Columbus Brewery Guide

Much to my delight last semester, I discovered that Columbus does not have a shortage of microbreweries! If you remember from last summer, my friend Kevon and I set out to visit a bunch of Cincinnati breweries in order to become “beer people,” which you can read about here.

Since Kevon lived in Columbus from August to December last year for an internship, we continued our summer beer adventures in Cbus. I think stopping by breweries in the fall and winter was even more fun than in the summer. These places are cozy, relaxing venues to unwind and catch up with friends after work (or after class).

There are more breweries in Columbus than Cincinnati and we had less time to get through them (so I might write an updated list at some point), but I managed to get to six. I’ve given a brief synopsis on the atmosphere of the place (highly important to me), the food options, and a list of recommended beers. Kevon’s really into stouts while I’m into sours (our first-to-last rankings at every brewery are always opposites), so here I’ve recommended a middle ground of mostly Pale Ales and IPAs — good places to start. Enjoy the list!

Land Grant Brewing (Franklinton)

Atmosphere: Land Grant is probably the most popular Columbus brewery, not just for the beer you can buy anywhere around here but for its cozy Franklinton taproom, right across the river from downtown. Its outdoor stage and picnic tables are great for warm weather, but there’s also an outdoor fire pit and indoor taproom for chillier nights. When I ordered a flight at the taproom, each beer came with a baseball card of its brewing stats, which was a unique touch. Look out for special events like three-course meal nights, euchre league, and concerts.

Beer Picks:

• Batch 300 – Imperial IPA: light, citrus, punchy
• Greenskeeper – Session IPA: citrus, hoppy, easygoing
• Son of a Mudder – Brown Ale: subtle caramel and coffee flavors

Food: Food trucks, including:

• Ray Ray’s Hog Pit BBQ (Thursday – Saturday) **so good!!
• Ninja Bowl Japanese (Tuesday)
• Oh! Burgers (Wednesday)

Brewdog (Short North, Franklinton, Canal Winchester)

Atmosphere: Ok this place is super cool. I discovered them in London last year because their Punk IPA is on tap at like every pub in the city (they’re Scottish-based). Last year, they chose their first US headquarters to be in Columbus!!! I went to their Short North taproom for my 22nd birthday in September. I haven’t been to their “DogHouse” HQ yet in Canal Winchester, which is a taproom and first ever “beer hotel” (yes, you can stay there!), but it’s on my list!

Beer Picks:

• Elvis Juice – Grapefruit Infused IPA: vibrant, zesty
• Punk IPA – “Post Modern Classic”: spiky, tropical, hoppy
• Hazy Jane – New England IPA: cloudy, juicy, smooth

Food:

• Short North taproom: fresh, made-to-order pizzas
• Franklinton and Canal Winchester: burgers, pizza, bar snacks

Seventh Son Brewing Co. (Italian Village)

Atmosphere: This brewery is probably my fav, probably because it’s so close to my house but mostly because it is SO cozy. There’s lots of reclaimed wood, eclectic couches and picnic tables, dim lighting, and a pet cat who wanders around the taproom. The Italian Village area is really hipster-gentrifying (for better or worse, but I digress), so there’s a lot of great shops and restaurants in this area now and I’m happy it’s so close to me.

Beer Picks:

• Humulus Nimbus – Strong Pale Ale: berry-piney hops, light malts
• Seventh Son – American Strong: hoppy but not bitter, rich, nutty
• Stone Fort – Oat Brown Ale: chocolatey, sweet, smokey

Food: Rotating food trucks including burgers, Indian, tacos, Hawaiian/Indonesian, and Italian

Hoof Hearted Brewery and Kitchen (Italian Village)

Atmosphere: Hoof Hearted is a brunch spot, restaurant, coffee bar, brewery, running club, and summer pool all in one. It’s colorful, quirky, and there are a bunch of weird cartoon drawings on the walls that remind me of Bob’s Burgers. I haven’t been to the pool yet (will prob happen) or joined the running club (will never happen), but we shall see. The tacos are delish, by the way.   

Beer Picks:

• Tub Lyfe – Farmhouse Pale Ale
• Quit YR Fussin On At Me – Triple Berry Blasted Sour Frappe DIPA
• Bangz – DIPA with Vanilla and Milk Sugar

Food: A whole smorgasbord of stuff to choose from! Bar snacks, tacos, burgers, pasta, brunch, etc.

Lineage Brewing (Clintonville)

Atmosphere: First of all, I love the Clintonville neighborhood so much. One of my cousins once described it as the Portlandia of Columbus (hipster, quirky, and people with chickens. I have yet to see any chickens yet though). Lineage Brewing is a small, local brewery in the building of a former car wash also that happens to be next door to one of my favorite restaurants, Condado Tacos. It’s a two-for-one!

Beer Picks:

• Spaceship #6 – American IPA: tropical, resiny, hoppy
• Hall Pass – Belgian Abbey Single: toasty, dry, light fruitiness
• Oscura Obscura – Nitro Blonde Stout: toasty, chocolatey, coffee-y

Food: Homemade “hand pies,” brunch, salads, nachos, and other bar snacks made in-house.

Wolf’s Ridge Brewing (Downtown)

Atmosphere: Wolf’s Ridge has many different beer and dining experiences in one building. The taproom, at the back of the building, is a small, cozy space with long tables, tvs, and good lighting. At the front of the building is a nice restaurant (which I can’t afford to eat at yet) with communal tables and a “chef’s tasting” menu. The brewery also has an event space for parties and such. I’ve only been to the tap room, but it was one of my favs and I’d love to go again.    
Beer Picks:

• Terre Du Sauvage – Barrel-Aged Farmhouse Sour with Rosehip and Coriander
• Gold Standard – Helles Lager
• Clear Sky – Cream Ale

Food: The taproom has bar snacks, burgers, tacos, and more. Kevon and I shared the fries and mozzarella, which were excellent. I haven’t been to the main restaurant, but they serve brunch, bar snacks, and fancy dinner options.

Still need to Visit:

Columbus Brewing Co., Platform Beer Co., Elevator Brewery, North High Brewing Co., and Pretentious Barrel House (a brewery for ONLY sours!). Add those to the graduation bucket list!