New to Ohio (2018)

Unfortunately no releases. We ought to have lots of bottles available to go though of more standard offerings.

Our next bottle releases will.occur during Columbus Beer Week. We're releasing something every day except mother's day starting Friday 5/11 with Yub Nub. The 12th will be ticketed only bottles, which will all be available later in the week for those who don't want tickets.

 

Thanks! Stopped in for about an hour and a half yesterday and really enjoyed the Taproom. The fries were really good and the perfect snack to hold us over for our show. The Creamsicle beers were both great. I might have to come back up for Columbus Beer Week.

 

There hasn't been much talk about their spot, so I wanted to break the news: Hansa Brewery doesn't suck.

They have a really nice wooden bartop, and a surprisingly wide open space with a full restaurant. If the last time you were at Hansa was to browse the imports store before this was built, it's definitely a major addition. The food menu is traditional German for the most part, and is well made--hits the spot pairing well with their beer, even the fish plates. Simple, nothing fancy.

They don't seem to have enough staff at the bar, at least early in the week. It can go untended for stints if there's a decent amount of people in the restaurant. They seem to host private parties or events regularly. However shy the staff was, they were attentive and knowledgeable when present.

As I was trying out a couple of brews, the owner saw that I hadn't gotten any of their award winners yet and gave me two freebies. I had intended to get a full pour of Black Flag, but that solidified it--it's a good Schwarzbier. Browsing the rest of the taplist, it would seem like someone else is naming these beers, and maybe I'm stereotyping, but it definitely doesn't seem like owner would be.

For those who care for less obnoxious beers that aren't over the top, these are clean, quality suds that are mostly true to style. If I'm hanging near the West Side Market, this is the brewery I'd choose to walk to. The Kolsch is not a banana bomb. The "German" IPA is pretty classic West Coast, and the Pale Ale actually came across as even hoppier, a traditional mix of West Coast and Midwest with a nice blend of pine, grapefruit, orange and cannabis. The Lichtenhainer is the best I have had of that odd style, it wasn't too smoky and had a nice tartness. And again, the Schwarzbier is good, easy drinking while still featuring a nice, roasty toasty dark character.

There's a major bonus I don't think a lot of people are aware of...their dessert menu usually has something from Farkas! That was an extremely pleasant surprise, which is an obvious given if you're already familiar with their excellent, old world pastries.

 

How's the parking around the market ?

 

I liked Hansa! The Winzig (smoked sour) is awesome if your into that sort of thing. The other stuff I recall was quite nice. Been two or three times, but it's been a while. I want to go back soon to refresh my memory on everything.

 

I found parking down the residential side street Hansa is on very easy.

I haven't ventured into the market parking since they started charging. Apparently (correct me if I'm wrong) it costs after 6PM, $1/hour, and there are also more spaces. I never had an issue parking at the market in the past when it was free, which always astounded me, especially on Saturday mornings.

 

I've always parked in the St. Ignatius lot across from Hansa for hours without issue. I believe you can on weekends after (maybe) after school hours.

 

Nice to see Starlight Lager in bottles this week. It will be cool if the new brewery allows Fat Head's to continue to package more of their European stuff. Especially Zwickerla and the Vienna lager.

 

Just give me a 4pk of Alpenglow. I can then die happy.

 

My thoughts exactly. Alpineglow is a terrific beer. Although, I think Goggle Fogger has come a long way and improved very much. Had a glass of each the other day and was pleased with both.

 

For those in the Cleveland/west area - Beer Engine has their 420 hopfest underway. Lots of nice taps normally not seen around here. Super Juicy Hop Juju with Mango was a great choice. Good mix of traditional IPAs, big IPAs (including 120 minute), NE IPAs. Nice to get Masthead, JAFB, Oddsite (cask), berry Bodhi, and others in one place. More good stuff rotating throughout the weekend.

 

Not new to Ohio but people really need to recognize Grip it by the Husk by Lineage Brewing in Columbus. If you're looking for a legit toasted coconut flavor this is your beer. None of that coconut cream sweet flavor shit. /endrant/promo

 

Sorry to drop another one of these so soon, but I haven't heard much talk of Noble Creature, and being very new in the state, I thought I'd mention a little about them.

If you happen to be in the Youngstown area, Noble Creature is definitely a promising little spot that could hopefully develop into something great over time.

Their beer is surprisingly polished for their age, especially considering their ambition. While they have some nice Stouts, IPAs, a tasty Dunkel, and even a couple NE-style IPAs, they are specializing in sour and funky brews. They want to gently introduce the greater beer drinking public of Youngstown to sour beers, and I think they're doing a great job not going overboard, providing introductory sours aged in oak that maintain enough complexity to impress the skeptical, without being harsh, extreme or funky enough to turn off the more casual. If they keep up this progression, they will definitely be one to look out for.

 

I hit up Athens Kroger (a favorite of mine) the other day and they had plenty of KBS and Creeper. Snagged both.

 

Is NE Ohio really big enough for a Noble Beast and a Noble Creature?

 

lol right...and aren't there two "Missing [insert word here]" Breweries opening up soon as well?

 

Missing Mountain and Missing Falls... Cuyahoga Falls and Akron.

 

Drinking some fresh Ohio Double IPA's today

 

Chillwave is really good this year. I think that this may be one of the more underrated double IPA's out there. $10 for 4 is a steal IMO for something that's comparable to Hopslam, Nugget Nectar, and Hop Juju.

 

You had me until Juju. This is like an IQ test question: which of the four beers is diffterent from the rest?