Ohio Brewery News
4.24.2020
CENTRAL
The cooperative spirit that fueled the growth of craft beer over the past decade continues to shine through even as the industry struggles with the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. North High Brewing and Taft’s Brewing Company have teamed up on a new collaboration beer to assist not only their own furloughed employees, but also those at some beloved central Ohio craft beer retailers. For Our People is an 8.2% ABV hazy double IPA available for carry out in crowlers and growlers at Taft’s Brewporium Columbus and at eight area retailers. A percentage of the sales of For Our People will be donated directly to laid off employees at the business where it is purchased. For more info on the beer and a list of locations where it is available, go to facebook.com/taftsbrewpouriumcolumbus
GREATER CLEVELAND
Wednesday, April 22 was Earth Day, the annual day of action for worldwide environmental protection and stewardship. The Brew Kettle commemorated the occasion by announcing a partnership with the northern Ohio chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit group that works to protect coastal waters and beaches. The brewery will be supporting and promoting Surfrider’s local initiatives to advocate for water quality and clean up beaches on the Lake Erie shore. The Brew Kettle also announced that its recently released Coastline Mexican-style lager would be packaged in six packs using E6PR eco-friendly six pack rings, which are designed to be compostable and biodegradable. More details on these environmental efforts and Coastline lager are available at thebrewkettle.com
NORTHEAST
Wasn’t it snowing earlier this week? It’s sort of a comfort to know that, in these topsy-turvy times, we can all still rely on Ohio weather to be consistently inconsistent. So, despite the brief spring squall, it’s about time we start to welcome summertime beers from Ohio breweries. Lager Heads Brewing Company has a particularly tasty one set for a can release today: Sunshine Blue, a summer ale brewed with blueberries and ginger to add a crisp tartness to the silky body imparted by wheat. Imagine yourself on a riding lawnmower, clutching a cold can of Sunshine Wheat, manicuring your yard to perfection just in time for another late April snowfall. That’s quintessential Ohio, right there. Six packs are available at the Lager Heads brewery taproom in Medina starting today. Details at facebook.com/lagerheadsbrewingcompany
NORTHWEST
Your dutiful and humble author is a proud alumnus of THE Bowling Green State University (Ay Ziggy Zoomba). While much has changed on campus since my undergrad days, it’s good to know that one endearing part of the BG experience still remains. Falcon students making their daily treks to class are entertained by the prodigious and diverse population of squirrels that call the campus home. Bowling Green Beer Works pays tribute to a couple of the university’s more rare and resplendent rodents with a pair of canned beers. Black Squirrel Belgian dubbel is a hefty monastic-inspired ale packed with malty sweetness, while its lighter cousin, White Squirrel Belgian tripel, showcases the spiciness of Belgian yeast. Like their four-legged namesakes, they’re a special treat when you finally encounter them in the wild. Pint cans are available for carry out, details at facebook.com/bgbeerworks
SOUTHEAST
With the entire brewing industry making the shift from over-the-bar pint sales to beer packaging, shortages of can, bottle and growler supplies are complicating an already stressful situation for craft breweries. Some like DankHouse Brewing in Newark were forced to temporarily close due to lack of vessels in which to serve to-go beer. However, suppliers are adapting to the abrupt change in the market and are beginning to deliver more packaging – particularly crowler cans – to craft breweries. During their brief closure, DankHouse brewed a fresh batch of one of their most beloved beers, Couch Kush’n imperial IPA. This strong hazy IPA is double dry hopped with Galaxy, Enigma and Medusa hops, imparting lush stone fruit and citrus flavors. Available now in crowlers for carry out, delivery to the Columbus area or shipping statewide; order at dankhousebrewing.com
SOUTHWEST
Today is Arbor Day, the yearly initiative encouraging people to plant trees and promote a healthier environment. MadTree Brewing continues their commitment to environmental stewardship with their annual tree sale. Colorado blue spruce saplings are available at the brewery in Cincinnati for $5 each while supplies last. One dollar from each sale will be donated to the Arbor Day Foundation. MadTree announced last year that they joined 1% for the Planet, a global movement of businesses committing to donate 1% of their revenue to environmental causes. In addition to the Arbor Day Foundation, MadTree is also giving financial support to the Cincinnati Parks Foundation and the Wasson Way Project to plant more trees in the local area. Get more details at facebook.com/madtree
WEST CENTRAL
Two of Dayton’s longest-tenured breweries have finally brewed a collaboration beer. Located just 1,000 feet from each other, Toxic Brew Company and Warped Wing Brewing have co-existed for six years – the former opened in 2013, the latter in 2014 – without making a beer together. It’s fitting then that the eventual collaboration is named ‘Bout Damn Time, a small batch New England-style IPA with Mosaic, Trident and Apollo hops. Carry out cans are available only at Toxic’s taproom in the Oregon District while supplies last. If you miss out on this one, hopefully you won’t have to wait another six years for the next collab. Get more details at facebook.com/toxicbrewco