BEER NEWS: ‘Ohio Brew Haul’ starts today for Miami Valley’s craft breweries

"Ohio Brew Haul" will run from May 14-17.

Credit: File photo by JIM WITMER

Credit: File photo by JIM WITMER

"Ohio Brew Haul" will run from May 14-17.
What to Know
By Mark Fisher
May 14, 2020
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The Miami Valley's craft breweries and the statewide organization that promotes them have teamed up to launch an "Ohio Brew Haul" campaign starting today, Thursday May 14, and running through Monday, May 17 to encourage craft beer drinkers to buy beer to-go from their local breweries.

The Ohio Craft Brewers Association (OCBA)-led campaign corresponds with American Craft Beer Week, but the usual celebrations have been sabotaged by the coronavirus pandemic that forced the shutdown of brewery tap rooms.

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The owners of craft breweries around the state and country have kept their businesses afloat by selling beer for carry out, curbside pickup, home delivery and direct shipping. And even though Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced last week that breweries, restaurants and bars can re-open outdoor seating starting May 15 and indoor seating starting May 21, many breweries will still offer their carryout, delivery and shipping options for customers who want to enjoy their craft beer at home.

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“Ohio’s craft breweries contribute a great deal of positive impact in their local communities,” OCBA Executive Director Mary MacDonald said in a release. “We created this campaign to give people a fun way to support the breweries that make their neighborhoods, towns and cities such great places to live and work.”

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Today through Monday, the statewide brewers’ group is encouraging participants to post photos of their Ohio beer purchases to Instagram with the hashtag #OhioBrewHaul. 10 people who do so will be chosen throughout the four-day period to receive prizes provided by the OCBA.

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The campaign is a fundraiser both for the non-profit OCBA and for its member breweries. Orders for limited edition Ohio Brew Haul merchandise will be taken from May 14 through May 31 at the OCBA online store (http://bit.ly/ocbastore) with net proceeds from each sale split between OCBA and an Ohio craft brewery chosen by the customer.

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A map tool is available online at ohiobrewhaul.com to help craft beer drinkers identify which breweries near them are offering carryout, home delivery and direct shipping. The tool also provides info on other ways to support local breweries, identifying those that are offering food, selling gift cards or have an online merchandise store.

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About the Author

Mark Fisher, a 1981 graduate of Ohio State University and a 1976 graduate of Beavercreek High School, is a third-generation Dayton-area resident who has worked for the Dayton Daily News since 1983. He covered higher education and K-12 education accountability issues for nearly 20 years before taking over the food and dining beat in 2006.