Bad Tom Smith Brewing
5900 Madison Rd, Madisonville
2050 Sportys Dr, Batavia (production facility – no taproom)
Bad Tom Smith Brewing moved to Madisonville in 2020 after originally opening in the East End in 2013. The brewery is currently under its third ownership group, but they’ve seen some pretty big expansion over the past couple of years and even opened a second location in the Ohio City neighborhood in Cleveland, but that location closed in 2021.
Bad Tom Smith also distills bourbon and they offer pours and cocktails in their taproom. They recently opened a large production facility in Batavia.
Their taproom sits in an updated building on a high profile corner in Madisonville, and Bad Tom Smith Brewing offers a food menu featuring pizza from Zablong and small bites.
They’ve announced some pretty big expansion plans that came about with their new ownership in late 2023, but they’ve been mum on where exactly the new location will be.
Must-try beer: Coal Hearted Killer (Russian Imperial) – I love the branding of Bad Tom Smith. They’ve got a story to tell and are sticking to it. But for a brewery that prides itself on having easy-drinking beers, they brew one hell of a Russian Imperial Stout. Coal Hearted Killer is a professional beer drinker’s beer at 11.9% and will convince you that calling an Uber is probably a good idea. Fudge, chocolate, and coffee make up the flavor profile of this night ender.
Other great beers: Hazy River, Jailbreak Churro Brown Ale, 13 Preachers