Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. Barbarossa Double Dark Lager

Christian Moerlein Brewing Co. (Cincinnati, OH)

With the spring season upon us, unfortunately the time has come to set your barrel aged beers, stouts and porters back in the cellar until next winter. On the bright side, lighter beers are flowing to accompany you on your porch, next to the grill, or simply beside you at the pool. So lets crack a few good spring time beers and convince the sun to stick around.

Personally, I’m not usually a fan of lagers. The flavors tend to seem fairly uneventful and simple to me. I like a little boldness to my beer. So today, I decided on one of my favorite types of lager. The Bavarian style double dark lager!

 

Immediately upon pouring my glass, I am able to smell the roasty Munich malts that the beer is brewed with. Pour this beautiful, caramel colored beer heavily so that you can get a nice quarter inch head to sit atop your beer.

The head is creamy, yet settles by the time your done taking in the aromas and are ready for a sip. During the first sip, you will notice that this is not your typical lager. The taste is rich, smooth and slightly roasty. The perfect beer to ease yourself off of the heavy winter beers and prepare for the warmer weather. Checking in at a respectable 5% ABV, I am going to go tend to some burgers on the grill with a few more of these delicious beers. Cheers, and as always, drink craft!

www.christianmoerlein.com

https://www.facebook.com/moerleinlagerhouse

The Brew Kettle ‘Kitka’ Coconut Stout.

The Brew Kettle (Strongsville, OH)

Its been quite some time since I have had a minute to myself. Today I had a few minutes to spare, so I thought I would grab myself a pint. As I walked through the brisk cold air, I knew it was a stout kind of day. I needed something warm and hearty. I immediately noticed that The Brew Kettle had ‘Kitka’ on tap. I have never tried this beer, so I quickly ordered a glass.

Upon pouring, I first notice a half inch caramel head resting on top of a black beauty of a beer. I did not pick up much coconut on the nose, but it did smell warm and roasty. A very inviting characteristic for these frigid months. As I took my first sip, coconut notes filled my mouth with a soft, yet bright carbonated feel. The coconut takes its sweet time, lingering on my taste buds. The flavor seemed to go on for several minutes. After a minute or so, a sweet milk chocolate comes in to compliment the coconut. Both flavors pair up and follow through the finish of the beer.

I definitely took my time enjoying this pint. It checks in with a 4.6% ABV. I enjoy that, because the beer is so light, yet hearty, that I could enjoy these all day.  Find them on all your favorite social media networks, and give them a like or follow. Definitely stop by the tap room if you are ever around Cleveland, OH.

8377 Pearl Rd.

Strongsville, OH 44136

Mon – Thu: 11:30 am – 11:00 pm

Fri – Sat: 11:30 am – 12:00 am

Sun: 11:30 am – 9:00 pm

http://www.thebrewkettle.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Brew-Kettle/254242136246

Hoppin’ Frog Barrel Aged D.O.R.I.S. the Destroyer

Hoppin’ Frog Brewery (Akron, OH)

For the new year and cold weather I decided to go for a big warming beer. Hoppin’ Frog has a great line up with fantastic beers. Today, I was fortunate enough to get my hands on this bad boy. Their whiskey barrel aged version of D.O.R.I.S. the Destroyer! Sounds like a perfect concoction to help stay warm.

Right as I began my pour, I picked up bold whiskey and vanilla aromas. I also noticed how dark this beer was. Its not just a dark stout with a caramel hue. This beer is black. It may even put motor oil to shame. The head was light and fizzy and almost completely faded before I could dip my nose into the glass. I took a few more whiffs to enjoy the whiskey and vanilla. The taste is full of rich roasted malts and a velvety mouth feel. Just as its malty goodness fill your taste buds, whiskey and vanilla come in to play. The whiskey notes follow through to the finish leaving you with the satisfaction of both a solid stout, and a smooth shot of high end whiskey. If you see a bottle still hanging out on the shelf of your favorite beer store, I highly recommend you pick up some Barrel Aged D.O.R.I.S. Cheers!

Make sure you check out their website and extensive list of awards, like the fact that they were rated 17th best brewery in the world! Also, best beer and best brewery in Ohio.

http://www.hoppinfrog.com

http://www.hoppinfrog.com/brewery/awards

https://www.facebook.com/hoppinfrog

Columbus Winter Beerfest

Columbus Winter Beerfest (Columbus, OH)

On January 17th and 18th Columbus will be holding its 4th annual Winter Beerfest. For this event, they have doubled their space since last year to a whopping 225,000 square feet of delicious craft beer! There will be over 300 beers for you to sample over a span of these two nights. Make sure to stop by the website to check out all the great beers they are offering (yet be wary of the few Coors and InBev products that made the lineup.)

