Jackie O's (2018)

Anyone with ONE spare bottle of BB Black Maple, please PM me. Might consider sending a finger at this point. Is that weird? Yeah, that's weird. Don't care.

 

Would you throw in a toe to seal the deal? Just curious is all really.

 

The farthest I'll go is the middle fella. Big toe and "index" toe are off limits. I have my limits.

 

I was just at the brewpub this past Sunday for the first time... We were in Columbus so we decided to detour the hour and a half south to Athens to visit, then back up to Columbus on the way home to Cleveland to stop at Columbus Brewing.

Jackie-O's was nice, but I expected "more" for some reason. Not sure if the taproom is anymore impressive (we only went to the brewpub), but I don't think I would go out of my way to visit it again. Don't get me wrong, they have some really impressive stuff... But compared to a few others I have been to (FatHeads, Victory, Southern Tier, Troegs, Market Garden, etc...) atmosphere was just OK. Felt more like a local bar than a brewery of any sort, and because I dig the whole "sit in the middle of the brewery" type atmosphere over bar type places you can see why. For what it was though, it was cozy and nice.

But again, beers were great. I did the large tasting sampler and was able to try a lot I have not seen bottled:

Waka Waka Waka (really impressive! 5/5)
Drawn and Portered (again, extremely delicious 5/5)
O'hooley's Irish Stout (3/5)
Ja Bitte Kolsch (2.5/5)
Pilsaaz (3.5/5)
Really Nelson (Nitro - 4/5... First nitro IPA I had... Probably would have liked the standard a bit more, still great though!)
Humulus Union (4/5)
Dilly Dally (4/5)
Funky South Paw (I liked this one... The sourness was strange but oddly refreshing... 4/5)
BBA Dark Apparition (no rating... not a fan of BA stuff... I am sure those who are would have loved it though!).

 

You realize they are still getting their shit together after a fire, right?

Beyond that, I really can't think of a place with a better atmosphere in Ohio... it's in beautiful southern Ohio, right on the oldest campus in the state. To think a place like Market Garden would be considered better is odd.

In any case, you are certainly entitled to an opinion, but Jackie O's is one of my two favorite breweries in the state, for the beer, people and atmosphere.

 

I understand that... But I am just sharing my opinion based off of my experience and where else I've been.

Market Garden was likely pushing it I admit... But Troegs, Victory, Southern Tier and Fatheads (Taphouse, not the restaurant location) and are all "better" to me. Southern Tier wins in the beauty department... Visiting in the fall, the area and brewery are just gorgeous. I don't see how Jackie-O's could even compete honestly being in the middle of a college campus... It's not bad, but nothing special to me either. Perhaps it's because I don't want to even be near a college after 'suffering' through 7yrs of engineering school and just graduating last year!

Again, not bashing it at ALL. I really enjoyed visiting and the beer/people were great. I just wouldn't go out of my way to go back, given it's location is generally out of the way from where I typically travel to in Ohio.

 

The brewpub wasn't as affected as much as the public house, which is what I think might have been a game changer as far as his experience. They have a bunch of different beers on tap at the public house, but I don't think it opens until 8 or 9, at least on the day I went.

Anyway, if @invertalon would have gone to the brewery and taproom his opinion might be different. There's no food there so it really is more of a brewery experience, even if the taproom isn't right in the middle of the brewery, as compared to the brewpub IMO.

 

Yeah, I would have preferred to go to the taphouse if possible over the brewpub... I personally didn't care about getting any food, so the taproom would have been great... Although the cheese/hummus platter we got was delicious.

Sadly, it didn't open for another 3hrs or so when we were in the area. Fatheads is very similar though... I really don't like the restaurant/brewpub at all, but the taphouse is incredible. I only go to the brewpub for exotic releases... The atmosphere is just meh to me compared to sitting in the middle of their production facility! Plus I find the staff and low-key, laid back atmosphere at the taphouse/brewery more enjoyable.

If we are in the area again I will make a point to stop and visit the Jackie-O's taproom/brewery next time.

 

I can see what you mean regarding Fat Heads, but I still have a lot of love for the brewpub. That's where I REALLY got into craft beer when it first opened and I have so many friends and family members that have done the same. I as well as most of my friends/family live much closer to the brewpub as well so it's a good spot to meet up for a beer.

Back to JO's, I recommend trying to make it out to the taproom next time you're considering a trip to Athens. Plus that's where they sell their BA beers to go, which are all fantastic.

 

Eh, I guess I put more emphasis on beer and people than the actual structure. Different strokes and all that. I mean, for instance, Fat Head's taphouse is cool and relaxing and has a good brewery vibe, but when I walk outside I'm in an industrial park in Middleburg Heights. I go there for the beer and that's pretty much it. Anyway, cheers and no offense intended.

 

Oh, and Russian River is in a strip mall on a street that looks like it could be in Parma. Just saying...

 

No offense taken! Everyone has different preferences and that what makes forums a fun place... differences! Makes for nice discussions.

Yeah, the FH brewery is in a crazy location... Nobody can ever find the place. I feel bad for our friend who runs the phones there, they constantly get calls from lost people. Literally, every 5-10mins they get a call. I think they need to buy a bigger sign with letters taller than 3".

I also put emphasis on the beer/people, but I also appreciate the atmosphere inside (not so much the surrounding area and where it's located) as part of the overall experience.

 

I can totally see where Jackie O's wouldn't stand out in terms of looks. It might also be a turnoff to new folks visiting for the first time where all you can really do is cram into the tiny brewpub. It can feel claustrophobic when it starts to get even slightly packed. However, I am also the type of person that feels that the beer is what needs to be the focal point. I have gone to places that are absolute holes in the wall and yet their beers are fantastic. Contrary to that, I've been to some BEAUTIFUL new brewery spaces and the beers have been subpar at best. That's tough to imagine coming from my mouth, because I'm a self-admitted "high rater" when it comes to beers. All of that said, I can't imagine Jackie O's any other way. You could chop off half of the fingers on one of my hands and I may still have some left over when trying to count the number of breweries I can think of that do so many beers so consistently well.

I would offer this suggestion. Follow them on social media or just stay up to date on here. Come to the next bottle release. The beers on tap will blow your mind. The beers they sell for the release will do the same. Come and hang out with a bunch of beer nerds in that crowded little space that may not look spectacular and tell me that it just doesn't feel right. I think that experience will make you a believer. If not, continue to enjoy their beers from afar. Just be cautioned that you will be missing out on some awesome stuff!

 

I'm pretty sure Middleburg Heights won't let them get their own, bigger sign.

 

THIS. So much this. Come to a release. You will never be the same. It is like Christmas every single time.

 

Are the BA Dark App bottles sold out at the brewery? I don't see them listed on the website.

 

I saw Brad post on FB that Wood Ya Honey will be making a return. Now THAT is some great news.

 

Oh noes! I was hoping they would hang around until the next 375 was released.

 

Yes we still have them at the brewery. But they are moving pretty quick. we have ruffly 100 cases still in stock!