Cincinnati Craft Beer Activity Checklist
Print your greater Cincinnati Craft Beer Activity Checklist and share your adventure on Instagram by tagging @linsinnati or by using the hashtag #tourdecincinnati.
Cincinnatians love their beer, so I thought what better to do than list all in one place and include where they’re located, a short description, if it’s known for a certain style, whether or not there is food on site, and if it’s dog friendly? Below is an ever-evolving quick guide of local craft breweries with taprooms as well as cideries, distilleries, and wineries within a 10-ish-mile radius of the city center.
For a more detailed list of Cincinnati drinkeries, check out this Google map that is categorized by breweries with taprooms (inside 275 loop, outside of 275 loop, and satellite taprooms), cideries, distilleries, and wineries:
Map of Greater Cincinnati breweries, cideries, distilleries, and wineries within ~30 miles of the city center
13 Below Brewery
Sayler Park (2017)
This Sayler Park brewery features plenty of parking, marina access, a dog-friendly patio, cornhole, giant Jenga, TVs, and a monthly mug club with half-price birthday beers! “13 nautical miles below downtown Cincinnati.”
Food: Incline Smoke Shack, free popcorn
Dog friendly: yes
16 Lots Southern Outpost
Newport on the Levee (2023)
Expansion brewpub from the Mason location, featuring a full menu and live music and entertainment.
Food: menu here
Dog friendly: patio only
Bad Tom Smith
Madisonville (2013)
Taproom formerly located in the East End, Bad Tom now calls Madisonville home, featuring 18 taps, a lounge area, and TVs.
Food: ZaBlong Peculiar Pizza onsite
Dog friendly: no
Barleycorn’s Brewhouse
Wilder (2022)
Locally crafted beer, with delectable comfort food.
Food: brewhouse
Dog friendly: patio only
Big Ash Brewing
Anderson Twp. (2019)
Located in a renovated El Rancho Grande and features 28 pour-your-own taps (Big Ash beers, guest brews, and wine), craft spirits, and a kiosk to order build-your-own pizza, salads, and small bites.
Food: pizza, salads, and small bites
Dog friendly: patio only
Bircus Brewing Company
Ludlow (2017)
Bircus is located in the former Ludlow Theatre space, where there are circus acts and live music. “It’s like half circus, half beer.”
Food: wood-fired pizzas available to go or to have onsite
Dog friendly: no
Bircus Brewing Company
Covington (2022)
Bircus Brewing’s second location serving up craft beer and authentic wood-fire pizza.
Food: wood-fired pizzas available to go or to have onsite
Dog friendly: no
Braxton Brewing Company
Covington (2015)
Braxton’s garage-like space is great for playing trivia and hanging out. They open early, serve coffee, and have wifi, so if you can work remotely, this might be a good place to do so.
Known for: having a variety of styles
Food: Parlor on Seventh can be ordered and delivered directly to the taproom or rooftop
Dog friendly: yes, inside and out (but not on rooftop)
Braxton Barrel House
Fort Mitchell (2019)
The latest installment of the Braxton Brewing umbrella opened in September of 2019, and features a taproom, large outdoor patio, and a 20,000 square foot storage facility for housing bourbon and other types of barrels for aging beer.
Known for barrel aged beers
Food: bring your own
Dog friendly: yes, inside and out
Braxton Cincinnati
Pendleton (2020)
The latest installment of the Braxton Brewing umbrella opened in the former 3 Points space in Pendleton.
Food: Pendalo Winery
Dog friendly: no
BrewDog Cincinnati
Pendleton (2019)
Scotland-based BrewDog opened its second largest US taproom in Pendleton, featuring a large dining and bar area, game area on the loft-second floor, and a rooftop bar.
Food: brewpub
Dog friendly: service dogs only
Brink Brewing Co.
College Hill (2017)
Brink has a really cool spot with garage door windows that open to Hamilton Avenue. The beer is delicious, the overall branding is great, and there’s a dog-friendly patio that opens to the back (where there is a public parking lot). Located on the 17 bus line.
Known for: GABF medal-winning beers (Hold the Reins, Moozie)
Food: food trucks on occasion; Chung Ching, Kiki, MashRoots, Rasheedah’s Cafe, and Tortilleria Garcia nearby
Dog friendly: yes, inside and out
Darkness Brewing
Bellevue (2016)
Darkness features a smaller indoor space with games (giant Connect Four!), plus a sizable front area for cornhole and outdoor picnic table seating during warmer months.
Food: Darkness Diner food truck on the premises
Dog friendly: yes, inside and out
Dead Low Brewing
California (2019)
Dead Low is nicely-designed brewpub with beautiful outdoor seating situated near the Ohio River and named for the “minimum depth of water the boat needs to float.” It serves excellent food and craft root beer in addition to nearly a dozen of its own beers brewed onsite.
