WORTH THE DRIVE: Beer, food and laughs at Cincy Brew Ha-Ha

This unique Cincinnati festival combining stand-up comedy and craft beer is back with over 80 comedians on four stages with over 100 beers, ciders and wines to fuel your laughter. With so much to drink and see, we’ll focus on the highlights.

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THE COMEDY

Preacher Lawson: The Brew Ha-Ha's Friday night headliner is best known for going far on two seasons of "America's Got Talent." He finished in the Top 10 of Season 12 in 2017, and then fifth when he was asked to return for the "Champions" version in 2019. (Aug. 23, 9:30 p.m., Main Stage)

Jay Mohr: Many people still know Jay Mohr, the Saturday night headliner, best as Tom Cruise's backstabbing protege in "Jerry Maguire." But the SNL alum has starred in sitcoms ("Gary Unmarried"), hosted sports radio shows ("Jay Mohr Sports" on Fox), reality-competition shows ("Last Comic Standing"), and a podcast called "Mohr Stories." He has even written two books. (Aug. 24, 9:30 p.m., main stage)

Kevin Bozeman: Performing since 2000, Bozeman has won the Midwest region of the "HBO Comedy Competition," finished second in the Boston Comedy Competition, and was a "Last Comic Standing" semi-finalist in 2015. Among other things, he likes to joke about being a black NASCAR fan and the advantages of living in an all-white suburb. (Aug. 23, Purple People Bridge Tunnel Stage, 10:30 p.m.; Aug. 24, Purple People Bridge Tunnel Stage, 10:10 p.m.)

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Sally Brooks: This Cincinnati-based comic went from performing in dive bars to sharing the stage with Bobcat Goldthwait and Kevin Nealon. She's also the creator of the popular "Suburban Housewife" web series. (Aug. 24, 8:45 p.m., main stage)

Chad Daniels: This Minnesotan has performed at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal twice and on "Bob and Tom," "Conan," and the "Late Late Show" under both Craig Kilborn and Craig Ferguson. His humor revolves around his kids, such as when his son informed him that he'd "aged like a president." (Aug. 23, Purple People Bridge Tunnel Stage, 10:10 p.m.; Aug. 24, Purple People Bridge Tunnel Stage, 10:30 p.m.)

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THE BEER

Twenty-five breweries will set up shop at the Brew Ha-Ha. While brewers are coming from across the nation, Greater Cincinnati breweries are overwhelmingly represented. Here’s a sampling of what to expect.

Grainworks (West Chester)

Rebel Yell (pale ale)

poundsign nofilter (IPA)

Rusty Bumper (brown ale)

Pink Lemonade Stand (sour)

Christian Moerlein (Cincinnati)

FC Cincinnati Blood Orange IPA

Strawberry Banana Pig (cream ale)

Big Hazy (IPA)

Fifth & Vine Oktoberfest (Marzen)

Braxton (Covington, Ky.)

Oktober Fuel (Marzen)

Summertrip (Sour)

Tropic Flare New England IPA

Storm (cream ale)

Vive Mango (hard seltzer)

Vive Hard Seltzer w/Dragonfruit (hard seltzer)

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Taft’s (Cincinnati)

Gavel Banger (IPA)

Juicy Justice (Imperial IPA)

Maverick Chocolate Porter

Cold Boy (Lager)

Cherrywood Amber (red ale)

Raspberry Nellie’s (fruit beer)

Nellie’s Key Lime Caribbean Ale (wheat)

Rhinegeist (Cincinnati)

Cheetah (lager)

Little Bubs (fruit beer)

The Todd (IPA)

Brew Brew Coffee Common (porter)

Melvin Brewing (Alpine, Wyo.)

Hubert IPA

2X4 DIPA (Imperial IPA)

Epic Brewing Co. (Salt Lake City, Utah)

RiNo Juicy American Pale Ale

Tart N’ Juicy Sour IPA

California Cider Company

Ace Pineapple Cider

Ace Perry Cider (pear and Madagascar vanilla)

Ellicottville Brewing Co. (New York)

Just Peachy (shandy)

Blueberry Wheat

Knee Deep Brewing Co. (Auburn, Calif.)

Breaking Bud (IPA)

Stoutello (milk stout)

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FOOD, WINE AND SPIRITS

Crafters Union, a California-based company specializing in premium wines in a can, will man a single booth at the Brew Ha-Ha, offering a rose, pinot grigio, red blend, rush, and a sauvignon blanc.

Cincinnati’s Karrikin will be showcasing their Blaze Agave Spirit, Shuga Rum (butterscotch, caramel and molasses), Emerge Gin (rosemary, cucumber, and star anise), and Shifu Chinese Liquor (fermented rice, sorghum, and sake yeast).

The food vendors are Krimmer’s Italianette Pizza, Island Noodles, California Tri-tip Food Truck (Tri-tip steak), Sweets & Meats (smoked meats, homemade sides, desserts), Goetta Haus, Arepa Place (Colombian), MamBear’s Mac, and Stellar Street Eats (gourmet burgers).


HOW TO GO

What: Cincy Brew Ha-Ha

Where: Sawyer Point, 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati

When: Aug. 23-24, 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, and 4 p.m.-midnight Saturday

Cost: No admission cost, but beer wristbands are $5 and individual beer tickets are $1 each

More info: www.cincybrewhaha.com

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