Blue Heron's summer selections

A driving tour of Northeast Ohio’s shopping-strip bars will reveal an array of outdoor patios that intrude awkwardly across sidewalks into hot asphalt parking lots. In contrast, craft beer lovers at Blue Heron Brewery tend to enjoy their summers sipping a cold one in the scenic setting of the brewpub’s patio overlooking spectacular Austin Badger Park, suggests Mike Piazza, brew master and co-owner.

“Every environment you’re in directly correlates to what you’re eating or what you’re drinking,” Mike observes. “If you’re in the proper atmosphere and have a finely crafted beverage in front of you, it’s going to enhance or enlighten that experience. Our summer beers are meant to be enjoyed in a warmer climate with the sun on you, and if you’re in the right mood it touches all the notes and makes you happy.”

Blue Heron’s summer selections include the popular Crisp Lemony Zip (CLZ), a light and refreshing Mexican lager brewed with fresh lemon zest.

“We also feature our usual summer bangers like Fruit and Fire—our stone fruit habanero cream ale—and Spill the Beans—our coffee vanilla cream ale,” Mike says. “Those have been our repeat performers for three or four years. We’re also keeping some classic styles in the mix, mostly in the lager room, those being Vienna Lager, Italian Pilsner and some lighter offerings that are rooted in tradition and have been proven styles based on their origins from the old country for centuries.”

Ben Erjavec, executive chef and co-owner, says the view from Blue Heron’s patio is “glorious.”

“It’s incredible to enjoy a good meal with a beer or cocktail watching the sunset and the eagles and other wildlife in Austin Badger Park,” he says.

Live music adds to the festive summer ambiance, he emphasizes.

“Our mellow live music is different every week, with genres from island vibes to classic rock to one-man acoustic acts,” he says. “The entertainment starts on Friday nights, to kick off the weekend, from 5-9 p.m.”

Two sets of live music are offered on Saturdays—from noon to 4 p.m., then from 5-9 p.m.—and resumes on Sundays from 3-6 p.m.

Expanding the entertainment this summer, Blue Heron is launching a ticketed summertime concert series, announces co-owner Bill Rini.

“Big changes are coming to Blue Heron this year,” Bill says. “We’re adding new activities throughout the week and we are launching a summertime concert series from Friday, July 18, to Friday, September 26. We’re going to end the season with an Oktoberfest, and we’ll have different types of festivals throughout the summer.”

By next winter, Bill plans to open an on-site ice skating rink.

“We are a family-friendly destination and that will be reflected in the exciting new things we’re planning,” Bill says. “The summer concert series is going to be really cool. You can bring out a blanket or a lawn chair and sit with your family in the rolling meadows on site and enjoy some good beer, good food and good music.”

Blue Heron is building a covered stage for the concerts.

“We’re going to have a nice mix of country, throwback music and today’s hit music, so we’ll feature different types of genres every week,” Bill says.

The concert series will add to Blue Heron’s special events that include comedy nights, murder mysteries and other entertainment.

For the summer, Ben is tweaking the menu with some “light fresh flavors.”

“We’re offering some light vegetarian items like a shawarma bowl and a cantina bowl, that you may choose to top with a protein like chimichurri steak, chicken shawarma, fire-braised chicken thighs, jumbo Cajun shrimp or a salmon fillet.”

Blue Heron also has a variety of new summer cocktails, he says.

“Our new bar manager is really just excited and innovative and playing around with a bunch of new fresh flavors and fun, bright colors,” he says. “We make all of our simple syrups in-house using fresh juices. On Sundays we have the boozy coffee drinks and an extensive Bloody Mary menu.”

The Blue Heron Sunday Brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

You can check Blue Heron’s live entertainment schedule and get more information by visiting BlueHeronMedina.com. You can call Blue Heron at 330-870-BLUE (330-870-2583). Blue Heron is located at 3227 Blue Heron Trace, in Medina.