Food: brewpub
Dog friendly: patio only
Esoteric
Walnut Hills (2020)
Esoteric is Cincinnati’s only minority-owned brewery and is located in the former Paramount Theater, a Walnut Hills landmark at Peebles Corner. The beautifully renovated space is comfortable and large with high ceilings.
Food: Decibel Korean Fried Chicken
Known for: traditional styles
Dog friendly: patio only
Fabled Brew Works
Erlanger (2023)
Craft brewery and meadery in a unique setting in Northern Kentucky.
Food: follow them on social for their food truck schedule
Known for: meads and bold beers
Fibonacci Brewing Company
Mt. Healthy (2015)
Nanobrewery and urban farm (goats, chickens, and honeybees) with onsite Airbnb. They use ingredients grown onsite and foraged nearby from local farms.
Food: food trucks on occasion
Dog friendly: no
Fifty West Brewing Company
Mariemont (2012)
Fifty West is an entire campus featuring a full-service restaurant and brewpub, as well as the Burger Bar across the street with plenty of outdoor seating.
Food: Fifty West Burger Bar and Brewpub
Dog friendly: outside only
Fretboard Brewing
Norwood (2023)
Expansion (original location in Blue Ash) taproom located in the Gatherall at Factory 52, a mixed-use development, featuring craft beer and cocktails as well as live music and events.
Food: several vendors opening in the Gatherall space
Dog friendly: patio only
Serves: beer, craft cocktails, NA drinks, wine, cider, and seltzers
Hi-Wire Brewing
Norwood (2023)
Asheville-based brewery and taproom in the Factory 52 mixed-use development, featuring approachable and balanced beers.
Food: Angilo’s delivers to the taproom and Factory 52 Gatherall food hall
Dog friendly: yes
Serves: beer, wine, cider, seltzer, soda, and NA beer
HighGrain Brewing Co.
Silverton (2019)
Neighborhood brewpub featuring old-world styles with a modern twist, as well as a focus on sustainability and carbon neutral beer; located in the rehabbed Silverton Memorial Municipal building, serving a rotating menu of approachable, forward thinking pub fare.
Serves: beer, cocktails, wine
Food: brewpub
Dog friendly: patio only
HighGrain Brewing Co.
Brentwood (coming soon)
Expansion brewpub and event space coming 2024.
Hofbräuhaus
Newport (2003)
America’s first authentic Hofbräuhaus, modeled after the legendary 400+ year-old Hofbräuhaus in Munich, brewing four year-round German biers.
Food: brewpub
Dog friendly: patio only
Humble Monk Brewing Co.
Northside (2019)
Northside’s newest craft brewery with a Belgian influence, featuring an outdoor beer garden.
Food: bring your own and occasional food trucks; free delivery from NYPD Pizza (featuring a Humble Monk special: $10.99 XL pizza and $1.50 for toppings)
Dog friendly: yes
Karrikin Spirits Company
Fairfax (2019)
Craft distillery and private event space, producing beer, seltzer, and spirits.
Food: private event space
Dog friendly: patio only
Knox Joseph Distillery at the OTR StillHouse
OTR (2021)
Distillery, winery, and brewery, featuring live music, food truck fare, and large beer garden.
Producing: beer, spirits, wine, seltzer, craft soda
Food: food truck
Dog friendly: no
Listermann Brewing Company
Norwood/Evanston (1991)
Listermann has become quite a staple in the local beer scene, with its improved taproom and outdoor seating areas, plus outdoor space to hold large beer events like Starkbierfest. Moonlights as a home-brewing supplies store.
Known for: stouts and NEIPAs
Food: food trucks on occasion
Dog friendly: no
MadTree Brewing
Oakley (2013)
MadTree was already massively popular in Cincinnati’s beer scene, but its move into a renovated 50,000 square foot space with an outdoor patio, garage windows, and large eatery onsite propelled it to juggernaut status. The parking situation is a bit better, too. Located on the 11/Madison Road bus line.
Known for their large, varied selection
Food: brewpub
Dog friendly: patio only
MadTree Alcove
OTR (2022)
Restaurant, taprooms, and event space featuring farm-to-table and locally sourced American dishes, as well as MadTree beers.
Food: menu
Dog friendly: no
March First
Downtown Cincinnati (2023)
March First’s newest edition in the form of a brewpub on Fountain Square.
Food: menu here
Moerlein Lager House
Central Business District (2012)
Brewpub and microbrewery prominently situation near Smale Riverfront Park, with proximity to The Banks, GABP, Paycor Stadium, and more.
Food: brewpub
Dog friendly: no
New Riff Distilling
Newport (2014)
“A new riff on an old tradition.” Kentucky whiskey distillery.
Food: no
Dog friendly: no
Nine Giant Brewing
Pleasant Ridge (2016)
I love the layout and overall design. The teal tile is gorgeous, and there is plenty of seating and standing room throughout. I particularly love the garage-style windows that open to the street (Montgomery Road), and the atmosphere in the place is great.
