Flywheel Brewing

I stopped by last week with my buddy on our way back to Ohio from visiting Mammoth Cave National Park. We got there only a bit after it opened at four and was filling up fast on a Tuesday. Kind of kitschy but cool décor like a pickup gate as a tap board and local art for sale and plenty of chatty locals made for a friendly and unrushed vibe. I don't think they have food, but may have food trucks and snacks. We still had a three hour drive so I had only one beer, something the bartender recommended and identified as a "Kentucky Common Ale", even though it was dark like a brown ale. It was pretty tasty, although I can't find it on the list here. I am not sure if I will ever find myself near Elizabethtown, Kentucky again but would try to stop in here. Basic, unpretentious place. Pretty cool.

Very cool, laid back place. We went during an Octoberfest in September celebration. 16 beers on tap, food truck outside, plenty of staff and seating was easily accessible. Indoor and outdoor space available. Good Beers to top it all off!

Stopped in while spending the night in Elizabethtown on a road trip, and I'm glad I did. This is a very small brewery in its own building just a few blocks off the central courthouse square of this historic town. It's got a basic taproom with simple wooden bar and tables and a few more outside on a shaded patio. The service was the high point for me, with an enthusiastic and friendly brewer/bartender on duty. He was very open and talkative with his description of the beers and recommendations. He even gave impromptu tours of the production areas for anyone who asked (It was very small, with 5- and 10-barrel fermenters, but showed pride and innovation, with some homemade equipment). They had a modern, indie mix of music playing and a relaxed vibe overall. They don't have a kitchen, but do have food trucks on some nights and always allow outside food to be brought in.

I believe they had 16 beers on tap, mostly their own. The beers varied from their flagship, an original creation they call Belgian Cream Ale, to lots of low-alcohol sours, IPAs, a brown and even a big stout. I even got to try a new stout that has not been released yet and doesn't even have a name. it was the best of the night, and I'll post a review once I see that they have gone public and given it a name. The beers I had were all tasty, with a few that were very good for their style. The brewers obviously have some originality and love of their craft. It's great to see such dedication to good beer in a place without an established beer culture.