The brewery road trip has become a staple for craft beer fans, and central Ohio’s beer scene is so substantial, such a fan need not even leave greater Columbus to arrange one.
While any number of local microbreweries are located in or around the center of the city – think downtown Columbus, the Short North, Grandview Heights, Franklinton, Clintonville and so on – there are plenty that lie a respectable distance outside the Outerbelt.
Homestead Beer Co.
Northeast
Located in Heath in Licking County, Homestead Beer Co. opened its doors in February 2013 with a simple philosophy in mind: make quality beer that doesn’t sacrifice taste.
The brewers noticed a trend among breweries, which involved making beers that are too “hoppy” for their own good, resulting in a beer too bitter to enjoy. Among the alternatives: Homestead’s brand new summer wheat, which is brewed with orange peel and coriander. It’s a nice balance between the flavors of citrus and fresh herb, says Homestead co-founder Adam Rhodes.
“We really want to create balanced beers, where malt plays a really significant role in the brewing process,” says Rhodes. “When we brew, we try to find a really nice balance between hops and bitterness.”
Other northeast options:
- Buckeye Lake Brewery: Buckeye Lake
- Buck’s Brewing: Newark
- Granville Brewing: Granville
- Hoof Hearted Brewing Co.: Marengo (with a new brewpub in Italian Village)
Brew Brothers
Southeast
For southbound travelers, the Brew Brothers at Eldorado Scioto Downs may be a worthwhile stop.
Though the original Brew Brothers’ roots go back to 1995 in Reno, the Columbus location opened in October. The location has become a local hot spot, offering a nice range from traditional style to newer American-style brews.
Right now, one of the most popular beers is a kolsch-style brew called Carano Extra. It’s a traditional, German-style kolsch that is perfect for a hot, summer day.
“The Brew Brothers’ success, from a customer experience standpoint, is due to the quality of not only the beer that we are offering, but also of the food, and entertainment as well,” says Ryan Torres, brewmaster at the local Brew Brothers.
Other southeast options:
- Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery: Athens
- Rockmill Brewery: Lancaster
- Weasel Boy Brewing Co.: Zanesville
Ill Mannered Brewing Co.
North
Delaware County has a solid roster of breweries as well.
Powell’s first brewery is Ill Mannered Brewing Co. – a nanobrewery, which means its brewing system uses four barrels or fewer. Since it opened in fall 2015, the demand has steadily increased, stressing the small establishment’s brewing capabilities.
Some of Ill Mannered’s more popular beers include a double IPA, called Bitter Ex, which is a fruit-forward brew with a smooth, drinkable IPA flavor. The taste maintains its hoppiness, without being overly bitter.
“Being Powell’s first brewery, we were able to capture the local market pretty fast,” says co-founder Tom Ayers. “We wanted to create a welcoming atmosphere, where the people behind the bar are the people who are brewing the beers.”
Other north options:
- Restoration Brew Worx: Delaware
- Staas Brewing: Delaware
- Temperance Row Brewing Co.: Westerville
Leah Kunnath is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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