Craft beer lovers and brewski newbies unite! Now through August 1, Northeast Ohio residents can take part in the inaugural Medina County Brewery Passport program and enjoy some of the best brews in the area.
The program, organized by Medina County resident, Chris Zaffle, and the participating eight breweries, is new to Medina County, but not to many of the surrounding areas. Passport programs across all industries have become extremely popular regionally as well as on a national level. For example, Cleveland has a fantastic craft beer program called the Cleveland Brewery Passport that features more than 30 breweries.
The success of these programs is due to their 'scavenger hunt' nature. Although each has its own set of guidelines, they all follow a similar pretense – checking off businesses on the passport to support the local community and/or have the opportunity to win a grand prize.
The Medina County Brewery Passport is no different. It invites participants to visit each of the eight participating breweries, make a purchase and receive a stamp on that brewery's page of the passport. The participating breweries are Blue Heron Brewery, D.J. Malthopper Brewing Co., Hoppy Dude Brews, Lager Heads Brewing Co., MAD Brewing Co. Medina Brewing Co., Planted Flag Brewing and Wrecking Crew Brew Works. There are two stamps per brewery page that must be stamped for that page of the passport to be considered 'complete.' The first 800 people to complete the passport journey and complete a registration form will qualify for VIP entrance into the Medina County Brewery Passport Party on Sept. 12, at Blue Heron Brewery.
The Passport Party will be exactly what the name suggests – a beer-tastic celebration! The event will be held from 2-6 p.m., with beer samples from the participating breweries, beer for sale, a live DJ and photobooth, raffle prizes and food available for purchase. The first 800 passport completers that receive VIP entry to the event will also be given a 5-ounce tasting glass and eight drink tickets.
Even if you aren't one of the first 800 to complete the passport, you will still have the opportunity to get a ticket to the event. All completed passport holders will be put in a drawing for two VIP tickets to the Passport Party and will receive a commemorative passport glass.
Visit any of the participating breweries to pick up a passport and begin your local beer journey. For more information, visit Facebook.com/MedinaCountyBreweryPassport.