Ohio Brewery News
8.19.2021
CENTRAL
Ohioans love coffee, beer and coffee beer, so it was a match made in heaven when Olentangy River Brewing Company and Roosevelt Coffee House teamed up to share a location in Lewis Center back in 2018. That coexistence is still going strong, as residents of Columbus’s northern suburbs can stop in starting at 7 a.m. for their morning java, then pop back in for a happy hour beer or two after work. The coffee and beer worlds literally collide in the form of Roosevelt, a light-bodied coffee stout that has become a staple of the Olentangy River portfolio. This past week, the brewery put Roosevelt stout in cans for the first time; a portion of all can sales is being donated to Redeeming Injustice, the nonprofit arm of Roosevelt Coffee House formed to fight hunger and human trafficking. Find out more about their mission at rooseveltcoffee.org/justice
GREATER CLEVELAND
When businesses were forced to close in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, The Jolly Scholar made a complete pivot to beer delivery. With the taproom completely closed, the brewery enlisted the help of famous Cleveland beer vendor Les “The Beer Guy” Flake to get beer out to customers’ homes during the shutdown. When bars and restaurants started to re-open a few months later, The Jolly Scholar wasn’t one of them: Case Western Reserve University, where the brewpub is located, was still closed to the public. Now, after a 17-month layoff, The Jolly Scholar will re-open their taproom on Monday, Aug. 23. You’ll be able to get your Ohio On Tap brewery passport stamp there starting on this Monday as well. Stay on top of what’s fresh at The Jolly Scholar by following them on Facebook: facebook.com/jolly.scholar
NORTHEAST
Cheers to two years of beers from Eighty-Three Brewery! Or should we say “yo ho ho” considering the rum barrel aged treats owner/brewer Chris Surak has in store for attendees at this weekend’s festivities? The anniversary brew started out based on Eighty-Three’s popular Jamaican-inspired Night Waves tropical stout recipe, then got a big boost of malt for added strength and body. The batch was then split in two before being aged in Caribbean rum barrels for 10 months, resulting in two distinct beers. Night Tsunami is the base version, while Wild Tsunami incorporates wild cultures to impart a pleasant funkiness. The birthday celebration kicks off in their Akron taproom at noon on Saturday, Aug. 21 with the new creations on tap. A very limited amount of Eighty-Three’s first anniversary brew, Good Kind of Funky, a saison fermented with Brettanomyces yeast and matured in white wine barrels will also be available. Find out more at facebook.com/83brewery
NORTHWEST
Three brand new beers will see a can release from CLAG Brewing this Saturday, Aug. 21. The brewery’s beloved Yellow IPA gets run through the amplifier with the release of Super Yellow, a double IPA version featuring Galaxy and other Australian hops bursting with tropical fruit flavors and aromas. Not to be outdone, The Khafather Part 1 double IPA blends hops from New Zealand and the Pacific Northwest to deliver pineapple, passionfruit and citrus flavors that you can’t refuse. If hops aren’t your thing, then save room for Banana Split, a light sour ale layered with banana and strawberry puree and conditioned with marshmallow and cacao nibs for a rich, decadent drinking experience. The CLAG taproom opens at noon on Saturday with all three cans available for sale immediately thereafter. Find out more at facebook.com/clagbrewing
SOUTHEAST
While massive music fests like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza may get all the hype, southeast Ohio boasts a hidden gem fest of its own. The Nelsonville Music Festival has been going strong since 2005, bringing in an eclectic array of legendary artists like Willie Nelson, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, The Breeders, Randy Newman and dozens more. The fest is a favorite for Ohio craft beer drinkers as well, with virtually all the taps dedicated to craft beer made in state. Little Fish Brewing is a staple at the Nelsonville fest, and even developed a special beer with the event in mind, despite its cancellation due to the pandemic this year and last. Nelsonic hazy pale ale features the robust, white wine-like character of Nelson Sauvin hops, coupled with a malt bill containing flaked oats for a light, fluffy mouthfeel. Since you can’t enjoy it at the festival this year (maybe 2022?), pick up some crowlers at the Little Fish taproom in Athens, drop the needle on some records at home and crack open those cans. Read more at facebook.com/littlefishbrewing
SOUTHWEST
Cheers to five years of beers from Woodburn Brewing! March First took over the brewery earlier this year, giving everything a refresh and introducing some classic Woodburn brews in cans. This Saturday, Aug. 21, they’ll celebrate their past as well as their new direction with a luau-inspired fifth anniversary party. Three new beers will hit the taps, including the popular Solo coffee blonde ale with an addition of coconut befitting of the party theme. Vespa Italian-style pilsner makes its debut at the event alongside the latest in the Encantado tart ale series: this iteration features passionfruit, orange and guava. The brewery’s newly established kitchen – Woodburn Grill – will be serving up pork belly al pastor tacos on special all weekend long. Get all the details on Saturday’s festivities at facebook.com/woodburnbrewing
WEST CENTRAL
A couple of Dayton-area breweries have announced plans to open additional taprooms in nearby communities. Crooked Handle Brewing, based in Springboro heads about 45 miles north, setting up a new outpost in Piqua. The facility will feature an expansive, industrial taproom, as well as a full kitchen, outdoor beer garden, private event space and expanded beer production capabilities. The building dates back to the early 1900s and overlooks Lock 9 Park on the Great Miami River. Meanwhile, Dayton’s Warped Wing Brewing will continue their march southward, establishing a new taproom and brewery in Mason. Similar to the concept Warped Wing launched last year in Springboro, the Mason location will include a pilot brewhouse with a focus on experimental strong beers, complemented by a full-service dining experience. Read all about the new Warped Wing location at dayton.com and the Crooked Handle expansion at piquaoh.org