Ohio Brewery News

Friday Six Pack with Justin Blevins, Lock 27 Brewing

Every Friday, we ask an Ohio craft brewery owner or employee to answer six questions about their path to the brewing industry, what sets their brewery apart and their thoughts on craft beer in Ohio.

Today we’ll chat with Justin Blevins, delivery driver at Lock 27 Brewing in Dayton.

 

What made you decide to get into the craft brewing industry?

As I was looking for work, I found an opening for Lock 27 for a delivery driver, and as someone who has previous experience with customer service and also enjoy driving, it was a win-win situation. When I got hired, I wasn’t expecting them to be as laid back and easy to work with. I get along with management and fellow coworkers and treated excellent!

 

Which of your beers do your customers enjoy the most and why?

In distribution I seem to be moving our It’s Always Sunny In Dayton (pale ale), as well as Mouth Breather (IPA), two of our flagship beers. Around fall or close to it, I deliver a lot of our Loktoberfest, all of which seem to be popular, especially the It’s Always Sunny In Dayton and Loktoberfest.

 

What new Lock 27 beers have you tried that you enjoyed, and what did you like about them?

I enjoyed the Loktoberfest, which is only a seasonal beer but it’s really good. I seem to enjoy our lagers quite a bit. Kiefaber Street Red, which is another seasonal beer, an Irish red, is also really good as well. Kiefaber is good for when you want to enjoy a heavy meal like a steak dinner and don’t want to fill up on beer, it’s kind of like a light beer but really delicious in my opinion.

 

Besides your own, what Ohio craft breweries impress you the most and why?

Carillon Brewery at Carillon Park in Dayton. Unlike other breweries, they are old school on their brewing their craft beers, which I will say is delicious.

 

Where do you think craft beer is headed? What do you think craft beer will look like five years from now?

Five years from now, I think craft beer will be as popular as it is now, if not more. With craft beer it gives people different options instead of the name brand beer. They get to try something new and different and a lot of craft breweries seem to show that with how far the craft brewery industry is blossoming. It’s also a great way to create more jobs and opportunities and for people to learn how to develop craft beer.

 

Where do you see yourself in the craft brewing industry over the next five years?

Ever since I started at Lock 27 in February 2022, I’ve been also visiting other craft breweries and learning how each brewery brews their own beer. For right now, I personally enjoy delivering the beer and being on the road and making sure people are happy/satisfied with their order and experience and will more than likely remain on the road, but also learn about craft beer along the way.