Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Burning River Fest (+ #BRF15 GIVEAWAY)
Disclosure: Great Lakes Brewing Co. invited me to attend a private blogger tour of their facilities and to their Burning River Fest in return for advance promotions including a ticket giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I may not drink all that much beer anymore (thanks, gluten), but a six pack of Great Lakes Brewing Co. brew is always in our fridge. It’s no question that Hans is a huge fan, like most Clevelanders. Personally, I still get a kick out of knowing a locally made offering has such a reputation for being a high quality product served in 14 states plus our nation’s capital.
I had the chance to get to know GLBC even better last night at their Burning River Fest Blogger Preview at their new Beer Symposium/Tasting Room in Ohio City.
After a welcome beer and some delicious appetizers featuring GLBC’s new mustard collaboration with Bertman’s (HOLY YUM), we got to know their team a bit better. But we had no idea that we’d have an extra special guest joining us: Pat Conway, one of the co-founders of GLBC. As I shared on Instagram, Pat was incredibly passionate about all things Cleveland, but especially the environmental efforts since that little fire that happened on a certain river nearly 50 years ago. He filled us in on the Burning River Foundation, which “is dedicated to improving, maintaining and celebrating the vitality of our regional freshwater resources.” (from the fest’s website) The Burning River Fest benefits the Foundation, which has provided more than $400,000 to local non-profit organizations. I had no idea of GLBC’s commitment to a “green” lifestyle, fully embracing the “reduce reuse recycle” mantra.
From left to right: Pat Conway talking with his hands (#mykindofguy); tanks on the tour; Adam our tour guide and my fellow bloggers
After our brewery tour lead by GLBC’s community events coordinator, Adam (who is probably the happiest brewery tour leader EVER — so adorable), my fellow bloggers were the very first to taste the brand new GLBC year round beer – Steady Rollin’, a session IPA. This citrus inspired beverage smelled amazing — the grapefruit smell is very apparent, which is going to be a huge hit with a certain red head I know. It’s ABV of 4.8% makes it an easy one to enjoy over and over… and even over again.
If you’re interested in trying the new brew yourself, you can be among the first to do so at the 2015 Burning River Fest, taking place next weekend — August 28 & 29 – from 6-11 pm at the historic Coast Guard Station at Whiskey Island. This year’s features include:
- Over 18 bands and musicians on two stages — the full music schedule can be found at burningriverfest.org/artists, but don’t miss Hey Mavis, Nate Jones Band, and Gretchen Pleuss
- Chef demonstrations via Edible Cleveland, featuring a few of my favorites – Anna Harouvis, John Selick
- A pre-festival yoga class both days with Balance and Brews (you know I support this!)
- Plenty of handcrafted beer by Great Lakes Brewing Company (of course!)
- And affordable tickets: Discounted pre-sale tickets are available until Sunday the 23rd! Get them before the price jumps up to $15 on Monday — purchase tickets here: burningriverfest.org/buy-tickets
…or enter to win my GIVEAWAY of two tickets to this event! Use the Rafflecopter to enter today:
You have until this Monday, August 24 at 11:59PM EST to enter. The winner will be announced the following morning. As this is a local event taking place in Cleveland on August 28 & 29, I highly encourage entries by those that can attend the event – or would like to win them for someone that can go! Many thanks to the GLBC team for making this #BRF15 giveaway possible!
Keep up with the Great Lakes Brewing Co. by visiting their website, greatlakesbrewing.com, and following them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Stay in the Burning River Fest know by checking out their website, burningriverfest.org, and following them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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