There’s usually smoke before fire, and rumors of an acquisition of Cartridge Brewing had been going around Cincinnati for a few weeks. We now know that the Maineville based brewery has been purchased by Cleveland-based Saucy Brew Works.
Cartridge Brewing opened in 2020 in the renovated Peters Cartridge Factory north of Cincinnati. The large space features a full-service kitchen and bar.
Their beer has quickly become well-respected, as head brewer Adam Mills has brewed beers that won three medals at the US Open Beer Championship, including a gold for Escape, a pina colada wheat beer. Mills and the entire staff – as well as the Cartridge brand – are expected to remain with the new ownership. The three founders – Kyle and Lindsey Hackbarth and Anthony Cook – will depart after 30 days.
Cartridge seems to fit well with Saucy Brew Works, as their menu is situated around Detroit-style deep dish pizzas, and the name Saucy comes from their concept as a pizzeria and brewery.
After opening their original location in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood, Saucy has quickly expanded to locations in Pinecrest (east of Cleveland in Orange), Columbus, Detroit, and Sandusky. Saucy co-founder and CEO Brent Zimmerman is a Miami University grad so a Cincinnati location was never out of the question for them.
The unique move echoes of some of the moves of Blue Ash-based March First Brewing, which has purchased FigLeaf Brewing Co. and Woodburn Brewing. The Saucy move into Cincinnati continues a trend of outside breweries entering the Cincinnati market, as Maria Stein-based Moeller Brew Barn opened in the former Rivertown location in Monroe and Asheville-based Hi-Wire Brewing will open at Factory 52 next year.