Well, Bragg Jam is over, and it was a success. There were people all over downtown and the city looked alive. It was great. But now that it’s gone, what are we supposed to do? Do we go back and hide until next summer? No!

It’s time to get ready for our next big event, the Macon Beer Festival.

Georgia is quickly becoming a destination for beer lovers as it’s home to the Sweetwater, Terrapin, Red Brick and Jailhouse breweries, as well as several other craft breweries. So it would make sense for us to celebrate beer.

Savannah has their Savannah Craft Brew Festival. Atlanta has the Great Atlanta Beer Festival at Turner Field, as well as smaller festivals all over the metro area all year long. And of course we can’t forget Helen has the granddaddy of all Georgia beer festivals with Oktoberfest. So, there’s no reason for us not to join in on all this beer tasting fun.

Our beer festival happens Aug. 25 from 4-7 p.m. Like Bragg Jam, you head from venue to venue trying beers that they normally don’t carry. The venues for the first year are Bearfoot Tavern, Cox Capitol Theatre, Downtown Grill, the Hummingbird Stage and Taproom, Lemongrass, Roasted Cafe and Lounge and the Rookery.

You’ll be able to learn more about the brewing process while talking to those who make the beers we love, and sample some new beers that you normally don’t see around Macon.

Tickets are limited to 500 total sales, so if you plan to attend, you need to get your tickets early. Tickets are $17.50 and are available through Mercer ticket sales. Call 301-5470 or stop by the Grand Opera House box office for tickets. You can also order online at www.ovations365.com.

Of course, you know Macon loves a good cause. Well, the Macon Beer Festival is supporting Pints For Prostates and helping to raise awareness among men about the need for regular prostate screenings. Men over 40 will be able to receive a free PSA blood screening and a portion of ticket sales will be donated to prostate cancer research.

So Macon, our summer fun is not done yet. Beer and a good cause, what more can you ask for? Find the Macon Beer Festival on Facebook and stay tuned as more details become available.

Contact Roger Riddle at roger.riddle@gmail.com.