It’s just a fact these days that schools must do fundraisers. Who hasn’t been asked to buy wrapping paper, popcorn, candy or cookie dough? Not at the Montessori School of Dayton. True to the nature of a Montessori school, the parents tasked with raising funds for this school wanted to create something free flowing that could grow and sustain itself. So in 2012 they launched Brew Ha-Ha, a beer tasting event. All proceeds from the Brew Ha-Ha’s are directed to the MSD Capital Improvement fund for the school, which was built in 1961. Proceeds from the first two years of events put a new floor in the gym. This year they are fundraising for a new roof, purchase of new windows, and energy efficient updates. The privately owned non-profit school in Kettering is working towards having the building LEAD Certified.
The event, to be held Sat, Jan 25th from 6-10pm in the school gym, is celebrating the emergence of our local breweries with an Ohio vs. Michigan craft beer showdown featuring the best craft beer in each state. Featured breweries include Dark Horse New Holland, Blank Slate Triple Digit, Rivertown, Elevator, Warped Wing, Star City, Eudora, Yellow Springs, Hairless Hare, Dayton Brewing Company, Toxic Brew, Lock 27, Rheingeist, Thirsty Dog, Founder’s, Jolly Pumpkin, Jackie O’s, New Holland, Bell’s, Madtree North Peak and Vandermill. After tasting, attendees will be asked to select their favorite Ohio and favorite Michigan brewery as well as select the state with the best overall brews. To further show your beer pride, guests can purchase a Red or Blue Beer t-shirt, custom printed on site. 
Event organizers Kevin Gray and Michael Taylor explained that there will be about 50 beers, well actually 1 of them is a cider (from Vandermill, a cidery that has been making news in MI recently) and that they have 8-10 really rare beers. Kevin shared that Mike Schwartz from Belmont Party Supply has worked with the event to really secure some great craft beers, and wile they are not all Ohio or Michigan brewers, the focus is certainly midwestern breweries. “Our goal is to make sure that everyone finds a beer that enjoy, and we’ve worked really hard to educate all of our pourers, so they can make suggestions to lead you through a great tasting experience,” says Gray, a beer columnist for Dayton City Paper. Parents will be paired with several of the brewers and local tavern owners to serve the craft beers. Chris Moore from The FireNote.com will be providing the musical background for the evening.
Taylor admits he wasn’t much of a beer drinker when this event started, but Kevin has dragged him along and listening to the enthusiasm he oozes when talking about Brew Ha-Ha, it’s easy to tell he’s now a beer geek. He explains, “you’ll want to be sure and pick up a program at the event, not only to rate and remember your beers, but BrewTensils,our local home beer and wine making supply store will share some recipes for home brewers. Also on hand, perhaps even with some samples will be members of DRAFT, Dayton’s homebrewing club.
Food will available from Stackers, Subs & Grub and Fifth Street Wine and Deli. During the last hour of the event, coffee from the custom Viking Blend, normally served in the junior high run Bison Cafe and a dessert buffet. Any beers left at the end of the night will be sold.
Event tickets are $30 and we suggest you purchase them now online, as this event will sell out at 350. As we post this, there were less than 100 left. Each attendees will receive 10 tasting tickets, and each pour will be 4oz. Additional tastes may be purchased for $1 each. Also be sure to bring some extra cash to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes the night of the event. A limited number of designated driver tickets may be available, contact the event organizers via their eventbrite page for more info.
DMM Ticket Giveaway:
MostMetro.com is dedicated to educating our community about the array of craft beers available, so we’ll be giving away a pair of tickets to Brew Ha-Ha. Just like this post, tell us your favorite craft beer below and enter to win. Ticket winner will be announced here Thursday after 9pm.
Congratulations to our ticket winner: Kaytee Houser!
