Braxton Brewing Company

Braxton Brewing Company sits as the second-largest craft brewery in the Bluegrass State (behind Lexington’s Alltech). I have no idea how they put out the volume they do with their small system. Regardless, they put out some great beer and varied styles since opening in Covington in 2015.

They have a simple style and marketing approach, and they’re not afraid to produce classic styles like lagers (Twisted Bit) and cream ales (Storm). Braxton is also dog-friendly and is a centerpiece of the revival of Covington on 7th Street. They’ve also opened a second floor event space and rooftop patio as they are constantly improving their headquarters. In 2023, they added Dewey’s Pizza to their taproom, partnering with one of Cincinnati’s favorite pizza joints.

Braxton expanded to open up Braxton Labs in the former Ei8ht Ball space in the back of Party Source in Bellevue in 2017, giving them a test brewery to try out some of their test batches. The Labs location was closed in 2022 and The Party Source will replace it with an in-house bourbon bar.

Braxton has also tinkered with some non-beer drinks, including coffee, hard cider, and seltzer. In fact, their Vive Hard Seltzer has become one of the biggest regional players in the growing hard seltzer category. They were also named as the fourth fastest growing craft brewery in the country for 2019, as they ramped up their production 96 percent to 23,500 barrels.

Braxton Barrel House

In 2019, the brewery added a third space as they opened the Braxton Barrel House in a former Remke Market space in Ft. Mitchell. Barrel House focuses on their barrel-aged beers, with a 20,000 square foot storage facility storing barrels. It also features a large outdoor patio and a private barrel program for customers.

Braxton Cincinnati

In 2020, Braxton announced their first location in Ohio, as Braxton Cincinnati opened in the former 3 Points Urban Brewery location in Pendleton. The brewery was also named as the fourth-fastest growing craft brewery in the country according to the Brewers Association.

Braxton CVG

In 2021, it was announced that Braxton is exploring adding a taproom at the CVG Airport in Hebron, Kentucky in the space formerly occupied by a Samuel Adams taproom. The taproom features 12 taps, as well as wine options. Food is provided by Taco Fuerte.

Braxton Union

A location in Union, Kentucky is also in the works along US Hwy 42, as Braxton will be part a new development that will also feature Graeter’s Ice Cream and Dewey’s Pizza locations, deepening the relationship between the three companies.

Garage Beer Co.

In 2023, Braxton announced that they decided to spin off their popular light lager into Garage Beer Co., with the new company still being produced by them but focusing on growing to a wider market. In 2023, Garage Beer Co. announced that it will open a space in Columbus in conjunction with Leisure Club, a boutique retail store and event venue. In 2024, famous NFL brothers Jason and Travis Kelce became co-owners of Garage Beer.

Must-try beer: Dead Blow with Starter Coffee (Stout) – Dead Blow itself is a unique tasty tropical stout, but when you add 20 pounds of Starter Coffee to the mix, it becomes irresistible. This beer comes in at a nice 7.2%, the perfect balance to give you a nice buzz with a full body.

Other great beers: Dark Charge, Braxton Labs New England IPA, Twisted Bit

Major Awards

US Open Beer Championship

• Tropic Flare (New England/Hazy IPA) – Bronze Medal – 2022
• Tropic Flare (New England/Juicy IPA) – Bronze Medal – 2021