5 beers you should try at the Great American Beer Tasting

Beer and baseball are meant for each other. You're allowed to not like one, but not both. It's the American Way, maybe. In recent years the Dayton Dragons and Heidelberg Distributing have collaborated on a craft beer lover's dream in the form of the Great American Beer Tasting.

More than 100 beers of practically every variety will be available for sampling, as well as burgers, smoked barbecue and ballpark concessions to compliment those brews. In addition to the beer and food, games of cornhole, Frisbee golf and more will be available with raffle prizes being announced later in the day.

>>Local craft beer pioneer to step away from brewery he co-founded

This year’s beer list — spread across 28 tables — is as massive and impressive as the last. Here are five beers in particular you should put to the test:

1. BRECKENRIDGE BARREL AGED IMPERIAL CHERRY STOUT

Stouts tend to run the risk of failing to stand apart from one another. That’s why this Imperial Cherry should be on your list. Aged in both whiskey and port wine barrels, this stout is strong at 9.5 percent alcohol by volume. Sweet-sour cherries enhance the dark flavor. You can find this Colorado product at Table 5 this year.

2. MOTHER STEWART’S WITBIER

From just up the road in Springfield comes this Belgian-style beer, brewed with raw wheat, oats and malted barley. Minimal hop additions are enhanced with late-addition coriander, orange peel and other spices to bring out a full-flavored beer that is also refreshing. You will find this at Table 3. Beer Advocate Magazine named Mother Stewart’s Brewing Company one of the Best New Breweries for 2016.

>>Local brewery targets historic Fairborn firehouse for 2nd location

3. GOLDEN ROAD WOLF PUP

If you like hoppy beers, but you don’t like them overpowering the overall taste, this session IPA is for you. It has a strong citrus aroma and is ideal for summertime beer drinking. Golden Road’s Wolf Pup, brewed in Los Angeles, can be found at Table 7 this year.

4. ROGUE HOT TUB SCHOLARSHIP LAGER

This German-style lager, brewed in Oregon, is part of Rogue's way of giving back to the craft beer community. Proceeds from the Hot Tub Scholarship Lager go to support the Jack Joyce Scholarship fund, named for the brewery’s founder. The scholarship gives students interested in brewing an opportunity to pursue their passion for beer at Oregon State University’s Fermentation Sciences Program. Aside from all that, it’s tough to beat an ice-cold lager on a summer day. You’ll find this at Table 21.

>>Dayton’s craft beer: A guide to breweries

5. SHINER STRAWBERRY BLONDE

Strawberry Blonde is a mix of pale and wheat malts that provide a crisp finish for a truly refreshing brew. Brewed in Poteet, Texas — the strawberry capital of the state — this small-batch fruit beer will be served in draught at Table 25.

WANT TO GO?

What: Great American Beer Tasting

When: Saturday, Aug. 12 2-6 p.m.

Where: 220 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton

Cost: $40 ($30 in advance)

More Info: Website

About the Author