SitemapThe beer will be ice cold at the Groundhog Craft Beerfest, but the event will be warm and friendly.
The fest will take place Saturday in the Stambaugh Auditorium ballroom. It will offer a much-needed opportunity for folks to come out of their burrows during this extra-chilly winter.
Guests can sample beers from 18 regional breweries at one of the two sessions: 1-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. General admission tickets are $60 per session. Preferred tickets are $100 and offer access to the premium lounge experience. Call the box office at 330 259 0555 or go to StambaughAuditorium.com.
Beer won’t be the only star of the show. Folks who prefer wine or nonalcoholic drinks will also have options.
Guests will be able to sample wines from L’Uva Bella and cider and wine from Sundog Ciderhouse and Winery and D.O.P.E. Cider House.
Mocktails by Sip Station and nonalcoholic beer tastings are on the menu this year.
Jack Kravitz, co-chairman of the event, said these options are designed to please guests who prefer to not imbibe.
The list of beer makers at the event is a long one:
Good Lady Brewhouse.
Muskellunge Brewing.
The Kilted Cow.
Brew Lounge Beer.
Aeonian Brewing.
Forest City Brewery.
The Local Brewing Co.
Biker Brewhouse.
Missing Falls Brewery.
Schnitz Alde Brewery.
Paradigm Shift Brewing.
Thursday Dog Brewing.
Penguin City Brewing.
Garrett’s Mill Brewing.
Paladin Brewing.
Pump House Crew.
1547 Project.
Modern Methods Brewing.
Groundhog Craft Beerfest, now in its eighth year, is presented by the Rotary Club of Youngstown. This year’s event will also feature a showcase of beer from local home brewers; a premium lounge, with rare beers that will not be offered on the festival floor; gourmet charcuterie from Jimmy’s Italian Specialties and Inspired Catering; a commemorative beer stein donated by Steelite; brewmaster visits; and sponsor exclusives.
There will also be live entertainment and food for purchase.
DJ Jim Sutman of Purple Cat will perform for the first session, and the band French Blue will take the stage for the second session, according to Kravitz.
Food vendors will include Trina Williams’ Fresh Wind Catering, Babcia’s Polish food truck, DiRusso Sausage and One Hot Cookie.
Kravitz expects at least 400 people will attend the event.
Last year’s Beerfest raised $42,000 for Rotary’s charitable efforts.
This year, the goal is to raise $50,000 to support local nonprofits, youth programs and neighborhood revitalization across the Mahoning Valley. So far, this year’s event has raised $40,000 in sponsorships, Kravitz said.
Since its inception in 2019, the event has raised over $150,000 to support more than 30 local organizations. Proceeds go to organizations such as the YWCA Mahoning Valley, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. and the English Center.
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