Ohio Brewery News

Friday Six Pack with Marvin Abrinica, Esoteric 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 Marvin Abrinica, co-founder and chief marketing officer at Esoteric Brewing in Cincinnati.

 

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

The first time I had a craft beer 14 years ago, I was sitting in a bar and had a Bell’s Two Hearted. I didn’t even know beer could taste like that, and at that moment, I bought a home kit and started home brewing on my mom’s stove. I was hooked.

 

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

The Lotus IPA is a fan favorite all around in the taproom, at-home, and sporting events. Our customers always comment on how balanced and sessionable that beer is.

 

What should a craft beer fan expect when visiting your brewery for the first time?

Prepare to be wowed! Throw out your preconceived notions of a brewery. We’re not a garage or a warehouse. Instead, you’ll find an elegant taproom with comfy couches, and a gorgeous lounge area.

 

How does your brewery go about making meaningful connections with the people in your neighborhood?

There are a number of ways to engage the neighborhood, and so we started attending local community council meetings so we could play an active role. Through those relationships we’ve connected with the people who are long-time influential residents in the neighborhood. They’ve become our friends, and they’ve come to know what we’re all about as we share beers with them. So when we promote events (e.g. Black History Month beer collaborations), we’ll often pay them to distribute flyers at neighborhood shops and apartment buildings.

 

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

I really love Northern Row Brewing in downtown Cincinnati. The turn of the century bar and quality of beer, not to mention spirits, is fabulous. Of course, I’m still partial to Jackie O’s anything. When I’m not sure what to get, I can’t go wrong.

 

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

Craft beer is becoming hyper-localized, meaning we’re seeing home grown brands going deeper into their neighborhoods. People are very loyal to their own beers coming from their communities. Five years from now, I expect to see more collaborations amongst small-to-medium size breweries looking to scale by partnership. From an overall industry economics perspective, I would also imagine some significant consolidation will occur. In other words, I see buyouts happening, as the price tag for breweries will start to level out as the market gets more saturated.