Ohio Brewery News
3.18.2021
CENTRAL
Code switching is the term used to describe when a person changes the language they use depending on their audience or situation. In practice, it can range from casual – like choosing not to swear in front of your parents – to deeply ingrained and occasionally life-saving behavior, especially for people of color. Central Ohio’s first Black-owned brewery, Crafted Culture Brewing was founded not only to make great craft beer, but also to support and promote equity and inclusion in the craft beer industry and the community at-large. This Sunday, March 21, they’re teaming up with Endeavor Brewing & Spirits to release Code Switch saison, a collaboration brew that aims to start a conversation about how we can talk and interact with each other in a way that is rooted in respect. Code Switch will be available on draft at both Crafted Culture in Gahanna and Endeavor in Grandview. Learn more about the beer at facebook.com/endeavorbrewstillery
GREATER CLEVELAND
Avon Brewing Company released two of their flagship beers in cans for the first time this week. Eagle IPA, named for the Avon High School mascot, incorporates oats and orange marmalade in the brew to provide a smooth, sweet contrast to the dank and resinous hop flavors. Clash of Clanns is a hybrid brew, containing the strength and sweetness of a Scottish ale with the malt character and pleasing bitterness of dry Irish red ale, with just a hint of rye added for a bit of bite. A portion of the sales of both cans will be donated to the Avon Athletic Boosters organization. Pick some up at the original Avon Brewing location, at ZZ’s Big Top across town or at Medina Brewing Company. Read more at facebook.com/avonbrewingco
NORTHEAST
We wrote a couple weeks ago about how the growth of craft breweries spurred innovations in hops cultivation, to the point where creative brewers can now dial in beer flavors with greater detail than in the past. R. Shea Brewing is taking the next logical step with so many available hops, brewing a beer with three recently-bred varieties and eschewing the traditional “C” hops entirely. Prime Editing is a hazy double IPA that features Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand as well as Southern Passion and African Queen hops from South Africa. Nelson Sauvin contributes a wide bouquet of flavors, including some reminiscent of white wine. African Queen imparts notes of berry, melon and stone fruit, while Southern Passion, predictably, is most evocative of rich tropical flavors like passion fruit and guava. Four-packs will be available this Friday, March 19 at R. Shea Brewing’s Canal Place location in downtown Akron. Read more at facebook.com/rsheabrewing2
NORTHWEST
The newest hoppy creation from CLAG Brewing was canned this week and is now available for pre-order. From Sandusky With Love, a reference to the sophomore release in the James Bond film series, is a double IPA that picks up its huge tropical fruit flavors from over-the-top additions of Citra, Galaxy and Strata hops throughout the brewing process. Clocking in at 8.5% ABV, this secret agent packs a real punch. Unlike 007’s preferred beverage, CLAG does not recommend shaking (or stirring, for that matter.) Pick up four-packs of From Sandusky With Love and some freshly canned Khazilla IPA at the CLAG taproom starting this Saturday, March 20 at noon. Pre-order at clagbrewing.oznr.com
SOUTHEAST
A fan favorite returns to the taps at Wooly Pig Farm Brewery this week. Maple Sap Cream Ale is a spring tradition for the rural brewery in Fresno, Ohio. Brewer Kevin Ely adds several hundred gallons of locally-sourced maple sap to a light, easy-drinking cream ale recipe to create a perfect outdoor sipper to complement the warming temperatures. It’s only available on draft at Wooly Pig; lucky for you, they’ve recently expanded their hours so you can enjoy a beer on their expansive brewery property Friday through Sunday (and the weather this weekend looks gorgeous!) During the writing of this post, Wooly Pig hinted that a second new beer would be hitting the taps alongside Maple Sap Cream Ale, so be sure to follow them on social media to get the skinny: facebook.com/woolypigbrewery
SOUTHWEST
Urban Artifact has been light years ahead in the fruited sour game for some time now, so it shouldn’t be a shock that they’re exploring new frontiers in fruited beers. This week marks the launch of Astronaut Food, a fruit tart ale made with freeze-dried raspberries and blackberries. Urban Artifact developed a new brewing process to incorporate the freeze-dried fruit, resulting in an extreme concentration of flavor and a 15% ABV wallop to boot. Astronaut Food is available for purchase online in four-packs of 8 oz. cans now for pickup or statewide shipping, though supplies are very limited. Urban Artifact’s Northside taproom is re-opening to the public this Friday, March 19 as well: blackberry and raspberry fans will have several variants of The Gadget fruit tart ale to look forward to on draft and in cans. Get re-opening details at facebook.com/urbanartifactbrewing
WEST CENTRAL
St. Patrick’s Day is historically one of the busiest days for bars and restaurants. When St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Wednesday, it gives them the opportunity to stretch the revelry out over the entire week and the bookending weekends. After last year’s holiday was lost to the COVID-19 shutdown, Ohio’s breweries were more than excited to have the opportunity to celebrate in person this year, even with public health measures still in place. If you haven’t yet had a chance to sip on some Irish beers this year, don your green apparel and visit a craft brewery this weekend! Roundhouse Depot Brewing is one of many tapping an Irish-inspired brew this week: Irish Rail Ale will be available on draft at the taproom in Bellefontaine this Friday, March 19. Read more at facebook.com/roundhousebrewing