The Ohio Craft Brewers Collaboration Sampler created for the second annual Cleveland Beer Week in October 2010 is finally going to hit store shelves. Really. At least that's the word from John Najeway, co-owner of Thirsty Dog Brewing in Akron. There have been many such promises in the past. But Najeway said all the wrinkles that led to the lengthy delay -- including issues with labels and who would distribute the beer -- have been worked out. The beers were worth waiting for, he said.

If you recall, 12 breweries in Northeast Ohio paired off last year and created special beers for the weeklong event. It was considered the largest such collaboration of its kind in the industry. Beer lovers will be able to find the 12-pack -- retailing for $19.99 -- by next weekend in all Heinen's locations except the Avon store; West Point Market in Akron; Acme Fresh Markets in Akron, Canton, Montrose and Cleveland; select Giant Eagle locations in the Cleveland area;  Primo's Deli in Akron; Cork & Brew in Akron; and several other beverage stores in and around Cleveland.

The participating brewers and the beers are: Great Lakes Brewing and Cellar Rats Brewery, a barrel-aged strong ale; Thirsty Dog and Indigo Imp Brewery, a smoked black lager; Brew Kettle and Willoughby Brewing, a rye kolsch; Fat Head's Brewery & Saloon and Black Box Brewing, a wet-hopped India pale ale; Hoppin' Frog and Rocky River Brewing, an imperial American porter; and Buckeye Brewing and Cornerstone Brewing, an alt bier.