If you didn’t snag some cans of the last releases from Fretboard, don’t wait around, there are still a few cans of ‘Nati Dread and Mellowship floating around town (and they’re pretty spectacular beers… fitting very different moods).  But, if you’re already on to the next thing, you’ll want to know about this one.  Fretboard is gearing up for this weekend’s release that goes alongside their weekend-long anniversary celebration that they’ve dubbed JamSession18.

The Event

You know the basics of what goes into a great anniversary party, Oh, I mean Jam Session.  Music, Food, Beer.  These are the three basic ingredients that if you nail properly make for a successful event in my eyes.  Since Fretboard has dubbed themselves (for good reason) Blue Ash’s Live Music Brewery, and have been serving up both fantastic barbecue and delicious, award-winning beer all year – they’ve set the bar pretty high for themselves.  Each day of this weekend-long event will be dedicated to a different cause, and they’ve lined up some events that should make sure that you spend a little time celebrating what’s been a hell of a first year!

Go ahead and mark the whole weekend on your calendar – there’s something on every day from Friday, 11/2 through Sunday, 11/4, but if details are what you’re looking for – I’ve got you some details.

Friday, November 2nd

Friday is co-hosted by the Cincy Blues Society and will celebrate the local blues scene with Ben Levin starting on the stage at 6 pm.  Following Ben at 8 pm, headliner Dudley Taft will showcase his skills until 11.  The night is about Fretboard’s commitment to bringing quality talent and entertainment throughout their first year.

Saturday, November 3rd

Kicking off at 11 am, Saturday is a big one.  This is the day that Fretboard will release their next packaging, a six pack of cans that is also a collaboration with iconic brand Klosterman.  The brewery has crafted Klosterman Rye Bier, which brings the malt characteristics of rye together with a subtle spicy flavor from the careful additions of caraway seed for a well-balanced copper colored lager.

The timing of this beer release plays into the bakery’s 125th Anniversary and is a tribute to the city’s bread and beer makers who the brewery says embody not just the German Heritage, but the land throughout the region that grew these malts and grains.  It honors two staples of Cincinnati: beer and bread.

The day also pays homage to another staple of Fretboard, Rock and Roll. They’ve got regional and national acts all throughout the day and have partnered with ArtsWave to co-host the day’s events.  Fifty cents of all draft sales will benefit the local non-profit and its organizations.  To keep the music flowing all day you can expect:

  • The Kyle Hackett Band
  • Joe Marcinek Band from Chicago
  • Joshua Powell and The Great Train Robbery from Indianapolis
  • Blackfoot Gypsies from Nashville

Sunday, November 4th

Partnering up with Behind the Badge, Sunday will benefit the family of Michael Bray, a former Blue Ash police officer that passed away this August.  This day is dedicated to families and will start at noon with family friendly activities from 2-7pm.  Throughout the past year, Fretboard has donated fifty cents of every pint of S23 their session lager to Behind the Badge and in turn the Newport based non-profit donates those proceeds to local causes and families of first responders in need of assistance.  This year, Fretboard will be honoring the Bray family with a portion of proceeds.

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