16 Lots Brewing Co
753 Reading Rd, Mason – closed
1 Levee Way, Newport (Southern Outpost) – closed
16 Lots opened in Mason in September 2017, with a small list of beer options and pizza available inside the taproom from Mad Monks. The space is big and vast, at over 6,000 square feet with a giant shuffleboard, dart boards, a big bar, and plenty of table seating. The whole place has sort of a ‘rustic chic’ style and reminds me of something Chip and Joanna Gaines would create if they decided to design a bar on “Fixer Upper.” It’s designed to be warm and inviting, and a place where you want to spend awhile.
Although they opened with pretty traditional options for beer – a pilsner, a wheat beer, an IPA, etc. – they’ve quietly added to their tap list with some seasonal offerings, and have continued to focus on traditional German styles.
16 Lots Southern Outpost
In May 2023, 16 Lots opened a “Southern Outpost” location in the former Jefferson Hall at Newport on the Levee. The location occupies 7,700 square feet of interior space that houses the 10 bbl brewery, taproom and an upscale gastropub. There is also a 3,000 square foot patio with views of the Ohio River, and a 1,000 square foot part of the brewery will be turned into “Sgt. Del’s Cigar Hideout.”
The 10 bbl brewery will triple the production capacity for 16 Lots, from 1,000 barrels to 3,000 barrels annually. The location got even more hype when brewer Chris Mitchell, formerly of Listermann, Woodburn, and OTR StillHouse joined as head brewer and co-owner. Joshua Campbell was also announced to head the food program.
Must-try beer: Muddy Creek (Oatmeal Stout) – 16 Lots is one of the lesser-known Cincinnati breweries, as they’re a little ways away from the city’s core in Mason. Muddy Creek is their flagship oatmeal stout, a nice chewy dark beer perfect for colder days. It is surprisingly low ABV at just 5.1%, making the smooth chocolatey and oaty flavor go down even easier.
Other great beers: The Major, Pike Street
Major Awards
US Open Beer Championship
- Flotilla (Belgian Witbier) – Bronze Medal – 2024
- Smuggler’s (Coffee Beer) – Bronze Medal – 2024
- Lulu Bean (Coffee Flavored Beer) – Bronze Medal – 2019
Ohio Craft Brewers Cup
- Soak City (NEIPA/IPA) – Silver Medal – 2019
King of Ohio
- Soak City (Hazy IPA) – Silver Medal – 2019