4 reasons AleFest Dayton is the best craft beer festival in Ohio

There's no doubt about it, AleFest Dayton is the best craft beer festival in Ohio. There's simply no need to travel anywhere else when the best venue and selection are right in your own backyard.

Held at Fourth and Main Streets in downtown Dayton (they’re shutting down an entire city block, so you won’t have trouble finding it!), AleFest Dayton is where you need to be on Saturday, Aug. 27. Here’s why…

Not only is this the longest-running craft beer festival in Ohio (18 years and counting), it also boasts the largest selection. The people hand-selecting this year's line-up really know their stuff; and with 430 beers, there's sure to be some amazing new discoveries, in addition to your craft favorites. From local breweries like Warped Wing to national craft favorites like Founders and Dogfish Head to some fantastic imports like Unibroue, AleFest's selection is sure to please even the pickiest of craft beer enthusiasts.

Sure, great craft beers are the main event, but AleFest Dayton is also besting the competition with food trucks, an all-new Wine Garden sponsored by Allied Wine, area bands Seventh Street and CAAMP, and easy parking. AleFest visitors also are eligible for discounted rates (enter group code "FES") at the nearby Crowne Plaza hotel. Once you are in the area for the festivities, you can easily make a night of it in downtown Dayton and play it safe with a room at the Crowne Plaza. Did someone say "staycation"?

AleFest Dayton is also the first and only Ohio festival to feature a mobile app. Available through your Google Play or the App Store, AleFest Dayton’s app allows you to plan your tasting strategy with precision. Set an itinerary ahead of time by flagging and locating your favorites, or use the app to find the beers you simply can’t miss once you get there.

Did you know that Dayton has the most craft breweries per capita than anywhere else in Ohio? This is a city and a craft beer community that appreciates the subtlety of the perfectly constructed beer. AleFest Dayton reflects that attitude and attention to detail. This is not one of those excuse-to-get-drunk festivals; AleFest is about the spirit of community and collaboration that makes both Dayton and the craft beer scene so special. In fact, over 75% of volunteers at the event come from local nonprofits. When buying your ticket, take a look at the long list of nonprofits you are supporting, starting with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton and the Dayton Area Rugby Club.

You can buy general admission tickets online in advance or in person for slightly more on the day of the event. But the best ticket in town will be one of the 500 VIP tickets available only online. VIPs will be permitted early entrance to the event, starting at 2 p.m., giving them the opportunity to mingle with brewery reps and industry experts in a more relaxed environment. VIPs also get exclusive access to Cask Alley, which features a dozen specialty casks. These casks will almost certainly not make it through the VIP hour, so be sure to be one of the lucky 500 who get to enjoy this rare treat.

What: AleFest Dayton 2016

Where: Fourth and Main Streets in downtown Dayton

When: Saturday, Aug. 27, from 3-6 p.m. (VIPs: 2-6 p.m.)

Cost: General admission tickets can be purchased online for $40 each, or they are $50 at the event. VIP passes are $60 each, online only. Designated drivers can gain entry at the door for $15.

More information: Visit AleFest.com.