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New Bremen Coffee Co. barista Sawyer Williams makes a dirty chai latte for a thirsty customer on Friday afternoon. Those who sign up for the Brews-n-Vines Trail can receive a free cupcake upon check-in. The trail will end in March 2024.
The Greater Grand Lakes Region Visitors Center is rolling out the red carpet for its revamped Grand Lake Brews-N-Vines Trail.
Drink devotees can take a tour of 16 Mercer, Auglaize and Darke county breweries, wineries and coffee shops and sample some of the area's best hand-crafted coffee creations, locally made wines and specially brewed craft beers.
The trail features a free digital passport system that allows participants to check in to the various venues, with several spots offering specials, discounts and incentives for passport users.
The new and improved trail has made improvements via location-based technology, making the check-in process for each venue much simpler, according to visitors center executive director Donna Grube. Participants also no longer have to ask for a code in order to check-in.
Seven coffee shops are participating in the year long Brews-N-Vines Trail.
While some tourism trails only feature breweries, pubs or wineries, the Brews-N-Vines Trail also highlights coffee and chocolate.
"The total purpose since the beginning in 2020 was to appreciate and visit small local businesses," she said. "These are the kinds of businesses visitors like."
The free passport can be downloaded at www.seemore.org/cheers, and visitors who sign up get a free starter kit that includes a drawstring bag, a can koozie and a Grand Lake Brews-N-Vines Trail map, while supplies last.
Trail blazers can also receive 100 points for each venue they visit, which can be redeemed for a Grand Lake Brews-N-Vines Trail T-shirt for 700 points or a hat for 900 points. There are 11 months to finish the trail, according to a visitors center news release.
Some participants may make it a goal to visit every spot on the trail in a single day, while others use the trail as an opportunity to explore new places and visit with loved ones, Grube said.
Locations on the Brews-N-Vines Trail 2023
Based on feedback from participants, Grube said she knows of a group of old friends who pick two new spots on the trail to visit during their monthly get togethers. Others make it a point to visit a new business in a different county, she said.
"Some people from Celina visit Second Crossing Brew Co. in Rockford, some people from Rockford visit Five Vines (Winery) in Wapakoneta, and then some people from Wapakoneta visit (The Vineyard at) Evergreen Farm in Coldwater," she said. "It's neat to see these folks discuss and enjoy going there."
Participating locations include:
• Breweries: Moeller Brew Barn, Maria Stein; Tailspin Brewery, Coldwater; Lake Rat Brewing, Celina; Gongoozlers Brewery, New Bremen; and Second Crossing Brew Co., Rockford.
• Wineries: The Winery at Versailles, Versailles; Five Vines Winery, Wapakoneta; The Vineyard at Evergreen Farm, Coldwater; and GR8 Vines Winery, St. Marys.
• Coffeehouses: Winans Chocolates + Coffee, Wapakoneta and Maria Stein; New Bremen Coffee Company, New Bremen; Hazelnut Coffeehouse, Celina; Rooster Joe, Coldwater; Brew Nation, Celina; and Cozy Cabin Café, St. Henry.
Brews-n-Vines Trail participants can receive 10% off merchandise and meat and cheese trays at Gr8 Vines in St. Marys.
