Trip to Ohio

For food in Columbus I'd say Columbus Brewing or Barley's (Barley's also does growlers) (both have a bar in them, but in general are more restaurant style - kids should be fine).
As far as cbus shops, my favs are Andersons (Dublin), Palmer's Beverage and Weilands (just a couple of blocks away from each other in Clintonville).
I've... honestly never done a tour in Columbus.

June 22-30 in Athens is Ohio Brew Week, but it sounds like that juuuust before you're gonna be here...

 

You'll also pass Rockmill Brewery in Lancaster en route from Columbus to Athens, I've never visited the place, but they do some tasty things..

 

Seeing where you're coming from, I'll save my VE advice for a different thread. I can't help you with Columbus or Cincinnati, but as far as Cleveland, while I don't live there and haven't visited everywhere, my suggestions are Fat Head's in North Olmstead, The Brew Kettle in Strongsville, and/or heading to Lakewood, which has Buckeye Brewing Co., Buckeye Beer Engine for draft, Rozi's for bottles, and Melt for food. Plus there are Deagan's, Simone's, a Winking Lizard, and the Ross Deli.

Also, check out how close your are to Lizardville. (And check their hours carefully, but a worthwhile stop if it's not far out of your way.)

 

Cleveland: Buckeye Beer Engine and Fatheads will get you the most bang for your buck (both food and insane draft lists). GLBC is also a nice stop.

I'd say skip Winking Lizard itself and hit up Lizardville instead if you have the time. This will provide a beer stop and bottle shopping stop in one go.

Columbus: Bodega if you can make it for happy hour. 50 drafts, 1 cask, and at least one mead. Plus bottles. For breweries Barley's has the best food probably. Columbus Brewing Restaurant is the easiest way to ensure CBC drafts but you can find their stuff at most any bar. If you haven't had Bodhi yet, that is the definite must try beer in the city (draft only).

I cannot speak for Cincinnati but I know there are some good bottle shops for sure.

Finally, message Beace before heading over to Jackie O's and you might luck out with the hook-up (a tour of the brewery or at least some good conversation with the head brewer). I imagine that post Ohio Brew Week Jackie O's will have some fun stuff left over on draft.

Have fun, Ohio is a burgeoning beer state with a lot to offer and great distribution.

 

Jungle Jims north of Cincinnati may be good place for you with kids. Look it up, sorta like the Cabelas of whole foods type stores . Selection is vast

Be sure to pick up some Columbus ipa while your IN Columbus & some Bodhi if they bottle it

 

If you like IPA's I would suggest picking up some White Rajah (The Brew Kettle). I'm from Chicago so have no idea the distro anywhere else but I do know that you can get Necter Nugget in Ohio and I can't get it here in Chicago so that's another 6 pack I'd grab. I've had to trade for both from Ohio people.

 

If you are near Dayton, I would definitely recommend Belmont Party Supply. They were just listed as one of the best bottle shops in the world.

No matter where you, get some White Rajah by the case. You'll be glad you did.

 

BA BORIS is year round and one of the best imperial stouts I've ever tried. Get some. $17 or so.

 

Cleveland. Great Lakes does tours, and is a cool, historic setting, but doesn't scream "bring the kids". Fat Head's is a big suburbanish restaurant with great beer, huge portions of tasty food, and a family friendly atmosphere.

Columbus. Barley's Smokehouse location would be my recommendation for a family meal. Find some Columbus IPA.

Cincinnati. Jungle Jim's is a very fun store. (coolest restrooms ever) Great beer selection, and a wonderland of world food.

 

5

Agreed, though in OH BA BORIS ought to cost around $15 just about anywhere reputable...

 

And if you're lucky, $10 or $11 if it's less reputable

 

I'd rather have Columbus IPA by the case, but when in Cleveland... White Rajah growlers so it's fresh!

 

I love'em both, honestly! I just have way more experience with White Rajah because I can actually buy it in Dayton.

One time I had a 3 day old bottle of White Rajah... it was glorious.

 

They might have the best IPA* in Ohio bottled by then, Head Hunter. So keep a lookout for that.I'm pretty sure BA Boris gets distribution on the moons of Jupiter by now. If not, it is coming.




* This is strictly miketd's opinion and it is not reflective of others in this thread.

 

Fresh Rajah is pretty damn tasty!

 

FTFY.

I've had such personal variation in that beer that I don't know how I feel. The two good bottles I had were stellar, but every other experience with that beer has been meh or worse.

 

I haven't experience much bottle variation, but I would definitely say that I enjoy it on-tap or from a growler a little bit more than in the bottle, but that's to be expected, IMO.

 

A slightly "not fresh" White Rajah is nothing to write home about. A very fresh one is fantastic (or so most people think)

I'm not a big IPA guy, but I'd guess your poor experiences were due to older bottles... which isn't necessarily anyone's fault other than the Brew Kettle's for not bottle-dating.

 

For the bottles, you are correct. But White Rajah on cask at the Mini Real Ale was pretty bad, and on tap it was slightly better but still not that good. The first two bottles out of the six pack I got for new years, however, were out of this world good, but then the other 4 were bland.

Bottle dating would be nice though.