Last year Ohio saw the startup of several new breweries and several more are on pace for a 2008 opening. New in 2007 was the Black Box Brewing Co. in Westlake. With a 10-barrel brewing system, and all licenses in place, they are now starting to produce and sell beer in kegs, with bottling to follow soon. The first two beers are the Javelin, an amber rye, and Plumber’s Crack Ale, a hoppy pale ale. Collaborating with Andy Craze, brewer at the former Western Reserve Brewing Co., Black Box will also be bringing back such Western Reserve favorites as Cloud Nine, a Belgian wit beer.

 Buckeye Beer Engine in Lakewood opened in the first quarter of ’07. With 20+ taps and two cask ales featuring Buckeye Beers and select craft and imported beers, and a great menu, it has become a favorite spot for beer lovers. The Beer Engine also has a steadily growing selection of bottled beers. Buckeye Brewing Co. moved to a new larger facility and continues to brew for the Beer Engine and for distribution.

 Zanesville has its first brewery since 1918, with the opening of Weasel Boy Brewing. The name lends itself to many different interesting names for brews, such as White Weasel Wheat, Plaid Ferret Scottish Ale, Dancing Ferret IPA, Brown Stoat Stout, and Polecat Pilsner. Their beers are on tap at numerous locations in the area, and they are waiting for their license to open the tap room.

 Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. is a wonderful “comeback” story. Once a chain of three brewpubs in Ohio, they went out of the pub business several years ago. The beer continued to be contract brewed in Maryland, and Old Leghumper, Siberian Night, and Hoppus Maximus lived on. In September of 2007, Thirsty Dog returned to Akron, Ohio in a brand new brewery of its own, in a historical old building that was home to Burkhart Brewery a hundred years ago! Not only is Thirsty Dog back, they brought Tim Rastetter back to Ohio. Rastetter has a long history of brewing, from Great Lakes and Liberty Street in Ohio to several breweries in Kentucky. Starting last September, Rastetter has been busily producing some new brews for the “Dog” such as the Twelve Dogs of Christmas, my personal favorite of this past season’s Christmas ales, and Orthus, a trappist-style dubbel made with seven grains and three strains of yeast.

 The last to make its debut in 2007 was Mulholland Brewing Co. in Reynoldsburg, opening in December. Started by the father/son Mulholland team, and brewer Vince Falcone, they have an upstairs fine dining room and a downstairs casual dining room. Each has the same 20 tap handles: a few of their own with the rest being guest craft brews. Falcone is in charge of the beer procurement and focuses on Ohio brews as much as possible. You will find Weasel Boy brews on tap here, along with Black Box, and Great Lakes. “I want to keep Ohio money in Ohio,” he says. 

Previously featured in the Brewing News “one-man show” article was Fred Karm of Hoppin’ Frog Brewing Co in Akron. He actually brewed the first Hoppin’ Frog beer in the fall of 2006, but 2007 has seen tremendous growth in distribution into Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, and an increase from four beers to nine. Karm is no stranger to brewing, having won numerous medals for his beers at Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. His focus at the Hoppin’ Frog is on big and flavorful beers. 

 That was 2007; what’s coming in 2008? Cornerstone Brewing in Berea is in negotiations to open a new location in Madison. Granite City Brewing will be opening in Maumee. Ohio Brewing will be opening in Akron, with award-winning brewer Dennis Holland (of Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald, Moon Dog, and Burning River fame) at the brewing controls. The Brew Kettle will begin brewing in their new expansion brewery and adding more taps. Great Lakes will be considerably expanding their capacity, and rumor has it that a new brewery will also be opening in North Olmsted.

 In another exciting development, Ohio brewers and brewery owners have been talking for a couple of years about forming an Ohio Craft Brewers Association. It’s finally moving into reality and will benefit the public by bringing more awareness to craft brewing, a legal voice to monitor and influence legislation when necessary, and support – both technical for the brewers, and organizational for events and festivals.

 Speaking of festivals, Ohio now has Ohio Brew Week in Athens, which is a week-long brew fest featuring all Ohio breweries. Last year was the second annual, and it is held in July. On February 9, there is the 2^nd annual Winter Warmer Festival, also featuring Ohio breweries at the Rock Bottom Brewery in Cleveland. The 2^nd annual Glass City Beer Fest will be held on March 7 in Toledo, and the 4^th Annual Blues and Brews will be at Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens in Akron in July.

 Last, but definitely not least, Ohio is home to the national Homebrewer of the Year. Rick Skains won Best of Show for his smoked chipotle bock at the National Homebrew Competition. He was also featured recently in Cleveland Magazine as one of the “Most Interesting People 2008.”