Beer fest attendance doubled, bringing in more funds for Main Street Medina

MEDINA — For anyone who knows Erik and Jaclyn Vonhoch, it would have been no surprise to see the Granger Township couple at the annual Medina Beer Fest on Saturday. The couple honeymooned in Germany so they could sample various beers at Oktoberfest. For their first anniversary, Jaclyn paid Eric's fee for a beer-brewing class at The Vine N Hop Store in Medina. Ever since, Erik has been brewing his own beer at home. He typically cooks up between 5-15 gallons for every Cleveland Browns game. "It's fun," Erik said. "And we can make it a whole lot cheaper than buying it." About 700 people attended the beer fest, which this year was at Foundry Social and Warehouse, a brewery-restaurant-game room off North Medina Street. The event is the largest fundraiser of the year for Main Street Medina, which works to preserve the historic nature and continue the economic health of the city's downtown historical district. "This year, we've doubled the event in size," said Matt Wiederhold, executive director of Main Street Medina. "In past years, attendance was around 350, so this year we hope to net around $8,000." More than 25 local breweries poured samples of beers for guests at the fundraiser. A $60 VIP ticket bought 15 beer samples, food, a souvenir glass, a chance to try limited-edition beers and one-on-one conversations with brewers. A $40 general admission ticket bought 10 beer samples, along with food and souvenir glass. Designated drivers paid $14 for soda, water or iced tea, food and souvenir glass. The beer fest also included raffles. The grand prize was a cooler filled with more than 60 bottles of craft beer. Tamara Mora of Bath took her husband Joe to the beer fest for his birthday. She paid for his ticket. "I don't know if I have a favorite beer, but I love trying local beer and bar hopping," Joe Mora said. Debbie and Charlie Dalton of Montville Township also appreciate local beer makers, like Lager Heads Brewery in Medina, which was passing out samples Saturday. The Daltons were among the first in line at the beer fest. "It's great to get out and meet people," Debbie Dalton said. Michelle Stein of Granger Township and Emil Wood of Bath said their favorite beer at Saturday's event was one made by Crooked Pecker Brewing Co. in Chagrin Falls. "It's a good India pale ale, a hoppy beer, blended perfectly," Wood said. "We take our beer seriously," Stein said. Contact reporter Bob Sandrick at areanews@medina-gazette.com.