Cleveland Beer Fest debuts big, and you can win free tickets
(UPDATE: Congratulations to commenter Ryan McCartney, winner of the tickets to the festival. Thanks to everyone who entered. You can still get a discount on advance tickets. Read on to find out).
Most beer festivals start out small: a dozen or so brewers, maybe some food pairings, a local band or two. Then, if it’s a success, it happens again following year, a little bigger, then over the years even more is added.
The Cleveland International Beer Fest threw that formula out the window. This inaugural fest on May 13-14 at the Ohio city’s I-X Center will feature three sessions – one Friday night and two on Saturday, upwards of 800 beers poured from more than 200 brewers from around the globe, presentations from renowned craft beer authorities, and a judged competition. (Read through this article to find out how to garner a discount on tickets and a chance to win a free pair).
Other highlights include:
- Brew U: Beer-centric demonstrations and discussions that highlight trends in home brewing, regional developments and green brewing; identifying beer flavors; and more.
- Tasting Room: Seminars on food and beer pairings, identifying beer flavors and more.
- A VIP Brewers Lounge: Access to tasting of rare and limited-release beers, as well as a chance to mingle with brewers.
Here are the basics:
Tasting Sessions:
- Session 1 – Friday, May 13, from 7-11 p.m.
- Session 2 – Saturday, May 14, from 1-5 p.m.
- Session 3 – Saturday, May 14 from 7-11 p.m.
Pricing:
- $45 Single-Session General Admission Ticket (Session 1, 2, OR 3)
- $120 All-Session General Admission Pass (Includes ALL Sessions)
- $75 Single-Session VIP exBEERience Ticket (Session 1, 2 OR 3; Tickets are limited)
- $200 All-Session VIP exBEERience Pass (Includes ALL Sessions; Tickets are limited)
- $20 Single Session Designated Driver Ticket (Session 1, 2, OR 3; excludes alcohol samplings)
Now, here’s some good news for readers of Road Trips for Beer. You can get a $4 discount on general admission tickets (no minimum required). Just go to the International Beer Fest website, www.ixbeerfest.com, click on the “Buy Tickets” icon, and enter the promo code BLOG. Then click and print. Plus, when you order an online advance ticket, you’ll receive a one-year subscription or renewal to DRAFT Magazine – an added value of $19.99!
Now for the even better news. The good folks at the I-X Center gave us the go-ahead to offer a free pair of general admission tickets to the International Beer Fest.
All you have to do is leave a comment below telling us what your favorite beer festival of the year is.
If you want additional chances to win, you can do these things (make sure you leave a separate comment below for each action):
- Follow @RoadTrips4Beer on Twitter, or let us know that you already do.
- Like our Facebook page, or let us know that you already do.
- Mention @RoadTrips4Beer and @ixbeerfest in a tweet (you can do this as many times as you want, but only one counts for the purposes of this giveaway).
Again, just doing these does not give you an entry. You must leave a separate comment that you did so on this page. Sorry for any inconvenience, but we want to make sure we don’t miss it.
We’ll pick a winner May 6, 2011, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time using the Random.org service. Tickets will be available at the I-X Center “Will Call” window.
For more information on the festival, visit its website.
Good luck, and say hi to Road Trips for Beer editor Gerard Walen if you see him there.
RELATED STORIES
Cleveland Beer Week Offers Nine Days of Brewing Goodness
12 Tips for Getting the Most Out of a Beer Festival
Top 10 Spring Beer Festivals 2011
My favorite beer festival is Breckenridge in Colorado! So excited for IX beer fest haven’t been there! I follow you on twitter @SPappadaPhD
My favorite is the TAP New York Craft Beer and Food Festival.
My favorite beer festival of the year is Blues and Brews in Akron, Ohio. We always have a great time and discover a great new beer or a great new brewery there.
I now follow you on Twitter.
I like your Facebook page.
My favorite beer at the fest would likely be the barrel-aged BORIS from Hoppin’ Frog or the barrel-aged Siberian Night from Thirsty Dog, if I had the chance to taste them!
John John Hazelnut Brown Nectar from Rouge looks good.
I follow you on twitter
Favorite Beer fest has been Cleveland Beer week.
Cleveland Beer week!
I liked, Followed, and tweeted!
I tweeted about the contest.
Duvel’s Triple Hop sounds amazing
favorite beer fest is Ocktober Fest at Bera Fair Grounds
Cleveland Beer Week (especially Brewzilla) is my favorite beer fest!
I’m now following you on twitter
I just tweeted about the contest
I like your facebook page – hope I win!
21st amendment is so good!!
Nashville’s beer festival is the best other than octoberfest in germany.
Brewzilla is one of my favorites! I have taken Cleveland Beer Week off the past two years and my request is in for this year as well
I liked your FB page, too
My favorite fest so far is NE Ohio’s Brewzilla. So far. Unless I win tix to the IX Beerfest, that is. Also now following on twitter (@jukebox65)
[...] http://www.roadtripsforbeer.com/2011/04/cleveland-beer-fest-debuts-big-and-you-can-win-free-tickets/ [...]
The IX Beer Fest in Cleveland, OH will be, hands down, the best beer festival anywhere near our part of the US. One look at the brewery/beer roster tells it all.
I like your Facebook page.
Brewzilla is favorite (so far) beer festival
My favorite beer festival of the year is Blues and Brews in Akron. It’s just a blast being outside in the heat of summer while enjoying outstanding beers. Some breweries really bring out the heavy hitters for this one! Last year Great Lakes brought a firkin of Rye of the Tiger, and Hoppin’ Frog brought Cafe BORIS. You can guess where I spent most of my time!
I like your Facebook page.
I follow you on Twitter.
I really like beer! I’ve never been to a beerfest, this would be my first and I’m very excited about it! Please pick me! The drawing is on my birthday
I also liked your page on Facebook.
san diego brewers guild festival
I follow you on twitter
I like you on Facebook
The Best beer fest hands down is Stone Beer fest! There enough variety to try the some of the best beer around but it’s not too big so it stays personalized. Its well organized with a map of where each brewery is and what beers they have,so no going up to a table to find out they have something you don’t want. The events sells out early every year. You are also able to talk to people and brewers and enjoy great food as well (Mikes beer cheese rocks!). Also its outside so you can soak up some sun or hang out under the tent in the shade! I’m comming in from CO and hope to compare to GABF!
Of course it’s the International Beer Fest!
Hi, Brandon. Thanks for the comment. Unfortunately, the contest ended last Friday.