First-ever Harrisburg Beer Week Coming Spring 2015

Jan. 23, HARRISBURG, PA ­­ The first ­ever Harrisburg Beer Week will run April 24

through May 2, 2015 throughout the greater Harrisburg area.

The event, the brainchild of local craft beer blogger Tierney Pomone of Stouts and Stilettos, is

organized by four local women.

"Craft beer is my passion,” said Pomone. “I’ve been dreaming about a Harrisburg Beer Week for

years and couldn’t be more excited to see it come to fruition in 2015. The timing is perfect

as we see more and more breweries opening in our area. I was born, raised, and still live here

in Harrisburg and can’t wait to showcase yet another facet of the positive things that our area

has to offer."

Pomone tapped Sara Bozich, nightlife, food and drink writer, along with Pomone’s

contributors to Stouts and Stilettos, Colleen Nguyen and Chelsie Markel, to design and

execute the area’s first weeklong celebration of craft beer.

According to the Brewers Association, Pennsylvania ranks second in the nation in annual craft

beer production. In 2013, the craft beer industry increased 18 percent by volume and 20

percent by dollar shares. Recent industry growth has done more than quench thirst;

Pennsylvania ranks fourth in the country in its economic impact from craft beer.

Appalachian Brewing Co., which opened in the City of Harrisburg in 1997, is the presenting

sponsor for this inaugural event. Founder and brewmaster Artie Tafoya has long been

collaborating with fellow craft breweries for events like the Capital City Invitational Beer Fest

held at ABC each fall.

“We understand in the craft beer industry that fellow breweries aren’t our competitors, these

are our colleagues,” said Tafoya. “We help each other out, whether it’s borrowing a bag of

malt or just enjoying the fruits of each other’s labor. I jumped at the opportunity to make a

weeklong celebration of local craft beer a reality.”

A media and sponsor event will kick­off festivities on April 24 at the Abbey Bar at ABC.

Coinciding with the start of Harrisburg Beer Week, PA Flavor, the fifth annual festival

showcasing Pennsylvania food and beer producers, will be held on April 25 at the

Pennsylvania State Farm Show Complex. The week will conclude with a “Little Big Beer Fest”

on May 2 at the Abbey Bar at ABC.

Throughout the week, bars, restaurants, brewpubs and other local businesses will participate

in a variety of craft beer­centric events, focusing on educating and celebrating our local craft

beer community.

Events will include tap takeovers, brewing demonstrations, exhibits, beer pairing dinners, a

homebrew festival, meet the brewer nights, panel discussions and more.

Proceeds from the event benefit Harrisburg River Rescue, a 501(c)(3) non­profit,

volunteer organization that provides community ­based, high quality, cost effective water

rescue and emergency services for the residents of the south­ central Pennsylvania region.

“Harrisburg River Rescue is honored to have been selected as the beneficiary of such a great

event in our community and look forward to being part of the festivities throughout the week,”

said Tony Reigle, HRR Chairman.

Learn more: harrisburgbeerweek.com