Food: brewpub
Dog friendly: no
Nine Giant Fermentorium
Pleasant Ridge (2021)
Barrel-aged and small batch beers, tropical tiki cocktails; private events.
Food: no
Dog friendly: no
Northern Row
OTR (2020)
Brewery and distillery with a patio space in Cincinnati’s historic brewery district, located inside of a former Christian Moerlein icehouse.
Brewing: traditional beers and spirits with a modern twist
Food: food menu (sandwiches, salads, and sides)
Dog friendly: TBD
Northside Distilling Co.
CBD (2017)
Downtown Cincinnati’s first distillery since prohibition producing bourbon, gin, vodka, agave, and seasonal rum as well as limited-edition specialty releases and private label spirits.
Food: no
Dog friendly: no
Northwood Cider Co.
Norwood (2022)
Cincinnati’s first dedicated hard cider company from farm fresh apples, as well as a happy hour meeting spot.
Food: no
Dog friendly: TBD
Revel OTR
OTR (2017)
Bar, event space, and urban winery specializing g in handcrafted small batch wines.
Food: no
Dog friendly: no
Rhinegeist Brewery
OTR (2013)
Rhinegeist is massive and it’s located in an old warehouse in the Brewery District, right on the streetcar line. It features cornhole boards, ping pong tables, wiffle ball leagues and tournaments, an event space, and a rooftop deck with DJs on the weekend.
Food: bring your own
Dog friendly: no
Robert James Distillery
Norwood (2020)
Tasting room.
Food: no
Dog friendly: no
Robert James Distillery
Madisonville (2022)
Taproom and beer garden.
Food: Element Eatery
Dog friendly: no
Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom
OTR (2018)
Boston-based (but Cincinnati brewed since 1997) brewery opened a second taproom—its first outside of Boston—featuring a 9000 square foot facility with 12–20 Sam Adams beers on tap at all times, and indoor and outdoor seating (beer garden).
Food: pretzels sold onsite, bring your own, occasional food trucks
Dog friendly: patio only
Second Sight Spirits
Ludlow (2019)
Distillery and lounge, producing Kentucky bourbon and fine rums.
Food: no
Dog friendly: no
Skeleton Root
OTR (2016)
Urban winery and event space. All wines are dry and produced with minimal intervention.
Food: light bites and boards
Dog friendly: no
Streetside Brewery
Columbia Tusculum (2016)
Streetside features street parking, a patio with a handful of tables, plus seating for a couple dozen inside, which has a great view of brewing tanks and equipment visible from the taproom.
Food: food trucks on occasion
Dog friendly: patio only
Taft’s Brewing Company Brewpourium
Spring Grove Village (2017)
Taft’s has expanded into the Brewing Company production facility on Spring Grove Avenue, featuring garage door windows, TVs, and coal-fired pizza by Apizza. A different, more laid back atmosphere than the Ale House. (Not a negative, just an observation.)
Food: Apizza
Dog friendly: patio only
Urban Artifact
Northside (2015)
Located in an old church, Urban Artifact features a taproom with live music (and a huge event calendar on the wall), full bar, a small outdoor patio, and an event space. Known for their “wild beers.”
Known for: sours
Food: Wildfire Pizza Kitchen
Dog friendly: patio only
Voodoo Brewing Co
Central Business District (2023)
Pennsylvania-based brewery opened an independently owned brewpub in the former Deskey building on Eighth downtown.
Food: brewpub
West Side Brewing
Westwood (2017)
West Side Brewing calls Harrison Avenue in Westwood home, where there are TVs, events throughout the week, and food onsite. WSB is located in the Westwood DORA and Town Hall Park (and playground) is right across the street.
Food: Catch-A-Fire Pizza
Dog friendly: every Wednesday
West Sixth Box Park
Newport (2017)
Mini taproom extension from Lexington based West Sixth. Beers on draft and cans to go.
Food: Levee food
Dog friendly: outdoors at the Levee
Wiedemann’s Fine Beer
St. Bernard (2018)
150 years of beer reimagined in the new Wiedemann Brewery in St. Bernard, featuring a tavern-like taproom and eventually a tree-lined Bohemian Beer Garden.
Food: Kitchen onsite (menu)
Dog friendly: biergarten
Woodburn Brewing
East Walnut Hills (2021)
The second edition of The Woodburn was acquired by March First and reopened its doors in East Walnut Hills complete with a new lounge area and a full kitchen, as well as plans for an outdoor beer garden with shelters, an outdoor bar, and a band stand for live music.
Food: kitchen onsite
Dog friendly: patio only
Wooden Cask Brewing Company
Newport (2016)
Large, open taproom featuring couches, games, free popcorn, and 12 beers on tap.
Food: food trucks on occasion, bring your own
Dog friendly: outside only
Wooden Cask Levee Taproom
Newport (2021)
Walk-up taproom featuring the same beer as the original Newport taproom.
Food: Beards & Bellies BBQ
Dog friendly: outside at the Levee
[Updated 4/17/24]