CLEVELAND, Ohio - Flip Side has a collaboration beer coming, Collision Bend has planned an Oktoberfest celebration, Blue Canyon has a beer dinner and many other beer events are scheduled throughout Northeast Ohio. Deadline to submit events is Thursday; email mbona@cleveland.com:
SEPTEMBER
Thursday, Sept. 21: The Rail will feature Zaftig Brewing Co. of Columbus at its beer school at 7 p.m. Cost is $12 and includes appetizers. Beers to be served: Shadowed Mistress American Strong Ale, A-Crop Blacklight Stout, J&K Collaboration India Pale Ale and BamBaLam Breakfast Stout. The Rail is at 3265 W. Market St., Fairlawn. Reserve a seat by calling 330-864-7245.
Saturday, Sept. 23: Buckeye Beer Engine is holding its first Clamtoberfest 3-9 p.m. Beer list is not out yet. Admission is $26.95 and includes a dozen Middleneck clams, one bratwurst, one knackwurst, clam chowder, house-made German potato salad, half ear of corn. Buckeye Beer Engine is at 15315 Madison Ave., Lakewood.
Saturday, Sept. 23: Flip Side will launch F2 (F Squared) Hoppy Amber, a collaboration with FigLeaf Brewing Co. in Middletown. It's billed as having "initial aromas of orange zest followed by punchy herbal notes. ... clean bitterness and complex blend of underlying citrus, herbal and mild toffee notes on the palate." Flip Side has multiple locations including Rocky River, Hudson and Cleveland's Flats East Bank.
Sunday, Sept. 24: Collision Bend Brewing Co. is holding Oktoberfest noon to 8 p.m. The brewery will feature Marzen-style RiverFest beer to pair with traditional Oktoberfest fare - homemade bratwurst, sauerkraut, potato dumplings and Bavarian pretzels with German-style mustards. There will be live music, and the Cleveland Browns-Indianapolis Colts game is on at 1 p.m. Reservations for Sept. 24 are encouraged; menu items will be available through Tuesday, Oct. 3. Collision Bend is at 1250 Old River Road, Cleveland.
Tuesday, Sept. 26: TownHall will hold feature North High Brewing Co. of Columbus at its beer school at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10 and includes samples, apps and swag. TownHall is at 1909 W. 25th St., Cleveland.
Friday, Sept. 29: Rozi's sixth annual Pumpkin Beer Tasting will be 6-8 p.m. Cost is $25; appetizers included. Rozi's is at 14900 Detroit Ave., Lakewood. Lineup: Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin, Fat Head's Spooky Tooth, Rivertowne Headless Wylie, Brew Kettle Strangeville, Masthead Haserot Angel Pumpkin Ale, Southern Tier Pumking, Southern Tier Cold Press Coffee Pumking, Market Garden Franklin Castle and others.
Thursday, Sept. 28: Blue Canyon Kitchen & Tavern is holding a five-course beer dinner at 6:30 p.m. with food created by executive chef Brandt Evans and prepared by executive chef Scott Coffman. Heidelberg Distributing's Alexandra Sayre will speak at the dinner. Cost is $50 plus tax and tip. Reservations required. Beers to be served: Thirsty Dog Barktoberfest, Victory Festbier, Deschutes Hopzeit Autumn IPA, Lager Heads Oktoberfest and Brooklyn Post Road Pumpkin Ale. Blue Canyon is at 8960 Wilcox Dr., Twinsburg. Call 330-486-BLUE.
Saturday, Sept. 30: This event is sold out: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad will feature beers from Portside in its Emerging Brews ride. Pre-sale-only tickets were $50 and include four beers, apps and souvenir glass but not delivery or preservation fees. Depart from Peninsula Depot at 1630 Mill St. West, Peninsula. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to boarding; event is for ages 21 and older.
OCTOBER
Sunday, Oct. 5: Cans of New Albion Ale will be released via Platform Beer Co. at a release party at 5 p.m. New Albion Brewing Co. founder Jack McAuliffe, a craft-beer pioneer, is expected to be at the Cleveland location with his daughter, New Albion President Renee DeLuca. Platform is at 4125 Lorain Ave., Cleveland. McAuliffe's New Albion is believed to be the first post-Prohibition microbrewery, founded in California in 1976. (Oct. 8 marks the 41st anniversary of the incorporation of New Albion Brewing Co., DeLuca says.)
Saturday, Oct. 7: Akron Zoo will hold the third of three Brew at the Zoo events 6:30-10:30 p.m. The theme for this one is Halloween Bash. Tickets: $33 ($27 for zoo members, $16 for zoo-member designated drivers, $22 for non-member designated drivers). Admission includes 4-ounce souvenir glass, eight sample tastings, admission to the zoo after hours and a giveaway. Also, $50 VIP tickets - $40 for designated drivers - includes early entrance at 6 p.m., access to a private area, appetizers, reserved seating, three additional tastings, full-size beer ticket, souvenir cup and more. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, May 17. The zoo is at 500 Edgewood Ave., Akron.
Saturday, Oct. 7: Saucy Brew Works will host a Saucy Brew Works Oktoberfest at 9 a.m. No admission fee. Event will include 10 brewery partners, neighborhood vendors, German band, games for adults, bounce houses for kids, pizza and beer. Balance and Brews yoga will start the day at 9 a.m. Televisions will be tuned to college football and post-season baseball. The fest will benefit Breakthrough Schools.
Friday, Oct. 13-22: Cleveland Beer Week takes place at multiple venues in Northeast Ohio.
Friday, Oct. 13: Akron Civic Theatre will hold its annual beer festival. Details and cost to be announced. The theater is at 182 S. Main St., Akron.
Saturday, Oct. 21: The Lake Erie chapter of the Brewery Collectibles Club of America is holding a show at Double Wing Brewing, 7840 Doty Road, Madison. The breweriana show is about all things beer-related - cans, signs, posters, trays, openers and more. The BCCA's national 'canvention' was held in Cleveland in August. Contact rbrane@att.net for details.
Saturday, Oct. 21: Fat Head's will hold a Celebration of the Hop IPA Festival 1-4 p.m. Cost: $40 (advance), $45 (day of), free (designated drivers). Tickets include souvenir glass, 16 samples from 20-plus breweries, live music, Fat Head's is at 24581 Lorain Road, North Olmsted.
NOVEMBER
Wednesday, Nov. 22: Chez Francois will hold its annual 12 Beers of Christmas tasting (though there probably will be more than a dozen) 6-8 p.m. Beers are from around the world. The event is held the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving. Cost is $50 and includes tix, tip and hors d'doeuvres. Chez Francois is at 555 Main St., Vermilion.