Kick-off events set for Jackie O’s

Next week, kick-off events around the state will celebrate the opening day of West Virginia beer sales for Jackie O’s Brewery. Wednesday, September 28, will be the first day of public sales.

Founded in 2007, the Athens, Ohio based Jackie O’s is one of the highest rated and nationally most-respected small craft brewers to ever enter the West Virginia market. The brewery prides itself on being a creative representative of the Appalachian region. West Virginia craft beer fans, especially those in the Charleston, Huntington, and Parkersburg regions have long followed Jackie O’s, often making pilgrimages to Athens, which is only about 25 miles as the crow flies from the WV border. 

Kick-off events list

WV beer distributor Mountain State Beverage is handling the roll-out and has put together a series of kick-off events in cooperation with WV beer bars and restaurants. The excitement begins on Wednesday, September 28 at 4:00 pm with roll-out events at:

• Charleston, at Bar 101 Capitol St.
• Huntington, at Summit Beer Station
• Huntington, at Taps at Heritage
• Morgantown, at Apothecary Ale House
• Morgantown, at Pies and Pints
• Lewisburg, at Hill and Holler

On Thursday, 9/29, the events continue:

• Charleston, at Pies & Pints beginning at 4:00 pm
• Bluefield, at The Railyard
• Parkersburg, at J.P. Henry’s Sportsbar

Events scheduled for Friday, 9/30 include:

• Summersville, at Gad Dam Brewing

Check out the social media pages of these accounts for more event details.

Initial Beer Line Up

The initial Jackie O’s beer line up will include:

• Mystic Mama IPA, the brewery’s best selling product;
• Who Cooks For You, a popular juicy-hazy pale ale; 
• Off Duty Lifeguard, a tropical-fruited wheat ale;
• Static Flow Hazy IPA, the current hazy IPA in their Appalachian critters series.

Representatives of WV beer distributor Mountain State Beverage assure us that more brands of Jackie O’s beer will arrive on the next shipment, including the highly-regarded Dark Apparition Russian Imperial Stout. These brews will not arrive in time for the kick-off, however.

Those seeking cans/six-packs of Jackie O’s beers to take home should expect to see them hitting retailer shelves around Wednesday, Sept. 28.

Can Art by a West Virginian

Jackie O’s beer can label art is done by Bryn Perrott of Morgantown (deerjerk.com). The art is strikingly unique and often features animals native to the Appalachian region. It’s become a popular signature for the brewery and fans look forward to see what the next can will bring. You have to love this West Virginia connection.