The Brews + Prose reading series at Market Garden Brewery on West 25th Street ain’t exactly your typical author reading. While most readings take place in quiet libraries or bookstore basements, this one is held in Ohio City’s hottest new bar, bringing together great literature and craft beer.

“There’s a gap between the hushed, almost church-like readings of universities and libraries and the places you can enjoy yourself and have a glass of beer,” says Dave Lucas, a poet and Lyndhurst resident who spearheaded the event with Market Garden Brewery to celebrate talented Cleveland authors.

“We want to remind people that literature is fun,” he adds. “Readings shouldn’t be the broccoli of literary life, yet you shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality.”

Brews + Prose, which has hosted Cleveland poet George Bilgere, novelist Thrity Umrigar and other local luminaries to near-capacity crowds of 150-250 people since launching a year ago, will soon celebrate its anniversary in style. Shaker Heights food writer Michael Ruhlman and award-winning columnist Connie Shultz will read on Tuesday, July 2nd at 7 pm.

The next year of Brews and Prose promises to kick things up a notch. Lucas will ask supporters to help expand the series through a Kickstarter campaign. Funds will be used to bring national writers to town.

“We want to celebrate local authors by putting them on the same stage as national writers,” says Lucas. “We also want to show off our city to writers.”

“Cleveland has a great literary community,” he adds. “The grand ideal is to build community [between writers and readers].”