Barleycorn’s Brewhouse
402 Licking Pike, Wilder, KY (Brewhouse)
Downs at Nicholson, Independence, KY (1842 Brewery) – coming soon
Wilder, Kentucky finally got its first brewery, as Barleycorn’s Brewhouse opened in the summer of 2022. They’re an offshoot of the Northern Kentucky sports bar chain. Barleycorn’s restaurant has locations in Lakeside Park, Cold Spring, and Florence. The brewhouse serves as the beer hub providing beer to all of the restaurants and also featuring a test kitchen.
Barleycorn’s was purchased by One Holland Corp. in 2021. The company owns several Skyline Chili and LaRosa’s Pizza franchises as well as other restaurants. One Holland also plans to open 1842 Brewery in Independence in 2023.
The building is a former firehouse and will feature a 5-barrel brewhouse with 30 barrels of fermenting capacity.
Chefs from Greyhound Tavern, also owned by One Holland, will use the kitchen to test and create new items.
Barleycorn’s has had multiple connections to the Cincinnati craft beer scene, including a partnership with 50 West to brew their house red lager.
1842 Barleycorn’s Brewhouse
Barleycorn’s will open their fifth location in at the Downs at Nicholson in Independence, Kentucky in summer 2025, and the location will feature the 1842 Brewery. The 12,000 square foot location is pegged as a “landmark destination” in Northern Kentucky. The new location will serve as the flagship for the brand’s brewery operations, and the Wilder Brewhouse will remain open as more of a pilot operation. The Independence brewery will have a 10-barrel brewhouse capable of producing around 1,500 barrels of beer per year.
The design of the large space is modeled around a horse barn and farm, paying homage to Kentucky’s heritage.
Must-try beer: Creamy Kitty (cream ale – 4.8%) – It’s not every day that a brewery leads off with a cream ale, but when they do it’s usually a safe bet to order. Light amber in color, with a slight malt backbone and corny aroma, this one goes great with spicy food and wings and has little to no hop bitterness and a smooth finish.
Major Awards
Cincinnati.com
- Crazy Norse – Cincinnati’s Favorite Beer – 2025
- Crazy Norse – Cincinnati’s Favorite Beer – 2024