Ohio Brewery News
1.7.2021
CENTRAL
The changing of the calendar has traditionally been an opportunity for self-improvement and the adoption of new habits. If you’ve resolved to watch your caloric intake in the new year, Wolf’s Ridge Brewing has just the thing for you. Pup, a 4% ABV hazy IPA clocking in at just 95 calories, is available now at the downtown Columbus taproom and for home delivery. Distribution to central Ohio retailers will commence in the coming weeks. A hefty charge of El Dorado and Nelson Sauvin hops imparts a burst of tropical fruit flavors, set against the beer’s light, sessionable body. If keeping it light in 2021 isn’t your priority, don’t fret: Wolf’s Ridge will also be sharing details later this week about their big winter bottle release, featuring several stouts from the brewery’s acclaimed barrel-aging program. Follow Wolf’s Ridge on Facebook for more info: facebook.com/wolfsridgebrew
GREATER CLEVELAND
While many people may picture a packed stadium or arena when thinking about what a concert looks like, nothing beats the intimate experience of seeing a performer live in a small club. Eric Kufel of Baenum Hop Farm and Matt Vann of The Jolly Scholar decided to lend a hand to four iconic Cleveland music venues that have been temporarily closed or scraping by on takeout sales since the onset of the pandemic: Beachland Ballroom, Grog Shop, Happy Dog and Mahall’s. Lights On Lager will be available in four-packs around the city this month; each venue is represented in the pack with its own unique can art. The beer itself is a crisp 5.2% ABV lager amplified with locally-grown hops and perfect for hoisting during a raucous chorus. The four rock clubs are planning release events for late January. Marc Bona has the full story at cleveland.com
NORTHEAST
Cheers to four years of beers from HiHO Brewing Company! The Cuyahoga Falls brewery has been operating exclusively on a carry out basis since late November, but still have some special anniversary treats on hand for their longtime fans. HiHO is offering daily exclusive bundles through Saturday, starting with a coffee lovers pack on Thursday, Jan. 7 that includes a four-pack of Roasted Coffee Ale, 4 oz. of Interrobang espresso beans from Akron Coffee Roasters and a “Coffee then Beer” mug printed by the brewery’s neighbors The Social Dept. If you didn’t get socks for Christmas (but you wish that you had,) you’re going to want to look into the HiHO sock and sign bundle available on Friday. Check out all of the anniversary bundles on HiHO’s Facebook page and then place your pickup order at hihobrewingco.com
NORTHWEST
Here’s a new year’s resolution we can totally get behind: 4KD Crick Brewery will be holding can release events on the first Thursday of each month in 2021, starting with today’s release of Instant Snowman New England-style IPA. A few months ago, we wrote about the imperial version of this beer – Instant Blizzard – around the brewery’s four year anniversary. The original fan favorite hazy brew is loaded with pineapple, papaya and guava and gets its silky body from an addition of lactose. A limited number of Instant Snowman four-packs will be available at the taproom in Defiance starting at 4 p.m. today. 4KD Crick has some other tricks up their sleeve for 2021, including the introduction of “Firkin Friday” infusions, a can art refresh and a slate of new brews appearing throughout the year. Read more about all that’s in store at facebook.com/4kdcrickbrewery
SOUTHEAST
Outerbelt Brewing’s Overo imperial porter was allowed to slumber in bourbon barrels for most of 2020, which, I have to say, is how I would’ve preferred to have spent the last year. The brewery released those barrel aged variants just before the turn of the new year, and the limited edition cans are going fast out of Outerbelt’s taproom in Carroll. While supplies last, you can pick up a mixed four-pack containing two cans of the base Overo porter, one maple bourbon barrel aged can conditioned on coffee and vanilla beans, and one bourbon barrel aged can infused with chocolate and hazelnut. Individual cans are also available until they run out. Get more info and place your order at outerbeltbrewing.com
SOUTHWEST
When Ohio endures its trademark dreary winters, it’s occasionally helpful to remember that it’s summer somewhere. Specifically, the southern hemisphere. More specifically, the surf paradise beaches of Sydney, Australia from which Rhinegeist’s new experimental hazy IPA takes its name. The fourth iteration in the Cloud Harvest series, Tamarama, delivers wave after wave of stone fruit, citrus and coconut flavors from an intense charge of Sabro, Galaxy, Cascade and Vic Secret hops. Cloud Harvest 04: Tamarama will be available on draft in the taproom and in cans for curbside pickup and home delivery on Friday, Jan. 8. Statewide distribution begins next week. Paddle out to rhinegeist.com for more details on this gnarly new brew.
WEST CENTRAL
The pandemic forced the popular Dayton Ale Trail to delay publication of a new booklet in 2020, but the program relaunched on Jan. 1, 2021 with six breweries added to the passport. Craft beer fans can pick up one of the new booklets at any of the 27 participating breweries and collect stamps over the course of 2021. Those who complete the passport by getting a stamp with a purchase at each brewery can earn a branded pint glass. Several Dayton-area breweries got together to kick off this year’s passport by brewing a collaboration stout at Loose Ends Brewing; that beer will be available at select breweries in early January. Don’t forget to get stamps on the Ohio On Tap app while you’re working through the Dayton Ale Trail to earn even more prizes! For more details, visit facebook.com/daytonaletrail