I have talked before about how a beer festival (or any brewery event) can’t just be a run of the mill event anymore. We have to get more creative, more innovative, and more fun because of how many amazing things are happening around us here in Cincinnati these days.

It seems like Fretboard has been paying attention, as they are kicking things into a fun gear with their inaugural summer festival that’s they’ve dubbed ‘Over The Top Fest’. This all happens on August 16-17… but you need to start getting excited!

About The Festival

I love Rocky like any child of the 80s – but Over The Top? Way underrated. Sly Stallone played some sort of truck driver that while competing in professional arm wresting is also trying to win back his estranged kid… It’s a perfect name for a festival, that while an amazing world of music and beer also includes an arm wrestling competition. Freaking awesome, right?

Fretboard has teamed up with their neighbors, Operation Give Back to create a block party that you’ll definitely be talking about afterwards. The event is free, and takes place over two days in the Everything But The House parking lot, which is adjacent to the brewery. We’re talking about a big outdoor stage.. special beers and arm wrestling… it’s gonna be awesome.

Friday

The theme this night is “Bootsy House Party’ which as I’m sure you can put together means that they’re collaborating with the Bootsy Collins Foundation. Bootsy himself will be on hand for the ceremonial introduction and tapping.

That’s right, they’re tapping a special beer, called ‘Bootsy Brewski IPA’ and they’ll have a special guest band opening up for their headliners, The Fritz from Asheville.

Note From The Future: You can read more about Bootsy Brewski here!

Saturday

The big day. This family friendly afternoon starts at 1pm with Operation Give Back providing obstacle courses, kids games, crafts and fun foods.

The main event, though, is the competition. The first responders arm wrestling competition will kick off at 3pm and pit police and firefighters from around the region against each other. On the line? Cash money (and a whole lot of pride). It will all be officiated by Steve Pettis of the American Armsport Association with help from Behind The Badge.

In addition, it’s Fretboard, so you know that they’re going to have some live music to go along with it all. Headlined by Kung Fu and backed up by The Spookfloaters and Subterranean, these guys will be tearing up the stage and making sure that you don’t forget that you’re at Fretboard, and that music is as much in their blood as beer is.

Combine all this with some great food from Sammy’s Craft Burgers, Dewey’s Pizza, Smoked Out Cincy BBQ and a cocktail tent from Sycamore Whiskey and Voltage Vodka… like I said… you won’t wanna miss it!