Beer on the Bay Returns to Liberty Park

Saturday, Jul. 27

According to the International Wines and Spirits Record in London, Americans drank over 7.9 billion gallons of alcoholic beverages in 2018 — over 6.2 billion (78.3 percent) of which was beer. For context, that's roughly a third of the volume of Presque Isle Bay. Luckily, Presque Isle Bay isn't on tap. 

However, its shores are on tap to host the 12th annual Beer on the Bay, courtesy of the Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership. As with years prior, Liberty Park will transform into a beer-lover's paradise, with over 50 (!) brewers sampling their luscious suds to hundreds in attendance. The participants range from homebrewing collectives such as HAZARD and BASH to Lake Erie Ale Trail affiliates (Lavery, Five & 20, Voodoo, The Brewerie at Union Station, Black Monk, and Orr's) to some of the biggest names in craft brewing regionally (Southern Tier, Great Lakes) and nationwide (Sierra Nevada, Dogfish Head, Goose Island, New Belgium, Sam Adams).

Beer on the Bay will be broken out into two sessions, early afternoon (noon to 3 p.m.) and evening (4 to 7 p.m.) All attendees will receive an acrylic mug for collecting as many samples as they can responsibly consume during a 3-hour period (please don't drink and drive). VIP attendees will additionally receive VIP area access with additional specialty brewers and food tastings. The Que Abides, Atacolypse, Chameleon, and Waffle Miracle food trucks will be on-site to serve the appetites of everyone else (as well as assorted snack vendors). Small Town Rollers will provide the musical backdrop to each tasting session. 

The event will transpire regardless of the weather, so don't go crying into your beer if it starts sprinkling a little (but you might need to drink it a little faster to minimize dilution). — Matt Swanseger

Noon to 3 p.m. or 4 to 7 p.m. // Liberty Park, 726 W. Bayfront Dr. // $40 general admission, $60 VIP ($5 extra on day of event) // eriepa.com/get-connected/beer-on-the-bay