This year they have also added a connoisseur pass that will include food sampling and pairings from local eateries. If you act now, you can buy VIP tickets at the cost of a regular ticket until Christmas. Ticket sales range from $40-$75 presale, and $50-$100 the day of the event. For your safe ride home, they also have $20 designated driver tickets that include a $5 food voucher. I’ll see you there, as I will be volunteering. Come see me for a tasty sample!

Find more info and beer lists at:

www.columbusbeerfest.com

www.facebook.com/ColumbusBeerfest

Hoof Hearted Brewing – South of Eleven

Hoof Hearted Brewing (Marengo, OH)

Today I had a couple hours to kill, and I knew exactly where to go. I quickly decided to visit my favorite gastropub in Clintonville, OH, The Crest! The Crest is a newly renovated gastropub that has about sixty craft beer taps to choose from. About half of the taps are usually local Ohio brews as well. Along with all of the great beers on tap, they feature local wines and spirits as well. They also have a great selection of foods that use local and on site grown ingredients.

Today as I was scanning the beer list, I saw Hoof Hearted Brewing. It peaked my interest as I’ve never heard of them before. They had a couple of offerings, but as an extreme hop head, I landed on their South of Eleven Imperial India Pale Ale. It checked in at a hefty 10% ABV. As I received my tulip, it had a nice silky head with a dark golden color. I allowed my beer to breathe as I searched for a place to sit, The Crest is usually full of patrons seeking good drinks after all. I found myself on my own out on the patio on a brisk autumn evening. As I enclosed my nose in the glass, I immediately picked up on a smooth floral hop aroma. It was such a beautiful bouquet that I indulged my nose for a few more smells before letting my taste buds in on the joy this was bringing.

As I finally gave in, I was overjoyed with an amazing pine forward hop flavor. Piney hops are a great honor for me to taste in world of citrusy, west coast style India pale ales. The hop flavor was a quick punch of pine with a quick bitter bite that faded fairly quick. This flavor was a great compliment to the aroma of freshly fallen autumn leaves. Just as I finished my pour, it was cold enough to head inside and take care of the bill. As a bonus, The Crest was having an off hour special where drafts were 50% off!

Don’t forget to ‘Like’ Hoof Hearted Brewing at https://www.facebook.com/hoofheartedbrewing?ref=br_tf

and check up on their webpage at http://www.hoofheartedbrewing.com/

Also check out  The Crest Gastropub

2855 Indianola Avenue

Columbus, OH  43201

Visit them at www.thecrestgastropub.com, Give them a ‘Like’ on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheCrestGastropub

Here are their great daily specials:

Monday – half off appetizers and bar snacks.

Tuesday – a pie and a pint for only $10

Wednesday – burger and fries for $5, well liquors for $3, and Jackie O’s cans for only $3!

Thursdays – Tacos & Tequila. Two tacos (veggie, pork or beef) $4, tequila for $5, and Ohio drafts for $4

Sunday – All Ohio drafts are 50% off until midnight!!!

Columbus Brewing Company Sohio Stout

Columbus Brewing Company (Columbus, Ohio)

Located in downtown Columbus, you can find a very popular spot called ‘The Brewery District.’ Among many of the amazing local breweries, you can find the popular Columbus Brewing Company. Columbus Brewing Company, CBC as the locals may call it, has a variety of pale ales, IPA’s, and other seasonal hoppy selections, but as the colder weather starts to creep up, they release their Sohio stout. Sohio stout is the darkest beer that they brew throughout the year. They succeed spectacularly with their pale hoppy beers, and their stout is no exception.

Sohio stout clocks in with a solid 8.5% ABV, which is very well concealed in the brew. It pours with a light creamy head, and a rich dark brown color that appears almost black. The beer opens up with a beautiful aroma of coffee and cocoa, with a slight nutty essence. Close your eyes upon the first sip, clear your mind and experience the full rush your taste buds deserve for this smooth, warming stout. The taste reminds me of a nice warm cup of a medium roast coffee with a touch of dark chocolate. Not too bitter, but bold enough to let you know that its there. It will leave a nice coating in your mouth and hold its flavors so you can savor the beer for awhile. Go ahead and bask in its glory for a minute or two before you take your next sip. Its finish is a pleasantly bright acidic coffee tone. I personally enjoyed this finish as I took another whiff of my glass to smell the fresh coffee shop aromas. If you find this beer on tap, indulge yourself. If you stop by their brewpub, I’d recommend trying this with their Cajun jambalaya. The spicy shrimp, salmon, chicken and andouille sausage will accompany this smooth stout beautifully.

