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May
4
4
The 15 Best Breweries in Columbus and What to Try at Each
Columbus is certainly making its mark in the craft beer industry. With 35 breweries (and counting), we have established ourselves as one of the beer hubs of the Midwest, and that's something to celebrate! Residents and visitors alike don't have to look far to find a crisp and refreshing ale, but the challenge is figuring out where to settle down for happy hour or a weekend bevvie with friends — there are just so many choices!
In honor of Columbus Beer Week (May 12-20), we've rounded up our favorite breweries in the city, and listed a stellar brew to try at each one. The scene is constantly evolving, and we are always on the lookout for recommendations, so let us know if we missed one of your go-to brews!
Seventh Son Brewing Company
Photo courtesy of Nathan Ward via Seventh Son Brewing Company
Tucked into a charming corner of Columbus's Italian Village lies Seventh Son Brewing Company — a collaboration between childhood friends and a stellar spot to enjoy a beer. Stop in for a unique brew in a range of flavors and varieties, and be sure to accompany your choice with a bite from the food truck of the day. Beer to try: The Humulus Nimbus This strong pale ale toes the line between an IPA and a pale, and includes berry-piney hops and light malts. Mmm mm good! ABV: 6%Four String Brewing Company
If you haven't visited this Rock 'n' Roll-inspired brewery, the time has come. Founder Dan Cochran is a bass guitar musician with a passion for creating interesting beer you can't find anywhere else — and it rocks. He has been perfecting his recipes since 1994, so stop in for a pint and see what all the buzz is about! Beer to try: The Switchblade IPA Tropical fruits and citrus are the flavor focus in this IPA, but this ain't no tooty fruity bevvie. The savage amounts of hops take this ale to the next level. ABV: 6.5%Sideswipe Brewing
Photo courtesy of Sideswipe Brewery
This small-operation brewery focuses on quality, not quantity — and that might be why a pint here is so dang delicious. The cozy taproom is located mere steps from downtown Columbus, and offers a no-frills experience with a friendly atmosphere, fun games and great company. Beer to try: The Coop Looter This American-style saison is made with whole white wheat and aromatic Belgian malts, and is packed with effervescent flavors, thanks to the hints of grapefruit and cracked pepper. ABV: 6%Actual Brewing
Science is the name of the game at Actual Brewing, where the brewers don't hide their process. Rather, they revel in it, brewing each beer with courage, precision and experimentation (of course). Need a bit of a pick-me-up after sampling a few beers? Enjoy a hot cup of coffee made from house-roasted beans. Beer to try: Conductor Imperial Rye IPA This imperial IPA is a favorite for many, offering a flavor that is subtle, striking and complex all at once. Enjoy a stellar malt to hop balance that is worth every penny. ABV: 8.1%Pigskin Brewing Company
Photo courtesy of Pigskin Brewery
This friendly brewery in Gahanna offers excellent brews created and served with love — and excellent food to boot! Stop in for Won off Wednesdays, during which the company will share a unique weekly small batch brew for one time only. Once it's gone, it's gone for good! Proof that the best things in life are fleeting. Beer to try: Autumn Wind Russian Imperial Stout An intensely roasty, dark brew with complex malts and hops. Look for notes of chocolate and coffee. ABV: 10.5%Wolf's Ridge Brewing
Photo courtesy of Wolf's Ridge Brewing
Wolf's Ridge Brewing is where elegance meets adventure. Stop in at either the tap room or the more formal dining room to get a taste of incredible beer and delectable bites. In the tap room, you'll find bar snacks, shareables and sandwiches, and in the dining room you'll find more upscale fare. Look out for the Hudson Valley foie gras, the shrimp and grits, the scallops, and the New Zealand lamb rack — and make sure to chase down your choice with a house-made beer. Beer to try: Clear Sky Cream Ale This easy-drinking, crisp ale took home first place in the 2017 Beer Army Beer Wars. Pick up a bottle or a pint on draft, and we're sure you'll taste the winning quality. ABV: 5%Barley's Brewing Company
Barley's Brewing Company has been on the scene for a while, perfecting its ale recipes since 1992. Over more than 20 years, the taproom on High Street has welcomed visitors and locals alike (even an impressive lineup of celebrities) to try its signature brews and enjoy the friendly atmosphere! Make sure you're one of them this year. Beer to try: Blood Thirst Wheat This refreshing ale is a joy to drink year-round, but especially satisfying in the warm summer months. The beer has an impressive citrus flavor due to the Sicilian blood orange zest added to the brew kettle, and purée added during and after fermentation. ABV: 5%North High Brewing
Photo courtesy of North High Brewing
North High Brewing, located on (surprise!) North High Street, offers a new kind of experience — one that focuses on the actual brewing of the beer! While you can stop in anytime to enjoy a signature brew on draft (and we highly recommend that you do), you can also "Schedule a Kettle" and brew your own beer with the help of the owners using a North High recipe. Beer to try: The North High Pale Ale The North High Pale Ale is an easy-drinking brew with plenty of hops and caramel malt to balance the flavor. You might feel like a champ for drinking it, as this winning beer has secured a gold medal at Beer Wars, a silver at the 2016 World Beer Cup, and a bronze at the Best of Craft Beer Awards in Bend, Oregon. Look out for notes of tropical fruit, citrus and herbs. ABV: 5.5%Zauber Brewing Co.
