Ohio Brewery News
8.12.2021
CENTRAL
Apologies for the lack of a blog last week. Well, I guess this is kind of a “sorry, not sorry” apology as I was taking a much-needed vacation. The real apology is that this week’s blog is going to be more “just the facts, ma’am” than usual while I play catch up. We’ll get back to the full measure of beer news interspersed with puns and jokey links in a week or so.
On Monday, Aug. 16, Hoof Hearted Brewing will begin taking pre-orders for Key Bump double dry-hopped triple IPA, the triple dry-hopped Key Bump XXXtra Powder, and Key Bump Pure Snow oat cream triple IPA. Can pickup will begin on Friday, Aug. 20. Get full details at facebook.com/hoofheartedbrewing
GREATER CLEVELAND
The annual Brewfest Waterfront District will be held in Lorain this Saturday, Aug. 14. More than 30 Ohio craft breweries will be on hand, as well as a handful of breweries from other states that are, you know, almost as good as Ohio. Brewfest Waterfront District has spent the past seven years building their event up as a showcase for small, independently-owned breweries from across the state, but especially those in Lorain County and the Greater Cleveland area. Twenty-seven northeast Ohio breweries will be pouring samples this Saturday, including sponsors The Brew Kettle, Sibling Revelry Brewing and Unplugged Brewing Company. Tickets are still available at brewfestwd.com
NORTHEAST
Kveik yeast has been around a lot longer than craft breweries have, but really picked up in popularity over just the past few years. Compared to other traditional brewers’ yeast strains, kveik is extremely resilient, able to ferment effectively at higher temperatures and extraordinarily quickly at traditional ale fermentation temps. A beer fermented with kveik can be ready to package in less than half the time of other yeasts without any odd off-flavors. For a craft brewery that is struggling to keep up with customer demand, it’s a revelation. North Water Brewing in Kent thinks so, naming their newest IPA Revelation for the way the yeast transforms the brewing process. Read all about it at facebook.com/northwaterbrewing
NORTHWEST
The owners of Second Crossing Brew Company are big history buffs when it comes to their tiny town of Rockford in Mercer County. Many of the beers made here have a tie-in to town founder Anthony Shane, the French-Indian trader who was gifted 960 acres of western Ohio land where the town was established. That land, known informally as Shane’s Grant, is the namesake of Second Crossing’s newest beer, a German-style hefeweizen. Enjoy it on the sprawling back patio at the Second Crossing taproom… not exactly 960 acres, but it’s pretty big. Read more at facebook.com/secondcrossing
SOUTHEAST
When Dankhouse Brewing releases cans, they go pretty darn quick, so don’t sit on your hands this Friday, Aug. 13. Brewery favorites Superfantastic IPA, Strawberry Blunt Cake sour ale and Pils Dispenser New Zealand-hopped pilsner will again be available in four-packs, alongside a brew making its aluminum debut. A Dose of Strata is part of Dankhouse’s Farmacy series of single hops hazy IPAs. Strata hops produce intense aromas reminiscent of both tropical fruit and electric lettuce. Dry-hopping brings out some deep grapefruit notes as well. Look for these brews this Friday on the Oznr app or at dankhousebrews.oznr.com
SOUTHWEST
Each summer, Municipal Brew Works dedicates a special beer to the memory of Hamilton firefighter Patrick Wolterman, who died in the line of duty in 2015. Woltermelon Blonde is a watermelon-infused version of the brewery’s flagship Approachable Blonde ale. This year’s version is available in cans for the first time, as well as on draft at the brewery taproom. A portion of the proceeds from Woltermelon Blonde sales will be donated to Companions on a Journey, a grief support organization based in nearby West Chester. Join members of the Hamilton Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 20 for a toast to Patrick Wolterman this Friday, Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Brew Works taproom. More details at facebook.com/municipalbrewworks
WEST CENTRAL
A small change in brewing processes can yield a completely different beer, even when working from an established recipe. Lock 27 Brewing took their flagship double IPA, Stumbling Nag, and applied some new techniques to transform it into Hazy Nag, a New England-style double IPA. Mosaic, Centennial and Cascade hops power both brews with tropical fruit and citrus notes, but the hazy version yields less bitterness and a smooth mouthfeel compared to its west coast-inspired predecessor. Try it on draft at Lock 27 taprooms in Dayton and Centerville. More details at facebook.com/lock27brewing