Ohio Brewery News
6.30.2022
CENTRAL
You can’t tell the history of beer in Columbus without Hoster Brewing. In the late 19th century, Hoster was the largest brewery in the capital city, housed in a complex that took up much of a city block in what would become Columbus’s historic Brewery District. Unfortunately, Prohibition took its toll on Hoster’s business and the brewery was forced to close its doors in 1920. Almost 70 years later, the Hoster brand reemerged in the form of a brewpub where the pre-Prohibition flagship Gold Top lager was brewed and distributed throughout central Ohio. After the brewpub closed in 2001, current Hoster owner Daniel Meyers acquired the rights to contract brew and distribute Gold Top while setting out to establish a permanent home for the reimagined brewery. In April of 2022, Hoster Brewing Company received a brewing permit and has recently begun to make Gold Top and other beers at 653 N. James Rd. in Columbus. A public taproom is in the works at the fully renovated industrial space, with a projected opening date later in 2022.
GREATER CLEVELAND
The owners of Bummin’ Beaver Brewery have encountered a lot of roadblocks – or maybe that should be “logjams” – in their quest to establish their brewery. The journey has taken more than four years, beset with the challenges of a total building renovation, inspections from multiple government agencies, a global pandemic, a labor shortage, an erratic supply chain and historic inflation levels. After all those trials and tribulations, the boat is getting closer to shore: Bummin’ Beaver received its brewing permit late last year and they’ve been hard at work installing their brewing equipment and building out a public taproom at 11610 E. Washington St. in Chagrin Falls. The first brew, an imperial stout, should be going through the system this month with others to follow as Bummin’ Beaver fills their tanks in preparation for their taproom opening later this year.
NORTHEAST
Penguin City Brewing Company founders Richard Bernacki and Aspasia Lyras Bernacki set out to create a craft beer that was representative of their Youngstown home: accessible, affordable, consistent and reliable. Going against the grain of how most newer breweries get started – opening a public taproom and then branching out into local distribution – Penguin City jumped into distribution with both feet from day one. The Bernackis convinced local bars and restaurants to carry their flagship golden ale, Penguin City Beer, before expanding into canning for local grocers, carryouts and bottle shops. That grassroots brand building paid off, as loyal Penguin City drinkers clamored for a place where they could enjoy a few pints and feel at home. The brewery was moved to a massive 32,000 square foot warehouse space on the edge of downtown Youngstown and the long-awaited public taproom will hold its grand opening on Friday, July 1. Be sure to plan your visit and get your Ohio On Tap passport stamp at Ohio’s newest taproom!
NORTHWEST
One of Toledo’s longest-running craft breweries is getting close to opening the doors of their new home. Great Black Swamp Brewing, which had operated separate brewing and taproom facilities up to this point, has consolidated their production and hospitality arms at their recently renovated space in south Toledo. No opening date has been set for the taproom at 2250 Tedrow Rd., but nearly everything is in place for the switch to be flipped on at the new location. Give them a follow at facebook.com/gbsbrewingco to find out when you can enjoy a cold pint in the industrial chic taproom or their attractive outdoor beer garden.
SOUTHEAST
A few weeks ago, we mentioned that Guernsey Brewhouse became Ohio’s 400th active craft brewery when they received their brewing permit in early May. With a couple of months to put the finishing touches on their public space and fill their fermenters with beer, owners Shawn and Aimee Long are nearly ready to open the doors to eastern Ohio’s craft beer lovers. Guernsey Brewhouse will hold their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 21 at 3 p.m. at the brewery and taproom located at 4550 Bloomfield Rd. in Cambridge. Eight beers are expected to be on tap for the grand opening festivities, which revelers can enjoy in their cozy taproom or the adjacent outdoor patio. More details to come in the days and weeks prior to opening; give them a follow at facebook.com/guernseybrewhouse
SOUTHWEST
This week, The Lebanon Brewing Company brewed their inaugural batch of beer in anticipation of a possible August opening. The renovated municipal firehouse has been transformed into a modern craft brewery, just a few steps away from the main drag of downtown Lebanon in Warren County. The now active brewhouse and fermenter vessels are nestled in the former firehouse garage just across the room from a 40 foot-long bar that will serve the taproom and the outdoor beer garden situated in front of the building. In addition to beer, the brewery will also offer food from their in-house kitchen partner, appropriately named Ladder 41. Make sure to give the brewery a follow on social media for updates on their grand opening plans: facebook.com/lebanonbrewingco
WEST CENTRAL
Dayton Dragons baseball fans have been able to enjoy craft beers from Moeller Brew Barn inside the ballpark for a couple of years now. As part of the brewery’s ambitious expansion plans, those same fans will soon be able to pre-game (and post-game) at Moeller’s new downtown Dayton taproom, located just across the street from the ballpark. The renovation work on the century-old building continues as of this writing, but we look forward to this new addition to the Dayton craft beer scene soon. Get updates on the progress at the new Moeller location at facebook.com/moellerbrewbarndayton