Ohio Brewery News
6.5.2020
CENTRAL
Wild Ohio Brewing, known for their gluten free, fruit infused tea beers, teased a new addition to their product line this week. Later this month, the brewery will release four low-calorie tea beers, including a lighter version of their flagship Blood Orange Tangerine flavor and the return of DalyPalmer, a refreshing lemonade-inspired brew. The release also marks the debut of two flavors: Dark Berry and Mango Passionfruit. The four new offerings all clock in at just 100 calories each and are gluten free like the rest of Wild Ohio’s portfolio. Mixed 12-packs of the low-cal brews are expected to be available at Ohio retailers by mid-June. Follow Wild Ohio for forthcoming release dates and details: facebook.com/wildohiobrewingco
GREATER CLEVELAND
One of the first beers on tap when Noble Beast Brewing opened in May of 2017 was Say When, a saison brewed with pink, white and black peppercorns. The next year, the downtown Cleveland brewery released a version of Say When that was aged in an oak barrel that formerly housed white wine and tequila, imparting flavors of grape tannin and agave to complement the spiciness of the peppercorns. This week, approximately three years after opening to the public, Noble Beast owner/brewer Shaun Yasaki has pulled the last keg of that barrel aged Say When from the cellar and put it on tap. Drinking this beer out of disposable plastic due to COVID-19 sanitation concerns seems like a sacrilege, but I would even entertain the idea of cupping my hands under the faucet if it meant I could get a taste. Get your hands on it however you can, details at facebook.com/noblebeastbrewingco
NORTHEAST
Modern Methods Brewing Company has yet to re-open to the public, but continues to sell beer to-go from their “lemonade stand” outside the taproom on Dave Grohl Alley in Warren. Owner Adam Keck has pivoted the business to can an crowler sales, and reports that the community has shown remarkable support while the taproom has been closed. Key to that strategy has been the regular release of new beers and trusty standby brews in cans. Two weeks ago, Modern Methods announced the release of Rust Belt Beer Belly dry hopped amber lager and promptly sold out via the brewery’s online ordering portal. Yesterday, the brewery put fresh four-packs of their flagship Dub City west coast IPA up for sale, and if previous releases of this beer are any indication, it won’t last long. Head down to the lemonade stand this weekend or pre-order online at modernmethodsbrew.com
NORTHWEST
One of the most acclaimed craft beer bars in the state is now home to one of Ohio’s newest breweries. Small City Taphouse owner Kha Khet has opened CLAG Brewing (ask him what it stands for when you visit) in their expansive complex in downtown Sandusky. Kha recruited highly respected brewers Rick Seibt and Kevin Kowalski to head up the brewhouse operations, and the first of their beers are rolling out of the fermenters to the taps. This Saturday, June 6 at noon, CLAG will release Papa Bui, a single hop double IPA that showcases the pineapple and passion fruit aromas of Citra hops, added in the whirlpool and dry hop stages to tame bitterness and deliver lush key lime and ripe melon flavors. Only 200 crowlers will be available for sale, but at least three other CLAG beers are expected to be available on draft. Follow all the upcoming releases at facebook.com/clagbrewing
SOUTHEAST
Even though they’re operating solely on a carry out basis for the moment, Devil’s Kettle Brewing is still celebrating five years of craft beers with an anniversary bottle release on Saturday, June 6. The brewery’s Big Sock doppelbock is getting two separate barrel blend treatments. The bourbon barrel aged version combines 12 month and 26 month barrels aged at different temperatures to deliver the character of oak and bourbon without overwhelming booze on the palate. The port barrel aged variant spent 26 months in cold storage and picked up copious dark fruit notes along the way. Devil’s Kettle is also rolling out a brand new bourbon barrel aged Mexican chocolate stout called Chalupacabra, conditioned on chile peppers, cinnamon, cacao nibs and vanilla beans. The bottles feature the artwork of avant-garde painter Æthelred Eldridge, who was a professor at the Ohio University School of Art from 1957 to 2014. Get more details at facebook.com/devilskettlebrewing
SOUTHWEST
Today, Northern Row Brewery & Distillery will officially open their doors to the public for drinking and dining. The historic building in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood dates back to 1895 and served as an icehouse for the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company in pre-Prohibition times. Northern Row’s long-awaited taproom – they’ve been brewing beer at the site and selling wholesale kegs for three years now – opens today, though reservations are required for indoor tables to ensure proper social distancing between parties. Eight beers are expected to be on tap, ranging from lighter fare like the Barrister Kolsch-style ale to the darker side like the Boozer barrel aged imperial stout. For more information, sign up for Northern Row’s email newsletter at northernrow.com
WEST CENTRAL
Many Ohio breweries are publicly re-affirming their commitment to equality and justice in light of the demonstrations against racially-targeted police brutality happening around the country. Alematic Artisan Ales in Huber Heights was one of the first breweries to announce their participation in the Black Is Beautiful beer collaboration project initiated by Weathered Souls Brewing in San Antonio. Participating breweries will brew a variation on an imperial stout recipe developed by Weathered Souls and donate 100% of the proceeds to a local foundation that supports equality, inclusion and police brutality reform. “We are a black owned business and we’re proud of that,” said co-owners Greg Cason and Jerrod Fisher. “Now is a time to celebrate and champion diversity. This is a great opportunity for us to collaborate with like-minded breweries to spread awareness and raise money for a very worthy cause.” In addition to Alematic, other Ohio breweries that have committed to the project include Bookhouse, DankHouse, Hoof Hearted, Jackie O’s, Streetside and Terrestrial. The beer is slated to be released in July. Get more info on the project at blackisbeautiful.beer