We love the holidays and the seasonal beer releases with their spice and warmth, but we might just be most excited about the release of the Eugenesee Mid-Ohio Cream Ale, the winning 2019 homebrew collaboration. Eugenesee was designed and brewed by Eugene Johnson for the Phoenix Homebrew competition held earlier in the spring. The style categories were completely open for homebrewers to enter their favorite style. The competition was fierce and judged by a panel of beer industry individuals including professional brewers, a BJCP certified beer judge, and QC panel members. The final rounds of judging were difficult, but the Eugenesee stood out with a crisp, clean profile and delicious blend of hops including Nelson Sauvin, Mt. Hood, and Saaz.

Influence is defined as the capacity to have an effect on the development of someone or something. I suppose you could also include somewhere. Looking at Mansfield you can see the continued influence of the Shawshank Redemption filming. You can’t be a Mansfielder and not have smile spread across your face when someone mentions the movie. When you stumble upon it on TV, it almost feels sacrilegious to continue changing the channel, so you watch it, knowing every word and scene by heart from the 200 other times you watched it.  And everyone, absolutely everyone, knows someone who was an extra in the movie. Even today, more than 25 years after the filming we can still see the effects in our taproom. The number of people who visit the Reformatory every year is astounding. The Reformatory, which was on its way to being torn down, is now a vacation destination spot and has hosted numerous music videos, additional movies, and is now a summer concert venue. About half of the visitors who stop by our taproom after visiting the Ohio State Reformatory refer to it as “Shawshank”. You see it in all the local businesses, the annual Shawshank Hustle 5K and the movie fanatics coming to see a piece of history as they travel the Shawshank Trail.

I’m not sure if these are the coolest dogs in Richland County, but they are definitely the coolest at the Phoenix.

The craft beer industry is full of breweries and industry professionals willing to share knowledge and collaborate. It is one of the biggest benefits to the industry. People connect from all over the country in online forums and groups to share ideas and ask for guidance. Recently someone in another state asked advice on necessities were needed for their first craft beer festival. They wanted to prepare since their festival season was about to start in April. And that made me smile. Ohio doesn’t really have a festival season. It pretty much lasts all year with a 7 week vacation over the winter holidays.

This year has been nothing short of exceptional, It is almost impossible to narrow down all the memorable experiences from 2018. With the help of some suggestions from the Phoenix staff, here are the top moments at the Phoenix this year in no particular order.

Shopping in general can be stressful and frustrating but shopping for the Craft Beer Lover in your life doesn’t need to be. With proper planning and preparation, shopping for your craft beer lover can be the most enjoyable part of your Holiday experience.

Here are a few survival tips (and gift guide) for Shopping for your Craft Beer Lover.