 

Visit Columbus Brewing Company at

525 Short St, Columbus, OH 43215

Monday	11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday	11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday	11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday	11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday	11:00 am – 11:00 pm
Saturday	5:00–11:00 pm

www.columbusbrewingco.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Columbus-Brewing-Company/76461863704

Thirsty Dog Barktoberfest

Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. (Akron, Ohio)

Today, we dive into a bottle of Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. For those who don’t know, Thirsty Dog is now the home of the previous brew master of Great Lakes Brewing Co. Tim Rastetter.

Since we are heading into the middle of October, I found it appropriate to pick up Thirty Dog’s take on the German Oktoberfest style, Barktoberfest! Upon pouring, you’ll notice a nice head of small bubbles atop a clear amber color. The mild aroma will be soft and sweet notes of bread and fruit.

The first impression I had upon tasting, was a crisp, clean bready flavor. The beer is just slightly sweet and nicely carbonated for an Oktoberfest. It’s very easy drinking beer to celebrate the holiday with. It clocks in with a 6% ABV and mild 15 IBU’s. It’s undoubtedly another home run by Thirsty Dog Brewing Co.

If you’re ever in Akron, Ohio, be sure to stop by the brewery!

529 Grant St, Akron, OH 44311

Wednesday	4:00–8:00 pm
Thursday	4:00–8:00 pm
Friday	12:00–8:00 pm
Saturday	2:00–6:00 pm

Or visit them at www.thirstydog.com

And make sure to give them a ‘Like” at https://www.facebook.com/thirstydogbeer

Rumors of Columbus Brewing Company’s Bodhi in Bottles!

Columbus Brewing Company (Columbus, Ohio)

Over the past several weeks, I’ve heard rumors that Columbus Brewing Company may start bottling their most sought after beer in Columbus, Ohio… Bodhi. This double IPA is sought after citywide by local craft beer drinkers. Due to its popularity, Bodhi can be a difficult beer to come across, and once you grab yourself a pint of this fresh hopped, citrusy and incredibly smooth double IPA, you will understand why. The 8% ABV is very well hidden, which could make this beer a bit “dangerous” if you don’t know what you’re getting into.

While enjoying a pint recently, I ran into one of Columbus Brewing Co.’s seven brewers and I decided to ask him about the subject.

His reply was, “I can not confirm or deny that we will be bottling the Bodhi, but what I can tell you is that, packaging is in the works.”

Based on the brewer’s coy response, it sounds fairly promising that the locals of Columbus may receive fresh bottled Bodhi in the near future. Until then, show them that you enjoy their fresh hopped double IPA by buying a pint. You can even enjoy a fresh pint with brunch!

Visit Columbus Brewing Company at

525 Short St, Columbus, OH 43215

Monday – Thursday 11am-10pm

Friday – Saturday 11am-11pm

Sunday 11am-9pm

Or visit them at

www.columbusbrewingco.com

Seventh Son Brewing Co. Humulus Nimbus Super Pale Ale

Seventh Son Brewing Co. (Columbus, OH)

For my first review, I was excited to visit one of my favorite local watering holes.  Local Roots, in Powell, Ohio is an awesome restaurant that uses local ingredients and, you guessed it, a wide variety of Ohio beers on tap.  I was thrilled to find Seventh Son Brewing Co. ‘s Humulus Nimbus Super Pale Ale on tap to fulfill my taste buds for the day.  In the past, I’ve had their American strong ale in the past, self titled Seventh Son, and was not disappointed by any means.  This time I was looking for something a little lighter and smooth to accompany my food, and this beer definitely balanced my meal.

Humulus Nimbus Super Pale Ale opens up with a very light aroma of citrus hops and an unfiltered orange hue. A very thin head sat atop my glass upon pouring. As I swirled it around my tongue, I immediately picked up citrus and stone fruit flavors. It was extremely smooth with just a touch of hops in the finish. Such a smooth beer at a surprising 6% ABV. I’m definitely looking forward to visiting Seventh Son’s brewery in the near future. Stop by and try a pint for yourself!

Seventh Son Brewing Co. is open:

Thursday-Friday from 5pm-2am

Saturday 11am-2am

Sunday 11am-12am

Visit them at http://seventhsonbrewing.com/