Ohio Brewery News
5.1.2020
CENTRAL
It’s time to get weird: Land-Grant Brewing and Pretentious Barrel House have teamed up for a unique collaboration bottle release. Weird Crumbs starts its life as Beard Crumbs, Land-Grant’s popular holiday seasonal oatmeal raisin cookie stout, then is barrel fermented and blended with additional fruit at Pretentious to produce a richly flavored dark sour ale. Three variants of Weird Crumbs were blended for this collab: black currant & blackberry, boysenberry, and snickerdoodle, the last of which features added vanilla, lactose and cinnamon. Pretentious brew master Joshua Martinez will hold a virtual tasting of all three variants on Instagram Live today at 2 p.m. Bottles of Weird Crumbs are available at both Pretentious and Land-Grant for carry out or delivery while supplies last.
GREATER CLEVELAND
With this pandemic causing major disruption and hardship, it can be difficult to keep in mind that our situation is temporary and will eventually pass. Even if we don’t know exactly when that will be, we all need to maintain some level of hope, even expectation, that our “new normal” isn’t permanent. It is in that spirit that breweries are applying some phrases from our current vernacular to new can releases to reflect the reality of our times. Avon Brewing Company’s Six Feet Apart is an 8% ABV New England-style double IPA that has been double dry hopped with Sultana hops to impart strong pineapple, citrus and pine aromas. Social Distancing from Bookhouse Brewing evokes a similar thought by title, but the beer could not be any more different: it’s a luscious, easy-drinking coffee stout made with Guardian cold brew coffee. Both beers are available in 16 ounce cans and can be pre-ordered online for pickup at their respective brewery taprooms.
NORTHEAST
According to our web stats, this post marks the tenth time in the past two years that we’ve shared a story about Maibock, an adaptation of the bock beer style made to fit alongside the growing popularity of pilsners and lagers in the 19th century. Maibocks generally offer a lighter, toasted malt profile with spicy hop character and a dry finish. With today being the first day of May – “Mai” is the German word for May – it’s the perfect time for Akronym Brewing to release Hazel, a Maibock lagered in white oak barrels in the historical technique. Winter Warmer Fest attendees in Cleveland this year had the first chance to taste this brew, one of many event exclusives that draw craft beer enthusiasts to Ohio Craft Brewers Association signature events. Now, finally available to the general public, you can pick up crowlers of Hazel from Akronym’s taproom in downtown Akron. Details at facebook.com/akronymbrewing
NORTHWEST
While we’re on this Maibock jag, let’s talk about lagers in general. With production volume generally curtailed across the industry due to the restrictions on taproom sales, many brewers are using this opportunity to brew and ferment lagers in tanks that would be turning out ales under normal circumstances. Lagers take significantly longer to ferment and condition before their release, which makes them somewhat impractical for smaller scale breweries who need quicker turnaround to keep up with demand. Breweries are running the lager gamut from light, refreshing beers like the pilsner to dark, roasty beasts like the Schwarzbier or Baltic porter. The Tiffin Brewery had two lagers in their tanks before Ohio’s stay-at-home order took effect: Your Dad’s Saigon Lager and Bock and Bowl All Night German Maibock. Both were released this week and are available in 12 ounce bottles for curbside pickup at the Tiffin Brewery, details at facebook.com/thetiffinbrewery
SOUTHEAST
Brewery owners have had to make some impossible choices over the course of the pandemic, not the least of which is deciding whether to continue operations while limited to carry out and delivery, or to close the doors and try to wait it out. Shortly after Ohio announced its stay-at-home order, Outerbelt Brewing in Carroll decided it was in the best interests of the health and safety of their employees and customers to temporarily close and aid in the effort to flatten the curve of coronavirus spread. Fast forward six weeks, and Outerbelt has announced that they will begin carry out service this weekend to coincide with the governor’s plan to strategically re-open Ohio businesses. They’ll have six beers available in cans and seven more on draft for growler fills starting today at noon. Online pre-ordering and curbside pickup are available. Get more details at facebook.com/outerbeltbeer
SOUTHWEST
Streetside Brewery is raising money for restaurant workers impacted by the pandemic while offering their fans an exclusive brewery experience. Throughout the month of May, Streetside will be selling tickets for their Brewer for a Day raffle to raise funds for employees of Street Chef Brigade and the LEE Initiative’s Restaurant Workers Relief Program. One lucky winner will be chosen to develop their dream beer recipe with Streetside brewers, then will be invited to participate in every aspect of brewing, packaging and releasing the beer. Tickets are $10 each with no limit on the number of entries you can purchase. 100% of the proceeds of ticket sales will be donated to restaurant employees in need. Details are available at facebook.com/streetsidebrewery and tickets can be purchased at streetsidebrewery.com
WEST CENTRAL
Lock 27 Brewing’s flagship Citra pale ale may claim that It’s Always Sunny in Dayton, but Ohio weather demands a beer to cover those warm but overcast days that make up a Rust Belt summer. Named for the Dutch word for “cloud,” Wolk is a Belgian-inspired witbier that pairs the spiciness of traditional Belgian yeast with the citrusy notes of Tahoma hops. The beer’s malty body is offset with herbal and acidic flavors derived from coriander and orange peel. Wolk has been a summertime taproom staple at Lock 27, and is now available in six packs at both locations to accompany your outdoor activities. I heard mulching goes by much easier with a can of Wolk at the ready… your mileage may vary. Read more at facebook.com/lock27brewing