Where to Buy Beer Between Wheeling & Columbus?

Columbus IPA and Columbus Bodhi are great. That's all I got. I'll let the locals help you out from here.

 

Dey ain't canz doh!

 

"Preferably", not mandatory!

 

Winerak Market in Zanesville https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/7903/ and Mr. G's Carryout & Drive-Thru in Cambridge https://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/31243/ are the only two stores listed in the BA database in that stretch of I-70. The last reviews of Winerak look pretty good.

 

Not even from the area, but is well skilled in Google-fu.

Also, @Keffa will be here in the morning to set you upon your yellow brick road.

 

I showed up a little early

Man OP, you are in beer nowhere in Thornville. The closest GOOD beer place to where you'll be in Thornville is Beverage Source in Newark (1551 W Church St, Newark, OH 43055). They have a small, but fantastic selection. The guys there know their beer, and they often get things that other places simply don't. (FWIW, one time when I worked for Weasel Boy, I walked in, and they had just got a case of Cantillon Rose De Gambrinus. Yeah, they get that kind of stuff sometimes.)

While you are in the Thornville area, I'd suggest stopping off in Buckeye Lake to Buckeye Lake Brewery (5176 Walnut Rd, Buckeye Lake, OH 43008), as they do crowlers of their beer. Shovelhead is a very, very underrated DIPA, and if it's a fresh batch, it'll stand with practically any hoppy beer in Ohio.

Another place semi-close by to Thornville just off of 70 and Route 79 is Homestead Beer Co. (811 Irving Wick Dr W, Heath, OH 43056). Homestead also makes some beer that flies under the radar (Artist Series anything, 3MC's, Galactic Heroes). Their core lineup is okay to good, but the IPA's and specialties are usually above the good level. I don't think I've been truly disappointed by any of their beers.

As was mentioned, Winerak in Zanesville (2336 Maple Ave, Zanesville, OH 43701) is a solid stop (and has been getting steadily better since right before I left Zanesville, since the owner Mike's son took over as the beer manager). His son (can't remember his name for the life of me) is a beer geek, but isn't a member on here as far as I know. He's been getting a lot better stuff in there over the last 2 years. The biggest plus to Winerak is that they get special releases/rarities that literally sit because Zanesville is a town of less than 30k people, not a ton of people know good beer. The downside is beer sits because people don't know good beer. Check dates on anything you pick up, and if it's a hoppy beer with no date, I'd steer away.

While in Zanesville (and depending on time and day), Weasel Boy Brewing is a good stop (126 Muskingum Ave, Zanesville, OH 43701). Cool space right along the river, good beer, good pizza, very laid back. There are a couple new beers on tap (Collabo Grisette, Schwarzbier) that I haven't had, but I've had everything else. Out of what they have right now, I'd go for the Cream Ale.

Mr. G's, unless they've got SIGNIFICANTLY better since I was there last in 2015, I'd avoid it completely. Their idea of craft beer is normal lineup stuff from Dogfish, Stone, and a handful of others, plus a very limited selection of Belgians like Duvel and Piraat. Not worth it, IMO.


Those are the places I know of. If you want any other info, let me know, I'll do what I can to help out.

Cheers!

Kef

 

FWIW, those places I mentioned above Winerak (Beverage Source, BLB, Homestead) are all further west than Thornville. Not a long ways west, but still past your destination. Up to you if you want to visit them.

If not, Winerak is your go to, hands down.

 

Oh, and if there's any Wolf's Ridge Dire Wolf (and any of its variants) at Winerak, get them. Well, well worth it.

 

Not Google on this one, but I like using Places : Nearby as a source. I was also guessing that @keffa would likely chime in because I've noticed his BA activity and also him being from the Zanesville area.

 

There's not a ton of beer places in Zanesville. Weasel Boy and The Barn are about your only real options for on premise drinking, and Winerak is your beer shop. There's a top 100 pizzeria on Maple Ave (very close to Winerak, as well) called Adornetto's that has fantastic pizza and Italian food. Been there for over 50 years, everything is scratch made. Probably the only place I regularly recommend for food in Zanesville (there is a BBQ place in Nashport called Bill's Real Pit BBQ that is absolutely superb, but it is about a 15 minute drive north of Zanesville).

If you do stay in Zanesville, I'd suggest the Holiday Inn Express (1101 Spring St. Zanesville, OH 43701), or Hampton Inn (1009 Spring St, Zanesville, OH 43701), as those are the two that are the nicest/cleanest. Stay far, far, far away from the Travel Inn (6th St) and Red Roof Inn (7th St) as they are both the dirtiest hotels. Travel Inn also is known for prostitution and drugs. The Baymont is alright, as is the Fairfield and the Comfort Inn.

All of the hotels are close to downtown (and easy to get back onto 70).

As far as beer recommendations, I couldn't tell you what to grab because I don't know what's fresh right now other than what's on tap at Weasel Boy. Out of those, I'd drink the Cream Ale or the Grisette (because I haven't had the grisette, I've had the Cream Ale).

Cheers

 

Can't say I blame you. Wheeling really isn't that bad of a drive from Zanesville.

I would say that at Winerak, just be willing to look through the single shelf. You never know what you might find hidden. I've found BA Dark App mixed in with regular DA.

 

If you need a bottle shop in Wheeling look at either Smoker Friendly. The one at the Highlands by Cabelas is a little nicer than the one on Wheeling Island. Ohio has a much better beer selection but whiskey is cheaper in WV and Smoker Friendly has a really good selection of whiskey.

 

I would second the Smoker Friendly in the Highlands. Do not even bother with any of their other locations. I believe they keep their draft list updated on untapped, and they fill crowlers. You could also stop at the Mt. DeChantal Krogers. They probably have the 2nd best selection next to Smoker Friendly, except no draft. Keep in mind of where you are though and set your expectations accordingly. While in Wheeling you could check out the 2 breweries in town. They are both located pretty close to each other. Wheeling Brewing Co. and Brew Keepers. Around town you could check out other local eateries such as Ye Olde Alpha, Vagabond Kitchen, Avenue Eats, Later Gator, Market Vines. Those are pretty much in order, except for Vagabond, only because they have limited hours. Also I will list Generations for drinking only. Food is so-so, but their draft list competes with everyone else mentioned.

 

Late to this discussion, but going to be in Wheeling this Thursday for a few hours. I'm going to hit Smoker Friendly and check out what they have. Was wondering if anyone has went to Valley Wine Cellar in Steubenville. Or is there another place I could check out? Was thinking if I hopped into Ohio somewhere close I could find something good. Appreciate the help!