Road trip through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois

Columbus Brewing. Also, wads of good breweries in Indianapolis.

 

Dunno where you're going to be in IL, but if you're near Bloomington-Normal, the Destihl brewpub is not to be missed!

 

Wherever you stop in OH, make sure to find some fresh Head Hunter IPA to take home with you. Thank me later.

 

i have never been to the destihl brewpubs but have had a chance to sample quite a few of their offerings at various beer festivals. Their sours are amazeballs.

If you're rocking 70, you're not going to drive by FFF which is off of 65 in northwest indiana. But, you could stop in indianapolis at Sun King, Flat 12, Upland, bruge, triton or black acre. If you want to go to a store, Kahn's and Big Red liquors should have FFF offerings (as well as SK, F12 and Upland) but you never know exactly what you're going to find. I was at a Kahn's over the weekend and got an apocalypse cow and blackheart from the cooler. You can even get headhunter at these places.

 

While in Ohio, I would look for any Great Lakes Brewing products or Fathead's.

 

1st stop--the Great Lakes subforum

 

As mentioned, Columbus Brewing right off 70 for a Bodhi growler(s)...plus good food. And grab some IPA too. World of Beer next door has carryout bottles and sometimes has stuff hanging around that has left the beer shops. FFF is a tough one in Columbus unless you happen to stop in a place the day or two following the beer truck delivery.

Other convenient Columbus stops to I-70 are Weasel Boy Brewing (east of Cbus), The Andersons, and Cornerstone. Grandview (west of downtown) also has some stops that are pretty convenient to 70....The Ohio Taproom, Grandview Carryout, Gentiles.

Venture into Dayton to Belmont Party Supplies. Never been disappointed stopping in that place.

 

stop in columbus. go to Indianola Ave. and go to Savor Market, Savor Growl, Palmers and Wielands. then stop at the crest for a brew there they have 30 on top then swing to Bob's on high street because they have an awesome selection there too. Find CBC Bohdi its only one of two beers I recommend from them. Head hunter is at all these places but it moves fast!

 

Not much 3 Floyd's makes it down. Sun King Brewing Co is literally right off I-70 and offer free tastings of all their house beers and 3 specialties (for free).

Also, I'm not sure what is available to you at your home, but try and pick up some Great Lakes and Lagunitas.

Binny's is a great bottle shop and are scattered throughout Illinois.

 

Hopefully she is driving!

 

One more vote for stopping somewhere for Columbus Bodhi. An outstanding beer.
If you're picking up bottles to bring back, there's a ton of stuff we don't get in PA.
Revolution,Brew Kettle (White Rajah especially), Columbus,Fat Heads,Jackie O's, some Mikkeller stuff I never see in PA,etc.,etc.
If you're visiting anyone in Ohio be sure to bring them some over the 12% ABV cap stuff like Lost Abbey,Firestone Walker, Bourbon County Stout , they can't get there.

 

Illinois: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/22885/view=beerfly

 

When are you coming through? Giant Eagle grocery stores seem to have made a deal with distro for Fat Heads as I've found HeadHunter readily on the shelf at all Giant Eagle's near me for a while now - find the closest one to 70 and make a phone call. Some Kroger's have been catching up too (Maumee Bay Amarillo Brillo and Total Eclipse Stout at some).

How much time are you spending in Columbus? Coming through Columbus on the far out East side stop at Brew's Cafe in Granville (also Granville Brewing bottles and Weasel Boy in Zanesville). Hit up Columbus Brewing as others have suggested (right of 70) but skip World of Beer(good place just a chain type feel for me). Barrel and Bottle in the North Market is fun - North Market is like an incubator for smaller businesses that all make kick ass food - great place to check out - the wife might especially love it!! You're then close to Bodega (bar) and a group of breweries (Barley's, Elevator, North High, Seventh Son). Food at Elevator is kick ass. I'd personally stop at Seventh Son after getting dinner at Elevator. For a growler, stop at Ohio Taproom (counter pressure fills!! of only Ohio beer) Savor Market/Growl, Weiland's or Daily Growler (all very updated on beermenus.com).

Have fun!

 

If you are looking for a good sidetrip hike off of 70, there is Jackie O's in Athens.

 

If you're going that far out of the way you may as well drive to FFF.

In addition to Sun King in Indy check out Flat 12 and DareDevil. Fat Heads has a pub on the south side of Pittsburgh as well.