BrewDog Cincinnati
316 Reading Rd, Pendleton
This one comes with an asterisk. While they have a brewing license, BrewDog Cincinnati is technically just a BrewDog bar at this point. The Scottish based brewery opened their massive brewpub and hotel in Columbus a few years back, and Cincinnati was their first expansion outside of the capital city in the U.S. in 2019.
I’ll admit that I was a little skeptical of BrewDog opening in Cincinnati at first, but this place is awesome. It’s huge at 8,500 square feet, and a decidedly different feel from the HQ in Columbus. It’s definitely a great urban taproom that fits in well with the historic buildings in OTR/Pendleton in Downtown Cincinnati. It’s got big, bold colors, a huge bar, a massive community table, booths, and high top tables all on different levels. There’s also a mezzanine with more laid back seating, plenty of games, and a beer school for classes. They offer food and have a few guest options in addition to their wide variety of offerings.
BrewDog has continued to grow around Ohio and the Midwest, with locations in Columbus (3), Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh. The brewery is now the 41st largest craft brewery in the U.S., and third in Ohio behind Great Lakes and Rhinegeist.
Must-try beer: Clockwork Tangerine (session IPA) – BrewDog’s taplist is very IPA-centric, with favorites like Punk IPA and Elvis Juice, but this one is my favorite. It’s a lighter sessionable offering that still hits you with a dose of hops.
Other great beers: Choco Libre, Lost Lager