I will be staying at the River Center in KY next week, 10/31-11/2. I will have rental car and at least 1/2 a day without plans and 2 nights. So heading to Cincinnati is not an issue. Looking for any advise on bottle shops, as I hope to get some beer and ship it back. What beers are available in the local area. Also any great bars & food for the 2 nights I am in town. Or any events that might be going on. Thanks Ray
In Cinci, I shop at Dutch's, Marty's Hops and Vines, and Jungle Jims. Dutch's has taps and also makes nice sandwiches. Marty's has taps too. Brew River, when I was last there a few months ago, had a good local list (lots of Listerman's) and tasty food.
"Bottle shop" aka grocery near Cinci: http://www.junglejims.com/planyourtrip/directions.asp [I've only been to the Fairfield location] I'm in Lexington and we have 3 craft breweries: Country Boy Brewing, Blue Stallion, and West 6th. There are several bottle shops here too.
While in Kentucky, definitely visit The Party Source in Bellevue (just east on Route 8 from your hotel). It has just recently expanded its beer department and has a very large and good selection. In addition, they are about to open a 40 tap bar headed by one of the Cincinnati's most knowledgeable beer people - Peanut. Hyde Park is a very nice store in Cincinnati where you can purchase any single in the store for 1/4 of a 4 pack, 1/6 of a 6 pack, etc. It's a small store but worth a visit. Concerning Jungle Jim's, there are two stores in the Cincinnati area. The store at Eastgate has the better beer selection and is closer to your hotel. The Fairfield store is more fun especially if you have the mentality of a 6 year old (that would be me). Have fun!
Be sure to visit some local breweries while in town. Madtree is only a ten minute drive from where you'll be. Rhinegiest is right across the river downtown and 50 West is a little further out but has great food and beer! Enjoy Cincy!
Definitely go to Party Source and get some beers, then put some in a little cooler and enjoy them at Eli's BBQ in Cincinnati for dinner (it's BYOB and cash only). Good bars/restaurants with craft beers selections include Keystone (locations in Covington KY & Cincinnati), **** and Bull (Covington and Cincinnati), The Pub (Crestview Hills, KY and Cincinnati), Molly Malones Covington, Grandview Tavern in Crescent Springs, KY, Dutchs, Incline Public House (Cincinnati Downtown west, awesome view), Rookwood in Mt Adams (great view), Beer Seller (it's a barge on the river on riverboat row in Newport, next to Hooters, by the Levee), The Lackman in Cincinnati, Morelein Lager House Downtown Cincy (right next to the ballpark), Tap House Cincinnati, Holy Grail, Yardhouse, and theres two new places in Florence, KY called Drakes and BJs (I havent been) that sound pretty cool, and that should get you started. Good bottle shops include Party Source, Dutchs, Hyde Park Winr and Spirits, Party Town (Florence, KY), Cork n Bottle (Covington, KY), and DEPs in Ft. Thomas, KY.
