Ohio Breweries Win CBMA ‘Crushies’

NEW YORK — Two Ohio breweries were among the winners in the 2021 Craft Beer Marketing Awards, a competition that focuses on the marketing and packaging efforts of breweries, designers and agencies representing craft beer.

Both West Side Brewing in Cincinnati and Cartridge Brewing in Maineville were awarded Platinum “Crushies,” the highest award presented in the competition. Only the single highest achieved ranking from each category in each of five regions received a Platinum.

West Side was recognized in the Best Can Design 8-15 Oz. for its Braille Ale 12-ounce can. The can was designed by Brick Solid Brands of Cincinnati.

Cartridge received its award in the Best Tap Handle Design/Unique or Innovative category. Helms Workshop of Austin, Texas, designed the brewery’s tap handles, which feature the Cartridge logo atop a shotgun shell.

For its second year, the CBMAs accepted entries from around the globe from five regions — Americas, the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia and Pacific, and Africa and Beyond — as opposed to last year’s awards, which accepted entries only from North America. A total of 196 awards were presented across 33 categories to winning brewers, designers and marketing agencies, including 65 Platinum Crushies, 117 Gold Crushies and 14 Silver Crushies.

GLBC Ranked Among ‘Most Loved Brands’

NEW YORK — Great Lakes Brewing Co. recently was named to Talkwalker’s Love Brands 2021, a list of the world’s most loved brands.

Cleveland-based Great Lakes was among the top 50 most loved brands worldwide. It was the is the only beverage brand to make Talkwalker’s top 50.

Great Lakes made the list because of its performance in the analysis’ Joy Score category, which is defined by AI-measured expressions of joy, according to Talkwalker. Specifically, the joy-related mentions on social media occurred between November and January during the brewery’s First Pour event, where consumers offered virtual cheers to friends with bottles of GLBC Christmas Ale. In addition to social media engagement, the brand also received positive news coverage because of the promotion.

“Among its many styles and flavors, Great Lakes Brewing Co.’s Christmas Ale stood out from an emotional standpoint,” said Todd Grossman, CEO, Americas, for Talkwalker. “For consumers, it’s been a tough and challenging year. GLBC’s Christmas Ale made for a perfect drink to cheers with on social media over the holidays. The Brand Love 2021 list is dominated by brands that could either be categorized as comforting or distracting and the GLBC First Pour could be described as both.”

Saucy Brew Works Launches Crowdfunding

CLEVELAND — Saucy Brew Works recently launched its second crowdfunding venture using Start Engine.

According to the brewery, the goal is to raise capital to assist in current and upcoming expansion projects, such as a new production facility in Independence and its next Brewpub and Coffeehouse set to open in Charlotte, N.C.

Saucy Brew Works launched its initial crowdfunding effort last year.

One of the tenets of the newest crowdfunding is to give Saucy Brew Works’ current and future employees additional opportunities and continued education with the belief that those employees will become lifelong brand advocates and move up within the organization, according to the brewery.

“We know that the more we invest in our team, the more they will invest back into their company and help build the communities we call home,” said David Lentz, accounting manager.

Saucy Brew Works opened three new locations between July 2020 and March, including a taproom and coffeehouse at Pinecrest in Orange, and brewpubs in Columbus and Detroit; a kitchen at the Pinecrest taproom is scheduled to open this summer.

Scholarship Created For Late Brewer

NELSONVILLE — A scholarship recently was created at Hocking College here in the memory of an award-winning brewer.

The scholarship recognizes Patrick Gangwer, who died of cancer on June 3, 2019, at the age of 41, according to the Fremont News-Messenger. Beginning in 2017, he was the head brewer at Three Tigers Brewing in Granville.

Prior to his brewing career, Gangwer was an EMT, paramedic, registered nurse and firefighter, the newspaper reported.

The $25,000 scholarship will be given to a student seeking a degree in brewing at Hocking College. Hocking College was chosen for the scholarship because it is the only college in central Ohio offering a brewing program and because of its proximity to Jackie O’s, a craft brewery in Athens where Gangwer got his introduction to the profession, the newspaper reported.

The scholarship covers tuition for four semesters while the recipient completes an associate’s degree in Hocking College’s fermentation science: brewing program.

GLBC Adds Hazy To Imperial IPA Series

CLEVELAND — Great Lakes Brewing Company has released a new seasonal beer as part of its Imperial IPA Series.

Tidal Fury Imperial Hazy IPA is the first Imperial Hazy IPA in GLBC’s packaged portfolio, according to the brewery. The beer is brewed with Trident, Zappa and Simcoe hops, and the can features artwork by artist Sam Hadley.

In addition to Tidal Fury, GLBC’s Imperial IPA Series includes Chillwave Double IPA, Lake Erie Monster Imperial IPA, Nosferatu Imperial Red IPA and November’s upcoming new release, Dank Demon Imperial Dank IPA.

Tidal Fury is available in four-packs of 16-ounce cans and on draft throughout GLBC’s distribution footprint.