Fretboard Brewing Company
5800 Creek Rd, Blue Ash
103 Main St, Hamilton (Public House)
2750 Park Ave Ste O, Norwood (Factory 52)
108 Harrison Ave, Harrison – coming soon
Located in Blue Ash north of the city, Fretboard Brewing Company had its grand opening the first weekend of November 2017. The brewery incorporates beer and music, two of the things the owners love. The brewery itself has a warehouse feel, with a big bar and a stage in back, as well as food from Smoked Out.
The brewery really took the next step when they added former Listermann brewer and Taft’s co-founder Kevin Moreland as a consultant, and eventually partner.
Hamilton Public House
In 2019, Fretboard announced expansion plans, as they took over the former Quarter Barrel location in Hamilton. Fretboard Brewing & Public House opened with a new food partner and the same great beer.
The Gatherall at Factory 52
In June 2023, Fretboard opened a taproom in the Factory 52 development in Norwood, joining Asheville-based Hi-Wire Brewing as bookend anchor tenants. The 6,000 square foot space with an expansive patio is part of The Gatherall, a food hall that also features 14 food vendors, including Lucius Q BBQ, Decibel Korean Fried Chicken, Fulton Yards, Melt Revival, Shango’s Urban Taqueria, and more.
Fretboard Harrison
Fretboard is expected to open their fourth location in Harrison on the Ohio-Indiana border in the former Heist & Co. location that closed. The location is next to the 1860 Taproom & Bottleshop and Harrison is also expected to get Hearth Brewing in 2024.
Must-try beer: Crazy Train (Belgian Pale Ale) – Not only is the Belgian Pale Ale a style that you don’t see every day, but a beer winning awards at GABF, World Beer Cup, and the US Open is a pretty rare feat to pull off. This one clocks in at just 5.5% and is a nice copper color with low hop bitterness but still plenty of flavor.
Other great beers: Vlad (Pilsner), Bootsy Brewski (Brut IPA), Nati Dread (Imperial Stout)
Major Awards
Great American Beer Festival
- Crazy Train (Belgian-Style Ale or French-Style Ale) – Gold Medal – 2020
World Beer Cup
- Crazy Train (Belgian-Style Ale or French-Style Ale) – Silver Medal – 2022
- Vlad (International Style Pilsner) – Silver Medal – 2019
US Open Beer Championship
- Bootsy Brewsky (Brut IPA) – Silver Medal – 2023
- Crazy Train (Belgian Pale Ale) – Bronze Medal – 2022
- Vlad (International Style Pilsner) – Gold Medal – 2022
- Bootsy Brewski (Brut IPA) – Silver Medal – 2022
- #9 Brewery Overall – 2021
- Bootsy Brewski (Brut IPA) – Gold Medal – 2021
- Crazy Train (Belgian Pale Ale) – Gold Medal – 2021
- Vlad (International Style Pilsner) – Gold Medal – 2021
- Bootsy Brewski (Brut IPA) – Gold Medal – 2020
- Crazy Train (Belgian Pale Ale) – Gold Medal – 2020
- Bootsy Brewski (Brut IPA) – Gold Medal – 2019 (won as Soundcheck)
- Crazy Train (Belgian Pale Ale) – Gold Medal – 2019
- Crazy Train (Belgian Pale Ale) – Silver Medal – 2018
- Vlad (International Style Pilsner) – Silver Medal – 2018
Ohio Craft Brewer’s Cup
- Crazy Train (Belgian/French Ale) – Bronze Medal – 2020
- Improv (American IPA) – Gold Medal – 2020
- Vlad (European Lager) – Silver Medal – 2020
- Crazy Train (Belgian/French Ale) – Silver Medal – 2019
- Peso In My Hand (American Lager) – Gold Medal – 2018
RateBeer.com
- Best New Brewery in Ohio – 2018