Rivertown Brewery & Barrel House

 

 

 

 

Really want to like this place a lot however lately they have had some serious consistency issues. Ojos is generally solid and Sour Cherry Porter however some of the one offs have been acidic messes lately. I hope they get through some of the growing pains and put out a more consistent product.

 

 

If this review was only for their original location, it would be a little better. One of the OG Cincy breweries, they've always had plenty of interesting beer choices, and I always like that about them. The new place is so large and souless. It just doesn't feel like a cool, hometown brewery anymore.

 

 

 

Cool spot and good beer. Warehouse location. Staff was polite and informative. I'll be back.

 

 

 

 

Lots of stuff available at the brewery that is not available in bottles. Generally have a good selection of barrel aged and sours unavailable elsewhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The brewery is located in a innocuous warehouse in an innocuous warehouse district. When I visited, they had bbq and burgers being served off the grill outside by a food truck, it's always nice to have food options whether they're integrated or not.

The tap room is small and only accommodates a short bar top, a narrow standing counter, and a small gift area, although there's an adjoining room for additional seating with more tables and chairs. There's nothing particularly special or charming about the decor, although it's right next to the brewing area and it's cool to gander over and see what's fermenting.

They had around 15 taps or so, all Rivertown beer and no guest taps. They had a very good selection of beer, even though it's all their own, for all palates and moods. They also sell packaged bottles which is nice. Sour bombers are a bit on the pricey side but definitely worth trying at least once, and the flights and other offerings are reasonable enough to balance it out. On my visit they just rereleased the Old Sour Cherry Porter which is underrated in my opinion. The woman serving us was very well versed in their beer with the practiced charisma of someone who has recited the same spiel for years, or someone who actually is interested in beer. Or both. She was very pleasant and very eager to help us enjoy their beer.

The Rivertown brewery isn't anything special to look at, but I enjoyed it. They offer tours for $5 and either give you a beer or a pint glass, I'm not sure which one because I didn't opt in, but it's there. They make some great sours for the novice palate and beyond so it's worth the trip if only for that. What they lack in visually pleasing architecture they more than make up for in their passion for the craft. I'll definitely stop by again my next visit.