Driving through Ohio next week. Flying into Detroit and the fastest way to get where I am going is through Toledo and Cincinnati. It's unlikely but I could go through Columbus. If I only have a few extra hours, what are the must go to bottle shops or breweries on those routes? Are there any recent releases to look out for? I am coming from San Francisco and would love to find some great bottles to take back home. Specifically looking for BA Stouts > Wild Ales > Hops. Also PM me if you are in one of those cities and looking to IP trade for California beers, have some RR, Firestone, Sante, Rare Barrel, Bruery, other distro.
The Andersons - Toledo Belmont Party Supply - Dayton Jungle Jims - Fairfield and Eastgate (Cincinnati) The Party Source - Belview (Northern KY, just across the river from Cincy) Swinging to Columbus would be a huge detour off 75. 75 is no man's land between Toledo and Dayton. Don't even think about stopping.
Columbus: Crafted Drafts(Gahanna) and Andersons(Dublin), Weilands(Clintonville), Winking Lizard Lizardville Store (Westerville)
With only a few hours Columbus wouldn't work. From 75 its at least an hour if not more just to get to the western outskirts of Columbus. I wouldn't recommend it. @kellyst 's recommendations are best. I've made this run on several occasions.
Stop at Maumee Bay Brewing in Toledo and have a Total Eclipse Breakfast Stout and Amarillo Brillo DIPA. Definitely Jungle Jims Fairfield (Cincy). Not out of the way and an experience in itself. Then across the river to The Party Source. Rhinegeist is going to be your closest place down there. I think Mad Tree has better beers if you have more time.
Bowling Green has a pretty good store right off I-75, BG Liquor I think it's called? Yeah, stay out of Findlay, nothing to see here.
If you want to pick up some Michigan beers, Merchant's Fine Wine in Dearborn is probably the best shop that is close to the Detroit airport. It's 7-8 miles away and would be a detour before you start driving south toward Ohio. I don't follow Schramms to know for sure, but I'll guess that you can get it at Merchant's.
There is also Noir Fine Wine & Beer at that exit. Usually where I pop in. But check dates on everything.
BPS has a second location called Ollie's Place. Less than 10min off I-75 in Centerville. http://www.olliesplacedayton.com/ Great retail selection + 60 taps on the bar/restaurant side. You can get a pint at the bar and drink it while checking out the bottle selection.
The Jungle Jims (either one) and The Party Source are must stops in the Cincinnati area. For local wild/sours I would recommend Rivertown (Cincinnati brewery doing great sours, also relatively inexpensive). But those three stores (really Party Source and either JJ's) are going to cover anything you can get in the area.
Same place actually--They were once BG liquor but sold the liquor license so the old name did not really make much sense. I think the sign that lists all of the shops in the plaza might still say Liquor.
