Cincy Brew Bus to highlight breweries and beer in Butler County

The Cincy Brew Bus is collaborating with local businesses to launch a tour focusing specifically on Butler County breweries.

Guests who join the Butler County Poker Run on April 14 — and likely on Saturdays thereafter — will get “the Cincy Brew Bus experience with a twist,” according to Mike Stokes, founder of Cincy Brew Bus.

“At each location, guests will receive two poker cards and the best 5-card hand wins $50 to $75 worth of prizes from the breweries we visit,” Stokes said.

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Tours, as always, include the tastings, a Bavarian soft pretzel from Servatii, behind-the-scenes access and a souvenir taster glass, he said.

The brew bus is partnering with FlipSide Burgers in Liberty Center and Home2 Suites by Hilton, both in Liberty Twp., to provide additional perks and discounts for guests participating in the event, Stokes said.

Organizers of the event are hoping to run it each week.

“We feel like the area has so much to offer and we are trying to promote more tourism and activities surrounding breweries in every region of the Greater Cincinnati area,” Stokes said.

Cincy Brew Bus worked with the owners and taproom managers of DogBerry Brewing, Swine City Brewing, Grainworks Brewing, Municipal Brew Works, Rivertown Brewing and FigLeaf Brewing over the past few months to create “a fun concept that is unique to craft beer across the country.

“There’s not another tour company or set of breweries doing anything like this and we are excited to bring more folks to these fun, unique and delicious venues,” Stokes said.

Quarter Barrel Brewery & Pub, which opened last month in Hamilton, will join the effort at a later date, Stokes said.

The idea for the Butler County Poker Run came from Steven Brock at Grainworks Brewing in West Chester Twp. as a way to spur more interest in the Butler County area as he and Stokes discussed ways to kickstart more tour activity for the new breweries.

“(The breweries) met with us and we put the plan in motion,” Stokes said.

The itinerary will be the same each Saturday:

• 11:45 a.m.: Check-in at Grainworks Brewing (West Chester Twp.)

• Noon: Departure

• 12:20-1:10 p.m.: FigLeaf Brewing (Middletown)

• 1:20-2:10 p.m.: Rivertown Brewing (Monroe)

• 2:35 - 3:35 p.m.: Municipal Brew Works (Hamilton)

• 4 p.m.: Drop-off

• 11:45 a.m.: Check-in at Grainworks Brewing

• Noon: Departure

• 12:20-1:10 p.m.: Swine City Brewing (Fairfield)

• 1:35-2:25: DogBerry Brewing (West Chester Twp.)