Old Mill Craft Beer

Stopped in last weekend on one of my many long drives from NC to Michigan each year. The wife and I have always been curious but this place is either closed on the days we travel or it's just bad timing. Well, we finally made the time. Had the wife and two young daughters in tow. I agree with the previous review that said this is definitely geared more toward wine tastings, but that's ok. The big roadside sign says Merry Family Winery. Saw no signage for Old Mill Craft Beer anywhere. My wife had a flight of 6 samples from the over 20 they offered. Unfortunately, she wasn't impressed with them.

I had 6 of the 8 beers available. Shandy (light and lemon sour, which i enjoyed on that hot afternoon), vanilla butter ale (which had vanilla notes but almost some oil-like quality), pilsner (which was unremarkable but unoffensive), imperial ale (a 7% strong red ale which was my favorite of the bunch), black lager (tasted good as well), and Warning Bell IPA (i didn't pick up much from the advertised 'overwhelming hop flavor' but otherwise fine.

The staff was pleasant in serving us. The big red barn looking structure is inviting with a big koi pond out front. A large covered deck seating area out back was comfy to sit and enjoy our samples while gazing over the hop bines and vineyards. The tasting list states they do fill other brewery's growlers so I will make a point of brining one or two on my next drive through. I'll stop in and get a couple fills to go if nothing else.

Was passing by so thought I'd check it out. Pull up to a nice 2 story building that looks very inviting. Once inside it is obvious that this is mainly a winery, but they have started a brewery about 4 years ago, according to the owner. They do have samples for tasting and you can enjoy an outside seating area as well. They had 7 different brews on tap and 3 different bottles to purchase along with growlers

I discovered Old Mill Craft Beer on my way to West Virginia for work. It is the Merry Family Winery that also makes beer. The place is easily spotted off US-35 on State Route 850. It is an old barn that has been refurbished. After speaking with the owner I found out it was originally a Bob Evans Farms barn that was damaged in a tornado years ago.

I chose to visit on a Saturday evening due to the fact that they closed at 6pm during the week and were open until 8pm on Friday and Saturday. Even knowing where the place was I had trouble seeing it. It only has a small neon open sign in the window with no other lights outside. During the day it has Merry Family Winery in giant letters on the side and is quite visible.

I entered a beautifully woodworked shop/tasting room. It was easy to see that the focus is on wine. Racks of wine lined the retail section as I walked in. A bar stretched across almost the entire length of the back wall. There were some stools and standing areas at the bar.

The beer selection is limited to five beers, Imperial Ale, Hop Lizard (IPA), Black Lager, Gallia County Pilsner, and an Irish stout. I did not care for any of the beers originally. The owner was very personable. He talked a lot more about wine. It seemed like beer is just something else to do for him, but at the same time he enjoys it. He told me about fixing up the barn and about growing his own hops. He told me how he got into the wine and beer making. I was the only one in there most of my hour and a half visit which he said was rare for a Saturday, but it was around Thanksgiving. I tried a wine sampler. They had a wide variety, but focused mainly on sweet wines. They were good. I was surprised to find out that he bottled all of the beers except the Irish stout. He also sold 64 and 22 ounce growlers. The fills were cheap, $3.50 for a 22oz and $7ish for a 64oz.

Even though I did not care for the beer I purchased a mix six of the four that were bottled for $12. They are $3 a bottle or six for $12. I am glad that I bought the bottles because every beer tasted better in the bottle which I find to be counterintuitive. They do offer a few snacks. I believe they had cheese and maybe some salami or something like that.

It is a really nice place with a really friendly owner. It may not have the best beer, but I feel that all tasting rooms are worth at least one stop. I am glad I stopped.