11 Craft Beer and Wine Festivals to Attend
The best way to explore delicious, crafted beers and wines is during festivals. Most festivals require a ticket purchase which includes the cost of samples. Taste your way through various breweries and wineries at one of these craft beer or wine festivals:
Craft Beer Festivals
Winter Warmer Fest – First Saturday in March
For 15 years the annual Winter Warmer Fest has been organized by the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. The event features 50+ Ohio breweries showcasing winter and seasonal brews. Tickets can be purchased online for the Winter Warmer Fest and other craft beer festivals on the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. It is advised to not purchase resale tickets from untrusted sources.
Spring Beer Festival – First Saturday in May
In Traverse City, the Michigan Brewers Guild hosts the Spring Beer Festival. Showcasing Michigan’s craft beer for the season. The Michigan Brewers Guild hosts other craft beer events so be sure to check out the website for other upcoming festivals.
Six One Pour – Second Saturday in May
In conjunction with Columbus Craft Beer week is the annual Six One Pour craft beer fest. Fifty craft breweries will have their standout brews on tap for attendees to sample.
World Expo of Beer– Third weekend in May
Michigan’s largest beer sampling event World Expo of Beer is hosted in Frankenmuth, Michigan. Become a global explorer with the various beers available at the expo. Plus, visitors can enjoy the charming Bavarian town of Frankenmuth, Michigan while visiting the expo.
Uptown Untapped Westerville – Third Saturday in August
Westerville, OH may be titled “the dry capital of the world” but in August the town welcomes 12+ breweries for the Uptown Untapped Westerville festival. In addition to the craft beer tasting the event also has live music and plenty of places to check out. Learn more about Westerville, OH here.
Craft Beers & Cocktails at Spiegel Grove – Last Saturday in August
Visit Fremont, Ohio for the annual Craft Beers & Cocktails at Spiegel Grove. Attendees can sample both local craft beers and craft cocktails - - a win, win. Plus, there are food vendors, live music and a 50/50 raffle. Visitors are advised to bring their own lawn chair.
Quinstock and Oastoberfest at Twin Oast Brewery
Twin Oast Brewery is located in Port Clinton and hosts various events throughout the year. The two that are must-do’s (in my book) are Quinstock and Oastoberfest. Both events feature visiting breweries in addition to the delicious craft brews made by Twin Oast. Quinstock is hosted in August and Oastoberfest (play off Oktoberfest) is hosted toward the end of September early October.
Michigan Beer and Wine Festival – Check Website for date (February or November)
Traditionally hosted in February the Michigan Beer and Wine Festival was hosted in November 2021 and may continue with that month moving forward. Visit Treetops Resort to explore the best of craft beer, wine and cider the Michigan Beer and Wine Festival has to offer.
Photo credit: Laura’s Lenses
Wine Festivals
Glass City Wine Festival – First Saturday in March
Downtown Toledo is the host of the annual Glass City Wine Festival. Wineries both near and far gather on the first Saturday of March so visitors can explore the variety of wines. In addition to the wine sampling, there are shopping and food vendors. Tickets can be purchased online.
International Wine Festival at the Mill Fundraiser – Second Saturday in June
Wolf Creek Grist Mill and Museum in Loudonville, Ohio is a hub of nearly 100 varieties of international and Ohio wines during the International Wine Festival. The event also has food vendors and live music. Taste the wine around the world then go check out what the rest of the Mohican area has to offer.
Photo credit: Laura’s Lenses
Vintage Ohio Wine Festival – First Friday and Saturday in August
In addition to the various world-class wines, attendees can sample from Ohio wineries the Vintage Ohio Wine Festival also has cooking school demonstrations, live music, artisans, food vendors and shopping. The event is hosted in Kirtland, Ohio.
Beer and Wine Trails
Though the following trails aren’t festivals they are a fun way to tour local wineries and breweries:
Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail – Travel from Kalamazoo to Union Pier for 15 quality-focused wineries
Lake Erie Shore and Islands Cheers Tail – Along the Lake Erie shoreline are a complication of 18 wineries, breweries and distilleries in northwest Ohio. Check out my journey through the Cheers Trail here.
419 Ale Trail – Visit 29 northwest Ohio breweries on the ale trail and document each stop on the 419 Ale Trail app.
Comment below with your favorite festival.