Pumpkin Seed Stout, was impressive, brewed with roasted pumpkins and toasted pumpkin seeds. His experience at Stone has taught him to explore the boundaries, and maybe stretch them a little! He’s planning a Christmas Ale that will be an apple/plum fruit beer with oatmeal. Also watch for the Tenth Anniversary Ale, still in the planning, so he won’t reveal what that one will be.

 The Brew Kettle in Strongsville has some big news. The Winter Warmer is flowing, the construction of their new 20 barrel brewery and catering facility is well under way, and Jack Kephart (formerly of Willoughby Brewing and the Roadhouse in Medina) has become their new brew master. His first batch started pouring at the pub in late October. Jack is known for his consistent, clean brews, and they plan to pair those skills with some big and flavorful beers for the perfect package. He will be responsible for brewing and packaging at the “BREW Kettle Production Works” as soon as the build out is complete. 

Thirsty Dog Brewing Company is now up and running in their new location at 529 Grant Street in Akron. They are excited to have brewer Tim Rastetter back in NE Ohio, and he’s been brewing since August. New brews included an Oktoberfest (which didn’t last long) and the return of the popular Raspberry Ale.  Rastetter has produced two new Belgian ales, the Orthus, a Belgian dubbel at 7.5% ABV and the Cerberus 10 Dog Ale, a Belgian tripel that is 10% ABV. Look for the Stud Service Stout, which is a traditional dry Irish stout, and a Christmas Dog Ale.

 At the Hoppin’ Frog Brewery, their newest beer, the Smashing Berry Ale, is already a smashing success! It won first place at Akron's Barley Fest and also won first place at the Laurel Highlands Oktoberfest near Pittsburgh. This beer is currently available from the brewery and soon at a few select local retailers. In early December Hoppin’ Frog will release Silk Porter, a robust and silky-smooth dark ale, with many flavors of roasted, toasted and caramel malts. If you can’t find Hoppin’ Frog beers locally, stop by the brewery. Call for times and directions at (330) 352-4578.

 Cornerstone Brewing in Berea is planning on a Christmas Ale with honey, spices, and orange peel. Watch for the return of the Rusty Pheasant, a dry rye ale, and a new Beautiful Blond ale made with strawberry puree, and Erie Nights, an oatmeal stout.

 You may have noticed, it’s that time of year that everyone has Christmas Ales on tap. Most of breweries will have their own version, and maybe a few guest versions as well. McNulty’s Bier Markt is no exception. Specializing in Belgian beers, look for Corsendonk Christmas Ale, Delirium Noel, Nice Chouffe, and more. For all the hop-heads out there, they have a new Cascade Hop Cocktail. It is made with Bombay gin infused with fresh cascade hops leading to a mouthwatering concoction that may make you second guess ordering that Imperial IPA! Other new drafts at the Bier Markt: McChouffe, a Scotch Ale, Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence, a stout made with real Belgian chocolate, and Wittekerke, a Belgian wheat that never goes out of season.

 Opening only this past March, Buckeye Beer Engine has already been voted “Best Brew Pub” in Scene Magazine’s Best of 2007. They will again be hosting their annual Christmas in Belgium celebration, their first at the new location in Lakewood. Watch their website (www.buckeyebeerengine.com) for the date, as it hasn’t yet been announced.

 Did you know Ohio has a new brewery? Weasel Boy Brewing opened this past summer in Zanesville, Ohio. Their beer is only available locally, on tap at both Muddy Miser's Cool River Cafe and The Barn in Zanesville, and at Brew's Cafe in Granville. They are working on opening a tap room in downtown Zanesville. Check their website www.weaselboybrewing.com for news.

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!