Cleveland Beer Week

You might think a week devoted to celebrating craft beer in Cleveland is much like a week devoted to selling snow in Nome: Interesting, but hardly necessary. Apparently, though, you would be wrong — given the fact that a bigger-than-ever Cleveland Beer Week returns today for the third year in a row. Scores of suds-centric events are set for restaurants, pubs, clubs, and stores throughout the city during the next nine days. Some, like next week's Brewzilla — a monster of a beer tasting featuring more than 70 breweries and plenty of beer-friendly apps, set in downtown's Galleria — are flagship events, with all proceeds going to charity. Others, hosted by individual restaurants, feature learned experts, special pairing menus, and rare or hard-to-find brews. According to director Christine Montague, the great community buy-in has helped boost Cleveland Beer Week into the top ranks of such events in the nation. The fun continues through Saturday, October 22. Find the full schedule of events online, along with prices, maps, and contact information. — Elaine T. Cicora clevelandbeerweek.org.