Craft breweries across the state are gearing up for the second annual Ohio On Tap Week presented by Giant Eagle, happening May 10-19, 2024. Over that 10 day span, users of the popular Ohio On Tap passport app have the opportunity to earn bonus stamps by attending events hosted at participating brewery taprooms and a handful of Giant Eagle’s Market District locations.
The Ohio On Tap app is the largest state-level brewery passport app in the nation with 330 participating taproom locations and nearly 45,000 users. Craft beer fans using the app collect virtual passport stamps at brewery and event locations over a three-year period to earn merchandise rewards provided by the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. During Ohio On Tap Week, dozens of bonus passport stamps will be available during events listed on the app.
“Ohio On Tap Week is a kickstart to the busy summer brewery season,” said Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. “The app is a great year-round resource for craft beer fans exploring the best beer and brewery experiences that Ohio has to offer. This week is our way of ramping up the fun and giving Ohio On Tap users more incentive to visit and support their local breweries.”
Ohio On Tap Week officially kicks off with a party at Giant Eagle’s Market District location in the Kingsdale Shopping Center in Upper Arlington on Friday, May 10 from 5-7 p.m. The first 200 attendees will receive a limited-edition commemorative Ohio On Tap Week glass and discounted draft beers from a curated tap list of Ohio breweries.
Ohio On Tap Week is presented by Giant Eagle, a proud retailer of Ohio craft beer at supermarkets across northeast and central Ohio.
“Our craft beer experts keep our shelves stocked with a consistently wide variety of beers from Ohio’s exceptional breweries,” said Ray Kuharich, beer category merchant for Giant Eagle. “Ohio On Tap Week is the ideal time to welcome beer fans into our stores and show our commitment to supporting the state’s craft brewing industry.”
Ohio On Tap Week is also sponsored by Engraved in USA, supplier of collectible glassware for Ohio Craft Brewers Association events happening during the week.
Among the many events happening during Ohio On Tap Week, the Ohio Craft Brewers Association will reprise the Mystery Beer Date event series. Like speed dating but with Ohio craft beer, 15 breweries will attempt to “woo” guests with special beers and the stories behind them. At the end of each tasting, guests will vote on their favorite beer and the best “date” among the breweries present. Mystery Beer Date tastings will be held at the Strongsville Market District on Thursday, May 16 and at the Grandview Yard Market District in Columbus on Saturday, May 18. Attendees will receive a commemorative glass, snacks curated by Market District and a five point bonus stamp on the Ohio On Tap passport. Tickets and information available at https://ohiocraftbeer.org/mysterybeerdate
Ohio On Tap Week will also see the release of From the Heart: Volume 4, the Ohio Craft Brewers Association’s annual statewide collaboration beer. More than 55 Ohio brewers have made a version of this year’s beer—an IPA with Cashmere and Nelson hops, brimming with citrus, melon and white wine notes—developed by Mike Pelechaty of Masthead Brewing in Cleveland and Geoff Fischer of the Country Malt Group. From the Heart was made possible by the generous support of Ohio Craft Brewers Association members Blue Label Packaging, The Country Malt Group/Great Western Malting, Crosby Hops/Hop Revolution, Hankscraft/AJS and Lemon Grenade Creative which donated ingredients and packaging materials for the project. Bonus passport stamp opportunities for From the Heart tapping events at select breweries will be listed in on the Ohio On Tap app. A full list of breweries offering this year’s collaboration beer is available at https://ohiocraftbeer.org/fromtheheart
In addition to the events above, a full list of Ohio On Tap Week events and venues can be found in the Events section of the Ohio On Tap app. To download, visit https://ohiocraftbeer.org/app