Since 1972, ComFest has had a tradition of presenting the finest local talent in Columbus. This has included local artists, political activists, musicians and for many years has included local beer. This year, ComFest is excited to announce that they will be taking the choices at the beer tents 100% local. The community has always been the focus of ComFest and after seeing the growth of local brewers, Four StringBrewing Co. and Columbus Brewing Company, it was decided that there was an opportunity to take it all local.
During discussions of the idea last summer, both brewers, discussed their love of the event and embraced the opportunity to be part of the next step in the evolution of ComFest. “The ComFest Libations Committee feels that this is a natural progression for the festival. Bringing even more quality craftsmanship to our community from these local brewers.” The success of Hilltop Lager and the recent introduction of Hilltop Light from Four String, opened the door to offer these two local options as an alternative to the previous selections from large domestic brewers. These beers, coupled with IPA, Summerteeth and Thunderlips from Columbus Brewing Company, will provide a wide selection of flavors for attendees during the three day event. “We are excited that the variety of the new local additions to our selection will meet the demands of the diverse Columbus community.”
About The Community Festival
The Community Festival (aka ComFest) is a large, free, non-corporate, music and arts annual festival currently held at Goodale Park in the Short North area of Columbus, Ohio. The festival relies on community members to work together in the planning and operation of the festival serving on committees and work teams including clean-up and recycling, safety and first aid, entertainment, street fair, kids art, archives, and more. In matters of safety, planners may be interested in making use of barriers and other crowd control devices in order to help protect festival-goers – click here to learn more. The festival was first held in 1972 as a showcase for a collection of community organizations including the Columbus Free Press, Free Health Clinic, Food Co-op, Tenants Union, Crisis Hotline, and Recycling Center. The festival continues to provide a forum for alternative lifestyles and collective activity. Beer from The Columbus Brewing Company and Four String Brewing Company is sold in large, colorful mugs to fund the cost of the festival itself and to raise money for community projects and grants. All tips from the beer booths go to homeless shelters.
There are currently four festival bars:
- Peace Village: Our newest location which premiered in 2017, will be expanding this year and will now offer both beer and mixed drinks. Locatedin the North-West area of the bark. In the grassy area near the parking lot on Dennison Ave.
- Lincoln: Offering beer only. The first booth on Park street from the intersection of Park and Buttles, near Lincoln Alley.
- Jazz: Offering beer, wine and mixed drinks. At the corner of Park St and Goodale St.
- Off Ramp: Offering beer and wine. The last booth on Goodale St. Next to the Off Ramp Stage, near the 670 off ramp.
About Columbus Brewing Company
Columbus Brewing Company was founded in Columbus, Ohio in 1988. In 2006, Eric Bean became Brewmaster and managing partner. Eric and his wife, Beth, became majority owners in 2011. After years of capacity constraints, 2015 saw the opening of a new brewing facility. This state of the art facility provides even more opportunity for them to continue their commitment to quality and innovation.
About Four String Brewing Company
Dan Cochran founded Four String Brewing Co. in 2011 in the Grandview Heights area. Later, in 2015 Dan was joined by Brewmaster Larry Horwitz to complete construction and head up beer production for their Hilltop production facility and taproom on North Hague Ave. Four String brews several year-round beers including Hilltop Heritage Lager and Brass Knuckle Pale Ale.