A Weeklong Celebration of Craft Beer…
Cleveland Beer Week couples larger flagship events with events at local bars and eateries that feature keg tappings, beer pairings, tasting dinners, brewer meet and greets, and educational events throughout Greater Cleveland. Neighborhood bars and restaurants can showcase their creativity, culinary expertise, and, of course, their craft beer lists! There truly is something for everyone during Cleveland Beer Week.
“One of my favorite weeks in the CLE.”
… To Raise Awareness and Make a Difference
Established in 2009, Cleveland Beer Week is a non-profit created to raise awareness of the craft beer industry and promote patronage at local bars and restaurants. CBW is a charitable organization that donates proceeds to local Cleveland charities. . To date, Cleveland Beer Week is proud to have donated over $215,000 to local charities.
2025, Cleveland Beer Week #17, will be supporting Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter and Rec2Connect and A Special Wish Foundation along with Ales for ALS.
“To Raise Awareness and Make a Difference”
About A Special Wish Foundaiton, Inc.
A Special Wish Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children between birth and 20 years of age who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.
A Special Wish Foundation offers their services to all qualifying children, and does not discriminate based on race, gender, nationality, or ethnicity.
“Great Beer. Great Cause.
Beer enthusiasts from around the world are coming together to end ALS through Ales for ALS™ - a fundraising program where breweries create delicious beers and donate proceeds to ALS research.”
About Rec2Connect
About Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter
The mission of Rec2Connect is to utilize fully inclusive recreation therapy programs to connect people of with and without abilities and their families to community recreation, wellness, and lifelong leisure skills. We are dedicated to developing life-long skills, promoting access to recreation, and increasing community inclusion for people of all abilities and their families to enhance their quality of life.
Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter is a dog only facility who primarily takes in stray dogs found throughout the county. Dogs are held on a 'stray hold' no less than 72 hours once they arrive in hopes that they are reunited with their owners. If unclaimed, dogs are then put up for adoption. While in the shelter, they are provided with any and all medical care, given enrichment, join daily playgroups and are walked several times a day by volunteers. Additionally, CCAS ensures the safety and welfare of the community and animals through law enforcement and humane education programs.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Chris Lieb, President
Butcher and the Brewer& Tremont Tap House
Chris Lieb was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He has worked at The Jigsaw Saloon in Parma, Rock Bottom Brewery, Crooked River, and countless other bars and restaurants before opening his own restaurant with partners and friends Jason Workman and Jeff Leonard – Tremont Taphouse, a Cleveland staple, in 2007.
In 2014, Chris and his business partners opened Butcher and the Brewer in the heart of downtown Cleveland on the iconic East 4th Street. In his spare time, he enjoys serving on the Board of Lake and Trails Ohio Youth Hunting and Fishing Camps, spending time with his wife and two kids, and trying all the craft beers!
Luke Purcell, Vice President
Collision Bend Brewing Co.
Luke began home brewing in 1984 and fell in love with the process. Shortly after, he was introduced to Andy Tveekrem at Great Lakes Brewing Company. In 1996, Luke joined the GLBC team, where he brewed for 21 years and made many additions to their lineup, including the popular seasonal Alberta Clipper Raspberry Porter. He helped introduce the barrel-aging process to GLBC with their Blackout Stout, which debuted in 2004. Luke moved to Collision Bend Brewing Company in The Flats in 2017, where he brews what have become local craft beer staples. Luke is a graduate of The Siebel Institute of Technology of Chicago and Doemens Academy in Munich, Germany.
Jen Fons board Member Beverage Distributors Inc.
Jen Fons grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, in a generational beer family, starting with her grandfather as a Regional Manager for Miller Brewing Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Her work experience started as a merchandiser with her twin sister, Christina, during high school summers at Beverage Distributors in Cleveland, Ohio, with subsequent summers merchandising through college at both Beverage and Glenn Distributors/Heritage Beverage (a Miller House who distributed Crooked River, arguably the first 'local Cleveland craft brewery') with their father, VP Tom Fons, a legend of the Northeastern Ohio beer community. A Hiram College grad, she earned her BS in Business Management and dominated playing basketball for the Hiram Terriers. Post college she started as on-premise at Knall Beverage in Cleveland, selling the Coors Family of products, Sierra Nevada, Great Lakes, and Tremonte Distributing. She returned to her roots at Beverage Distributors in 2012. Her passions run deep-from her family history and her lifelong love of the beer industry, her passion and dedication to the industry, and animal lover. A lifelong Clevelander, unabashedly proud of the city, its history, its resiliency and dynamic ability to adapt and thrive, she resides with her boyfriend Greg and their two ridiculously adorable French Bulldogs, Christina and Adam. As a member of the board for the celebratory 15th year of Cleveland Beer week, she is excited and honored to share her passions for the industry, its people, the dedication to the craft and to celebrating the rich tradition of Beer in Cleveland and CBW! Cheers!
Ex Officio
Kim Bihler, Administrator
Alyssa Carlozzi
Ed Thompkins
Charlie Steffy, Board Member
Premium Beverage Supply, Director of Sales
Charlie brings over 15 years of experience with beer in Cleveland as the Director of Sales at Premium Beverage Supply. He brings a wealth of knowledge of the beer industry, from working as a Sales Rep, providing retailers and consumers with the best beer possible, to working directly with breweries to offer their exciting new brews to the state. As a dedicated participant in Cleveland Beer Week since the beginning, his valuable experience, perspective, creativity and passion for great beer help enhance the beer week experience in these unique times and beyond.
Tony Dworznik, Treasurer, Board Member Corporate Recruiter and CBW Volunteer
Tony has always been an avid beer connoisseur and loves working with local charities. He started volunteering 10 years ago and has been a part of beer week ever since. Tony has been an active member of many local clubs including Knights of Columbus, Rotarians of America, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Chamber of Commerce and SHRM. He is the Talent Leader for Mazzella Companies, which has been in Cleveland for 70 years. Tony joined the CLE Beer Week board to help with non-industry philanthropy support.
Styles Through the Season Committee
Jessica Ihms, Brewer | The Jolly Scholar
Lou Ferdinand, Brewer | The Brew Kettle
Jennifer Hermann, Co-Founder / Head Brewer | Bell Tower Brewing Co.
Bridget Tipton, Co-Founder / Designer | Bell Tower Brewing Co.