Ohio Brewery News
3.11.2021
CENTRAL
When Pretentious Barrel House announced their new sour ale last week, it may have been presumptuous of us to ask “when will it be released in cans?” After all, we are still in the midst of a massive national aluminum can shortage that is leaving many small breweries to scramble for supplies to package their beer. However, we didn’t have to wait long before Presumptuous pineapple sour IPA was canned: you can order it now for pickup at the Pretentious taproom or Columbus-area delivery. This unique beer is a blend of barrel aged blonde sour ale, fresh IPA with Citra, Galaxy, Taiheke and Nelson hops, and loads of pineapple. There’s even a version made with vanilla and lactose for fans of the milkshake IPA style. Find out more at facebook.com/pretentiousbh
GREATER CLEVELAND
A trio of Ohio City mainstay brewpubs are re-opening to the public after temporarily shutting down to slow the spread of coronavirus. This week, Market Garden Brewpub and Nano Brew welcomed customers back for dinner and drinks after a four-month absence. The brewpubs have taken exceptional precautions to minimize risk for patrons, even installing hospital-grade UV air filtration in addition to the standard, state-required public health measures. Next week, the venerable Great Lakes Brewing Company brewpub will open its doors on St. Patrick’s Day, starting with an Irish breakfast at 10 a.m. A day-long celebration is set to follow with traditional Irish music and plenty of Conway’s Irish ale and Wolfhound stout on tap. Reservations are required for the Irish breakfast and recommended for the remainder of the day. Get more info at greatlakesbrewing.com
NORTHEAST
With warmer weather starting to move into the state and key COVID-19 metrics trending in the right direction, many Ohio craft beer enthusiasts are looking forward to getting back into brewery taprooms at a higher frequency. To encourage customers to return to taprooms, Visit Canton is launching the state’s newest beer passport program. The Hall of Fame Hops Craft Brew Trail guides thirsty craft beer fans to 14 brewery locations located in Stark, Holmes and Tuscarawas counties. Visit Canton decided on a mobile app for the passport, which will be available for download starting March 15. Users will have until November 7, 2021 to complete the tour. Pre-registration for the Hall of Fame Hops app is available at visitcanton.com. Don’t forget to get your Ohio On Tap passport stamp as well while you’re out working on this new beer trail!
NORTHWEST
Juniper Brewing Company received their brewery permit in late February, becoming the fourth active brewery in Bowling Green. Juniper opened earlier this year as a coffee house while they waited for approval of their brewery permit. Owners Zach and Christina Tracy expect to have their first beers available on tap in April. Zach Tracy’s journey through the world of craft beer included internship terms at Fat Head’s Brewery and Noble Beast Brewing in Cleveland, the latter of which has offered continuing support and guidance as the Tracy’s built their own brewery. To stay informed about the first pours from Juniper Brewing – and to plan an efficient Bowling Green brewery tour for the Ohio On Tap passport – follow the brewery at facebook.com/juniperbrew
SOUTHEAST
When many Ohioans think of the Hocking River, the mind is transported to lazy days in a canoe or kayak, floating through the idyllic beauty of the southeast part of the Buckeye State. But every mighty river evolves from a trickling creek: in the case of the Hocking River, that origin is located just northwest of Lancaster, about three miles from Rockmill Brewery. Their pastoral campus is bounded to the south by the budding river, providing some gorgeous scenery when enjoying a beer on their expansive grounds. The river inspired its own beer, Hocking Headwaters, a hop-forward IPA with light body and significant citrus flavors and aromas. Rockmill has just released a fresh batch of Hocking Headwaters in cans, available now at the brewery taproom. Read more at facebook.com/rockmillbrewery
SOUTHWEST
Fretboard Brewing began in earnest as a tribute to co-founder Joe Sierra’s brother, Sgt. Eric Sierra, who passed away in 2014. Joe Sierra, Bradley Plank and Jim Klosterman had homebrewed S23 session IPA – named for Sgt. Sierra’s badge number – which Jeremy Bowman, co-owner of Jefferson Social, petitioned Rhinegeist to brew in order to benefit the officer’s family. A few short years later, Fretboard Brewing opened their doors in Blue Ash with Bowman’s creation, Smoked Out Cincy, slinging barbecue from the taproom. Sadly, Bowman passed away in December of last year from COVID-19 complications. To honor their friend and business partner, Fretboard has rebranded their original S23 session IPA as Bright Side of Life, which will be available at the taproom on Saturday, March 13. A portion of the proceeds from draft and six-pack sales will be donated to Bowman’s family. Learn more at wcpo.com
WEST CENTRAL
Award-winning brewer Jason Buehler of the Denver Beer Company passed away unexpectedly in November of 2020 at the age of 43. An Ohio native and graduate of Miami University, Buehler went on to brew for Rockyard Brewing, Shamrock Brewing and Oskar Blues Brewing before taking the head brewer position at Denver Beer Company, making many friends along the way, like Warped Wing Brewing Company brewmaster John Haggerty. As a tribute, Warped Wing will release Jason’s Black IPA on Saturday, March 13, based on one of Buehler’s 10 Great American Beer Festival medal-winning beers. Some of Buehler’s family and friends will be on hand at the downtown Dayton taproom to raise a glass to him at 3 p.m. $1 from every pint sold will be donated to the Buehler family. Get more details at facebook.com/warpedwing