For runners who live in the Cincinnati area, Christian Moerlein Brewing Company and the Flying Pig Marathon are marrying two loves, road races and beer.

On Wednesday, Jan. 9 Iris Simpson-Bush, executive director of the Flying Pig and Greg Hardman, president & CEO of the Christian Moerlein announced the “Beer Race” series.

The series includes three road races to be held in 2013, including Bockfest 5K, the Little Kings Mile and Hudepohl 14K & 7K Brewery Run. The races will support local charities. Those who complete the Beer Series will receive a gift from the Flying Pig Marathon.

The date of the races are as follows:

Bockfest 5K : Saturday, March 2, 10 a.m. A course through the historic Over-the-Rhine Brewery District, a t-shirt, medal and post-race party. The race benefits the Brewery District Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation and the Cincinnati Brewery Heritage Trail.

Little Kings Mile: Friday, May 3, 8 p.m. A down-hill course on Main Street in Over-the Rhine to Smale Riverfront Park at The Banks along with a t-shirt, medal and post-race party. The race will benefit the Flying Pig Marathon charities.

Hudepohl 14K & 7K Brewery Run:  Saturday, Sept. 21, 8 a.m. The race benefits the Brewery District Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation, the Cincinnati Brewery Heritage Trail and UGive.org.

In 2012 Hardman and Moerlein hosted the second Hudepohl 14K Brew Run, a race course that took participants on a tour of historical Cincinnati brewery locations near downtown and ended under a big tent at the Lager House where everyone could celebrate a finish with locally brewed beer, area food vendors, and a commemorative glass.

If the new series of races are anything like the Hudepohl 14K, they should prove to be popular among casual and serious runners alike.

Registration for the races are already open at the Flying Pig Marathon website.