Featured Beers

  • Elevator Brewing Company’s Mogabi Hoppy Wheat Ale

    Elevator Brewing Company’s Mogabi Hoppy Wheat Ale lives up to its label with bold hops and flavors no matter what floor you’re going to. This amber-colored brew is made with white wheat and dry hopped with Amarillo hops. The strong, piney-tasting hops come through on the palate but leave no aftertaste. (5.5% ABV)

  • Thirsty Dog Cerberus

    This golden, Belgian-style trippel ale has big banana, clove and malty flavors plus pretty high alcohol content (10 percent ABV). Perhaps the name is a warning as Cerberus was the three-headed hound who guarded the gates to Hades in Greek mythology. So sip wisely and moderately while enjoying fall’s plumage.

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Brews News

  • Beer to be aware of this Ides of March

    By Sarah Jaquay

    Ever since the soothsayer told Julius Caesar, “Beware the Ides of March,” people have tip-toed around on March 15 as if they ruled the Roman Empire. This March Ohioans will not be unsettled. We’ll discuss politics over a brew and pick a presidential candidate. Brews News asked gurus in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati what beers go with political discourse, what they’d serve a presidential candidate, and what they’ll be drinking on March 15:

    Peanut Kahles, beer manager of the Dilly Café in Cincinnati: While he doesn’t relish talking politics, Peanut would choose a session ale or an IPA – something with low alcohol to keep things civil. Peanut has lots to choose from since Dilly Café is a popular restaurant and retail operation offering more than 500 bottles in its store. He would show off local product to a candidate – something from Mt. Carmel or Rivertown Breweries. On the Ides, he’ll be sipping Buckeye Brewing’s Nighty Night to keep things in perspective.

    John Lane, principal in Cleveland-based Winking Lizard Taverns: This eatery is renowned for its World Tour of Beers with selections from all over the globe. John prefers something light because he thinks today’s politicians are long on promises and light on delivery. He would serve a future president one of Cleveland’s own, such as Great Lakes Brewing’s Edmund Fitzgerald or Thirsty Dog’s Old Leghumper. On the Ides, he’ll be paying his respects to Mars, god of war, with a bold choice such as Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale or Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout.

    Christina McClenaghan, general manager, World of Beer, Columbus: This rapidly expanding chain has locations from Florida to Texas and serves 500 beers from 40 countries. Christina likes to quaff 21st Amendment Brewery’s Brew Free or Die because it sounds patriotic. She’d serve a candidate Weyerbacher Brewing’s Blithering Idiot (see reviews for description) and hope it doesn’t turn him into one. She will welcome whatever comes on 3/15 with Unibroue’s La Fin du Monde, because if it’s the end, it’s not a bad way to go!

  • Tapping Winter Fun at July-in-January Parties

    By Sarah Jaquay

    There’s much to love about Ohio winters: glowing snow under a full moon; stoking up the fireplace and reading by the hearth; strolling through crystalline forests after an ice storm.

    But by the middle of January, even an avid skier can use a break. Some take one by catching a plane; others by cranking up the heat, turning on some island tunes and hosting a Caribbean-themed shindig or perhaps a Hawaiian luau.

    Read Entire Article…

  • Buckeye Brews – A Brewery Tour of Ohio

    By Karen Edwards, Sarah Jaquay, Annette Gallagher Weisman


    There are plenty of suds around the Buckeye State. Here are some highlights for travelers and locals alike.

    Cincinnati

    Christian Moerlein, brewers of Cincinnati’s iconic historic beer, will open Moerlein Lager House later this year in a 26,000-square-foot space in the magnificent 45-acre Cincinnati Riverfront Park. The 500-seat restaurant and 600-seat terraced beer gardens will serve food inspired by turn-of-the-19th-century dishes. Brewery tours will be available. www.christianmoerlein.com; www.crpark.org

    Read Entire Article…

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Beer Reviews

Weyerbacher's Blithering Idiot

It pours a deep amber color and has a two-finger head that dissipates quickly. With subtle hops, what comes through are bready, caramel aromas. The taste of this robust barley wine-style ale (11% ABV) follows suit with a very proportional balance between sweets malts and a slightly bitter finish, with some hints of dark fruits and figs. Serve in a brandy snifter with full-flavored meats or cheeses.

Victory Brewing Company’s Headwaters Pale Ale

If hoppiness equals happiness, this is one to try. It pours a clear yellow and laces the glass nicely while delivering piney and citrus scents from American hops. Medium-bodied with a crisp, clean finish, this brew declares winter has been conquered.

Bear Republic’s Peter Brown Tribute Ale

This California brewery in the heart of wine country (Healdsburg) knows how to honor its employees. This malty American brown ale (6.3% ABV) is a tribute to late sales manager Pete Brown (1949-2002). It’s brewed with molasses and brown sugar, and hopped with Cascade and Centennial. It pays homage to the genre and pairs beautifully with spicy Mexican dishes.

Unibroue La Fin du Monde

A triple-style golden ale from Quebec, this has a hazy deep golden color and a lacey head. Spicy citrus peel aroma and a hit of chamomile give this medium bodied, very dry brew a hint of spring.

Smuttynose Maibock

Part of the Big Beer series, this lager earns the moniker at 8.7 % APV. Golden amber with a robust head and grassy, malty aroma, it’s rich and smooth, with big, thick malt notes. Its sweet hints of dried stone fruit are nicely offset by slight hoppy bitterness in the background.

Smuttynose Big A IPA

It’s hard to get excited about hoppy beers when there’s still snow on the ground but spring training isn’t just for ballplayers. Brewed in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, this big IPA has a creamy head, inviting aromas of big hops, apples and well-balanced tartness and bitterness. At 9.7% ABV, this one leads with a hook.

St. Cloud Belgian White

This unfiltered, Belgian-style wheat ale from Rochester, New York, pours a hazy amber color. It’s chock-full of bright, citrusy flavor accented with coriander, spice and just a hint of sweetness. A great way to start off a summer’s eve.

St. Bernardus Abt 12

This Belgian Abbey brown ale pours a deep nut brown with a luxuriantly foamy head. It’s rich and full, with a roasted, chocolate-laced aroma and a gorgeous date-like sweetness. Honestly, one of the best beers we’ve ever had.

Samuel Adams Summer Ale

Bostonians are cheering the Bruins’ victory, and no doubt downing much of this delightful summer brew. Spicy, crisp and medium bodied, it’s brewed with malted wheat, lemon peel and Grains of Paradise, an African pepper sometimes used in gin. It’s smooth and thirst-quenching with gentle hints of the tropics. Sip this with New England-style lobster roll for a heavenly treat.