Photo courtesy of Chris Heidel via Zauber
This brewery offers traditional German and Belgian beers served in a quirky, low-key environment that is 100% American. Zauber initially opened as a small alley-side growler fill station in 2012, but is now a lively, full-service bar and taproom nestled on 5th avenue. Stop in on Wednesday for board game night, or on weekend morning to catch the EPL soccer games. Beer to try: Wunderland A Belgian strong dark ale brewed in the traditional way, with only yeast, malt and hops. Still, the flavor is rich, complex and strong. ABV: 8.7%Land Grant Brewing Company
Photo courtesy of Matthew Carbone via Land Grant Brewing Company
Born from a passion for great beer, intriguing design and midwestern sports, Land Grant Brewing Company has certainly become a Columbus staple since it opened in 2014. The founders all come from different backgrounds, which means each offers an interesting perspective on the style of the taproom and of the beers themselves. Everything about Land Grant is a collision of flavor and culture! Stop in seven days a week to try the beer and sample from an impressive lineup of food trucks. Beer to try: Son of a Mudder A brown ale that is truer than true. Brewed with toasty hops and balanced with seven different malt varieties, you'll find flavors of toffee, caramel and coffee. This beer is sure to warm you to the core! ABV: 6.1%Zaftig Brewing Co.
If it's a full-bodied ale you're after, look no further than Zaftig Brewing Co. This brewery specializes in hefty Ambers, Stouts and IPAs. In fact, the lightest beer on the menu clocks in at an impressive 7% ABV. Don't make your decision lightly — try a flight to get a little bit of everything. Beer to Try: The Shadowed Mistress American Strong Ale hopped with Citra hops, balanced with roasted malt, and amped with a tropical juice flavor blast. ABV: 9%Elevator Brewing Company
Elevator Brewing Company was founded in 1999 by a father/son duo that found almost as much joy in making quality beers as they did in drinking them. Their passion shines through in the quality of the beers, which have won a smattering of awards and bring Columbus locals back to the tap room time and time again. Beer to try: Dark Force Lager A year-round staple and a palate-pleaser, this beer earned a bronze medal in the 2007 Great American Beer Festival (out of 2,832 submissions, mind you). The brew is well-balanced, lightly hopped and full of warm flavor. ABV: 5.9%Lineage Brewing
As the name suggests, Lineage Brewing pays homage to its roots (and the history of its home, Clintonville) while constantly trying to find new ways to evolve and pave a path for the Columbus craft beer scene. The brewery is located in an old car wash, but has been transformed into a well-lit, modern space with a friendly atmosphere. The brewers are constantly on the quest to create the perfect pint, but we're sure when they find it, they won't stop there. Bonus: This brewery is dog friendly, so bring Fido along for the ride! Beer to try: The Oscura Obscura We bet you haven't seen many blonde stouts in your beer tasting ventures. Brewed like a traditional stout, but without the toasted malt, this delightfully confusing beer incorporates cocoa nibs and vanilla beans to create a robust, creamy flavor. ABV: 7.9%Columbus Brewing Co.
Columbus Brewing Company was originally founded in 1830, but the name was resurrected in 1988 to dub the current operations. We'd certainly hope that a brewery with our city's namesake would produce beers worth bragging about, and we haven't been disappointed! While Columbus brewing's tap room is still under construction, you can find bottles of the tasty brews in liquor stores around town. Do not confuse this spot with CBC Restaurant, which is also quite tasty, but not affiliated with the brewery. Beer to try: Thunderlips Experimental Pale Ale The deep golden color of this pale ale is produced with Simpsons Golden Promise Malt, which is then amped up with plenty of hops in several varieties. The result is striking and thunderous, if you will. ABV: 5.3%Smokehouse Brewing
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Harrison via Smokehouse Brewing
Smokehouse Brewing is the spot to settle if you're looking for a bit of barbecue with your beer. While the juicy wings, sauerkraut balls and messy ribs are certainly delightful, the refreshing beers are certainly the main event. The tart IPAs and bold stouts pair well with the sauces, and always leave you wanting another. Beer to try: The Woody Haze Barrel Aged Scotch Ale Brewed every Valentine's Day, this dark, amber ale is a celebrated staple of Smokehouse Brewing. The bourbon barrel-aging process gives the brew a rich flavor that pairs well with gamey meats.Cheers!
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